摘要 |
A solar engine having a plurality of elements which convert solar energy to usable mechanical motion, such as a piston and a thermally expandable fluid in a cylinder. The sun's rays are focused on a movable mirror which is provided to selectively direct the thermal energy to each of the piston and cylinder thermal energy converting elements. The thermal energy causes expansion of the fluid in the selected cylinder, thus moving the piston to provide mechanical motion. The thermodynamic cycle employed can be selected by the proper choice of the movable mirror timing and by the construction of the piston driven elements of the engine. The result is an efficient, flexible solar engine in which intermediate storage of thermal energy from the sun is not necessary.
|