TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a power generation systems and more particularly, to an inflatable collapsible cells based solar power generation and heat capturing system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electricity is generated by using various renewable and non-renewable energy sources. Non-renewable energy sources include coal, fossil fuels, natural gas and the like. Electricity generation from non- renewable sources cause damage to the ¾ environment and the sources have limited availability. Renewable energy sources include wind energy, tidal energy, solar energy and the like. There exist different mechanisms and methods to use these sources for generation of electricity. The existing technologies include rotating a turbine using wind energy or tidal energy.

Existing technologies fail to generate electricity uninterruptedly as the sources ¾ have limitations of availability at constant intensity. Further, mechanisms implemented to convert wind energy or tidal energy into electricity involve high cost and complex setups. These setups require to be installed at specific locations as per the availability of the source at its best mode. Further, existing solar and other renewable energy harnessing technologies are very difficult and expensive ttl to integrate with the industrial process heating and other industrial applications where continuous source of hot air is a need.

Solar energy is available in majority parts of the world in abundant amount. The existing mechanisms and equipments used for converting solar energy into electricity require heavy setups that occupy large ground space and involve high t& cost. Availability of a large ground area is most vital necessity for the currently known renewable power generation technologies. Further, implementation of most of such methods and technologies on the water surface is impractical. Furthermore, the photovoltaic panels cause pollution to the environment due to electric and electronic waste.

Accordingly, there is need of a system that overcomes drawbacks of the existing technologies for harnessing solar energy thereby facilitating uninterrupted ¾ electricity during the sunshine hours in a day and efficiently captures solar heat and integrates easily with the industrial processes for various applications.

SU M MA RY OF T H E INV E NTION

In an embodiment, the present invention relates to an inflatable collapsible cell ¾ (ICC) based solar power generation and heat capturing system that includes a plurality of ICC adapted to receive an ambient fluid through inlet valve between the ICC and at least one compressor. In a preferred embodiment an ambient air is used as a fluid. Each ICC has an outlet valve that supplies hot fluid (under pressure) to at least one turbine positioned in proximity thereof. The hot fluid ¾ passes over the turbine connected to a generator thereby rotating the turbine in order to generate electricity. The utilized fluid is passed through an exhaust heat recovery unit before being released to the atmosphere.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of operating an inflatable collapsible cell (ICC) based solar power generation and heat capturing ttl system that includes an initial step of inflating an ICC using compressed fluid from a compressed fluid storage tank or directly from a compressor until a predefined low volume limit is reached. In this stage, the inletvalve and the outlet valve remain closed. In a next step, the ICC is exposed to solar incident radiation to heat the fluid contained therein. In the next step, the ICC expands to a t& maximum volume limit at which the fluid pressure reaches a predefined high pressure limit. In this step, the outlet valve is opened and the inlet valve remains closed. In the next step, the high temperature and pressure fluid is released into a hot fluid conduit through the outlet valves thereby deflating the ICC in final step. The ICC that are deflated below the low volume limit are then inflated back to low volume limit using the compressed fluid from the compressed fluid storage tank or directly from the compressor.

B RIE F DE SC RIPT ION OF T H E DRAWINGS

¾ FIG. 1 shows a top view of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

F IG . 2 shows a front vi ew of the system of F IG . 1 ;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a system in accordance with another embodi ment of the present i nventi on;

¾ FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a system of the present invention in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows the system of the present invention in accordance with yet another embodi ment of the present i nventi on;

FIG. 6 is a graphical representation showing operation cycle of single Inflatable ¾ Collapsible Cell in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation showing operation cycle of four ICCs in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 shows a supplementary structure of a collapsible ICC in another embodiment of the present invention.

DE TAIL E D DE SC RIPTION OF T H E INV E NT ION

Although specific terms are used in the following description for sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to particular structure of the invention t& sel ected for i 11 ustrati on i n the drawi ngs, and are not i ntended to defi ne or I i mit the scope of the invention. In general aspect, the present invention discloses a solar power generation and heat capturing system that includes at least one inflatable collapsible cell, a compressor, a compressed fluid storage, a cold fluid conduit, a hot fluid conduit,

¾ at least one turbine and a generator. The compressor receives a fluid, followed by compression and storage thereof in the compressed fluid storage. The compressed fluid storage passes the fluid to the cold fluid conduit. The inflatable collapsible cell has at least two valves. The fluid is drawn into the inflatable collapsible cell up to a predefined lower volume limit through an inlet valve thereof. An outer

¾ surface of the inflatable collapsible cell is coated with a material that has high capacity of solar radiation absorption. The fluid drawn inside the inflatable collapsible cell gets heated by the solar radiations and ICC expands upto a limit and further heating leads to increase in pressure inside the inflatable collapsible cell. As the pressure reaches a predefined maximum pressure and volume limit,

¾ the fluid is released in the hot fluid conduit through an outlet valve of the inflatable collapsible cell. The hot fluid conduit passes the hot fluid on the turbine. The hot fluid expands over the turbine that drives the generator and results into generation of electricity. However, the expanded hot fluid may be vented to the atmosphere, fresh fluid is compressed and fed back to the inflatable collapsible ttl cells.

References in the specification to ^' one embodiment _, or ^' an embodiment _, mean that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase Ίη one embodiment _, in various places t& i n the specif i cati on are not necessari ly al I ref erri ng to the same embodi ment.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers in brackets indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. Referring to FIG. 1 and 2, an inflatable collapsible cells based solar power generation and heat capturing system of the present invention in accordance with an embodiment is shown. The system (100) includes a compressor (102), a compressed fluid storage (104), a cold fluid conduit (106), at least one inflatable ¾ collapsible cell (hereinafter ^' the ICC (108) _), a hot fluid conduit (110), at least one turbine (112), a generator (114) and an exhaust heat recovery unit (116). In this embodiment, two ICCs (108) are connected to the compressor (102) that drive one turbine (112) connected to the generator (114). However, it is understood here that number of the ICCs (108), the compressor (102), the turbine (112) and the ¾ generator (114) may vary in alternative embodiments of the present invention. In accordance with this embodiment, ambient air is used as a fluid. However, it is understood here that any other gas or liquid may be used in alternative embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic diagram of the inflatable collapsible cells ¾ based solar power generation and heat recovery system in accordance with another embodiment is shown. In this one embodiment, a plurality of ICC (108) are interconnected, integrated and controlled in a predefined configuration. However, it is understood here that number of ICC (108) may vary in alternative embodiments of the present invention. The compressed fluid is introduced in the i l ICC (108) by the compressor (102) through the inlet valve (107). In this one embodiment, the compressor (102) is connected to the compressed fluid storage tank (104). The compressed fluid storage (104) is connected to the cold fluid conduit (106). The cold fluid conduit (106) is connected to an inlet valve (107) of the ICC (108). t& An outlet valve of the ICC (109) is connected to the hot fluid conduit

(110). The hot fluid conduit (110) receives the hot fluid from the outlet valve of ICC (108) and supplies to the turbine (112) positioned within close proximity thereof. However, it is understood here that the hot fluid may be passed over the turbine directly from the ICC (108) using exhaust gas opening (not shown). The ffl, turbi ne ( 112) is connected to the generator (114) for generati on of el ectri city. T he fluid utilized by the turbine (112) is passed through the exhaust heat recovery unit (116) before passing to the atmosphere. It is to be noted here that the ICCs (108) and other components of the system are connected to each other by conveying/ pipe members (113).

¾ In an embodiment the compressor (102) receives the fluid from the predetermined source. The compressor (102) may be driven by a motor (101) or a similar power source. The compressor (102) compresses the fluid that is stored in the compressed fluid storage (104). The compressed fluid storage (104) supplies the compressed fluid to the cold fluid conduit (106). The cold fluid conduit (106) ¾ distributes the compressed fluid to the ICC (108). In accordance with this one embodiment shown in FIG. 3, eight ICC (108) are connected to the cold fluid conduit (106). However, it is understood here that the number of ICC (108) and the cold fluid conduit (106) may vary in alternative embodiments of the system (100).

¾ E ach of the IC C ( 108) has at I east two valves, namely the i nl et valve ( 107) and the outlet valve (109). The inlet valve (107) draws compressed fluid to the ICC (108) such that the compressed fluid is drawn in the ICC (108) up to a predefined lower volume limit. The inlet valve (107) automatically closes as the predefined lower volume limit is reached. The valves (107), (109) are controlled ttl based on the inputs from a plurality of sensors (111) installed on the ICC (108).

However, it is understood here that the number of valves (107,109) of the ICC

(108) may vary in alternative embodiment of the disclosure. The valves (107),

(109) are operated for integration of ICC (108) for optimized electricity generation. It is to be noted here that opening and closing of the inlet and outlet t& valves (107), (109) of the ICC (108) may also be coordinated using mechanisms such as pneumatic, mechanical, electro- mechanical, electrical and the like. Coordination and communication between the ICC (108) may be carried out by using abovementioned modes. Advanced logics and automation may be employed to coordinate and communicate between the ICC (108) to optimize the power ffl, generation An outer surface of each ICC (108) is coated with a material having solar radiation absorbing capacity. In this one embodiment each ICC (108) is covered with a safety net (103) that may be spring loaded in order to gain operational advantage for the ICC (108). The safety net (103) is covered with a wind shield ¾ ( 105) on the outer surface thereof to protect the IC C ( 108) from surroundi ng f I ui d flow. The safety net (103) and the wind shield (105) are anchored to a ground by using a plurality of anchors (115). The wind shield (105) is made up of a material which transmits majority of the solar radiation. However, it is understood here that the ICC (108) may be coloured in black or made up of a material so as to ¾ absorb sol ar radi ati ons to greater amount.

The fluid inside the ICC (108) gets heated as the ICC (108) absorb solar radiations. Increase in temperature of fluid leads to increase in pressure of the ICC (108). The outlet valve (109) of the ICC (108) opens as the pressure is reached to a predefined Maximum volume limit (high pressure). In this one embodiment, ¾ Maximum volume limit volume of the ICC (108) is from about 5m ³ to about 15000m ³ . The maximum internal pressure in the ICC (108) is from about 200 Pascals to about 8000 Pascals. It is to be noted here that the Maximum volume limit, Low volume limit, temperature and pressure may vary with respect to size and number of IC C s ( 108) used i n the system ( 100) . ttl The hot fluid (under pressure) is passed over the turbine (112) positioned in a predefined proximity thereof. In this one embodiment, the hot fluid is drawn into the hot fluid conduit (110) that is connected to the outlet valves (109) of the ICC (108). The hot fluid conduit (110) supplies the hot fluid to the turbine (112) such that the hot fluid expands over the turbines (112) in order to rotate the t& turbi ne ( 112) . T he turbi ne ( 112) is connected to the generator ( 114) such that the generator (114) generates electricity as per rotation of the turbine (112). In this one embodiment, system (100) includes single turbine (112) that is subjected to the hot fluid. However, it is understood here that more than one turbine (112) may be used as per the requirement. The utilized fluid is passed through the exhaust ffl, fluid recovery unit (116) before being released to the atmosphere for reducing temperature thereof. The exhaust heat recovery unit (116) is adapted to absorb excess heat of the utilized fluid and utilize the heat for suitable applications.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the utilized fluid may be used for Industrial usage such as drying, pre-heating, waste heat

¾ based absorption refrigeration system for cold storages, warehouses and the like.

However, the utilized hot fluid discharged from the turbine (112) may be recirculated through the compressor (102) to inflate the deflated ICC or ICC (108). The system (100) of the present invention may be integrated with heat recovery system from using exhausted hot fluid from the turbine (112) for

¾ industrial processes or any other suitable purpose to boost overall efficiency of the system.

Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this one embodiment, the turbine (112) and the exhaust heat recovery unit (116) include a secondary turbine (202) is positioned there between. The

¾ system (100) facilitates the utilised fluid to pass over the secondary turbine (202) instead of being passed through the exhaust fluid recovery unit (116). In this one alternative embodiment, the secondary turbine (202) is positioned in close proximity to exhaust fluid outlet (not shown). The hot fluid expands over the secondary turbi ne (202) i n order to rotate the secondary turbi ne (202) . T he turbi ne ttl (202) is connected to the generator (not shown) to generate the electricity in addition to the primary generator (114). However, position and number of the secondary turbines (202) and primary generator (114) may vary in alternative embodiments of the present invention. The secondary turbine (202) may be connected to the same generator to which turbine (112) is connected. t& Referring to FIG. 5, in yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system (100) may be implemented in the waterbody such that the ICC (108) are placed in the waterbody and rest of the components of system (100) may be setup on the land. If required, ICC (108) may be anchored to the floor or bed of a waterbody to avoid excessive movements of the floating ICC (108). Preferably, the compressor (102), the compressed fluid storage (104), the cold fluid conduit (106), the hot fluid conduit (110), the at least one turbine (112) and the generator (114) are setup on the land onshore in this one alternative embodiment. However, in alternative embodiments, the arrangement shown on the land onshore in Fig. 5 ¾ may be I ocated offshore i n the water body by usi ng a pi atf orm, a f I oati ng structure and the like, in case the ICCs (108) are located long distance away from the shore of a waterbody. The system (100) may be installed entirely on ground or partly on water and partly on ground or entirely on water. A secondary turbine (not shown) may be implemented at hot fluid exhaust outlet (not Shown) in order to utilise ¾ used hot fluid. However, it is understood here that number of the ICCs (108), the turbine (112) and the secondary turbine (Not shown) may vary in alternative embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, operational graphical representation of the system (100) with a single ICC (108) is shown. Initially, the ICC (108) is in fully

¾ deflated form at stage 1. The ICC (108) is inflated using compressed fluid until a predefined low volume limit at stage (2). The deflated ICC (108) is inflated using compressed fluid from a compressor (102) driven by the motor (101). The inlet valve (107) is opened and the outlet valve (109) remains closed at this stage (3). In a next step, the ICC (108) is exposed to solar incident radiation that heats up

*ft the fluid inside the lCC (108). At stage (4), the lCC (108) expands to a Maximum V olume Limit. If the ICC (108) is heated further, the fluid pressure reaches to a predefined high pressure limit at stage (5). At this stage (5), outlet valve (109) is opened whereas the inlet valve (107) remains closed. The opening and closing of the inlet valve (107) and the outlet valve (109) is controlled by using at least one t& sensor (111). In this one embodiment, a plurality of sensor is positioned at required locations on the ICC (108). The high temperature and pressure fluid is released into the hot fluid conduit (110) that deflates the ICC (108). In this one embodiment the maximum temperature limit is upto 150° C and maximum pressure limit is from to 200 Pascals to about 8000 Pascals. However, it is ffl, understood that temperature and pressure limits may vary in alternative embodiments of the present invention. The ICC (108) deflates below the Low volume limit at stages (6-7), that is then inflated back to Low volume limit (3) using the compressed fluid from the compressed fluid storage tank (104) or directly from the compressor (102). However, it is understood here that the ICC ¾ ( 108) i s i nf I ated from stages 6 to 3 i n such a way that the mass of f I ui d i n the IC C (108) is maintained at the predefined level.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, operational graphical representation of the system (100) with four ICCs (108) is shown. The ICCs (108) generate electricity continuously by inflating and deflating in periodic overlapping sequence wherein, ¾ P1 represents power generation cycle of first ICC (108), P2 represents power generation cycle of second ICC (108), P3 represents power generation cycle of third ICC (108), P4 represents power generation cycle of fourth ICC(108).

In accordance with the present invention, the system (100) may include one ICC (108) or a plurality of ICC (108) working in a predefined sequence. Each

¾ ICC (108) may be implemented with other components mentioned in the description or a plurality of ICC (108) is interconnected to each other as well as other component of the system (100). In such configuration, the hot fluid from all the ICC (108) is received in hot fluid conduit and passed over the turbine (112) such that the turbine (112) is kept rotated continuously. However, it is understood ttl here that the ICC (108) are inflated and deflated sequentially such that the hot air is directly passed on the turbine (112) by either of the ICC (108) such that the turbine (108) is kept rotating continuously thereby having uninterrupted electricity generation.

Referring to FIG. 8, a supplementary structure of the ICC (108) in t& accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The ICC (108) may be advantageously implemented by using springs (802), hydraulic cylinders and the like. Such implements are used for exerting force that opposes the pressure force trying to expand the ICC (108). This may help in enhancing power generation capacity of the ICC (108). The fluid inside the ICC (108) expands against the spring tension thereby leading to increase pressure in the ICC (108). However, the spring helps to contract the ICC (108) to the original size thereof during the power cycle, resulting in higher hot fluid flow rate through the ICC (108) outlet. However, it is to be noted here that the enhanced pressure and higher ¾ flow rate helps in enhancing the power output from the ICC (108).

The foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light ¾ of the above teachi ng.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others, skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the present invention.