Solar thermal aircraft
Patent
·
OSTI ID:915243
- Livermore, CA
A solar thermal powered aircraft powered by heat energy from the sun. A heat engine, such as a Stirling engine, is carried by the aircraft body for producing power for a propulsion mechanism, such as a propeller. The heat engine has a thermal battery in thermal contact with it so that heat is supplied from the thermal battery. A solar concentrator, such as reflective parabolic trough, is movably connected to an optically transparent section of the aircraft body for receiving and concentrating solar energy from within the aircraft. Concentrated solar energy is collected by a heat collection and transport conduit, and heat transported to the thermal battery. A solar tracker includes a heliostat for determining optimal alignment with the sun, and a drive motor actuating the solar concentrator into optimal alignment with the sun based on a determination by the heliostat.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
- Sponsoring Organization:
- United States Department of Energy
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Assignee:
- The Regents of the University of California (Oakland, CA)
- Patent Number(s):
- 7,270,295
- Application Number:
- 10/835,665
- OSTI ID:
- 915243
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Compatibility of potential containment materials with molten lithium hydride at 800°C
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journal | December 1993 |
Reducing the Cost of Energy From Parabolic Trough Solar Power Plants
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conference | January 2009 |
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