Method and apparatus for generating electricity and potable water

Page 1 — bibliographic record

Page 2

Drawing sheet — no readable text.

Page 3

Drawing sheet — no readable text.

Page 4

Drawing sheet — no readable text.

Page 5

Drawing sheet — no readable text.

Page 6

Drawing sheet — no readable text.

Page 7

Drawing sheet — no readable text.

Page 8

Drawing sheet — no readable text.

Page 9

Drawing sheet — no readable text.

Page 10

Drawing sheet — no readable text.

Page 11

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,986

GENERATING ELECTRICITY AND

POTABLE WATER Inventor: Clifford B. Cordy

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to electrical gen A point focus distributed receiver System for generating eration Systems and, more specifically, to a System combin high-pressure Steam by means of Solar energy collection is ing Several discrete components whereby Sunlight is the disclosed. The cradle within which a gimbal mounted con catalyst energy form used to create electricity which can be centrator dish rotates is designed to withstand high wind used to energize a structure, home, and/or building with the forces by delivering all forces along the polar axis to the Surplus electricity being fed into the municipal power grid. equatorial end of the cradle, requires only one structural In addition Said System can produce a quantity of potable member to withstand flexural forces and provides an unob Water. structed volume behind the axis of rotation for the concen Said System comprises an array of Solar cells which produce an amount of current. The Solar cells have electrical 15 trator dish to rotate in. The concentrator dish comprises a plurality of Segments whose bracing forms a tee-pee-like connection means to a DC converter that converts the current into AC current and having electrical connection structure behind the dish. The receiver of the present inven means to a bank of batteries. The plurality of batteries stores tion further discloses a receiver cavity which achieves the DC current and having electrical connection means, maximum blackness in a minimum depth and Volume, a Supplies DC current to additional components within the combined heat shield/Secondary reflector and a plumbing System. The batteries are connected by electrical connection System which permits the receiver System to operate Suc means to an electrolytic device. The electrolytic device cessfully when the concentrator dish is nearly perpendicular consisting electrodes and an amount of liquid electrolyte, to the ground.

preferably water. The positive pole of the battery is con nected to the cathode electrode and the negative pole is U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,250 connected to the anode electrode which induces the electric current to pass through the liquid electrolyte, water. The 25 Inventor: Husein Ambadar et. Al. current dissociates the water into its collectable gaseous component parts, oxygen and hydrogen. The Oxygen is Issued: Sep. 30, 1997 released into the atmospheric air but could be collected for

Some further process. A compressor having electrical con ateAinSolar Seawater desalination System is designed to oper a Self-Sustaining manner without the need for any nection means to the batteries and connection means to the electrolytic device collects the hydrogen gas. A Storage tank moving parts. Seawater is converted to Steam in a Solar heat having ingreSS connection means with the compressor Stores collector panel and the Steam is led in a Steam pipe through the compressed hydrogen gas for use by additional compo a Series of cooling chambers where it is condensed by nents of the System. Said Storage tank, further, has egreSS incoming Seawater in tanks jacketing the Steam tube. The control means for Supplying a regulated amount of hydrogen 35 tanks are connected in Series between an inlet air-lock gas to a boiler. The boiler has electrical connection means to regulator and the Solar collector panel So that the Seawater is the batteries for energizing control devices, Such as elec caused to flow Successively through the tanks from the inlet tronic firing, and thermal control devices. Further having to the collector panel as make-up water, Solely by preSSure ingreSS connection means with the hydrogen Storage tank differentials created in the System by the Steam generation. and Steam egreSS connection means with a steam turbine. Excessively Saline Seawater which collects in the collector The Steam turbine has electrical connection means to the 40 panel is dumped from the System in a similar manner batteries for energizing the necessary components of the through an outlet air-lock regulator. Secondary cooling turbine, as well as, ingress water connection means with the chambers may be provided to condense Steam generated boiler which produces the steam which turns the turbine from the Seawater in the primary cooling chambers by heat blades and Said Steam turbine has egreSS connection means received from the Steam pipe.

with a water vapor Storage tank wherein the Steam, which 45 was used to rotate the turbine blades, is collected through the U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,865 condenser unit providing a Source of potable water. The electrical output of the Steam turbine can be used as an Inventor: Rajendra P. Dalai alternate or primary Source of electricity for a structure and can additional feed any residual electrical output into the 50 Issued: Jul. 15, 1986 municipal power grid. A method and apparatus for combustion of hydrogen to 2. Description of the Prior Art produce heat, for example to generate Steam for power There are other Solar powered device designed for pro generation. Water is electrolyzed and the hydrogen and a ducing electricity. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,448 fraction of the oxygen products of electrolysis are passed issued to Lasich on Aug. 19, 1997. 55 immediately to a first combustion Zone where the immediate Another patent was issued to Cordy on Sep. 20, 1994 as combustion of the oxygen products and a function of the U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,986. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,250 hydrogen products is effected. The products from this first was issued to Ambadar et al. on Sep. 30, 1997 and still yet combustion Zone are immediately passed to a Second com another was issued on Jul. 15, 1986 to Dalal as U.S. Pat. No. bustion Zone where combustion is again effected with the 4,599,865. 60 remaining fraction of the oxygen products of the electrolysis U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,448 and the remaining hydrogen products from the first com Inventor: John Beavis Lasich bustion Zone. The heat generated is thereafter applied to the desired use, for example by passing the products of com

Issued: Aug. 19, 1997 bustion from the Second combustion Zone through water to Method and apparatus for producing hydrogen by con 65 boil the water, the Steam thereby produced being used for version of Solar energy into thermal and electrical energy for power generation. Apparatus to carry out this method is also electrolysis of Steam. described.

Page 12

While these electricity-generating devices may be Suit Said System comprises an array of photovoltaic cells able for the purposes for which they were designed, they which produce current. The Solar cells have electrical con would not be as Suitable for the purposes of the present nection means to a Voltage regulator having electrical con invention, as hereinafter described. nection means to a bank of batteries for charging Said SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION batteries. The bank of batteries stores the current and having The present invention discloses a System for generating electrical connection means, Supplies Said current to addi electricity and potable water. The System comprises an array tional components within the System. The batteries are of Solar cells which produce an amount of current. The Solar connected by electrical connection means to an electrolytic device. The electrolytic device consisting electrodes and an cells have electrical connection means to a bank of batteries.

The batteries are connected by electrical connection means amount of liquid electrolyte, preferably water. The positive to an electrolytic device. The current dissociates the water pole of the battery is connected to the cathode electrode and into its collectable gaseous component parts, oxygen and the negative pole is connected to the anode electrode which hydrogen. The oxygen is released into the atmospheric air induces the electric current to pass through the liquid but could be collected for Some further process. A compres electrolyte, water. The current dissociates the water into its Sor having electrical connection means to the batteries and 15 collectable gaseous component parts, oxygen on the nega connection means to the electrolytic device collects the tive Side and hydrogen on the positive. The Oxygen is hydrogen gas. A Storage tank having ingreSS connection released into the atmospheric air but could be collected for means with the compressor Stores the compressed hydrogen Some further process. A compressor having electrical con gas for use by additional components of the System. The nection means to the batteries and connection means to the Storage tank further has egreSS control means for Supplying electrolytic device collects the hydrogen gas. A Storage tank a regulated amount of hydrogen gas to a boiler. The boiler having ingreSS Water connection means with the compressor has electrical connection means to the batteries for energiz Stores the compressed hydrogen gas for use by additional ing control devices, Such as electronic firing, and thermal components of the System. Said Storage tank, further, has control devices and has ingreSS connection means with the egreSS control means for Supplying a regulated amount of hydrogen Storage tank and Steam egreSS connection means with the steam turbine. The steam turbine has electrical 25 hydrogen gas to a boiler. The boiler has electrical connection connection means to the batteries for energizing the neces means to the batteries for energizing control devices, Such as Sary components of the turbine, as well as, ingreSS water electronic ingreSS firing, and thermal control devices. Further having connection means with the hydrogen Storage tank connection means with the boiler which produces the Steam which turns the turbine blades and Steam turbine has egreSS The and Steam egreSS connection means with a Steam turbine. connection means with a water vapor Storage tank wherein Steam turbine has electrical connection means to the the Steam, which was used to rotate the turbine blades, is batteries for energizing the necessary components of the collected through the condenser unit providing a Source of turbine, as well as, ingreSS water connection means with the potable water. The electrical output of the steam turbine can boiler which produces the Steam which turns the turbine be used as an alternate or primary Source of electricity for a 35 blades and Said Steam turbine has egreSS connection means Structure and can additionally feed any residual electrical with a water vapor condenser wherein the Steam, which was output into the municipal power grid. used to rotate the turbine blades, is collected and cooled A primary object of the present invention is to provide a therein providing a Source of potable water. The electrical Standalone System for generating electricity. output of the Steam turbine can be used as an alternate or Another object of the present invention is to provide a 40 primary Source of electricity for a structure and can addi Standalone electrical generating System using Sunlight as the power grid.any residual electrical output into the municipal tional feed catalyst energy form to create electricity which can be used to energize a structure, home, and/or building. The foregoing and other objects and advantages will Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a appear from the description to follow. In the description Standalone electrical generating System using Sunlight as the 45 reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which catalyst energy form to create electricity which can be fed form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of into the municipal power grid. illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in

Still yet another object of the present invention is to Sufficient provide a Standalone electrical generating System which can the invention, detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice additionally produce a quantity of potable water. and it is to be understood that other embodi 50 ments may be utilized and that Structural changes may be

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a

Standalone electrical generating System using Sunlight as the made without departing from the Scope of the invention. In catalyst energy form to create electricity which is Stored in ignate the same ordrawings, the accompanying similar like reference characters des parts throughout the Several batteries to be used by an electrolytic device to produce views.

hydrogen which is collected and compressed for use by a 55 The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be boiler to generated Steam which powers a Steam turbine that taken in a limiting Sense, and the Scope of the present produces electricity.

Additional objects of the present invention will appear as invention is best defined by the appended claims. the description proceeds. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the 60 prior art by providing an electrical generation Systems In order that the invention may be more fully understood, comprising discrete components utilizing Sunlight as the it will now be described, by way of example, with reference catalyst energy form to generate electricity which can be to the accompanying drawings in which:

used to energize a structure, home, and/or building with the FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the present invention in Surplus electricity being fed into the municipal power grid. 65 use. Shown is a Standalone System wherein Sunlight is the In addition Said System can produce a quantity of potable catalyst energy form used to create electricity which can be Water. used to energize a structure, home, and/or building with the

Page 13

S 6

Surplus electricity being fed into the municipal power grid. Vapor and Stored as a Source for potable water. The electrical In addition Said System can produce a quantity of potable output of the Steam turbine can be used as an alternate or Water. primary Source of electricity for a structure and can addi FIG. 2 is an illustrative view of the components of the tional feed any residual electrical output into the municipal present invention and interrelationship therein for generat power grid.

ing electricity and potable water. Shown is a System com FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the components and bining Several discrete components whereby Sunlight is the interrelationship therein.

catalyst energy form used to create electricity which can be used to energize a structure, home, and/or building with the LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS Surplus electricity being fed into the municipal power grid. With regard to reference numerals used, the following In addition Said System can produce a quantity of potable numbering is used throughout

Water. 10 present invention

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the Solar panels, DC 11 home or building converter and bank of batteries of the present invention. The 15 12 Solar cells

Solar panels are comprised of a array of photovoltaic cells 13 power grid which convert the rays of the Sun to an amount of DC current 14 electrical connection means which is fed into a DC regulator and stored in a bank of 15 hydrogen line batteries for use by various components of the present 16 DC voltage regulator invention. 18 batteries

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the electrolytic device of 20 electrolytic device the present invention. The electrolytic device has electrical 22 electrodes connection means to the plurality of batteries. The electro 24 electrolyte lytic device consisting of electrodes and an amount of liquid 26 compressor electrolyte, preferably water. The positive pole of the battery 25 27 compressor Storage tank is connected to the cathode electrode and the negative pole 28 Storage tank is connected to the anode electrode which induces the 30 ingreSS connection means to Storage tank electric current to pass through the liquid electrolyte, water. 32 egreSS connection means from Storage tank The current dissociates the water into its collectable gaseous 34 boiler component parts, oxygen and hydrogen. The Oxygen is 36 Steam egreSS connection means released into the atmospheric air but could be collected for 38 steam turbine

Some further process. The hydrogen is collected by a com 40 condenser preSSor and Stored for future use by other components within 42 potable water the System. 44 structure

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the compressor of the 35 46 cathode present invention. The compressor having electrical connec 48 anode tion means to the batteries and connection means to the 50 water inlet electrolytic device collects and compresses the hydrogen 52 connection means gas. A Storage tank having ingreSS connection means with 54 DC converter the compressor Stores the compressed hydrogen gas for use 40 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED by additional components of the System.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hydrogen Storage tank EMBODIMENT(S) of the present invention. The compressor having electrical In order that the invention may be more fully understood, connection means to the batteries and connection means to it will now be described, by way of example, with reference the electrolytic device collects and compresses the hydrogen 45 to the accompanying drawings in which FIGS. 1 through 9 gas. The Storage tank having ingreSS connection means with illustrate the present invention being a device for generating the compressor Stores the compressed hydrogen gas for use electricity and potable water.

by additional components of the System. Said Storage tank, Turning to FIG. 1, shown therein is an overall illustrative further, has egreSS control means for Supplying a regulated view of the present invention in use. Shown is a self amount of hydrogen gas to a boiler. 50 contained System wherein Sunlight is the catalyst energy FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the boiler component of form used to create electricity which can be used to energize the present invention. The boiler has electrical connection a structure, home, and/or building 11 with the Surplus means to the batteries for energizing control devices, Such as electricity being fed into the municipal power grid 13. In electronic firing, and thermal control devices. Further having addition the System can produce a quantity of potable water ingreSS connection means with the hydrogen Storage tank 55 as hereinafter disclosed.

and Steam egreSS connection means with a steam turbine. Turning to FIG. 2, shown therein is an illustrative view of The boiler uses the hydrogen gas as a fuel Source to generate the components of the present invention 10 and interrela Steam which is used to generate electricity by the Steam tionship therein for generating electricity and potable water. turbine. Shown is a System combining Several discrete components FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the steam driven electric 60 whereby Sunlight is the catalyst energy form used to create turbine generator. The Steam turbine has electrical connec electricity which can be used to energize a Structure, home, tion means to the battery components for energizing the and/or building with the Surplus electricity being fed into the necessary circuits of the turbine, as well as, ingreSS connec municipal power grid tion means with the boiler which produces the steam which The System comprises an array of Solar cells 12 which turns the turbine blades. Said Steam turbine has egreSS 65 produce an amount of current. The Solar cells have electrical connection means with a condenser unit wherein the Steam connection means 14 to a DC voltage regulator 16 that which was used to power the turbine is coalesced into water regulates the current and has electrical connection means 14

Page 14

to a bank of batteries 18. The bank of batteries stores the DC Turning to FIG. 6, shown therein is a perspective view of current and having electrical connection means 14, Supplies the hydrogen Storage tank 28 of the present invention. The DC current to additional components within the system. The Storage tank 28 having ingreSS connection means 30 with the batteries are connected by electrical connection means 14 to compressor Stores the compressed hydrogen gas for use by an electrolytic device 20. The electrolytic device consists of additional components of the System. The Storage tank 28, electrodes 22 and an amount of liquid electrolyte 24, pref further, has egreSS control means 32 for Supplying a regu erably water. The current dissociates the water into its lated amount of hydrogen gas to a boiler 34. Electrical collectable gaseous component parts, oxygen and hydrogen. connection means 14 are also shown. The oxygen is released into the atmospheric air but could be Turning to FIG. 7, shown therein is a perspective view of collected for Some further process. A compressor 26 having the boiler 34 component of the present invention. The boiler electrical connection means 14 to the batteries and connec has electrical connection means 14 to the batteries for tion means 15 to the electrolytic device collects the hydro energizing control devices, Such as electronic firing, and gen gas in Storage tank 27. A Second Storage tank 28 having thermal control devices. Also shown is a water inlet 50. ingreSS connection means 30 with the compressor Storage Further having ingreSS connection means 32 with the hydro tank 27 Stores the compressed hydrogen gas for use by 15 gen Storage tank and Steam egreSS connection means 36 with additional components of the System. The Storage tank 28, a steam turbine. The boiler uses the hydrogen gas as a fuel further, has egreSS control means 32 for Supplying a regu Source to generate Steam which is used to generate electric lated amount of hydrogen gas to a boiler 34. The boiler 34 ity by the steam turbine has electrical connection means 14 to the batteries for energizing control devices, Such as electronic firing, and Turning to FIG. 8, shown therein is a perspective view of thermal control devices and has ingreSS connection means the steam driven electric turbine generator 38. The steam 32 with the hydrogen Storage tank and Steam egreSS con turbine has electrical connection means 14 to the battery nection means 36 with a steam turbine 38. The steam turbine components for energizing the necessary circuits of the 38 has electrical connection means 14 to the batteries for turbine, as well as, ingreSS connection means 36 with the energizing the necessary components of the turbine, as well 25 boiler which produces the steam which turns the turbine as, ingreSS Steam connection means 36 with the boiler 34 blades. The Steam turbine has egreSS connection means 52 which produces the steam which turns the turbine blades and with a condenser unit 40 wherein the steam which was used the Steam turbine has egreSS connection means 52 with a to power the turbine is coalesced into water vapor and Stored condenser 40 wherein the steam, which was used to rotate as a source for potable water 42. The electrical output of the the turbine blades, is collected therein providing a Source of Steam turbine can be used as an alternate or primary Source potable water 42. The electrical output of the steam turbine of electricity for a structure 44 and can additional feed any can be used as an alternate or primary Source of electricity residual electrical output into the municipal power grid for a structure 44 and can additionally feed any residual using electrical connection means 14.

electrical output into the municipal power grid using elec Turning to FIG. 9, shown therein is a diagrammatic view trical connection 14. 35 of the components and interrelationship therein. Shown is a Turning to FIG. 3, shown therein is a perspective view of DC converter 54 which converts the current into AC current. the multiple Solar panels 12, DC regulator 16 and bank of Certain elements previously disclosed are also shown. The batteries 18 of the present invention along with connections present invention thus discloses a process for generating 14. The Solar panels 12 are comprised of a array of photo electricity and potable water, comprising the Steps of gen Voltaic cells which convert the rays of the Sun to an amount 40 erating 12 electricity from the Sun; regulating 16 the elec of DC current which is fed into a DC regulator 16 and stored tricity generated from the Sun; Storing Said electricity gen in a bank of batteries 18 for use by various components of erated from the Sun; electrolytically 20 Separating oxygen the present invention; e.g., an electrolytic device 20. and hydrogen from an electrolyte using Said Stored electric Turning to FIG. 4, shown therein is a perspective view of ity; collecting 27 Said hydrogen; compressing 26 Said col the electrolytic device 20 of the present invention. The 45 lected hydrogen; Storing 28 Said compressed hydrogen; electrolytic device 20 has electrical connection means 14 to generating Steam in a boiler 34 using Said hydrogen as the the plurality of batteries. The electrolytic device consists of fuel; generating electricity from Said Steam using a Steam electrodes 22 and an amount of liquid electrolyte 24, pref driven turbine 38; condensing 40 water from said steam erably water. The positive pole of the battery is connected to driven turbine; and, connecting electrically 14 the compo the cathode electrode 46 and the negative pole is connected 50 nents of the process.

to the anode electrode 48 which induces the electric current What is claimed to be new and desired to be protected by to pass through the liquid electrolyte 24, water. The current letters patent is Set forth in the appended claims: dissociates the water into its collectable gaseous component 1. An apparatus for generating electricity and potable parts, oxygen and hydrogen. The oxygen is released into the Water, comprising:

atmospheric air but could be collected for some further 55 a) a means comprising Solar panels for generating elec process. The hydrogen is transmitted through line 15 and is tricity from the Sun;

collected by a compressor 26 (not shown) and Stored for b) means for regulating the Voltage of Said electricity; future use by other components within the System. c) means for storing said electricity in a battery bank; Turning to FIG. 5, shown therein is a perspective view of d) means utilizing electricity stored in Said battery bank the compressor 26 of the present invention. The compressor 60 having a water electrolyte in a chamber for electrolyZ 26 has electrical connection means 14 to the batteries and ing oxygen gas and hydrogen gas, connection means 15 to the electrolytic device and collects e) means for collecting said hydrogen gas and means for and compresses the hydrogen gas. A first Storage tank 27 compressing Said collected hydrogen gas, having ingreSS connection means with the compressor Stores the compressed hydrogen gas for use by additional compo 65 f) means for Storing said compressed hydrogen gas, nents of the system. Outlet conduit 30 carries hydrogen to a g) boiler means fired by said hydrogen gas for generating Storage tank 28 (not shown). Steam,

Page 15

h) means comprising a steam driven turbine for generat e) collecting Said hydrogen;

ing electricity, Said turbine receiving Steam from Said f) compressing said collected hydrogen; boiler means, i) means for electrically connecting said means for gen g) Storing said compressed hydrogen; erating electricity, Said Voltage regulating means, Said h) generating Steam in a boiler using said hydrogen as the battery bank, Said electrolyzing means, Said boiler fuel;

means, and Said Steam driven turbine; and j) means for condensing Steam discharged from Said i) generating electricity from said Steam using a steam Steam driven turbine for producing potable water. driven turbine and using Said electricity in a structure 2. A process for generating electricity and potable water, 1O with any Surplus electricity being fed into a municipal comprising the Steps of: power grid;

a) generating electricity from the Sun using Solar panels; j) condensing waster from said steam driven turbine for b) regulating the electricity generated from the Sun; producing potable water; and, c) storing said electricity generated from the Sun; 15 k) connecting electrically the components of the process. d) electrolytically separating oxygen and hydrogen from a water electrolyte using Said Stored electricity;