Importance

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Abstract

An improved solar energy conversion apparatus for effectively converting solar radiation thermal energy, on a high-efficiency basis, into captive stored thermal energy in a captive working medium in a closed-cycle power conversion system (usually consisting of flow-path-defining apparatus such as piping, tubing or the like) and adapted at an output end to be connected to any of various different types of thermal energy utilization apparatus which will effectively reduce the temperature and/or pressure of the working medium as a consequence of the effective extraction of substantial quantities of energy from the working medium by such utilization apparatus, and normally provided with a return-flow line (usually ducting or the like) adapted to be connected from an output side of such utilization apparatus back to a low-thermal-energy input end of the flow-path-defining apparatus of the power conversion system. An important feature is the provision of, and the effective coupling with the solar energy conversion apparatus of, an automatic cut-in, auxiliary, heat-supplying standby apparatus coupled thereto in a manner such as to provide either a substantially constant desired level of thermal energy input into the working medium of the closed-cycle power conversion system despite input solar radiation thermal energy variations, or to provide for the maintainence of the total transferred thermal energy input within certain predetermined upper and lower limits.

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First Claim