Patent · US Expired

Epcon energy field system an energy producing conglomerate (EPCAN) system using wind energy, solar panels, and steam turbines

US5206537A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
6References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 24, 1990
Grant dateApr 27, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 24, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/72
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The specification discloses an Energy Producing Conglomerate (EPCON) system using wind energy, solar panels, and steam turbines producing electricity from the kinetic energy of the wind and the thermal energy of the sun. A novel single shaft configuration that supports multiple induction generators which are driven by rotors of four windtraps and/or by steam turbines which receive steam pressure from solar panels. The steam is generated by solar lens panels. Solar parabolic collector dish or a natural gas steam boiler are also contemplated in the EPCON system. The energy producing field consists of up to a thousand of these windtrap units supported by a common water resource. A system controller supports the system by monitoring wind speeds, sun intensity, and load requirements and activates or deactivates system elements. An interconnect to a utility line and/or energy storage facility is part of the system. The units are mostly pre-fabricated with final installation on site without the need of any heavy equipment making it possible for buyers to install the EPCON system on their own. The windtrap unit along with the solar panels are shipped to the site via a specialized transport…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.