Abstract: A rotating heat pipe solar power generator is provided in which a heat pipe has a tube concentrically positioned within it to define an annular evaporation chamber, the tube being fixed to the pipe near one end thereof by the stator blades of a turbine. The heat pipe includes a large diameter evaporator section and a small diameter condenser section remote from the turbine. The tube extends into the entrance portion of the condenser section, and liquid is pumped into the evaporation chamber through an annular throat with a tapered annulus constituting the juncture between the two sections of the heat pipe, this throat serving as a centrifugal pump. The turbine is geared to the heat pipe so that both rotate.

Abstract: A nontracking concentrating solar collector is provided in which a series of parallel parabolic reflector segments reflective on both sides thereof are disposed with their focal points lying in a plane which is at approximately a right angle to the angle of incident solar radiation which is received in the space between the upper ends of the reflector segments. The length of the reflector segments is selected so that the incident radiation is reflected back and forth between the segments until an even numbered reflection, preferably either the fourth or the sixth reflection, emerges downwardly from between the reflector segments in a narrowed beam which is received by a solar collector.

Abstract: A closed cycle solar operated power generator is provided in which a tubular heat collector positioned concentrically within a transparent tube sealed at one end is radiantly heated and a compressor takes gas at low temperature and pressure and supplies it to the open end of the transparent tube at an elevated pressure. The compressed gas passes through the transparent tube outside of said tubular collector and then returns to the open end thereof inside of the tubular collector to a turbine positioned within a housing sealed to the tubular collector. The turbine exhaust passes through a heat exchanger to heat the compressed gases entering the transparent tube, and the cooled exhaust enters a conductive tube sealed at one end and having its open end sealed to the open end of the transparent tube. The conductive tube is cooled by conduction or radiation to further cool the exhaust which then returns to the compressor through a tubular compressor inlet to complete the closed cycle.

Abstract: A solar operated closed system power generator is provided in which a low boiling fluid is vaporized and superheated by the solar energy concentrated within a parabolic reflector upon an elongated boiler which extends along the focus of the reflector. Turbine means are connected to the boiler for obtaining power by the expansion of the superheated vapor and the expanded vapors are condensed in a condenser positioned in the shadow of the reflector. The condenser is cooled by cooling air which is moved through the condenser by means of a draft provided by the convection discharge of gases heated by the reflector, and pump means are provided for transferring the liquefied exhaust gases in the condenser to the boiler at the greater pressure prevailing therein.

Abstract: A solar operated turbine power generator is provided in which air is compressed and supplied to a transparent tube contained within a reflector which concentrates the solar energy upon the tube. The tube is sealed at one end and a tubular collector of radiant heat is positioned concentrically within the tube. The compressed air is supplied to the other end of the tube and is passed through the tube outside of the collector and then back inside of the collector to a turbine which is sealed to the collector. The concentrated radiant energy and the passage of the compressed air through the tube and the collector provide compressed air at the inlet to the turbine at a temperature of at least about 300.degree. C. The compressed hot air is exhausted to atmosphere to drive the turbine and the exhaust is through a heat exchanger which transfers heat to the compressed air at the inlet end of the tube. The turbine drives the compressor and external power generating equipment.