 |
Description  |
|
|
THE SPECIFICATION
This invention relates to solar radiant energy and a device and method of
harnessing the energy, for use when camping.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Prior to the present invention there has not been any quick and easy way of
utilizing radiant solar energy for constructive purposes of cooking and
the like, devoid of cumbersom equipement, adding to the problems of
normally already too much baggage when going camping, hiking, to the beach
or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, objects of the present invention include the obtaining of a
multipurpose device and method of obtaining efficient harnessing of solar
radiant energy.
Another object is to provide a novel beach umbrella having a second utility
as a cooker or food warmer.
Another object is to obtain a beach umbrella which will withstand normally
destructive winds, by virtue of shifting with the wind.
Another object is to obtain a novel steam-producing vessel and combination
thereof with an energy concentrator. Another object is to achieve
foregoing objects at reduced economic costs.
Other objects become apparent from the preceding and following disclosure.
One and more of preceding objects are obtained by the preferred and other
illustrated embodiments intended to improve understanding of controlling
principles, but not limiting the scope to solely the illustrated
embodiments, obvious variations and mechanical equivalents being also
included.
Broadly the invention may be described as a method and a device for
carrying-out the method, which broadly includes the concentration of light
rays onto a thin layer of vaporizable liquid contained within an enclosure
providing a small amount of steam or vapor space thereabove, which vapor
space is made to communicate with matter such as food normally within a
vessel, to be heated or cooked. The controlling principle of the invention
is the concept of concentrating the greatest possible radiant energy by
the focusing or the reflection of light rays to a common focus point on
the face of or within a body of vaporizable liquid such as water having a
minimum of volume and thereby water initially struck by concentrated
radiant energy being prevented from having the heat content thereof
dissipate into adjacent major quantities of cool water spaced-away from
any point that rays might strike it; thereafter, the substantially
instantly vaporized liquid is collected in minimal space to avoid storage
heat dissipation to surrounding surfaces, and the matter to be heated
being either suspended within the steam space, or alternately the steam
being channeled in the shortest possible conduit with as much insulation
as is reasonably possible, to the point of direct heating or of heating
through a heat-exchange-wall such as the wall of a food-containing vessel;
a further principle involved is the utilization of steam to heat the food,
rather than having food sitting in a quantity of water or other
vaporizable liquid--it being a principle source of speedy loss of heat
energy by radiation and/or conduction when there is a major volume of
liquid such as water, and of containing equipement, and the like.
Therefore, the controling though is to concentrate preferably light
preferably by inexpensive reflection onto a very thin layer of a small
quantity of water preferably confined to the area of focus of the
concentrated light, with a small steam collection space directing the
steam speedily to the matter to be heated. By the emphasis being placed on
steam or vapor heat-energy, the heat-released is at an optimal maximum
during the release of heat-energy at condensation, as compared to minor
caloric content--and a low maximum possibility, when heating directly
from--for example, mere hot water, or other vaporizable liquid. Water
because of normal ample avaiability and non-toxicity is preferred to other
liquids such as oils, or the like, much less alcohol or antifreeze or
equivalent liquids.
In understanding a major principle of the invention, an understanding of
such being necessary to appreciate the inventive concept, further
following comment will be made. In a body of water were large in virtually
infinite proportions, and in contrast, if merely a very small surface area
of a surface of that body of water were subjected to normal sunlight rays
in parallel as occur in normal sunlight, the heat-energy of absorbed sun
light would be proportional first to the location on the earth's surface,
as well as dependant upon whether filtered by cloud cover or the like.
Secondly, for whatever quantity of light energy does strike the
predetermined small surface area during a given period of time, it may be
said that the total energy is proportional to the time of exposure;
accordingly, if one waited long enough, a particular total quantity of any
desired amount of energy could eventually be effected. However, from a
practical point of view, such procedure would not be of any value for
heating or cooking purposes unless there were a high-efficiency storage
facility available such as a swimming pool insulated, or the like as are
utilized; in such event, the heat retained would be insufficient for
cooking much less for an inexpensive camping unit. Thus, heat dissipation
through loss of heat by cooling to environmental structures and/or air or
the like, normally dissipate heat more quickly or as quickly as the same
is absorbed from the sunlight, under the situation described above. Next,
with an unlimited body of water, the heat absorbed converted from the
radiant energy of the sun light rays, becomes diluted by the
heat-absorption of adjacent molecules of water of the large volume of
adjacent water, such that, together with loss of heat from the entire body
of water considered with also the larger body to be heated by the small
exposure to sunlight rays, the overall temperature of the water would
never reach a practically high temperature sufficient to be of any value
for cooking, much less within a brief period of time, and much less with a
simple portable and inexpensive structure of device.
Thus, the present invention embodies the elimination of the presence of
water-body not having direct surface exposure to the radiant energy
sunlight rays, and also the invention concentrates light rays preferably
by reflection to a common point, to increase the quantity of heat
absorption per unit of time, while concurrently avoiding the cooling of
the heated water by virtue of cooling/heat-distribution among large
quantities of adjacent water. In addition, there is the additional concept
that if the food (or vessel containing food) were immersed directly in the
water being heated, firstly a larger quantity of water would be required,
and secondly the temperature of the food or food-containing vessel could
not rise above the "mean" (average) of the temperature of the water being
heated (still cool, since always there has to be some water to be heated
at the radiant energy-exposure point) and any steam (if sufficient heat
were available to cause conversion to steam after heat dissipation to the
large quantity of water and the food (or vessel) absorbing heat) that
might be present. Accordingly, another feature of the present invention is
to make sure, as provided above, that ample steam is produceable, followed
by the thereafter subjecting the food (or food vessel) to exposure to
solely (or at least primarily) the steam, and not the water from which the
steam is produced. In further enhancement, the steam is scrubbed of water
droplets, whereby the rapidly-produced steam is sufficient to heat or cook
food, such as eggs, bacon, coffee, or the like. As indicated in the
Figures, or otherwise, the scrubbed water and/or steam condensate may be
recycled, in order to benefit from residual heat content thereof,
maximizing efficiency. Also, it is to be recognized that while the present
invention is primarily directed to a portable camping or picnicing unit,
the above-described principle and structure of the invention may be
employed on a larger scale to other heating and/or cooking or
energy-units.
Another advantage to the circular umbrella arrangement for the present
concept, is the benefit of availability to concentrate rays of radiant
energy as sunlight, from all points around 360 degrees onto a small
localized surface area, permitting both concentration of heat thereby as
well as avoiding heat dissipation over a large area, as well as the water
in the small area being held to a low(small) volume thereby also.
Theoretical maximum heat energy from the sun shine on the earth's surface,
a solar constant, is 1340 watts per square meter, or 1.92 calories per
square centimeter per minute, or 424.7 BTU per hour per square foot.
The actual solar heat energy in New York City on Aug. 9, 1977 at 7:30 AM
was 150 BTU per hour per square foot, and at 8:30 AM on Aug. 5 was at
about 200 BTU per hour per square foot, and at noon on Aug. 5 was between
250-300 BTU per hour per square foot; all of this data was measured by a
Solar Meter Model 776 Dodge Products, Houston, Texas.
The area of a 3 foot diameter circle provides 7.0686 Sq. ft.; this area at
8:30 AM/New York City can typically collect therefore about 1413.72 BTU
per hour per foot, or 23.56 BTU per minute per 3 ft diameter.
To heat a pound (two cups) of water from 60.degree. F. to 212.degree. F.
requires 152 BTU. Accordingly, for a 3 foot diameter area at 23.56 BTU per
minute, 6.6 minutes would be required.
For a larger area as would be provided typically by a beach umbrella of 6
foot diameter, the total area is about 28 square feet, and 8:30 AM New
York (8/7/77) would give 5,600 BTU/Hr. or 93.0 BTU per minute, whereby a
cup of water (or coffee) would boil (reach boiling temperature) [requiring
1/2 of 152 BTU] from an initial temperature of 60.degree., within about
one minute assuming 100% efficiency, which of course is not possible, but
serves as a guide and goal in any event.
By the present invention, the concentration of this heat to a centralized
small surface area and the utilization of maximum exposure of all
water-volume molecules to radiant energy rays, and minimal dilution of
heat energy by non-exposed water molecules by holding non-exposed
molecules to a minimum, and heating by exposure to steam, results in
optimizing efficiency closer to theoretical possibilities.
Further to above-noted data, the BTU requirement to heat one pound of water
to produce steam therefrom for changing from water at 212.degree. F. to
steam at 212.degree. F., is 1000 BTU; however, note that in most instances
it is not contemplated to heat a food material to produce steam therefrom;
accordingly while greater amounts of energy would be required initially to
produce the steam that will heat the food (or food vessel), and while for
every pound of steam-condensate 1000 BTU will have been given-up, the
actual needed BTU above-calculated for heating the cup of coffee or water
would not be of a large magnitude necessary to boil-away the coffee or
water.
Actual efficiency of a concentration of light rays by reflection on the
shinny inner surface of a hemisphere of an inverted beach-umbrella of the
present invention, is about 99%; BTU production is at about 80%
efficiency, or 160 BTU at 8:30 AM on 8/5/77; heat dissipation is about 5%
of this amount, leaving about 152 BTU/Hr/Sq.ft., which for a 6 ft.
diameter would produce 4297 BTU/Hr. or 71.6 BTU per minute, whereby a cup
of water (half-pound) would be heated in about one minute, from 60.degree.
F. to 212.degree. F. (excluding any amount of heat needed to convert the
water being radiated from the 2.2.degree.-water to the 212.degree.-steam).
Actual experience has demonstrated about three minutes time required,
utilizing a constructed device of this invention.
It is to be recognized that much speedier results are obtainable during
summer than winter, and nearer the equator.
The invention may be better understood by making reference to the following
Figures.
THE FIGURES
FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective side view with partial cut-away for
improved illustration, liquid-containable boiler vessel, and inlet and
outlet conduits thereof for channeling-in condensate of steam and for
channeling-out steam from the steam-space of the vessel.
FIG. 1B illustrates in side cross-sectional view, an alternate embodiment
of liquid-containable boiler vessel, and inlet and outlet conduits
thereof.
FIG. 2 illustrates a side partial cross-sectional view of solar radient
energy umbrella cooking device symbolically illustrating the both
structure and mechanism of operation, diagrammatically, with the umbrella
in an inverted state.
FIG. 3 illustrates another view in side view of the umbrella of the FIG. 2
embodiment, except in this view the umbrella portion being utilized solely
as a shade-producing umbrella in the upright position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Most broadly the invention defined, the invention above-described may be
considered to be a method which includes the causing of radient energy to
be concentrated onto a focus point (area) localized where there exists a
thin layer of vaporizable liquid such as water held within a small volume
of space providing a minor and minimum amount of effective
steam-collection space, and contacting the steam produced by vaporization
of the water, with a material such as food or a food-containable vessel
either within the steam space or to which the steam is channelled. The
thin layer of water (or comparable liquid) is sufficiently small as to
readily vaporize as a result of concentrated heat energy absorbed thereby.
The steam space above the water (or other liquid) surface is sufficiently
small as to effect a miximal contact of vapor (steam) therein with the
matter to be heated, rather than having a large steam reservoir serving no
good purpose and from which enlarged outer peripheral surfaces of the
volume (space) thereof would be subject to a higher total amount of heat
dissipation/loss.
As noted-above, further embodiments of the invention include the
combination of elements for practicing the method, as well as including a
multi-use beach umbrella having also special utility of shifting with the
wind, thereby avoiding likelihood of wind-damage to the umbrella.
More particularly, with reference to the various Figures, for common
elements of the same embodiments the same indicia are utilized, and for
corresponding elements of different embodiments, "prime" indicia are
utilized for corresponding elements. FIGS. 1A and 2 represent a common
embodiment, for the steam-producing boiler vessel of FIG. 1A; likewise,
the FIG. 3 illustrates a common umbrella in an upright-usage state, as
compared to the same umbrella in an inverted-usage state of harnessing
solar energy as a part of the greater combination.
In FIG. 1A, liquid-containable vessel 4a is a steam-producing boiler vessel
having opposite parallel faces 5 defining therebetween thin space 11 which
in operation has upper steam free-space and in the lower portion thereof
water 10, the thin space corresponding to narrow-width wall faces 6,
resulting in a maximum exposure of water 10 to heated wall-thickness 15 of
the surrounding vessel structure, with a minimum of volume space-away from
contact with surrounding wall structure. At a lower portion 7 of the
vessel, there is located a steam-condensate return inlet-conduit 8 for
condensate traveling inwardly in direction 9, and at upper portion 12
there is the steam outlet conduit 13 for steam traveling outwardly in the
direction 14. Illustrative cut-away makes possible the showing of
thickness and existence of darkened (preferably black) heat-absorbing
layer 16 as an outer-coating, preventing also reflection.
As well as having corresponding elements, the FIG. 1B embodiment typically
represent a spherical embodiment-vessel 4b having a central preferably
metallic block 17 occupying substantially all central interior space
whereby the water layer 18 is thin thereby providing that most water
volume has the water molecules thereof in close proximity to vessel wall
structure receiving the radiant energy rays.
It should be understood that it is contemplated that the boiler vessel
walls may be transparent, but such is not preferred because normally there
would be a greater reflection loss of radiant energy.
In the FIG. 1B embodiment, a further benefit of the central metallic block
17 is that as heat is absorbed by that block, it becomes a heater, heating
water molecules coming in contact therewith; normally, however, such would
be considered a "constant", once initially quickly heated.
Also in the FIG. 1B embodiment, there is a neck portion having inner female
threads 52 for receiving the male threads 51 of plug 53 which has
apertures 54 and 55 for the outlet and inlet conduits 13' and 8'
respectively.
With regard to FIG. 2, clamps 19a and 19b support the liquid-containable
vessel 4a on the shaft 47, the conduit 20 being continuous with the FIG.
1A inlet conduit 8, and conduit 21 being continuous with the steam outlet
13, to liquid trap 22 from which steam travels through conduit 23 in
direction 25 into heater vessel inlet 26 into heater vessel 27 having
steam-space 28 and condensate 29, with the food vessel 30 having a lip
that thereby suspends the food vessel with the container-portion 31, the
food vessel 30 being typically a cup. Condensate 29 leaves by outlet
structure 32 in direction 33 in conduit 20. The conduit 24 drains
collected water from the conventional liquid trap 22, carrying the same to
vessel 34, periodically or otherwise drained by valve 36 in line 35 into
line 37. The conduit 24 may alternately drain directly into line 20 if
desired. Conventional technology is employed to prevent back-pressures,
allowing the water to freely drain into vessel 34.
The solar collection of energy typically works by the sun lights rays as
diagrammatically illustrated, striking the inner shiny coating 56 as rays
57 in parallel from the sun and reflected rays 57' onto face 5, for
example. The umbrella 40, has reinforcing ribs 39 and supporting outer
ring 38, these being of any conventional material such as plastic or
metal. Stake 41 has hinge-pin 42 connecting mounting shaft 43 which
includes depressible conventional button 45 which when extended locks into
the tube-portion 46 in aperture 46' thereof, and into tube portion 49 of
shaft 47 by aperture 48' as shown in the FIG. 3 illustration. The hinged
shaft 43 is wedge-fitted such that position is normally held fixedly
unless manually manipulated to a new desired position. Pin 42 may also be
of the type that may be tightened and loosened alternately.
It is within the scope of the invention to make variations and substitution
of equivalents within the ordinary skill of an artisan in this field of
art.
* * * * *
|
|
 |
|
 |
Description |
|
