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An apparatus for converting solar energy may have a heat-capturing element that generates thermal energy when exposed to solar radiation and a canopy arranged about the heat-capturing element. The canopy may define a chamber with an intake and an output, and may be configured for substantially trapp

An apparatus for converting solar energy may have a heat-capturing element that generates thermal energy when exposed to solar radiation and a canopy arranged about the heat-capturing element. The canopy may define a chamber with an intake and an output, and may be configured for substantially trapping air particles in proximity to the heat-capturing element throughout a pathway from the intake to the output. A portion of the chamber arranged near the output may have a decreased cross section. The apparatus may also include a thermal transfer system configured for creating a positive thermal feedback between a portion of the heat-capturing element near the output and a portion of the heat-capturing element near the intake, and at least one horizontal turbine arranged at the output.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for converting solar energy, the apparatus comprising: a heat-capturing element that generates thermal energy when exposed to solar radiation;a canopy arranged about the heat-capturing element and defining a chamber with an intake and an output, the canopy configured for substantiall

1. An apparatus for converting solar energy, the apparatus comprising: a heat-capturing element that generates thermal energy when exposed to solar radiation;a canopy arranged about the heat-capturing element and defining a chamber with an intake and an output, the canopy configured for substantially trapping air particles in proximity to the heat-capturing element throughout a pathway from the intake to the output, wherein a portion of the chamber arranged near the output has a decreased cross section;a thermal transfer system configured for creating a positive thermal feedback between a portion of the heat-capturing element near the output and a portion of the heat-capturing element near the intake, the thermal transfer system comprising a conduit configured to circulate heat-absorbing fluid from a portion of the heat-capturing element near the output out of the heat-capturing element and directly to a portion of the heat-capturing element near the intake and into the heat-capturing element so as to increase the temperature of the heat-capturing element near the intake and increase the performance of the system; andat least one horizontal turbine arranged at the output;wherein thermal energy generated by the heat-capturing element causes surrounding air particles within the chamber to thermally expand and rise;wherein the rising air is directed through the portion of the canopy with a decreased cross section and through the output; andwherein the rising air passes across the at least one horizontal turbine as it exits the chamber. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of the heat-capturing element lies on an inclined plane. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein air particles enter the canopy through the intake portion of the canopy. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the canopy is comprised of a transparent material. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer system comprises at least one conduit for transporting heat-absorbing material, wherein the at least one conduit is embedded within the heat-capturing element. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the thermal transfer system further comprises a heat-absorbing material, wherein the heat-absorbing material collects thermal energy from a first area of the heat-capturing element near the output and, via the at least one conduit, transports it to a second area of the heat-capturing element near the intake. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a thermal storage system, comprising: a heat-absorbing material;at least one conduit for transporting the heat-absorbing material; anda storage chamber for storing the heat-absorbing material. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the heat-absorbing material collects thermal energy from the heat-capturing element and stores it in the storage chamber for later use. 9. An apparatus for generating electric power, the apparatus comprising: a heat-capturing element that generates thermal energy when exposed to solar radiation;a canopy defining a volume surrounding the heat-capturing element and substantially trapping air particles in proximity to the heat-capturing element, wherein a portion of the volume has a decreased cross section;a thermal system comprising: a heat-absorbing fluid; andat least one conduit for transporting the heat-absorbing fluid;at least one horizontal turbine; andan electric generator coupled to the at least one horizontal turbine;wherein thermal energy generated by the heat-capturing element causes surrounding air particles within the canopy to thermally expand and rise;wherein the rising air is directed through the portion of the canopy with a decreased cross section;wherein the rising air passes across the at least one horizontal turbine as it exits the canopy; andwherein the thermal system is configured to provide a positive thermal feedback by using the heat-absorbing fluid to collect thermal energy from a first area of the heat-capturing element near an output and transport the heat-absorbing fluid out of the heat-capturing element and directly, via the at least one conduit, to a second area of the heat-capturing element near an intake and into the heat-capturing element so as to increase the temperature of the heat-capturing element near the intake and increase the performance of the system. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a portion of the heat-capturing element lies on an inclined plane. 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein air particles enter the canopy through an opening in the canopy. 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the canopy is comprised of a transparent material. 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one conduit for transporting the heat-absorbing fluid is embedded within the heat-capturing element. 14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the thermal system further comprises: a storage chamber for storing the heat-absorbing fluid; andinsulating material for insulating the storage chamber. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the heat-absorbing fluid collects thermal energy from the heat-capturing element and stores it in the storage chamber so that it can be used at a later time. 16. A method for utilizing solar energy, the method comprising: exposing a heat-capturing element to solar radiation such that the heat-capturing element generates thermal energy;substantially trapping air particles in proximity to the heat-capturing element, such that a portion of the air particles thermally expand and rise when the heat-capturing element generates thermal energy;directing the rising air particles through a decreasing volume such that the particles become restricted and their velocity increases;performing a positive thermal feedback operation on the heat-capturing element, wherein heat-transfer fluid from a first area of the heat-capturing element near an output is transported out of the heat-capturing element and directly to a second area of the heat-capturing element near an intake and into the heat-capturing element so as to increase the temperature of the heat-capturing element near the intake and increase the performance of the system;directing the rising air particles across at least one horizontal turbine, causing the turbine to turn with kinetic energy; andconverting the kinetic energy from the at least one turbine through the use of an electric generator. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein a portion of the heat-capturing element lies on an inclined plane. 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising collecting unused thermal energy from the heat-capturing element via a heat-absorbing material. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising storing the heat-absorbing material and unused thermal energy in a storage chamber.