| Modular dish concentrator systems with advanced heat engine converters are attractive candidate power supply technologies for both space and earth. Ericsson engines using scroll machines promise excellent conversion efficiencies as compared with dish Stirling heat engines, and design improvements may produce systems with competitive launch weights for use in space and acceptable economics for remote or peaking applications on earth. Current interest is largely confined to paraboloidal or faceted concentrators with Stirling or Brayton cycle engines. There has been less contemporary interst in the Ericsson cycle. This cycle, like the Stirling, can approach the Carnot efficiency.; A solar powered thermal engine based on the Ericsson cycle has been designed. This concept is a modular dish power system with innovative features, including a heat pipe receiver to conduct thermal energy to the heat engine and scroll machines for the expander and compressor, operating on the Ericsson cycle. This system offers advantages in volumetric, mechanical, and thermal efficiency, compared with other advanced heat engines, such as a Stirling engine.; A preliminary design for solar dish, scroll expander and compressor, Ericsson cycle, heat engine has been completed. The next logical step would be construction and testing of a prototype engine, or subassembly thereof. Several of the technologies examined in this research have not yet been applied for use in heat engines. |
