Heliogen Holdings, Inc.

Andrew Stephen Oles

Apurba Kumar Das

Gary Thomas Pashko

Lars Oliver Kim Amsbeck

Charles Ryan Steingard

A particle receiver includes an inlet, an outlet and multiple tubes rotatably coupled to the inlet and the outlet. The tubes receive particles via the inlet, the particles passing along a passageway of each of the tubes to the outlet. The tubes receive a solar flux as they rotate to heat the particles passing through the tubes. A heat transfer coefficient of the particles is increased by increased mixing via air flowing in the tubes, fins used to mix the particles or via channels via which the particles pass through that increase turnover and mixing of the particles.

Tubular receiver for heating particles with solar energy

A collector ring assembly can capture particles from a centrifugal solar receiver and reduce a speed of the particles. The collector ring assembly can include a collector ring and a stationary shroud. The collector ring can include a plurality of collection members disposed circumferentially around the collector ring. Each collection member can be formed as a shovel. Each shovel can include a front wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, an angled shield, a lateral lip, and a top wall. The front wall, the bottom wall, and the rear wall of each shovel can form a trough for collecting the particles. The stationary shroud can be disposed around the collector ring. The stationary shroud can receive and funnel particles exiting from the collector ring.

Rotating collector ring for centrifugal solar receiver

A particle suppressor can be used in a particle receiver to reduce the particle loss rate. The receiver can include a rotating drum with an inliner. The particle suppressor can include a retaining surface. The retaining surface can be spaced away from and extend concentrically with the inline. A spacing gap between the inliner and the retaining surface can dampen the motion of bouncing particles. The spacing gap can be between 15 mm and 20 mm. In some embodiments, the particle suppressor can include a support ring with a plurality of suppressor segments disposed circumferentially around the support ring. The particle suppressor can include a plurality of suppressor segments coupled directly to the inliner. A heat shield can be coupled to the particle suppressor. A support bracket can suspend the particle suppressor within the receiver.

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Baltimore, MD, United States of America

Andrew Stephen Oles