Motor is proposed to convert radiation from sun directly into mechanical energy. Motor utilizes thermal expansion of liquid, heated by sun, as driving force. Unlike most thermally powered systems, it does not require that liquid be converted into vapor

Hein, L. A.

Myers, W. N.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

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December 1975	 CORRECTED COPY
	 B74-10292 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
•
Marshall Space Flight Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Mechanical Solar Motor: A Concept 
A solar-energy powered motor is proposed to 
convert radiation from the sun directly into mechani-
cal energy. The motor utilizes the thermal expansion 
of a liquid, heated by the sun, as the driving force. 
Unlike most thermally powered systems (e.g., steam 
turbines), it does not require that the liquid be 
converted into a vapor. 
The construction of the proposed motor is shown in 
Figure 1. The motor consists of a fixed inner ring
around which a hollow tube is wrapped, like a steel 
tape measure. The hollow tube is rigidly attached to 
the inner ring at a single point. It is also attached at a 
single point to a movable outer ring. 
Hot and cold water are alternately passed through 
the tube. This causes the expansion and contraction 
of the tube, which moves the outer ring back and 
forth. To reduce friction, the tube is coated with 
Water 
Input 
•
	
Figure 1. Construction of Solar Motor
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19740000292 2020-03-17T14:18:57+00:00Z
Double-Action Plunger Pump 
Figure 2. Motor Used to Drive Pump
. 
Teflon. This motion could be used to power a double-
action plunger pump as shown in Figure 2. 
Lateral motion of the wound coil is prevented by a 
steel backing on one side and by radial restraining 
arms on the other side (not shown). The heated water 
for the motor can come from a solar heating panel, 
and the cold water can come from a spring, a gravity-
fed reservoir, or other source. Alternating water 
sources can be fed to the motor by a valve operated by 
the motion of the outer ring. 
In place of the hollow tube, a metal rod or band 
may be used. The rod or band can be heated directly 
by focused solar energy and cooled by a water spray. 
It has been calculated that such a motor, with a 
0.5-in. (12.7-mm) tube, 492 ft (150 m) long and 
operating at a mechanical efficiency of 60 percent, 
could pump 316 gal/h (1196 1/h) up a 6-ft (1.8-m) 
head if the rod is heated to 210° F (99° Q.
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed 
to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Code ATO1 
Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama 35812 
Reference: B74-10292 
Patent status: 
Inquiries concerning rights for the commercial use 
of this invention should be addressed to: 
Patent Counsel 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Code CCO1 
Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama 35812 
Source: L. A. Hein and
W. N. Myers
Marshall Space Flight Center

(MFS-23062)
. 
Categories: 07 (Machinery) 
06 (Mechanics) 
B74-10292
	 03 (Physical Sciences)


Mechanical solar motor: A concept

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