Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A solar cooking system (10) comprising:
a reception device (20) configured to receive and convert solar energy into a direct current;
a cooking apparatus (30) operatively coupled to the reception device (20), wherein the cooking apparatus comprises:
a heating element (31) configured to operate the solar cooking system (10) using the direct current; and
a plurality of heaters (35) operatively coupled to the heating element (31) and configured to generate heat to the heating element (31).
2. A system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reception device (20) comprises a plurality of solar panels.
3. A system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cooking apparatus (30) comprises a stove, an oven or a furnace.
4. A system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating element (31) comprises a nichrome filament.
5. A system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating element (31) is placed within the cooking apparatus (30).
6. A system (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the heating element (31) is placed below the plurality of heaters (35).
7. A system (10) as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a plurality of storing element operatively coupled to the reception device (20) configured to store the received solar energy.
8. A system (10) as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a controller unit operatively coupled to the reception device (20) and the plurality of storing elements and configured to control the supply of the direct current to the cooking apparatus (30).
9. A system (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the controller unit is also configured to control the reverse flow of the direct current from the reception device (20).

, Description:BACKGROUND
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to solar devices, and more particularly to a solar cooking system.
[0002] Solar energy is an important source of renewable energy. Solar energy is a radiant light and heat from the sun that is harnessed using a range of ever-evolving technologies such as solar heating, photovoltaic, solar thermal energy, solar architecture, molten salt power plants, artificial photosynthesis, or the like. Solar energy is widely used in a number of devices such as air conditioner, a charger, a calculator, a dryer, a cooker, a lamp, a vehicle, or the like. One such device which is widely used based on the solar energy is the solar cooker.
[0003] In one approach, the solar energy is collected from a plurality of solar panels and the collected energy is stored in a plurality of batteries which is used by the solar cooker or any such solar devices to perform the task of the solar device respectively. However, in such systems the device cannot use the solar energy directly to perform the task as it has to be converted into alternating current (AC) because most of the devices work on AC, hence the system becomes complicated.
[0004] In another approach, some solar cooking devices use a large area to receive the maximum solar energy by the use of some automation systems for making the best use of the energy for cooking. Also the received large amount of energy is stored in the storage devices for further usage of the solar cooking devices. However, in such systems heat insulation for the received amount of heat is very difficult. Also the materials used in storage devices are expensive. Also the system requires additional power to run the automation system.
[0005] Hence, there is a need for an improved system for cooking using solar energy to address the aforementioned issues.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0006] In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a solar cooking system is provided. The system includes a reception device configured to receive and convert solar energy into a direct current. The system also includes a cooking apparatus operatively coupled to the reception device. The cooking apparatus includes a heating element configured to operate the solar cooking system using the direct current. The cooking apparatus also includes a plurality of heaters operatively coupled to the heating element and configured to generate heat to the heating element.
[0007] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for solar cooking in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of the solar cooking system in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0010] Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0012] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.
[0013] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.
[0014] In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0015] Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a solar cooking system. The system includes a reception device configured to receive and convert solar energy into a direct current. The system also includes a cooking apparatus operatively coupled to the reception device. The cooking apparatus includes a heating element configured to operate the solar cooking system using the direct current. The cooking apparatus also includes a plurality of heaters operatively coupled to the heating element and configured to generate heat to the heating element. The solar cooking system further includes a controller unit operatively coupled to the reception device and configured to control the supply of the direct current to the cooking apparatus.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system (10) for solar cooking in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system (10) includes a reception device (20) configured to receive and convert solar energy into a direct current. In one embodiment the reception device (20) may be a plurality of solar panels. In such embodiment, the plurality of solar panels may include a plurality of photovoltaic solar cells and a plurality of photovoltaic modules. As used herein, the solar cell also known as photovoltaic cell is an electrical device that converts the energy of the light that is the solar energy directly into electrical energy by a photovoltaic effect which is a physical and a chemical phenomenon. Further solar cells are the building blocks of the photovoltaic modules. The system (10) also includes a cooking apparatus (30) operatively coupled to the reception device (20). In one embodiment, the cooking apparatus (30) may be a stove, an oven or a furnace.
[0017] Further, the cooking apparatus (30) includes a heating element (31) configured to operate the solar cooking system (10) using direct current. In one embodiment, the heating element (31) may be a nichrome filament. In such embodiment, the heating element (31) may be placed within the cooking apparatus (30). The cooking apparatus also includes a plurality of heaters (35) operatively coupled to the heating element (31) and configured to generate heat to the heating element (31). In such another embodiment, the heating element (31) may be placed below the plurality of heaters (35). In another embodiment, the heating element (31) may be placed in a ceramic base container which may be further placed below the plurality of heaters (35). In such embodiment, the heat may be lost from the ceramic base container or heat may be lost when very small containers are used, hence the system (10) may further include a thermal reflector which may be operatively coupled to the plurality of heaters (35) and may be configured to optimise the cooking performance in such conditions. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of heaters (35) may be a plurality of burners above which one or more utensils may be placed to cook food.
[0018] In one specific embodiment, the system (10) may further include a plurality of storing element operatively coupled to the reception device. The storing device is configured to store the received solar energy. In such embodiment, the plurality of storing elements may be a plurality of batteries, a plurality of capacitors, a plurality of inductors or a plurality of super capacitors. In such embodiment, the storing device may optimise a size, usage, durability, backup and efficiency of the system.
[0019] In another specific embodiment, the solar cooking system (10) may further include a controller unit operatively coupled to the reception device (20) and the plurality of storing elements. The controller unit is configured to control the supply of the direct current to the cooking apparatus (30) from the plurality of storing elements. The controller unit is also configured to control the reverse flow of the direct current from the plurality of batteries to the reception device (20).
[0020] In one embodiment, the system (10) may be used for cooking, roasting, backing, frying and air frying the food by setting the controller unit according to the requirement. In another embodiment, the controller unit may also be configured to control a plurality of modes of the cooking apparatus. In such embodiment, the plurality of modes may be warm mode, dry mode, turbo mode, fry mode or the air fry mode.
[0021] In another embodiment, the system (10) may further include a sprinkler and a cleaner which may be operatively coupled to the cooking apparatus (30) and the controller unit. The sprinkler and the cleaner may be operatively coupled to each other and configured to the cooking apparatus. Further, the cleaning of the cooking apparatus may be controlled by the controller unit.
[0022] FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of the solar cooking system (50) in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure. The system (50) includes a reception device (60), a cooking apparatus (70). Further the cooking apparatus (70) includes a heating element (71), a plurality of heaters (75) which is substantially similar to the reception device (20), the cooking apparatus (30), the heating element (31) and the plurality of heaters (35) of the solar cooking system (10) as discussed in FIG.1.
[0023] The solar cooking system (50) may use the direct solar energy to cook food. The energy from the sun (55) may be collected using the reception device (60) which may be a plurality of solar panels. Further, the reception device (60) may convert the heat of the solar energy into direct current which may be directly used by the solar cooking system (50) to cook food. The system (60) may include a cooking apparatus (70) operatively coupled to the reception device (60). The cooking apparatus (70) includes a plurality of heaters (71) which may be used to place a plurality of utensils which may be used to cook food. In such embodiment, a plurality of utensils may be a plurality of solar cooking utensils. Each of the plurality of solar cooking utensils may be a cylindrical container which may be made up of stainless steel. The plurality of cooking utensils may be a coffee or a tea maker, a steamer, a fryer, a pot, a pan or a boiler. Further, a base of the plurality of utensils may have a shape and size to fit the plurality of heaters.
[0024] Further, the plurality of heaters (71) may be coupled with a heating element (75) which may be a nichrome filament where the heating element (75) may be a part of the cooking apparatus (70) and may be coupled to the plurality of heaters (71). Also, the nichrome filament may be placed below the plurality of heaters (71) to enhance the heating capacity of the plurality of heaters (75). Further, the nichrome filament may be provided with the converted direct current from the reception device (60). In such embodiment, the plurality of heaters (71) may produce heat which may in turn heat the plurality of utensils to cook food.
[0025] Further, the reception device (60) may be coupled to the plurality of storage devices (90) which may store the direct current form the reception device (60). In such embodiment, the storage device (90) may be coupled to the reception device (60) through a plurality of cables (100). Further, the plurality of cables (100) may be a copper cable which may be insulated on the outer side.
[0026] In such another embodiment, the plurality of storage devices (90) may be a plurality of batteries. Further, the plurality of storage devices (90) may be coupled to the controller unit (80) which may control the flow of current to the load which may be the solar cooking system (50).
[0027] Also, the controller unit (80) may control the reverse flow of current from the plurality of storage devices (90) to the reception device (60). Further, the controller unit (80) may be coupled to a circuit which may be configured to convert the alternating current direct current. The converted alternating current may be used to heat the heating element (75) in the absence of solar light. In such embodiment, the circuit may include a plurality of components such as a voltage regulator, a controller and a temperature sensor. The voltage regulator may provide a regulated power output from the reception device to the controller for further operation. Further, the controller may be provided by the regulated power from the reception device which may be free from any other type of power source.
[0028] Further, the temperature sensor may be coupled to the heating element (75) and the plurality of heaters (71). The temperature sensor may open or close the circuit in response to a threshold temperature of the heating element. As used herein, the threshold temperature is a magnitude of temperature that must be exceeded for a certain reaction, a phenomenon or a condition to occur or to be manifested. Further, the threshold temperature is also the maximum level of magnitude of temperature of a radiation or a concentration of a substance to be acceptable or safe. Further, based on the output of the circuit, the solar cooking system may cook the food accordingly. In such embodiment, the heat required to cook a particular type of food may be controlled by the circuit.
[0029] In one specific embodiment, the solar cooking system (50) may be an open system or a closed system. In such an embodiment, the closed system may be coved with a heat resistant material on all the sides of the solar cooking device (50) in which the plurality of utensils may be placed inside the closed system for cooking the food. In such another embodiment, the open system has just the cooking top which may be open on all other sides which may help to monitor the food while cooking.
[0030] Various embodiment of the present system enables the system to use the solar energy directly by the means of the reception device, which decreases the use of converters and hence makes the system simple.
[0031] Various embodiments of the present system also enables the system to use a limited number of solar panels which may reduce the insulation effort and hence reduces the cost of the overall system.
[0032] Various embodiments of the present system further enables the system to cook food in less or no sunlight. The cooking can be done by keeping the system in any convenient place. The system is also very user friendly and also easy to maintain.
[0033] Further, the use of super capacitors may provide instant energy which helps in cooking during day time directly and helps in use of turbo mode of operation. Also a special operating mode of the solar cooking system enhances the safety of the system and also provides better operational excellence.
[0034] The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.