Solar receiver-based power generation system

The present invention relates generally to solar energy receiving devices, and more particularly, to a receiving device and heat engine for generating mechanical energy to operate machinery or produce electricity. A solar receiver system () has a solar receiver () that receives sun rays () directed thereto. The receiver () has a heat pipe () having working fluid () therein. The first end () of heat pipe () and a second end () form a respective first condenser () and a second condenser (). An evaporator portion () is disposed between the ends (). The first end () has an air manifold () therearound. The second end has a liquid manifold () therearound. The heated air from the air manifold () is provided to a power generation device (). The power generation device () receives heated air from the air manifold () which is expanded in a turbine () to extract mechanical work therefrom. The turbine () may be coupled to a generator () for generating electrical power in response to the mechanical energy.