Heliostat facet

Abstract

Heliostat facet configured from a flat structure comprising a central section (1) and a peripheral section (2) comprising first (3) and second sides (4), being both sections linked together by a plurality of arms (5, 6), which starting from the central section (1) radially run towards the peripheral section (2) taking as reference the geometrical centre (7) of the facet. In at least three of the arms (5, 6), there are support points (15) of the facet in the corresponding heliostat support (16). The arms (5,6) comprise first arms (5) which are arranged from the central section (1) to the peripheral section (2) running in a divergent manner and at least two couples of second arms (6) which starting from the central section (1) run to the peripheral section (2), the arms (6) of each couple radially running in a convergent manner.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to the field of renewable energy and more particularly to a facet used as a support structure for reflectors or sheets in heliostats. Background technique [0002] Various devices and systems are known today for supporting reflectors or sheets (eg mirrors) mounted on heliostats for harnessing solar energy. [0003] In most cases, the supporting structure of the reflector or sheet is composed of a metal frame or structure composed of multiple metal profiles of different sections, which are welded or connected together by detachable elements such as screws and nuts to determine The frame, the frame generally has a substantially rectangular shape. Subsequently, the reflector is coupled to the aforementioned frame by means of an adhesive. [0004] The aforementioned frameworks generally have a series of disadvantages, among which we can mention the following: [0005] Due to the metallic nature of the profiles they are gene...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0005] Due to the metallic nature of the profiles they are generally heavy structures making their installation difficult when the reflective surfaces to be installed are large

Said high weight also complicates and stiffens the support structure of the facet and worsens its deformation in relation to the workload of the heliostat and thus its optical performance

[0006] Welded or screwed joints are generally prone to damage from external meteorological factors such as rain and severe temperature changes, which can cause the frame to break at said joints

[0007] Furthermore, since the profiles are joined together, there is a small displacement between the reflectors once they are attached and said displacements lead to deformations of said reflectors, thereby deteriorating their optical properties and even causing said The reflector is loose from part of the frame itself

[0008] High repeatability of dimensional quality is also difficult to obtain in this type of welded or mechanically joined structures due to deformations caused by the welding process or mechanical joints, which leads to poor optical properties of the reflective surfaces they support

[0009] Therefore, the manufacture of multi-series facets based on this idea is costly to manufacture and install since their manufacture and installation process is conceptually manual and therefore hardly automatable

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