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Linear solar energy collection system with secondary and tertiary reflectors

a solar energy and solar collector technology, applied in the direction of solar heat collector mounting/support, solar heat collector safety, light and heating apparatus, etc., can solve the problems of difficult installation, heavy mirrors, and poor efficiency of solar collector types described above, so as to reduce the effect, increase efficiency, and improve efficiency

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-03-04
ARXIEL CLEAN TECH
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"This patent describes a linear solar energy collection system that improves efficiency, reduces costs, and lowers maintenance. The system includes a frame with solar panels mounted on truss elements, which pivot to track the sun. The panels are made of lightweight materials and designed to reflect sunlight onto a receiver tube. A secondary reflector is used to further enhance the efficiency of the system. The system also includes a heat transfer fluid circulated through the receiver tube for heating. The technical effects of this invention include improved efficiency, reduced costs, and simplified maintenance."

Problems solved by technology

Solar collection systems of the type described above suffer from a number of deficiencies.
These mirrors are very heavy, and are available from only a few manufacturers.
They are difficult to install and require robust mounting structure to support in order to provide for accurate positioning of the reflective surface 12 and to resist wind loads.
While thinner glass mirrors have been suggested as an alternative, they are more fragile resulting in increased handling costs and breakage losses.
Most support structures 18 for the mirrors are formed of galvanized steel which is also heavy, requires precise manufacturing and is expensive to build.
Bridge trusses have been employed in more recent designs for the support structures 18, but have proven to be nearly equally expensive to manufacture and often are lacking in torsional stiffness.

Method used

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  • Linear solar energy collection system with secondary and tertiary reflectors
  • Linear solar energy collection system with secondary and tertiary reflectors
  • Linear solar energy collection system with secondary and tertiary reflectors

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0031]Referring now to FIGS. 3-12, one embodiment of a solar energy collection system according to this invention is illustrated which may comprise several individual reflector units 30 oriented side-by-side, as discussed below with reference to FIG. 12. The reflector unit 30 is initially generally described, followed by a discussion of individual aspects of the design.

[0032]The reflector unit 30 includes a frame 32 having opposed side walls 34, 36, and opposed end walls 38, 40 connected together in a generally rectangular shape as depicted in FIG. 3. The walls 34-40 are preferably formed of aluminum or other light-weight, weather resistant and durable material. The frame 32 is reinforced by a truss structure 42, a portion of which is shown in FIGS. 3 and 12, which is also preferably formed of aluminum or similar material. The truss structure 42 and frame 32 may be supported above ground level by pylons 44 secured on a foundation such as concrete footers (not shown) that can support...

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PUM

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Abstract

A modular linear solar energy collection system comprises one or more reflector units each having a light-weight generally planar aluminum frame that mounts a number of solar panels in a fixed position at angles which progressively increase from the frame centerline outwardly to its perimeter so as to collectively form a surface having a shape approximating that of a parabola. Sunlight incident on the solar panels is reflected by a combination of secondary and tertiary reflectors onto a receiver tube mounted in a fixed position concentric to the centerline of the frame. The frame is connected to a drive mechanism operative to pivot the frame and solar panels in order to track the position of the sun during the course of a day.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 198,219, filed Aug. 26, 2008 and entitled “Linear Solar Energy Collection System.”FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to the generation of electrical energy through solar thermal power collection, and, more particularly, to a linear solar energy collection system that employs an array of light-weight solar panels, secondary reflectors, tertiary reflectors and a fixed linear receiver tube in which a heat transfer fluid is circulated.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Systems for the generation of electricity by collecting solar thermal radiation were first introduced in 1914, and have become increasingly popular with the rise in fossil fuel costs and concerns over global warming. The majority of solar energy collection systems currently in use are of the type depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. A generally parabolic-shaped trough 10 is provided having a curved, ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): F24J2/10F24S23/70
CPCF24J2/055Y02E10/47F24J2/1057F24J2/14F24J2/18F24J2/4607F24J2/541F24J2/5424F24J2002/1076F24J2002/108F24J2002/5286F24J2002/5458F24J2002/5465F24J2002/5482Y02E10/41Y02E10/44Y02E10/45F24J2/07F24S10/45F24S20/20F24S23/74F24S23/79F24S23/82F24S30/425F24S30/455F24S40/00F24S80/30F24S2023/87F24S2023/872F24S2025/017F24S2030/133F24S2030/135F24S2030/15Y02E10/40
Inventor AMMAR, DANNY F.DREWES, JONATHAN
Owner ARXIEL CLEAN TECH
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