Apparatus and method for heliostat support
Inactive Publication Date: 2017-07-06
VAST SOLAR PTY
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- Abstract
- Description
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- Application Information
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Problems solved by technology
Methods of electricity generation from fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal suffer from the drawback that these resources are finite.
Further, the conversion to electricity of these types of raw materials is usually by combustion and this process results in by-products which may pollute.
As concentrated sunlight falls on the receiver, it heats the gas in the tubes to very high temperatures, which causes hot gas to expand inside the cylinders.
The need for tracking accuracy, consistency and reliability necessarily result in the drive mechanism being a relatively expensive, accurate device manufactured to high engineering tolerances.
The ability of the apparatus for heliostat support to provide stability to the drive mechanism and optical element is of key importance to the efficiency of the overall power generation system, since a lack of stability will likely result in sun tracking inaccuracy, and this leads to reduced overall system efficiency and reduced electrical output of plant operation.
However the drive mechanism is a mechanical device with inherent limits and incoming wind forces above the capabilities of the drive mechanism's inherent limits may result in a tracking error or permanent damage to the drive mechanism.
Current solutions to the problems of providing support to heliostats are generally complex assemblies consisting of many individual components.
These factors make such support apparatus expensive to manufacture and transport into location.
Installation is also relatively expensive due to the requirement for significant earth works, the need for casting of concrete, and a requirement for large scale equipment such as cranes to be employed to erect and connect the support apparatus.
The cables, which form both sides of the power supply circuit, are therefore costly to install, requiring trenches.
Method used
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[0078]In an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, apparatus for a heliostat support, shown generally as 10 includes a vertical member 20 including a first end region 30 and a second end region 40. The first end region 30 includes a heliostat drive mechanism connection means 50, adapted to connect the vertical member 20 to a heliostat drive mechanism 60 better described below with reference to FIG. 4. The second end region 40 is located in the ground 70 or more specifically adapted for being driven into frictional contact with the ground to provide resistance to environmentally imparted or imposed forces. A heliostat optical component, for example, a mirror and / or lens or photovoltaic panel, for example, is indicated at 71. As such, this embodiment offers the advantage of stability without the complexity and high cost of multiple components, nor the need for earth works, concrete footings or large scale equipment such as cranes to be used in the installation proces...
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The invention relates to an apparatus for supporting a heliostat and method thereof comprising: a rigid elongate vertical member having a first end region and a lower second end region, the first end region connected to a heliostat drive mechanism connection means, wherein the lower second end region is adapted for being driven into the ground with frictional contact.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to the field of electricity generation, and more specifically to methods of electricity generation from renewable energy sources.[0002]In one form, the present invention relates to systems harnessing thermal energy from the sun. In one particular aspect the invention is suitable for use as an apparatus and method for support for optical devices that direct and concentrate sunlight (and its corresponding thermal energy component) for use in electricity generation. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to electricity generation, however it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that use, only.BACKGROUND ART[0003]Throughout this specification the use of the word “inventor” in singular form may be taken as reference to one (singular) inventor or more than one (plural) inventor of the present invention.[0004]It is to be appreciated that any discussion of documents, devices,...
Claims
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Login to View More IPC IPC(8): F24J2/54E02D5/80
CPCF24J2/54F24J2002/5273E02D5/80Y02E10/47F24S25/65F24S25/10F24S30/452F24S25/617F24S2025/01F24S30/40
InventorFISHER, JAMES
OwnerVAST SOLAR PTY