A trough type solar thermal collector assembly

Abstract

The present invention discloses a trough-type solar thermal collector assembly, comprising: a rotating bracket provided with a concentrator support frame, a surface of which is mounted with several concentrators to form a concentrating mirror surface; a base disposed below the rotating bracket, one of which is provided with an arc-shaped slide rail, the other of which is provided with a slider that cooperates with the arc-shaped slide rail, and a driver assembly disposed on the base to drive the rotating bracket to rotate along the arc-shaped slide rail; and a heat absorption tube disposed above the concentrator support frame, the heat absorption tube being arranged at the focal line of the concentrating mirror surface and at the axis of the arc-shaped slide rail. This assembly can improve the concentrating effect and enhance the stability, durability, and service life of the equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of trough type heat collecting equipment, in particular to a trough type solar heat collecting assembly. Background Art

[0002] With growing global energy demand and rising environmental awareness, solar energy has garnered widespread attention as a clean, renewable energy source. Parabolic trough solar collector systems, due to their efficient energy conversion capabilities and low cost, have gained widespread application in solar thermal applications. Traditional parabolic trough solar collectors primarily consist of key components such as concentrators, drive units, and absorber tubes. The concentrators typically consist of a series of reflectors that focus sunlight onto the absorber tubes, improving energy collection efficiency.

[0003] Currently, trough-type solar collectors are typically of the follow-up type, rotating along with the concentrator to maintain constant alignment with the sunlight. However, over time, the sealing performance of the rotating joints at both ends of these follow-up collectors will gradually degrade. Because the heat-absorbing medium within the collectors operates under high temperatures and pressures, this deterioration in sealing performance can lead to leakage, impacting the performance of the collector assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention provides a trough-type solar thermal collector assembly that can improve the concentration effect and enhance the stability, durability and service life of the equipment.

[0005] A trough solar thermal collector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0006] A rotating bracket, wherein the rotating bracket is provided with a condenser support frame, and a surface of the condenser support frame is mounted with a plurality of condensers to form a condenser surface;

[0007] A base is provided below the rotating bracket, wherein one of the rotating bracket and the base is provided with an arc-shaped slide rail, and the other is provided with a slider that cooperates with the arc-shaped slide rail, and the base is provided with a driver assembly to drive the rotating bracket to rotate along the arc-shaped slide rail;

[0008] The heat absorbing tube is arranged above the condenser support frame. The heat absorbing tube is arranged on the focal line of the condenser surface and is also located on the axis of the arc-shaped slide rail.

[0009] A trough-type solar thermal collector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: a plurality of concentrating mirrors form a continuous concentrating mirror surface. This layout can effectively concentrate sunlight onto the heat-absorbing tube, improve energy collection efficiency, and thus enhance the heat output of the entire system. An arc-shaped slide rail and a slider are used between the base and the rotating bracket to allow the rotating bracket to rotate smoothly along an arc path. Combined with the driver assembly on the base, the system can automatically adjust the angle to track the position of the sun, ensuring that the heat-absorbing tube is always in the best light-receiving position, thereby maximizing the use of solar energy resources. The heat-absorbing tube is located on the axis of the arc-shaped slide rail, which ensures that the heat-absorbing tube remains in the best heat-absorbing position even when the bracket rotates, thereby enhancing the heat energy conversion efficiency. The heat-absorbing tube and the rotating bracket are designed to be separated. When the rotating bracket rotates, the heat-absorbing tube remains fixed. Therefore, multiple heat-absorbing tubes can be connected by hard tubes without the need for hose connections, thereby providing better safety and reliability, and can also withstand greater pressure inside the tube, thereby obtaining Higher heat collection efficiency, the hard pipe connection is more solid and durable, reducing potential leakage points, simplifying the installation process, and greatly reducing construction and maintenance costs; the connection between the branch and main lines of the heat-absorbing pipe does not require a rotary joint, but can be hard-connected, making the system safer and more reliable. During periods of no sunshine, the heat-absorbing medium can be returned to the insulation tank for storage, avoiding the requirement that the medium must circulate during this period and avoiding a large amount of heat energy loss during the circulation of the heat-absorbing medium, thereby improving the thermal efficiency of the system. The base is placed under the rotating bracket, which can reduce the area of sunlight exposure, thereby extending the service life of the base and improving land utilization.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the rotating bracket is provided with multiple curved rails spaced apart along the axial direction of the heat absorbing tube. These curved rails are spaced apart along the axial direction of the heat absorbing tube, providing more uniform support points and effectively distributing the stress experienced by the rotating bracket during rotation. This design reduces the load on a single rail and improves the structural stability of the entire system.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the slider is equipped with a roller, and the outer side of the curved slide rail is also provided with a positioning groove. The width of the positioning groove is adapted to the roller, and the roller is in rolling contact with the bottom wall of the positioning groove. The design of the positioning groove ensures that the roller can roll precisely along the predetermined path, reducing the deviation of the rotating bracket during movement. This design improves the motion accuracy of the system, allowing the heat absorber to always maintain the optimal focusing position, thereby improving energy collection efficiency.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the curved slide rail is equipped with a plurality of rollers, and the base is provided with a first bracket and a second bracket, with the first bracket and the second bracket being in rolling contact with the rollers. The rolling contact between the first bracket and the second bracket and the rollers provides additional support points, distributing the weight of the rotating bracket and the concentrating mirror mounted thereon. This not only enhances the structural stability of the entire system but also improves its load-bearing capacity, allowing the system to operate under heavier loads.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the concentrator support frame is further provided with a support rod. A bearing is provided at one end of the support rod, distal from the concentrator support frame, through which the heat absorption tube is inserted. The heat absorption tube is secured to the support rod via the bearing, maintaining an optimal focusing position and ensuring that all reflected sunlight is concentrated on the heat absorption tube. This improves heat concentration and heat conduction efficiency, thereby enhancing the system's energy collection capacity.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of support rods are provided, and the plurality of support rods are spaced apart along the axis of the arc-shaped slide rail. This provides more uniform and extensive support points, effectively distributing the weight of the heat absorption tube and its related components, enhancing the structural stability and rigidity of the entire system, and reducing deformation or damage caused by localized stress concentration.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the bearing is a special engineering plastic bearing, a ceramic bearing, or a stainless steel bearing, which can operate stably for a long time in high temperature, high humidity, and other harsh environments, thereby extending the service life of the bearing and reducing the replacement frequency.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a connector is provided at the top of the condenser support frame. The connector extends along the axial direction of the condenser support frame and has multiple mounting portions, through which the support frame is secured to the connector. The multiple mounting portions on the connector facilitate securing the condenser support frame to the connector. This modular design simplifies and expedits the installation process, reducing the time and complexity of on-site construction.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the upper portion of the condenser support frame is provided with a slot that mates with the connector. The connector is installed within the slot, with the top of the connector flush with the condenser support frame. This design of the connector directly embedded within the slot simplifies installation. Installers simply insert the connector into the slot and secure it, eliminating the need for complex alignment and adjustment, significantly reducing installation time.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a driven gear is disposed on the outer side of the rotating bracket, and the drive assembly includes a power motor and a driving gear. The driving gear is in transmission connection with the power motor, and the driving gear and the driven gear mesh with each other for transmission. The gear transmission has a simple and reliable mechanical structure, reducing the complexity of the control system. This not only simplifies the design and manufacturing process of the system, but also reduces maintenance costs and failure rates.

[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description which follows, or may be learned by practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a trough-type solar thermal collector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a condenser support frame according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a rotating bracket and a base according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of a trough solar collector system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Reference numerals: rotating bracket 100 ; condenser support bracket 110 ; base 120 ; heat absorption tube 130 ; support rod 140 ; condenser 150 ; first bracket 160 ; second bracket 170 ; driver assembly 180 ; slot 190 ; driven gear 200 ; positioning slot 210 ; connector 220 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following describes embodiments of the present invention in detail. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended only to explain the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0027] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that descriptions involving orientations, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on the present invention.

[0028] In the description of the present invention, "several" means one or more, "many" means more than two, "greater than," "less than," and "exceed" are understood to exclude the number itself, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the number itself. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is solely for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, implicitly specifying the number of the indicated technical features, or implicitly specifying the order of the indicated technical features.

[0029] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "set," "install," and "connect" should be interpreted broadly. Those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meanings of these terms in the present invention based on the specific content of the technical solution. In the description of the present invention, reference to the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with such embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, schematic representations of these terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In the description of this specification, reference to the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with such embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, schematic representations of these terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0030] Reference Figures 1 to 4 , a trough type solar thermal collection assembly, comprising:

[0031] The rotating bracket 100 is provided with a condenser support frame 110, and a plurality of condensers 150 are mounted on the surface of the condenser support frame 110 to form a condenser mirror surface;

[0032] The base 120 is disposed below the rotating bracket 100. One of the rotating bracket 100 and the base 120 is provided with an arc-shaped slide rail, and the other is provided with a slider that cooperates with the arc-shaped slide rail. The base 120 is provided with a driver assembly 180 to drive the rotating bracket 100 to rotate along the arc-shaped slide rail.

[0033] The heat absorbing tube 130 is disposed above the condenser support frame 110 . The heat absorbing tube 130 is disposed on the focal line of the condenser 150 surface and is also located on the axis of the arc-shaped slide rail.

[0034] A plurality of concentrating mirrors 150 form a continuous concentrating mirror surface. This layout can effectively concentrate sunlight onto the heat absorbing tube 130, improve energy collection efficiency, and thus enhance the heat output of the entire system. The base 120 and the rotating bracket 100 are designed with an arc-shaped slide rail and a slider, allowing the rotating bracket 100 to rotate smoothly along an arc path. Combined with the driver assembly 180 on the base 120, the system can automatically adjust the angle to track the position of the sun, ensuring that the heat absorbing tube 130 is always in the best light receiving position, thereby maximizing the use of solar energy resources. The heat absorbing tube 130 is located on the axis of the arc-shaped slide rail, which ensures that even when the bracket rotates, the heat absorbing tube 130 can remain in the best heat absorption position, thereby improving the heat energy conversion efficiency. The heat absorbing tube 130 and the rotating bracket 100 are designed to be separated. When the rotating bracket 100 rotates, the heat absorbing tube 130 remains fixed, so multiple heat absorbing tubes 130 can be spaced apart. Hard pipes are used for connection instead of hoses, which provides better safety and can withstand greater pressure inside the pipe, thereby achieving higher heat collection efficiency. Hard pipe connections are more sturdy and durable, reduce potential leakage points, simplify the installation process, and reduce maintenance costs. The connection between the branch and the main line of the heat absorption pipe 130 does not require a rotary joint connection, but a hard connection can be used. The system is safer and more reliable. The base 120 is placed under the rotating bracket 100, which can reduce the area of sunlight exposure, thereby delaying the service life of the base 120 and improving land utilization.

[0035] It is understandable that if Figure 1 As shown, the curved slide rail is disposed at the bottom of the rotating bracket 100, and the slider is disposed at the top of the base 120. When the driver assembly 180 is activated, the curved slide rail rotates under the limit of the slider. In another embodiment, the curved slide rail can also be disposed on the base 120, and the slider is correspondingly disposed at the bottom of the rotating bracket 100. When the rotating bracket 100 rotates along the curved slide rail, the slider slides smoothly within the curved slide rail.

[0036] As will be appreciated, the rotating bracket 100 and the condenser support frame 110 are prefabricated using reinforced concrete. The choice of reinforced concrete not only increases the stability of the overall structure but also effectively protects against harsh environmental conditions, ensuring the reliability of the equipment and reducing maintenance costs over the long term. This design is particularly suitable for outdoor applications, resisting natural erosion and extending the service life of the equipment.

[0037] Along the axial direction of the heat absorbing tube 130, the rotating bracket 100 is provided with multiple curved slide rails, and the multiple curved slide rails are spaced apart. The multiple curved slide rails are spaced apart along the axial direction of the heat absorbing tube 130, providing more uniform support points and effectively dispersing the stress on the rotating bracket 100 during rotation. This design reduces the load on a single slide rail and improves the structural stability of the entire system. In this embodiment, two curved slide rails are provided below the rotating bracket 100, and the two curved slide rails are respectively provided at both ends of the condenser support frame 110. The number of curved slide rails can be adaptively adjusted according to the weight and size of the condenser support frame 110.

[0038] Reference Figures 1 to 3 , the slider is provided with a roller, and a positioning groove 210 is also provided on the outer side of the arc-shaped slide rail. The width of the positioning groove 210 is adapted to the roller, and the roller is in rolling contact with the bottom wall of the positioning groove 210. The design of the positioning groove 210 ensures that the roller can roll accurately along the predetermined path, reducing the offset of the rotating bracket 100 during movement. This design improves the motion accuracy of the system, so that the heat absorption tube 130 can always be maintained at the optimal focusing position, thereby improving the energy collection efficiency. It can be understood that two positioning grooves 210 can be provided, and the two positioning grooves 210 are respectively provided on both sides of the driven gear 200. This design can improve the stability of the roller during operation and ensure that the roller can operate stably.

[0039] The curved rail is equipped with several rollers, and the base 120 is provided with a first bracket 160 and a second bracket 170, which are in rolling contact with the rollers. The rolling contact between the first bracket 160 and the second bracket 170 and the rollers provides additional support points, distributing the weight of the rotating bracket 100 and the condenser 150 mounted thereon. This not only enhances the structural stability of the entire system, but also improves its load-bearing capacity, allowing the system to operate under heavier loads.

[0040] The concentrator support frame 110 is also equipped with a support rod 140. A bearing is provided at the end of the support rod 140 away from the concentrator support frame 110, and the heat absorption tube 130 is inserted through the bearing. The heat absorption tube 130 is fixed to the support rod 140 via the bearing, maintaining the optimal focusing position and ensuring that all reflected sunlight is concentrated on the heat absorption tube 130. This improves heat concentration and heat conduction efficiency, thereby enhancing the energy collection capacity of the system. Multiple support rods 140 are provided, spaced apart along the axis of the curved slide rail. This provides more uniform and extensive support points, effectively distributing the weight of the heat absorption tube 130 and its associated components, enhancing the structural stability and rigidity of the entire system, and reducing deformation or damage caused by localized stress concentration. In this embodiment, there are four support rods 140, each with a bearing at its top. This not only enhances the stability of the overall structure but also more effectively distributes pressure from the components above. The use of bearings enables each support point to bear the load evenly, reducing the potential risks caused by excessive force at a single point, thereby improving the reliability and service life of the entire system.

[0041] The bearings are made of special engineering plastics, ceramics, or stainless steel. They are able to operate stably and long-term in high-temperature, high-humidity, and other harsh environments, thereby extending the bearing's service life and reducing the frequency of replacement.

[0042] A connector 220 is provided at the top of the condenser support frame 110. The connector 220 extends axially along the condenser support frame 110 and is provided with multiple mounting portions, through which the support frame is secured to the connector 220. The multiple mounting portions on the connector 220 allow the condenser support frame 110 to be conveniently secured to the connector 220. This modular design simplifies and expedits the installation process, reducing the time and complexity of on-site construction. It is understood that the connector 220 and the support frame can be pre-assembled at the factory, and then the connector 220 can be directly installed on the condenser support frame 110 upon arrival at the assembly site. This approach not only simplifies the on-site installation process but also significantly reduces the time required for on-site installation. By pre-completing some assembly work at the factory, efficiency is improved and quality control is better controlled, ensuring that all components meet standard requirements before arriving on-site. This saves time, ensures installation accuracy, and improves the overall efficiency of the project.

[0043] The condenser support frame 110 has a slot 190 on its upper portion. The slot 190 mates with the connector 220, which is installed within the slot 190, with the top of the connector 220 flush with the condenser support frame 110. The design of the connector 220 directly fitting into the slot 190 simplifies installation. Installers simply insert the connector 220 into the slot 190 and secure it, eliminating the need for complex alignment and adjustment, significantly reducing installation time.

[0044] A driven gear 200 is provided on the outer side of the rotating bracket 100, and the drive assembly 180 includes a power motor and a driving gear, which is connected to the power motor by transmission, and the driving gear and the driven gear 200 are meshed for transmission. The mechanical structure of the gear transmission is simple and reliable, and the complexity of the control system is reduced. This not only simplifies the design and manufacturing process of the system, but also reduces maintenance costs and failure rates. It is understandable that the drive assembly 180 also includes a reducer, the output shaft of the power motor is connected to the reducer, and the output shaft of the reducer is connected to the driving gear by transmission, thereby increasing the torque. Through the action of the reducer, the torque can be significantly increased, so that the rotating bracket 100 can rotate more smoothly and powerfully. The design of the reducer makes power transmission more efficient, while also ensuring that the overall operation of the system is more reliable and quiet.

[0045] It is understood that when installing a trough solar thermal collector assembly, the first step is to secure the two bases 120 to pre-prepared ground support anchor bolts, ensuring that each foundation is firmly connected to the base 120 and maintains horizontal stability. The second step is to also install the first bracket 160 and the second bracket 170 using the anchor bolts. The third step is to install the rotating bracket 100 on the first bracket 160, the second bracket 170, and the base 120, ensuring that each component is precisely aligned to ensure the stability of the entire structure. The fourth step is to install the two concentrator support frames 110 on the rotating bracket 100. The fifth step is to install the connector 220 in the slot 190. The sixth step is to install the driver assembly 180 on the base 120 and ensure that the driver assembly 180 is in transmission connection with the rotating bracket 100. The seventh step is to install the four heat absorption tubes 130 and bearings on the support rod 140. Adjacent heat absorption tubes 130 are connected by short tubes and pass through the bearings. In the ninth step, the condenser lens 150 is mounted on the rotating bracket 100 .

[0046] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 4This demonstration demonstrates a networking method for multiple trough-type solar thermal collector assemblies. The heat absorption tubes 130 of each collector assembly are connected through independent branches, ultimately converging into a single main line. Each trough-type collector assembly operates independently, facilitating installation and maintenance. If a component fails, it can be replaced independently without affecting the operation of the entire system. The entire collector system eliminates rotary joints and significantly reduces hose connections, improving system safety and reliability.

[0047] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes can be made within the knowledge of ordinary technicians in the relevant technical field without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A trough solar thermal collector assembly, characterized in that: include: A rotating bracket, wherein the rotating bracket is provided with a condenser support frame, a surface of the condenser support frame is mounted with a plurality of condensers to form a condenser mirror surface, the condenser support frame is further provided with a support rod, and a bearing is provided at one end of the support rod away from the condenser support frame; A base is provided below the rotating bracket, wherein one of the rotating bracket and the base is provided with an arc-shaped slide rail, and the other is provided with a slider that cooperates with the arc-shaped slide rail, and the base is provided with a driver assembly to drive the rotating bracket to rotate along the arc-shaped slide rail; A heat absorption tube is arranged above the condenser support frame, the heat absorption tube is arranged on the focal line of the condenser surface and is located at the axis of the arc-shaped slide rail. The heat absorption tube passes through the bearing, and adjacent heat absorption tubes are connected by short tubes and passed through the bearing; A connecting piece is provided on the top of the condenser support frame, and the connecting piece extends along the axial direction of the condenser support frame. The connecting piece is provided with multiple mounting parts, and the support frame is fixed to the connecting piece through the mounting parts. A slot is provided on the upper part of the condenser support frame, and the slot and the connecting piece are adapted to each other. The connecting piece is installed in the slot, and the top of the connecting piece is flush with the condenser support frame.

2. A trough type solar thermal collector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: Along the axial direction of the heat absorbing tube, the rotating bracket is provided with a plurality of the arc-shaped slide rails, and the plurality of the arc-shaped slide rails are distributed at intervals.

3. A trough type solar thermal collector assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The slider is provided with a roller, and the outer side of the arc-shaped slide rail is further provided with a positioning groove, the width of the positioning groove is adapted to the roller, and the roller is in rolling contact with the bottom wall of the positioning groove.

4. A trough type solar thermal collector assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The arc-shaped slide rail is provided with a plurality of rollers, and the base is provided with a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket and the second bracket are in rolling contact with the rollers.

5. A trough type solar thermal collector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are multiple support rods, and the multiple support rods are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the arc-shaped slide rail.

6. A trough type solar thermal collector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bearing is one of a special engineering plastic bearing, a ceramic bearing or a stainless steel bearing.

7. A trough type solar thermal collector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A driven gear is provided on the outer side of the rotating bracket. The driver assembly includes a power motor and a driving gear. The driving gear is in transmission connection with the power motor. The driving gear and the driven gear are meshed for transmission.

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