Flexible driven trough solar collector

Abstract

This utility model discloses a flexible driven trough solar collector, comprising: a collector unit including a concentrator support, the surface of which is equipped with a plurality of concentrators to form a concentrating mirror surface; and a rotating unit including a guide rail, a rotating block, and a drive assembly. The guide rail is disposed below the concentrator support, the rotating block is disposed between the concentrator support and the guide rail, and the drive assembly drives the concentrator support to reciprocate along the guide rail via the rotating block. This design separates the drive and load-bearing functions, achieving a lightweight structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of solar thermal collector technology, and in particular to a flexible driven trough solar collector. Background Technology

[0002] Parabolic trough solar thermal power generation systems are one of the most commercially mature large-scale solar thermal utilization technologies. Their core component is the solar collector, which uses parabolic cylindrical concentrators to reflect and concentrate solar radiation onto an absorber tube located at the focal line, heating the heat transfer medium inside the tube and thus converting solar energy into thermal energy.

[0003] Traditional parabolic trough solar collectors typically employ a rigid drive system to rotate the concentrator mirrors in order to track the sun's trajectory. The most common drive methods include hydraulic and rigid mechanical actuators. These traditional solutions have an inherent structural flaw: the concentrator support frame and rotating bracket are usually rigidly fixed or integrated. This means that when performing pitch-to-track solar rotation, the drive system must propel an extremely bulky unit containing all the concentrator mirrors, support frame, and rotating structure. This structure leads to a series of problems: 1. Large moment of inertia and heavy drive load; 2. Restriction on large-scale development: As the length and diameter of the collector unit increase, the weight and flexural deformation of the overall structure increase dramatically, making it difficult to meet the requirements for drive torque and structural strength, severely limiting the development of larger-scale and lower-cost collectors; 3. Difficult installation and calibration: The heavy overall structure places extremely high demands on the foundation, installation accuracy, and calibration work. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a flexible driven trough solar collector that can separate the driving and load-bearing components, thereby achieving a lightweight structure.

[0005] The flexible driven trough solar collector according to a first aspect embodiment of the present invention includes: The heat collection unit includes a concentrating mirror bracket, and a plurality of concentrating mirrors are mounted on the surface of the concentrating mirror bracket to form a concentrating mirror surface; The rotating unit includes a guide rail, a rotating block, and a driving assembly. The guide rail is disposed below the condenser lens holder, the rotating block is disposed between the condenser lens holder and the guide rail, and the driving assembly is used to drive the condenser lens holder so that the condenser lens holder reciprocates along the guide rail via the rotating block.

[0006] The flexible driven trough solar collector according to the embodiments of this utility model has at least the following beneficial effects: It decouples the heavy concentrating mirror from the drive component responsible for providing rotational motion. The concentrating mirror support is supported on the guide rail by a lightweight rotating block, and the drive component only needs to overcome the frictional force of the mirror rotation rather than its entire weight for propulsion. This greatly reduces the load and power requirements of the drive system, laying a solid foundation for the large-scale and lightweight design of the collector; the reciprocating motion of the rotating block along the preset guide rail provides precise guidance and constraint for the rotation of the concentrating mirror support; this design ensures that the entire concentrating mirror rotates smoothly along a predetermined arc trajectory, effectively avoiding problems such as swaying and deviation that may occur in traditional drives, greatly improving the accuracy and reliability of solar tracking; it eliminates the complex rigid rotating support and large slewing bearing found in traditional trough solar collectors. The guide rail, as a basic component, is easy to manufacture and ensures the required curvature, and the flatness requirements of the foundation during installation are relatively low, resulting in a simpler overall structure and effectively reducing material costs, manufacturing difficulty, and the complexity of on-site installation and commissioning; the modular design allows the collector unit and the rotating unit to be relatively independent. If maintenance or replacement of drive components is required, there is no need to disturb the massive focusing mirror. At the same time, the track-type structure is more adaptable to the environmental foundation and can better cope with problems such as uneven settlement.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the driving assembly includes a power source, an output shaft, and a flexible traction member. The power source drives the output shaft to rotate. The end of the output shaft is provided with a winding portion. The flexible traction member is wound around the winding portion. After the free end of the flexible traction member is led out from the winding portion, it passes around the end of the condenser lens bracket and is finally fixedly connected to the corresponding position at the bottom of the condenser lens bracket.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, guide pulleys are respectively provided at both ends of the condenser lens bracket, and the flexible traction member is fixed to the bottom of the condenser lens bracket after passing around the guide pulleys.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the rotating unit includes a first anti-tilt frame, a second anti-tilt frame, and a third anti-tilt frame spaced apart along the arcuate extension direction of the condenser lens bracket. The second anti-tilt frame is located at the bottom of the condenser lens bracket, and the flexible traction member is installed on the second anti-tilt frame.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a first limiting block is provided at one end of the guide rail, and a second limiting block is provided at the other end of the guide rail. The first limiting block is configured to allow the first anti-rollover frame to pass through and prevent the second anti-rollover frame from passing through, and the second limiting block is configured to allow the third anti-rollover frame to pass through and prevent the second anti-rollover frame from passing through.

[0011] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the flexible traction component can be any one of wire rope, chain, fiber rope or belt.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the output shaft is arranged along the extension direction of the condenser lens bracket, the winding part is a winding cylinder, and the winding cylinders are respectively provided at both ends of the output shaft. Each winding cylinder is wound with the flexible traction member. The two sides of the condenser lens bracket are respectively connected to the flexible traction members on the corresponding sides. By rotating the output shaft, the flexible traction members at both ends can be synchronously wound and unwound to jointly drive the movement of the condenser lens bracket.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the heat collection unit further includes a threaded rod, the rotating block is a roller, the roller is installed at the bottom of the condenser lens bracket via the threaded rod, and the rotation center of the condenser lens bracket is adjusted by turning and adjusting the threaded rod.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the bottom of the guide rail is provided with a plurality of drainage and sand discharge holes, which are distributed at intervals along the movement trajectory of the rotating block, and the width of the rotating block is greater than the diameter of the drainage and sand discharge holes.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a guide wheel is provided at the bottom of the guide rail, and the flexible traction member contacts and passes through the guide wheel.

[0016] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the guide rail is shared by two adjacent condenser lens supports. Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein: Figure 1 This is one of the schematic diagrams of a flexible driven trough solar collector according to an embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 2 This is a second schematic diagram of the flexible driven trough solar collector according to an embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 3 for Figure 1 Enlarged diagram of point A in the middle.

[0018] Reference numerals: Condenser lens bracket 100; guide rail 110; flexible traction component 120; output shaft 130; power source 140; first anti-tilt frame 150; second anti-tilt frame 160; third anti-tilt frame 170; guide pulley 180; guide wheel 190; first limiting block 200; second limiting block 210; drainage and sand discharge hole 220; rotating block 230; threaded rod 240; winding drum 250. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0020] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the directional descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicate the directional or positional relationship based on the directional or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0021] In the description of this utility model, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. If "first" or "second" is used in the description, it is only for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0022] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "setting," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. Those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of these terms in this utility model based on the specific content of the technical solution. In the description of this utility model, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this utility model. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. In the description of this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this utility model. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above 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 one or more embodiments or examples.

[0023] Reference Figures 1 to 3 Flexible driven trough solar collectors include: The heat collection unit includes a concentrator support 100, on the surface of which a plurality of concentrators are mounted to form a concentrator surface; The rotating unit includes a guide rail 110, a rotating block 230, and a driving assembly. The guide rail 110 is disposed below the condenser lens holder 100, and the rotating block 230 is disposed between the condenser lens holder 100 and the guide rail 110. The driving assembly is used to drive the condenser lens holder 100 so that the condenser lens holder 100 reciprocates along the guide rail 110 via the rotating block 230.

[0024] By decoupling the heavy concentrating mirror from the drive component responsible for providing rotational motion, the concentrating mirror support 100 is supported on the guide rail 110 by a lightweight rotating block 230. The drive component only needs to overcome the frictional force of the mirror's rotation, rather than its entire weight, for propulsion. This greatly reduces the load and power requirements of the drive system, laying a solid foundation for the large-scale and lightweight design of the solar collector. The reciprocating motion of the rotating block 230 along the preset guide rail 110 provides precise guidance and constraint for the rotation of the concentrating mirror support 100. This design ensures that the entire concentrating mirror rotates smoothly along a predetermined arc trajectory, effectively avoiding problems such as swaying and deviation that may occur in traditional drives, greatly improving the accuracy and reliability of solar tracking. It eliminates the complex rigid rotating support and large slewing bearing found in traditional trough solar collectors. The guide rail 110, as a basic component, is easy to manufacture and ensures the required curvature. The flatness requirements of the foundation during installation are relatively low, resulting in a simpler overall structure and effectively reducing material costs, manufacturing difficulty, and the complexity of on-site installation and commissioning. The modular design allows the solar collector unit and the rotating unit to be relatively independent. If maintenance or replacement of drive components is required, there is no need to disturb the massive focusing mirror. At the same time, the track-type structure is more adaptable to the environmental foundation and can better cope with problems such as uneven settlement.

[0025] In this embodiment, the flexible driven trough solar collector consists of two parts: a heat collection unit and a rotating unit, which work together to collect and track solar radiation. The heat collection unit includes a concentrator support 100, on which multiple concentrators are mounted. These concentrators are arranged according to a predetermined curvature, forming a continuous parabolic concentrator surface. This surface reflects and focuses sunlight onto the absorber tube located at the focal line, heating the working fluid inside the tube and achieving photothermal conversion. The rotating unit is located below the concentrator support 100 and includes a guide rail 110, a rotating block 230, and a drive assembly. The guide rail 110 serves as the basic structure for motion guidance; the rotating block 230 is installed between the concentrator support 100 and the guide rail 110, serving as a support and motion transmission component; the drive assembly is connected to the concentrator support 100 and provides power.

[0026] During operation, the drive component starts and outputs driving force, causing the condenser lens support 100 to reciprocate along the guide rail 110 under the support of the rotating block 230. This movement manifests as the condenser lens support 100 tilting and rotating around its rotation center, thereby changing the elevation angle of the condenser lens surface to ensure it always faces the direction of solar incidence, achieving dynamic tracking of the solar altitude angle. The entire movement process is smooth and continuous. The rotating block 230 rolls or slides on the guide rail 110, effectively reducing frictional resistance and ensuring that the condenser lens support 100 can still operate stably under large span and heavy load conditions.

[0027] The drive assembly includes a power source 140, an output shaft 130, and a flexible traction member 120. The power source 140 drives the output shaft 130 to rotate. The end of the output shaft 130 is provided with a winding part, and the flexible traction member 120 is wound on the winding part. After the free end of the flexible traction member 120 is led out from the winding part, it passes around the end of the condenser lens bracket 100 and is finally fixedly connected to the corresponding position at the bottom of the condenser lens bracket 100.

[0028] In this embodiment, the drive assembly is used to drive the condenser lens holder 100 to reciprocate tilting motion around its rotation center to achieve tracking and adjustment of the solar altitude angle. The drive assembly includes a power source 140, an output shaft 130, and a flexible traction member 120. During operation, the power source 140 (such as a motor) starts and drives the output shaft 130 to rotate. The end of the output shaft 130 is provided with a winding portion (such as a spool or reel), and one end of the flexible traction member 120 is fixed and wound around the winding portion. When the output shaft 130 rotates, the flexible traction member 120 is wound up or released accordingly.

[0029] After the free end of the flexible traction member 120 is led out from the winding part, it extends along a predetermined path, bypasses the outer edge of the end of the condenser lens bracket 100 (such as a structural corner or transition arc at the end of the bracket), and is finally fixedly connected to the corresponding position at the bottom of the condenser lens bracket 100. This "corresponding position" is usually located at the stress point near the end of the bottom of the bracket, ensuring that the traction force can be effectively transmitted to the entire bracket.

[0030] When the output shaft 130 rotates in the forward direction, the flexible traction member 120 is wound up, and the traction force is transmitted to the bottom of the bracket through a path bypassing the end of the bracket, pulling one end of the bracket upward. When the output shaft 130 rotates in the reverse direction, the flexible traction member 120 is released, and the bracket moves in the opposite direction under the traction action on the opposite side, realizing bidirectional angle adjustment. The entire transmission process achieves flexible force transmission through the winding and unwinding of the flexible traction member 120, avoiding rigid impact and ensuring that the movement of the condenser lens bracket 100 is smooth and controllable.

[0031] Using a flexible traction component 120 as the transmission medium, it can absorb the impact of starting, stopping, or external disturbances (such as gusts of wind), reducing vibration and noise and improving the system's operational stability. The winding section is directly located at the end of the output shaft 130, and the traction component's path achieves steering by "bypassing the end of the support," eliminating the need for additional guide pulleys 180 or complex steering mechanisms, saving space and simplifying the structure. The end of the flexible traction component 120 is directly fixed to the "corresponding position" at the bottom of the support. This position can be flexibly selected according to the support structure, facilitating on-site installation and adjustment, and reducing construction difficulty.

[0032] Guide pulleys 180 are provided at both ends of the condenser lens bracket 100, and the flexible traction member 120 is fixed to the bottom of the condenser lens bracket 100 after passing around the guide pulleys 180.

[0033] In this embodiment, guide pulleys 180 are installed at both ends of the condenser lens bracket 100 to guide the movement path of the flexible traction member 120. After the flexible traction member 120 is led out from the driving end (such as the winding part), it first passes around the guide pulley 180 at one end of the condenser lens bracket 100, changing its force direction, and then extends longitudinally or obliquely along the bracket, finally being fixedly connected to a designated fixed point at the bottom of the condenser lens bracket 100. When the driving assembly is working, the flexible traction member 120 is pulled, and its tension is transmitted to the condenser lens bracket 100 through the guide pulley 180. Since the guide pulley 180 can rotate freely, the flexible traction member 120 rolls over its surface, effectively reducing frictional resistance. After the traction force is redirected by the pulley, it acts on the fixed point at the bottom of the bracket, thereby driving the entire bracket to tilt around the center of rotation. During bidirectional movement, the guide pulley 180 always maintains the constraint and guidance of the flexible traction component 120, ensuring that it remains stable, does not derail, and does not get tangled during the retraction and extension process, so that the driving force is efficiently and smoothly transmitted to the condenser lens bracket 100.

[0034] The guide pulley 180 guides the flexible traction component 120, ensuring its tension direction aligns more closely with the torque direction required for the support's movement, reducing ineffective force components and improving drive efficiency. The guide pulley 180 uses rolling friction instead of sliding friction, significantly reducing wear on the flexible traction component 120 during turning, minimizing energy loss, and extending the service life of the traction component and support structure. The pulley structure provides physical constraint on the flexible traction component 120, preventing direct contact and friction with sharp angles or structural edges of the support during movement, thus preventing cuts, derailment, or wire skipping and ensuring operational safety.

[0035] The rotating unit includes a first anti-tilt frame 150, a second anti-tilt frame 160 and a third anti-tilt frame 170, which are spaced apart along the arcuate extension direction of the condenser lens support 100. The second anti-tilt frame 160 is located at the bottom of the condenser lens support 100, and the flexible traction member 120 is installed on the second anti-tilt frame 160.

[0036] In this embodiment, the rotating unit is provided with a first anti-tilt frame 150, a second anti-tilt frame 160, and a third anti-tilt frame 170, which are arranged at intervals along the arc extension direction of the condenser lens support 100. Since the condenser lens support 100 has a parabolic or arc-shaped curved surface structure, the arc extension direction refers to the longitudinal axis direction along the curvature of the mirror surface.

[0037] The second anti-tilt frame 160 is located at the bottom of the arc-shaped structure of the condenser lens support 100, that is, the lowest point of the arc-shaped cross-section, which is also near the projection area of ​​the support's center of gravity or the torque balance center of rotational motion. The flexible traction component 120 is directly installed on the second anti-tilt frame 160, and its installation form may include fixed anchor points, perforated guides, snap-fit ​​connections, or pulley supports, etc., specifically designed according to the traction path and force direction. When the flexible traction component 120 is pulled by the drive component, the traction force is directly transmitted to the structural frame of the condenser lens support 100 through the second anti-tilt frame 160. Since the point of application is located at the bottom of the arc, the direction of the traction force is closer to the tangential or normal component required for the support's rotation, which can efficiently drive the entire arc-shaped mirror surface to tilt smoothly around the rotation center.

[0038] The first anti-tilt frame 150 and the third anti-tilt frame 170 are respectively located at both ends or the upper part of the arc-shaped support, close to the edge of the mirror opening, forming a three-point support structure distributed along the arc together with the second anti-tilt frame 160. During the movement of the support, the three components work together to restrain the deformation and overturning tendency of the support in the vertical plane, especially under wind load or acceleration / deceleration conditions, effectively suppressing mirror swaying, twisting or local instability.

[0039] The anti-tilt frame is arranged along the arc extension direction, consistent with the natural curvature of the condenser lens support 100, so that the support point matches the force path and avoids structural interference or stress shift caused by straight-line arrangement. The flexible traction component 120 is installed on the second anti-tilt frame 160 at the bottom of the arc, so that the driving force application point is located in the area where the support structure has the greatest rigidity and the center of gravity is most concentrated, resulting in high traction efficiency and low risk of overturning.

[0040] A first limiting block 200 is provided at one end of the guide rail 110, and a second limiting block 210 is provided at the other end of the guide rail 110. The first limiting block 200 is configured to allow the first anti-rollover frame 150 to pass through and prevent the second anti-rollover frame 160 from passing through, and the second limiting block 210 is configured to allow the third anti-rollover frame 170 to pass through and prevent the second anti-rollover frame 160 from passing through.

[0041] The first limiting block 200 is located at one end of the guide rail 110 (such as the east end or the high end). Its structure is designed to allow the first anti-tilt bracket 150 to pass smoothly at one end of the condenser lens bracket 100 during normal movement. However, when the bracket continues to move towards the extreme position at that end, the second anti-tilt bracket 160 located at the bottom of the bracket will come into contact with the first limiting block 200 and be blocked, thereby preventing the bracket from moving further.

[0042] Similarly, the second limiting block 210 is located at the other end of the guide rail 110 (such as the west end or the lower end). Its structure is designed to allow the third anti-tilt bracket 170 (located at the other end of the condenser lens bracket 100) to pass smoothly. However, when the bracket moves to its limit position at that end, the second anti-tilt bracket 160 will contact the second limiting block 210 and be blocked, preventing the bracket from continuing to move. Since the second anti-tilt bracket 160 is located at the bottom of the condenser lens bracket 100 and is also the most prominent or widest anti-tilt component in the structure, it is blocked by the limiting blocks at both ends. The anti-tilt brackets at both ends are smaller or higher in position and can pass through the limiting blocks from above or to the side, thereby achieving "selective limiting": the second anti-tilt bracket 160 triggers the limiting only when the bracket moves to the preset limit position, ensuring that the range of motion is precisely constrained, while not affecting the free movement within the normal stroke.

[0043] Through the cooperation of the second anti-tilt bracket 160 and the limit blocks at both ends, a physical stop is automatically triggered when the bracket moves to the designed limit position, effectively preventing the condenser lens bracket 100 from colliding with the end of the guide rail 110 or adjacent equipment, thus avoiding structural deformation or component damage. The first and third anti-tilt brackets 170 can freely pass through their corresponding limit blocks, with only the second anti-tilt bracket 160 being blocked, ensuring no interference within the normal working stroke and not affecting the continuous tracking movement of the bracket. Protection is only triggered when the limit is exceeded. This limiting mechanism is a purely mechanical structure, which can still reliably take effect in abnormal situations such as control system failure, drive overshoot, or human error, forcibly terminating the movement of the bracket and preventing structural collision or overload breakage of the traction component.

[0044] The flexible traction component 120 can be selected from any of the following: wire rope, chain, fiber rope, or belt. Wire rope is suitable for applications requiring high load and long service life. During installation, it requires the use of crimped collars or clamps to secure the ends, and traction is achieved through winding and unwinding during operation. Chains are suitable for applications requiring precise pitch transmission or extremely high tensile strength. Transmission is via sprocket engagement, and the traction path must be kept taut to prevent tooth skipping. Fiber ropes are suitable for environments requiring lightweight, corrosion resistance, and low noise, especially suitable for coastal or chemically corrosive areas. Excess elongation must be allowed during installation. Belts are suitable for medium to low load applications requiring smooth transmission and low maintenance. Power is transmitted through friction or toothed engagement, and a tensioning mechanism is required to prevent slippage.

[0045] Four options are available: wire rope, chain, fiber rope, and belt. Users can flexibly select the appropriate option based on actual conditions such as load intensity, environmental corrosivity, temperature and humidity, and noise requirements, thereby improving system adaptability. Fiber rope or belt can be used in low-load or corrosive environments to save on material costs and anti-corrosion treatment expenses; while wire rope or chain can be used in heavy-load or high-safety-level applications to ensure long-term reliability and achieve the optimal balance between cost and performance.

[0046] The output shaft 130 is arranged along the extension direction of the condenser lens bracket 100. The winding part is a winding cylinder 250. The two ends of the output shaft 130 are respectively provided with winding cylinders 250. Each winding cylinder 250 is wound with a flexible traction member 120. The two sides of the condenser lens bracket 100 are respectively connected to the flexible traction members 120 on the corresponding sides. When the output shaft 130 rotates, the flexible traction members 120 at both ends can be wound and unwound synchronously to jointly drive the condenser lens bracket 100 to move.

[0047] In this embodiment, the output shaft 130 of the drive assembly is horizontally arranged along the extension direction (i.e., the length direction of the support) of the condenser lens bracket 100, and winding drums 250 are fixedly installed at both ends of the shaft, serving as winding and releasing actuators for the flexible traction member 120. Each winding drum 250 independently winds one flexible traction member 120. The two flexible traction members 120 are respectively led out from the winding drums 250 at both ends of the output shaft 130, extend symmetrically along both sides of the support, and finally connect to the corresponding force points on the left and right sides of the condenser lens bracket 100 (such as the support bottom connecting seat or anti-tilt frame structure). When the power source 140 drives the output shaft 130 to rotate forward, the winding drums 250 at both ends rotate synchronously. One winding drum 250 winds up the flexible traction member 120, while the other winding drum 250 releases the flexible traction member 120, thereby pulling one side of the condenser lens bracket 100 upward and the other side downward, realizing the tilting movement of the bracket around the center of rotation. When the output shaft 130 rotates in the opposite direction, the retraction and extension directions are reversed, and the bracket tilts in the opposite direction.

[0048] Because the output shaft 130 is a rigid, integrated structure, the winding drums 250 at both ends rotate strictly synchronously, ensuring that the length, speed, and tension of the flexible traction components 120 on both sides remain consistent. This achieves symmetrical, synchronous, and stable driving of the condenser lens bracket 100, avoiding bracket twisting, jamming, or tracking deviation caused by uneven force on one side. The entire transmission process is completed through the coordinated winding and unwinding of the flexible traction components 120 on both sides. The power transmission path is clear, the structure is symmetrical, and the control logic is simple. Only the direction and angle of rotation of the output shaft 130 need to be controlled to precisely adjust the bracket tilt angle.

[0049] Both winding cylinders 250 are driven by the same output shaft 130, ensuring that the left and right flexible traction components 120 are strictly synchronized in their winding and unwinding. This results in uniform force distribution on the condenser lens support 100, avoiding uneven loading, swaying, or structural fatigue caused by unilateral drive. The symmetrical traction structure effectively suppresses torsion or tilting of the support during movement, ensuring smooth and continuous changes in the mirror's attitude, and improving solar tracking accuracy and beam focusing stability. Simultaneous traction on both sides disperses the driving force application point, avoiding localized stress concentration, reducing stress peaks at support connection points, and extending structural lifespan.

[0050] The heat collection unit also includes a threaded rod 240 and a rotating block 230, which is a roller. The roller is installed at the bottom of the condenser lens bracket 100 via the threaded rod 240. The rotation center of the condenser lens bracket 100 can be adjusted by turning the threaded rod 240.

[0051] The rotating block 230 employs a roller structure to support the condenser lens holder 100 and enable its smooth reciprocating motion along the guide rail 110. This roller is mounted at the end of a threaded rod 240 via a bearing. The threaded rod 240 is vertically or inclinedly positioned within the bottom mounting base of the condenser lens holder 100 and is adjustable up and down on the holder via a threaded connection. Specifically, the upper end of the threaded rod 240 is fixed in the mounting hole of the condenser lens holder 100 (e.g., by locking with a nut or threaded connection to the holder body), and the lower end extends and is fixedly connected to the inner ring of the bearing. The roller is mounted on the outer ring of the bearing, thus allowing the roller to rotate freely around its own axis. When the rotation center of the condenser lens holder 100 needs adjustment, the operator uses a tool to screw on the threaded rod 240, causing it to move up and down axially, thereby synchronously raising and lowering the bearing and roller. Since the roller serves as the contact fulcrum between the condenser lens holder 100 and the guide rail 110, its position change directly alters the height of the tilting rotation fulcrum of the entire holder, i.e., the position of the rotation center. By adjusting the height of the threaded rods 240 at two or more positions on the support, precise calibration of the rotation center can be achieved, ensuring that the focusing mirror maintains an ideal motion trajectory during reciprocating motion and avoiding mirror misalignment, distortion, or interference with adjacent structures. This adjustment process can be used for initial alignment during system installation or for maintenance correction after long-term operation when tracking deviations occur due to foundation settlement, structural deformation, or other reasons.

[0052] The bottom of the guide rail 110 is provided with multiple drainage and sand discharge holes 220. The multiple drainage and sand discharge holes 220 are distributed at intervals along the movement trajectory of the rotating block 230. The width of the rotating block 230 is greater than the diameter of the drainage and sand discharge holes 220.

[0053] As the load-bearing and guiding structure for the rotating block 230 (such as a roller), the guide rail 110 is exposed to the outdoor environment for a long time and is susceptible to adverse effects such as rainwater accumulation, sand and dust accumulation, and snow and ice cover. To solve these problems, this embodiment provides multiple drainage and sand discharge holes 220 at the bottom of the guide rail 110. These holes are spaced apart along the movement trajectory of the rotating block 230. When precipitation occurs, rainwater or condensate can seep from the surface of the guide rail 110 into its internal cavity or lower surface through gaps, and then be discharged downwards through the drainage and sand discharge holes 220, preventing water from accumulating on the guide rail 110, thereby preventing the roller from getting stuck or its movement from being obstructed due to icing. At the same time, in a windy and sandy environment, fine sand particles or dust can enter the guide rail 110 with rainwater and be discharged from the sand discharge holes along with the water flow; even if some dry sand and dust falls on the surface of the guide rail 110, it will be squeezed to the position of the sand discharge hole under the reciprocating motion of the roller and partially fall into the hole for discharge, reducing abrasive wear between the friction pairs. Because the width of the rotating block 230 (such as a roller) is larger than the diameter of the drainage and sand discharge hole 220, the roller will not collapse, jam, or experience stress concentration when it encounters the hole while moving along the guide rail 110. This ensures that it is always stably supported on the continuous bearing surface of the guide rail 110, guaranteeing smooth movement and structural safety. This drainage and sand discharge mechanism requires no external energy drive and relies entirely on gravity natural drainage and roller movement to assist in sand discharge, achieving long-term maintenance-free operation.

[0054] The bottom of the guide rail 110 is provided with a guide wheel 190, and the flexible traction member 120 contacts and passes through the guide wheel 190.

[0055] In this embodiment, the guide rail 110 serves as a support and guide structure, and one or more guide wheels 190 are mounted on its bottom (i.e., the side facing the ground or the inside of the support). Each guide wheel 190 is rotatable about its own axis and has grooves, flat surfaces, or arc-shaped contact surfaces to guide the movement path of the flexible traction member 120. After being drawn out from the drive end (e.g., the winding drum 250), the flexible traction member 120 extends along a predetermined path, contacting the guide wheel 190 and passing around its surface when it passes through the bottom region of the guide rail 110. The guide wheel 190 serves to support the weight of the flexible traction member 120, constrain its position, and reduce direct friction between the traction member and the structure of the guide rail 110.

[0056] When the drive assembly is working, the flexible traction member 120 slides or rolls along the surface of the guide wheel 190 under tension, and the guide wheel 190 rotates accordingly, converting sliding friction into rolling friction, effectively reducing traction resistance. At the same time, the guide wheel 190 physically limits the flexible traction member 120, preventing it from deviating from the predetermined path due to gravity, wind disturbance, or inertial swing during operation, ensuring that the traction force is stably and efficiently transmitted to the condenser lens bracket 100.

[0057] This structure is particularly suitable for scenarios where the path of the flexible traction component 120 needs to turn from above or to the side of the guide rail 110 to the bottom connection point of the bracket. By setting the guide wheel 190 at the bottom of the guide rail 110, a smooth path transition is achieved, avoiding scratches or wear between the traction component and the sharp edges, welds, or bolts of the guide rail 110.

[0058] The width of the guide rail 110 is greater than or equal to twice the width of the rotating block 230, and the guide rail 110 is shared by the rotating blocks 230 at the bottom of two adjacent concentrator supports 100. In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, a flexible driven trough solar collector with a shared guide rail 110 structure is provided. This structure aims to optimize the layout of large-scale solar collector fields and reduce foundation construction costs. In actual arrangement, a wider guide rail 110 is set in the middle and below of two adjacent concentrator supports 100. The bottom of each concentrator support 100 is supported on the same guide rail 110 by a rotating block 230. Specifically, the rotating block 230 of the first concentrator support 100 is located in the left region of the width direction of the guide rail 110, and the rotating block 230 of the second concentrator support 100 is located in the right region of the width direction of the guide rail 110. The two rotating blocks 230 do not interfere with each other on the guide rail 110 and can move independently back and forth along the length direction of the guide rail 110.

[0059] Each condenser lens holder 100 is driven by its own independent drive assembly, but the rotating blocks 230 at its bottom share the same guide rail 110. When the drive assembly drives its respective condenser lens holder 100 to rotate around its rotation center, the rotating blocks 230 at its bottom roll synchronously or asynchronously on the same guide rail 110.

[0060] The reduced material usage and foundation construction of the guide rail 110 significantly lowered the overall system cost. The compact layout reduced land use and increased land utilization per unit area. Ensuring the flatness and straightness of only one shared guide rail 110 simplified the installation process and reduced the complexity of aligning and calibrating multiple guide rails 110, thus contributing to the optical accuracy of the entire heat collection field.

[0061] In the first embodiment, the width of the guide rail 110 is set to be greater than or equal to twice the width of a single rotating block 230. Two independent rotating blocks 230 are arranged side-by-side on the guide rail 110, operating independently of each other. Specifically, the first rotating block supports the bottom of the first condenser lens bracket, and the second rotating block supports the bottom of the adjacent second condenser lens bracket. The two rotating blocks maintain a certain distance in the width direction of the guide rail 110 to ensure that they do not interfere with each other during movement. Each condenser lens bracket 100 is driven by its own independent drive assembly, allowing the two condenser lens brackets to independently pitch and rotate, achieving independent tracking of the sun's position. The two solar collectors can operate independently; when one requires maintenance, the other can still function normally. Differentiated control strategies can be implemented based on the actual conditions of the two solar collectors, resulting in better system flexibility and fault tolerance.

[0062] In the second embodiment, the width of the guide rail 110 is also set to be greater than or equal to twice the width of a single rotating block 230. However, unlike the first embodiment, a widened synchronous rotating block is provided on the guide rail 110. The width of this synchronous rotating block is approximately equal to the width of the guide rail 110, and it can simultaneously support the adjacent sides of two adjacent condenser lens supports 100. The two condenser lens supports 100 are fixedly connected to the synchronous rotating block 230 through a connecting structure to form a linkage unit. When the drive assembly is working, by pushing the synchronous rotating block 230 to move along the guide rail 110, the two condenser lens supports can be driven to perform synchronous pitch rotation simultaneously. The advantages of this structure are: it simplifies the drive system, and one drive device can control two heat collection units; it ensures absolute synchronization of the two condenser lens supports, avoiding optical efficiency loss due to asynchrony; and the structure is more compact and has better mechanical stability.

[0063] In this embodiment, the guide rail 110 serves as a support and guide structure, and one or more guide wheels 190 are mounted on its bottom (i.e., the side facing the ground or the inside of the bracket). The guide wheel 190 can rotate freely about its own axis, and its wheel surface is provided with grooves, flat surfaces, or arc-shaped contact surfaces to guide the movement path of the flexible traction member 120.

[0064] After being drawn out from the drive end (such as the winding drum 250), the flexible traction member 120 extends along a predetermined path. When passing through the bottom area of ​​the guide rail 110, it contacts the guide wheel 190 and passes around its surface. The function of the guide wheel 190 is to change the direction of the flexible traction member 120, support its weight, constrain its position, and reduce the direct friction between the traction member and the structure of the guide rail 110. When the drive assembly is working, the flexible traction member 120 slides or rolls along the surface of the guide wheel 190 under tension (depending on whether the guide wheel 190 is actively driven). The guide wheel 190 rotates accordingly, converting sliding friction into rolling friction, effectively reducing traction resistance. At the same time, the guide wheel 190 physically limits the flexible traction member 120, preventing it from deviating from the predetermined path due to gravity, wind disturbance, or inertial swing during operation, ensuring that the traction force is stably and efficiently transmitted to the condenser lens support 100.

[0065] This structure is particularly suitable for scenarios where the path of the flexible traction component 120 needs to turn from above or to the side of the guide rail 110 to the bottom connection point of the bracket. By setting the guide wheel 190 at the bottom of the guide rail 110, a smooth path transition is achieved, avoiding scratches or wear between the traction component and the sharp edges, welds, or bolts of the guide rail 110.

[0066] This embodiment provides a flexible driven trough solar collector for achieving precise tracking of the solar altitude angle and improving photothermal conversion efficiency. The collector includes a collecting unit and a rotating unit that work together, featuring a simple structure, stable operation, and high reliability, making it particularly suitable for deployment in large-scale solar thermal power plants.

[0067] The solar collector unit includes a concentrator support 100, on which several concentrators are mounted to form a continuous parabolic concentrator surface, used to focus solar radiation onto the absorber tube located at the focal line. The solar collector unit also includes a threaded rod 240 for adjusting the rotation center position of the support. A rotating block 230, in the form of a roller, is mounted to the bottom of the concentrator support 100 via the threaded rod 240. By tightening the threaded rod 240, the height of the roller can be adjusted, thereby changing the rotation fulcrum of the concentrator support 100, compensating for structural misalignment caused by manufacturing errors, foundation settlement, or long-term operation, and ensuring that the mirror's movement trajectory precisely matches the requirements of solar tracking.

[0068] The rotating unit includes a guide rail 110, a rotating block 230, and a drive assembly. The guide rail 110 is positioned below the condenser lens support 100, providing a guiding foundation for the support's movement. The roller, acting as the rotating block 230, is supported on the guide rail 110, enabling the condenser lens support 100 to reciprocate and tilt along the guide rail 110. The bottom of the guide rail 110 has multiple drainage and sand-draining holes 220, spaced along the roller's movement trajectory, used to promptly drain rainwater, condensate, or sand, preventing accumulation, icing, or blockage. The width of the roller is greater than the diameter of the drainage and sand-draining holes 220, ensuring that it remains supported on the continuous bearing surface of the guide rail 110 during movement, avoiding uneven force distribution or bumpy operation due to holes.

[0069] The drive assembly provides power and includes a power source 140, an output shaft 130, and a flexible traction member 120. The output shaft 130 is positioned along the extending direction of the condenser lens support 100, with winding cylinders 250 at both ends serving as winding sections. Each winding cylinder 250 has a flexible traction member 120 wound around it. The two sides of the condenser lens support 100 are connected to the corresponding flexible traction members 120. When the output shaft 130 rotates, the winding cylinders 250 simultaneously unwind and rewind the flexible traction members 120, achieving symmetrical traction on both sides of the support. This allows the condenser lens support 100 to tilt smoothly around its center of rotation, preventing twisting or swaying caused by unilateral force.

[0070] The flexible traction component 120 can be selected from any of the following: wire rope, chain, fiber rope, or belt, allowing for flexible selection based on load, environment, lifespan, and cost requirements. After being led out from the winding drum 250, the flexible traction component 120 passes through the guide pulleys 180 located at both ends of the condenser lens bracket 100, changing the direction of force, and is finally fixedly connected to the corresponding position at the bottom of the condenser lens bracket 100, ensuring efficient transmission of traction force.

[0071] To optimize the traction path and reduce friction, a guide wheel 190 is also provided at the bottom of the guide rail 110. The flexible traction member 120 contacts and passes around the guide wheel 190 during the extension process. The guide wheel 190 can rotate freely, converting sliding friction into rolling friction, reducing traction resistance, and at the same time constraining the position of the traction member to prevent it from sagging, swinging, or scratching the edge of the structure.

[0072] The rotating unit also includes a first anti-tilt frame 150, a second anti-tilt frame 160, and a third anti-tilt frame 170, which are spaced apart along the arc extension direction of the condenser lens support 100. The second anti-tilt frame 160 is located at the bottom of the arc-shaped structure of the condenser lens support 100 and is the core area of ​​structural stress. The flexible traction member 120 is installed on the second anti-tilt frame 160, so that the point of application of the driving force is close to the center of gravity of the support, improving transmission efficiency and reducing overturning moment. The first anti-tilt frame 150 and the third anti-tilt frame 170 are located at the two ends of the arc of the support, respectively, and together with the second anti-tilt frame 160, they form a three-point stabilizing structure, effectively suppressing the swaying and deformation of the support under wind load or motion inertia.

[0073] To prevent overtravel, a first limit block 200 is provided at one end of the guide rail 110, and a second limit block 210 is provided at the other end. The first limit block 200 is configured to allow the first anti-rollover bracket 150 to pass through, but prevent the second anti-rollover bracket 160 from passing through; the second limit block 210 is configured to allow the third anti-rollover bracket 170 to pass through, but prevent the second anti-rollover bracket 160 from passing through. Since the second anti-rollover bracket 160 is located at the bottom of the support and has the most prominent structure, when the support moves to its limit position, the second anti-rollover bracket 160 will contact the limit block at the corresponding end and be blocked, forcibly terminating the movement, forming a reliable mechanical travel protection that does not rely on electrical control and has high safety redundancy.

[0074] Understandably, the anti-roll bar is shaped like a bracket and is fixedly installed at the bottom of the condenser lens bracket 100. Two protrusions extending towards the guide rail 110 are provided at the lower part of the anti-roll bar. These protrusions are located on both sides of the guide rail 110 and are embedded within the contour of the guide rail 110, forming a spatial limiting structure. However, an appropriate gap is reserved between the protrusions and the surface of the guide rail 110 to prevent direct contact, thereby restraining the overturning tendency of the bracket while avoiding additional friction or motion interference.

[0075] In summary, this embodiment achieves high-precision, high-stability, and low-power solar tracking for the concentrator bracket 100 through multiple design features, including flexible traction drive, multi-point anti-tilting support, mechanical limit protection, adjustable rotation center, and optimized path guidance. The system has a modular structure, is easy to install and maintain, and is highly adaptable to various environments, especially suitable for outdoor environments with strong winds, severe temperature differences, and complex foundation conditions. This provides reliable technical support for the construction and operation of large-scale parabolic trough solar thermal power generation systems.

[0076] The embodiments of the present utility model have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A flexible driven trough solar collector, characterized in that, include: The heat collection unit includes a concentrating mirror bracket, and a plurality of concentrating mirrors are mounted on the surface of the concentrating mirror bracket to form a concentrating mirror surface; The rotating unit includes a guide rail, a rotating block, and a driving assembly. The guide rail is disposed below the condenser lens holder, the rotating block is disposed between the condenser lens holder and the guide rail, and the driving assembly is used to drive the condenser lens holder so that the condenser lens holder reciprocates along the guide rail via the rotating block.

2. The flexible driven trough solar collector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive assembly includes a power source, an output shaft, and a flexible traction member. The power source drives the output shaft to rotate. The end of the output shaft is provided with a winding portion. The flexible traction member is wound around the winding portion. After the free end of the flexible traction member is led out from the winding portion, it passes around the end of the condenser lens bracket and is finally fixedly connected to the corresponding position at the bottom of the condenser lens bracket.

3. The flexible driven trough solar collector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The condenser lens bracket has guide pulleys at both ends, and the flexible traction member is fixed to the bottom of the condenser lens bracket after passing around the guide pulleys.

4. The flexible driven trough solar collector according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The rotating unit includes a first anti-tilt frame, a second anti-tilt frame, and a third anti-tilt frame that are spaced apart along the arcuate extension direction of the condenser lens bracket. The second anti-tilt frame is located at the bottom of the condenser lens bracket, and the flexible traction member is installed on the second anti-tilt frame.

5. The flexible driven trough solar collector according to claim 4, characterized in that, A first limiting block is provided at one end of the guide rail, and a second limiting block is provided at the other end of the guide rail. The first limiting block is configured to allow the first anti-rollover frame to pass through and prevent the second anti-rollover frame from passing through, and the second limiting block is configured to allow the third anti-rollover frame to pass through and prevent the second anti-rollover frame from passing through.

6. The flexible driven trough solar collector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The flexible traction component can be any one of steel wire rope, chain, fiber rope or belt.

7. The flexible driven trough solar collector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The output shaft is arranged along the extension direction of the condenser lens bracket. The winding part is a winding cylinder. The winding cylinder is provided at both ends of the output shaft. The flexible traction member is wound on each winding cylinder. The two sides of the condenser lens bracket are respectively connected to the flexible traction member on the corresponding side. When the output shaft rotates, the flexible traction members at both ends can be wound and released synchronously to jointly drive the movement of the condenser lens bracket.

8. The flexible driven trough solar collector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat collection unit also includes a threaded rod, and the rotating block is a roller. The roller is installed at the bottom of the condenser lens bracket via the threaded rod. The rotation center of the condenser lens bracket can be adjusted by turning and adjusting the threaded rod.

9. The flexible driven trough solar collector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the guide rail is provided with multiple drainage and sand discharge holes, which are distributed at intervals along the movement trajectory of the rotating block. The width of the rotating block is greater than the diameter of the drainage and sand discharge holes.

10. The flexible driven trough solar collector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bottom of the guide rail is provided with a guide wheel, and the flexible traction member contacts and passes through the guide wheel.

11. The flexible driven trough solar collector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide rail is shared by two adjacent condenser lens supports.

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