Dynamic Asymmetric Solar Concentrator With Deformable Mirror Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar concentrators require extensive rotation to track the sun, which becomes costly and inefficient, especially in large-scale applications where the reflector is heavy.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic asymmetric solar concentrator system using a computer algorithm to generate a dynamic geometry, employing deformable mirrors with mechanical/hydraulic lifts or piezoelectric actuators to adjust the mirror shape, allowing for minimal rotation and focusing solar rays onto a singular point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional parabolic reflectors with static geometry are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the entire reflector must be rotated extensively to track the sun, which becomes costly and inefficient especially when the reflector is heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static parabolic reflector into a dynamic deformable mirror system. The mirror surface can change its geometry continuously using actuators (piezoelectric, hydraulic, or mechanical lifts) to adapt to different solar positions, eliminating the need for extensive rotation of heavy structures while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular actuator design
2Quantity of substance
If the reflector is made large-scale to increase energy collection, then more solar energy can be captured, but the reflector becomes heavy and rotation becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the large-scale reflector into smaller modular units or facets, each equipped with independent actuators. This allows the system to maintain large total area for energy collection while each segment remains lightweight and can be adjusted independently, eliminating the need to rotate the entire heavy structure
Solution Approach 2:
By making the large-scale reflector dynamically deformable through distributed actuators, the system can change its focal point and orientation electronically rather than mechanically rotating the entire heavy structure, thus capturing more energy without proportionally increasing rotation costs
3Stability of the object's composition
If the reflector is made heavy to maintain structural integrity, then the structure is stable, but rotating the heavy structure becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making the mirror surface dynamically deformable rather than statically stable. The deformable mirror can change its shape and focal point to track the sun without requiring physical rotation of the heavy supporting structure, thus maintaining structural stability while dramatically reducing tracking costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional rotation tracking to two-dimensional surface deformation control. By adjusting the mirror surface in multiple dimensions through actuators, the system achieves sun tracking without rotating the heavy structure, separating the tracking function from the structural weight
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively concentrates solar energy with minimal movement, reducing the need for two-dimensional tracking and enabling efficient solar energy collection with a deformable mirror that can be made of flexible materials like acrylic or metallic surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
A dynamic asymmetric solar concentrator uses a computer algorithm to obtain a dynamic geometry to focus a parallel array of beams to a singular point
Implementation Method 2
employing deformable mirrors with mechanical/hydraulic lifts or piezoelectric actuators to adjust the mirror shape
Implementation Method 3
employing deformable mirrors with mechanical/hydraulic lifts or piezoelectric actuators to adjust the mirror shape
Implementation Method 4
employing deformable mirrors with mechanical/hydraulic lifts or piezoelectric actuators to adjust the mirror shape
Data Source
AI summary
Solar energy concentration systems and methods that includes a curved lower solar reflective dish, and a smaller curved solar concentrator located on a focal line above the dish. The dish reflects input light rays onto the smaller curved solar concentrator. Moveable supports adjusts the shape of the deformable solar concentrator mounted directly below the concentrator to receive concentrated light rays reflected from the concentrator. A controller for storing and executing a set of instruction controls the shape of the concentrator to focus the reflected concentrated light rays onto a focal collector. A mirror point list adjusts the shape of the concentrator based on a sun angle.