Cylindrical Lens Solar Concentrator to Reduce Tracking Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar thermal systems are bulky, inefficient due to reflective and refractive degradation, and require power-intensive tracking to capture solar radiation as the sun moves, limiting their installation and adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A light concentrating lens system with a cylindrical design, including a light receiving and exiting surface, configured to direct solar radiation to a focal point, integrated with a single axis solar tracking device and energy absorbing medium, allowing for omnidirectional solar radiation capture without moving the collection apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional solar thermal systems use mirrors to collect solar radiation, then energy collection capability is improved, but system bulkiness and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameter from reflective (mirrors) to refractive (lenses), fundamentally altering how solar radiation is collected and concentrated. This parameter change enables achieving the same energy concentration function with significantly reduced weight and bulkiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical mirror tracking system with a fixed lens-based optical system that uses refraction physics to achieve omnidirectional light collection. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical tracking components while maintaining energy collection effectiveness.
2Productivity
If conventional solar thermal systems use mirrors with tracking devices to capture solar radiation as the sun moves, then energy capture capability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical tracking devices with a fixed optical lens system that inherently captures solar radiation from multiple angles throughout the day. The lens design with specific curvature ratios naturally focuses light without requiring mechanical adjustment or power-intensive tracking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it collects solar radiation from various angles, concentrates the light to a focal point, and maintains effective operation throughout the day without mechanical intervention. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate tracking mechanisms.
3Productivity
If conventional solar thermal systems use mirrors to collect solar radiation, then energy concentration is improved, but reflective efficiency degrades due to contaminant build-up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes reflective mirrors with refractive lenses, changing the fundamental optical mechanism from reflection to refraction. This substitution eliminates the problem of reflective efficiency degradation caused by contaminant build-up, as lens surfaces do not suffer from the same degradation issues as mirrored surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs lens materials with optimized refractive indices and optical properties to achieve effective light concentration. The use of transparent materials with specific optical characteristics enables sustained energy concentration capability without the degradation issues associated with mirrored surfaces.
4Productivity
If conventional solar thermal systems are designed to be bulky for effective energy collection, then energy collection efficiency is improved, but installation adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental optical parameter from reflection to refraction, enabling compact lens-based systems to achieve the same energy collection efficiency as bulky mirror systems. This parameter change allows for reduced system size while maintaining adaptability for various installation locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved lens surfaces with specific curvature ratios to achieve effective light concentration in a compact form factor. The spherical or aspherical lens geometry enables omnidirectional light collection without requiring large system dimensions, thereby improving installation adaptability.
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 efficiently collects and concentrates solar radiation across various angles, reducing the need for complex tracking mechanisms and enhancing adaptability, while maintaining high energy concentration and storage efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light concentrating lens can include a light receiving surface and a light exiting surface opposite the light receiving surface. In some embodiments, the light exiting surface can include a curved shape configured to direct light passing through the lens to a focal point
Data Source
AI summary
An energy collection system including a collection apparatus having a light concentrating lens is disclosed. The light concentrating lens can include a light receiving surface and a light exiting surface opposite the light receiving surface. The light exiting surface includes a curved shape configured to direct light passing through the lens to a focal point. The energy collection system further includes a concentrator apparatus having a conduit and an energy absorbing medium within the conduit to convert the solar energy to thermal energy.