Heliostat Mirror Cleaning Blade for Low-Water Reflectivity Restoration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cleaning systems for heliostat mirrors in concentrated solar fields require large volumes of water and chemicals, leading to environmental concerns, operator errors, and inefficient cleaning, which can reduce solar field output and increase maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical cleaning tool with an articulating cleaning blade assembly and a small water application method, where a cleaning pad is used with a squeegee action to remove debris and water from reflective glass panels, allowing for efficient cleaning with minimal water and no chemicals, while being designed for safe operation from the ground.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wet cleaning systems with high water volume are used to clean heliostat mirrors, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but water consumption increases significantly causing environmental damage and vegetation overgrowth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidwater consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts only the essential cleaning function from traditional wet cleaning systems. Instead of applying large volumes of water, the system uses a small amount of water activated by the cleaning blade to remove debris, thereby achieving effective cleaning while dramatically reducing water consumption from 2 gallons per mirror to minimal amounts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the cleaning mechanism from water-based wet cleaning to a mechanical scraping action. The cleaning blade is designed to mechanically remove debris through scraping and lifting forces, fundamentally changing the cleaning parameter from chemical/water-based to mechanical force-based, thereby eliminating the need for large water volumes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If traditional tractor-based cleaning systems are used to clean mirrors, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the risk of glass damage from operator error and equipment collision increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning coverageVSAvoidglass damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning blade is designed to be self-retaining on the mirror surface through its geometry and the adhesion of debris to the blade edge. The blade automatically lifts off the mirror when cleaning is complete or when obstructed, eliminating the need for manual operation and reducing the risk of operator error and equipment collision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the complex mechanical tractor-based system with a simple handheld cleaning blade. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy equipment, operators, and complex control systems, thereby reducing the risk of glass damage from equipment collision and operator error while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If chemical cleaning agents are used to restore mirror reflectivity, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but environmental impact increases leading to fines and plant closures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereflectivity restorationVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful effect of debris on mirror reflectivity into a beneficial cleaning process. By using a mechanical scraping action that lifts and removes debris without chemicals, the system restores reflectivity while avoiding the environmental harm associated with chemical cleaning agents, thereby eliminating the risk of fines and plant closures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 tool effectively restores mirror reflectivity to acceptable levels using minimal water, reducing environmental impact, operator risk, and maintenance costs, while increasing cleaning efficiency and reducing water usage by up to 90% compared to traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

The cleaning blade is effective because of its adhesion to debris and lifting forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The cleaning blade is effective because of its adhesion to debris and lifting forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS10727783B2Heliostat cleaning tool and method

Publication Date: 2020.07.28 DYNAMIS SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A mechanical device for cleaning a reflective glass surface is described. In one example, the glass surface is a heliostat mirror. The device includes a cleaning head and a blade assembly. In one example, the cleaning head includes an elongated base member and having a cleaning pad. The cleaning blade assembly includes a cleaning blade. The blade is mounted to the base member and is moveable between a first engaged position that causes the blade of the blade assembly to come into contact with the reflective glass surface and a second disengaged position that causes the blade of the blade assembly to come out of contact with the glass surface. A method of cleaning a glass surface is also disclosed.