Heliostat Drive Assembly with Biasing Mechanism to Reduce Backlash
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heliostat drive assemblies in Concentrating Solar Power plants face challenges in maintaining precise sun-tracking due to environmental factors and manufacturing tolerances, leading to backlash and inefficiencies in reflecting radiant solar energy.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of heliostat drive assemblies with multiple degrees of freedom and biasing mechanisms, such as torsion springs and adjusted center of mass, to counteract backlash and external forces, ensuring accurate reflector orientation and reduced wear on mechanical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large amount of comparatively small heliostats are used, then sunlight redirection efficiency is improved and manufacturing cost is reduced, but the number of drive assemblies increases leading to increased installation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The drive assembly is divided into modular components including gear train, motor assembly, and biasing mechanism that can be manufactured and assembled independently. This modular segmentation enables standardized production of smaller heliostats while maintaining manageable installation procedures through pre-assembled units
Solution Approach 2:
The drive assembly design incorporates universal mounting interfaces and standardized connection points that allow the same assembly procedure to be applied across multiple heliostat units. This universality reduces installation complexity by eliminating the need for custom procedures for each additional unit
2Manufacturing precision
If manufacturing tolerances between components are tight, then positioning accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing mechanism applies controlled pre-load forces to the gear train that compensate for normal manufacturing tolerances. By adjusting the biasing force parameters, the system maintains accurate reflector positioning without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on individual components
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing mechanism converts the potential harm of manufacturing tolerances and backlash into a beneficial pre-loaded state. The controlled force applied to the gear train eliminates backlash and ensures consistent tooth engagement, turning what would be sources of error into sources of positioning reliability
3Manufacturing precision
If biasing force is increased to reduce backlash, then positioning accuracy is improved, but mechanical stress on components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing mechanism applies a controlled partial force to the gear train that is sufficient to eliminate backlash and maintain positioning accuracy, but not excessive enough to create harmful mechanical stress. The biasing force is optimized to provide just enough pre-load to ensure accurate reflector positioning without over-stressing the mechanical components
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
This solution enhances the accuracy and efficiency of solar energy reflection while minimizing mechanical wear and simplifying assembly and manufacturing processes, leading to improved performance and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring connected to the at least one drive shaft, wherein the at least one spring biases the at least one drive shaft against at least one external force
Implementation Method 2
The center of mass location may be positioned by offsetting the reflector and/or adding ancillary masses
Data Source
AI summary
A drive assembly for a heliostat is described, wherein the drive assembly may be configured to dynamically adjust the position of an attached reflector in concentrated solar power applications. The drive assembly may be further configured to provide for biasing of the reflector to reduce backlash due to external loads. The biasing force may be provided by at least one of a spring, counterweight, or offset of the center of gravity of the reflector or other attachment, or some combination thereof.