Inflatable Solar Collector With Pressure-Shaped Reflector Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar collectors are expensive and complex due to the use of heavy, coated glass components, which require substantial mechanical actuators to track the sun's motion effectively.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable solar collector with pressure-stabilized air chambers and a trough-shaped reflecting surface, adjustable in azimuth to track the sun, using differential pressure to create a focal point either inside or outside the chambers, and incorporating a novel energy receiver with stagnant air as an insulator, optionally enhanced with corrective bladders to approximate a parabolic shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heavy coated glass mirrors or lenses are used to concentrate solar energy, then energy concentration efficiency is improved, but device weight and mechanical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible reflective film instead of heavy coated glass mirrors. The film is stretched across an inflatable trough structure, creating a lightweight concentrating surface that maintains optical efficiency while dramatically reducing weight and eliminating the need for substantial mechanical actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an inflatable trough structure filled with air or gas to provide the structural support and shape for the reflective surface. This pneumatic support system replaces heavy mechanical frameworks and actuators, reducing device weight while maintaining the ability to track the sun.
2Productivity
If heavy coated glass components are used, then optical performance is improved, but mechanical actuator complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective surface is created using a stretched flexible film on the inflatable trough, eliminating the need for complex mechanical actuators. The pneumatic structure itself provides the necessary positioning and tracking capability through its flexibility and ability to conform to different angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical actuator systems with a pneumatic inflatable structure. The air pressure within the trough provides the structural support and enables tracking through simple azimuth adjustment, substituting complex mechanical systems with a simpler pneumatic mechanism.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional rigid solar collectors are used, then structural stability is improved, but manufacturing cost and material expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an inflatable trough structure filled with air or gas to provide structural support. This pneumatic framework replaces expensive rigid materials while maintaining structural stability during operation. The inflatable structure can be manufactured from inexpensive materials and provides sufficient stability when pressurized.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the support structure from solid rigid materials to pressurized gas. By controlling the pressure parameter within the inflatable trough, the structure achieves the necessary structural stability without requiring expensive rigid materials, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
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 solution reduces costs and complexity while maintaining efficiency, eliminating the need for altitude adjustment and using inexpensive materials, achieving effective energy concentration and high temperatures with simplified tracking mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The device uses two elongated and pressure-stabilized air chambers with a trough-shaped reflecting surface in between
Implementation Method 2
The invention preferably incorporates a novel energy receiver in which stagnant air is entrapped and used as an insulator
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable solar energy collector. The device uses two elongated and pressure-stabilized air chambers with a trough-shaped reflecting surface in between. The curvature of the reflecting surface is adjusted by adjusting the differential pressure between the two air chambers. The device can be configured to provide a focal point outside the air chambers or inside the air chambers. For the version using the external focal point an external energy receiver is appropriately positioned. For the version using the internal focal point, the receiver is mounted inside one of the air chambers.