Strut, system and method for a solar mirror frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems, particularly parabolic trough facilities, face challenges in reducing costs and improving performance due to the complexity and weight of existing solar mirror frame support structures, which are typically made from steel or aluminum extrusions.
Innovation Solution
The development of enhanced sleeve and strut end piece designs with single fin and guided insertion features that allow for efficient connection and assembly, reducing material usage and enabling the use of smaller extrusion presses, while maintaining high load-bearing capacities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional steel or aluminum extrusions are used for solar mirror frame support, then structural strength and load-bearing capacity are achieved, but weight and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frame support structure is divided into modular components including sleeves with fins and strut end pieces with corresponding engagement features. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for strength-to-weight ratio while simplifying assembly and manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve design incorporates fins with varying thicknesses and geometries at specific locations to concentrate material where stress is highest. The nonparallel surfaces and curved geometries of the fins provide localized structural reinforcement without adding overall weight, addressing the contradiction between strength and weight through spatially differentiated material distribution
2Strength
If complex extrusion profiles are used to improve performance, then load-bearing capacity and structural efficiency are enhanced, but manufacturing difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex structural requirements are divided across multiple simpler components (sleeve, fins, strut end pieces) that can each be manufactured using standard extrusion capabilities. This avoids the need for single complex extrusions while achieving the required structural performance through component assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The fin surfaces incorporate curved and nonparallel geometries that are formed through extrusion processes. These curved surfaces provide structural efficiency by distributing stresses more effectively while being manufacturable using conventional extrusion tooling, avoiding the need for post-extrusion machining or assembly of multiple parts
3Strength
If larger extrusion presses are used to produce high-load-bearing components, then structural strength is achieved, but manufacturing cost and facility requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The load-bearing structure is segmented into multiple components that can be produced on smaller extrusion presses. The sleeve and strut end pieces are manufactured separately and then assembled, allowing the use of smaller, more cost-effective extrusion equipment while still achieving the required overall load-bearing capacity of the complete assembly
Solution Approach 2:
Material is concentrated in specific locations through the fin design, providing high local strength where needed without requiring the entire component to be of uniform high strength. This allows smaller extrusion presses to produce components that achieve high overall load-bearing capacity through strategic material placement
Data Source
AI summary
A strut end piece for a strut for connecting with a fin of a sleeve for a solar mirror frame support. A strut for receiving a strut end piece for a solar mirror frame support. A sleeve for connecting with a chord and a strut end piece for a solar mirror frame support having a main portion having an opening for receiving the chord. A method for connecting a sleeve to a chord and a strut end piece for a solar mirror frame support.