Non-Imaging Solar Concentrator With Wind-Resistant Ring Reflectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar concentrators face limitations such as low optical solar efficiency, high wind load, and difficulty in maintaining large sizes due to structural constraints, which hinder their ability to efficiently collect and focus radiant energy effectively.
Innovation Solution
A non-imaging solar concentrator system utilizing concentric, conical ring-like reflective elements with variable widths and tilt angles, supported by a tracking apparatus that ensures the sun is normal to the concentrator, allowing for even concentration of solar radiation across a larger focal area, and a receiver system that can pivot and rotate to maintain focus, reducing wind load and enabling larger diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If solar power tower systems use an array of dual-axis tracking reflectors to concentrate sunlight on a central receiver, then a high concentration ratio of solar radiation is achieved, but the optical solar efficiency is reduced due to Incident Angle Modification
Solution Approach 1:
The concentrator is divided into multiple concentric ring-like reflective elements with different tilt angles, where each ring independently reflects sunlight to the focal point. This segmentation allows optimization of each ring's orientation to minimize IAM losses while maintaining high concentration ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of tracking the sun with the receiver (as in power tower systems), the invention inverts the approach by having the concentrator rings fixed at optimal tilt angles and keeping the receiver stationary at the focal point, eliminating the need for complex dual-axis tracking while maintaining high efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If parabolic dish systems are used to achieve high optical solar efficiency, then the IAM is improved to up to 1.0, but the wind load limits the size of the dish to around 10 meters in diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The dish is segmented into multiple concentric ring-like reflective elements rather than a solid continuous surface. This segmentation reduces the wind load by allowing wind to pass through the gaps between rings, enabling the structure to scale to larger diameters while maintaining high optical efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The concentrator structure is designed with a porous-like configuration of discrete rings instead of a solid continuous surface, allowing wind flow through the structure and significantly reducing wind load while preserving the reflective functionality for solar concentration.
3Illumination intensity
If refractive lenses are used to focus solar radiation to a focal point, then the focal point is achieved, but the wind load limits the size to less than 10 meters in diameter and large glass or plastic lenses are difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the refractive mechanical lens system with a reflective optical system using ring-like elements. This substitution eliminates the need for large, fragile glass or plastic lenses, allowing for larger aperture sizes and easier manufacturing while achieving the same focal point concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The concentrator uses multiple ring-like reflective elements that can be constructed from durable, weather-resistant materials suitable for outdoor deployment, replacing the single-piece glass or plastic lens construction with a composite structure of multiple independent reflective components.
4Illumination intensity
If the receiver is positioned atop the tower in solar power tower systems, then the concentration ratio is achieved, but the elevated position makes it difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the vertical arrangement by positioning the receiver on the ground at the focal point rather than elevating it atop a tower. This inversion maintains the concentration ratio while dramatically improving maintenance accessibility, as the receiver is now easily reachable from ground level.
5Device complexity
If reflector rings all have the same width in the concentrator system, then the structure is simplified, but the concentration ratio of solar energy at the focal point becomes un-even
Solution Approach 1:
Each ring-like reflective element is assigned a specific tilt angle optimized for its radial position, creating local quality variations that ensure uniform solar energy concentration across the focal point. This local optimization compensates for the varying incident angles of sunlight on different rings.
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 achieves higher solar energy concentration and temperature generation, enabling efficient energy transfer for applications like combined-cycle gas turbines and thermolysis, while overcoming the limitations of prior art designs by allowing larger sizes and improved wind resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a non-imaging concentrator made of a reflective metal, or another suitable reflective material, configured to allow wind to flow through the ring-like reflective elements
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of a system for collecting radiant energy with a non-imaging solar concentrator are provided. In some implementations, the system may be configured to focus radiant energy striking a plurality of concentric, conical ring-like reflective elements of the non-imaging concentrator onto a receiver positioned thereunder and to rotate and/or pivot the receiver so that at least a portion thereof is always kept within the focal point (or area) of the non-imaging concentrator. Wherein the center of the focal point (or area) is fixed with respect to the ground. In some implementations, the system for collecting radiant energy with a non-imaging solar concentrator may comprise a tracking apparatus configured to support the non-imaging concentrator and position it so that the sun is normal thereto, and a piping system that is configured to transfer concentrated solar energy from the receiver to an absorbing system where the energy is finally utilized.