Offset Drive Shaft Layout for Independent Solar Reflector Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional concentrated solar power plants face challenges in efficiently rotating and maintaining large arrays of reflectors due to complex pivot connections, which require precise adjustments, lead to mechanical torque issues, and increase installation and maintenance complexity, while also necessitating significant space and resources.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring hinge elements for staggered reflector positioning, an offset drive shaft, and independent transmission mechanisms for each reflector, allowing for individual rotation and adjustment, reducing mechanical torque and enabling easier installation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional pivot connections are used to rotate reflectors, then the reflectors can be positioned to follow the sun, but the system becomes mechanically complex and requires precise adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the reflector array into multiple independent segments, each capable of individual rotation around its own pivot axis. This segmentation allows each reflector to be controlled independently, simplifying the overall control mechanism while maintaining the ability to track the sun's movement across the sky.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a longitudinal dimension to the reflector arrangement, with pivot axes oriented along the length of the array. This dimensional change allows reflectors to rotate in a manner that follows the sun's apparent motion, transforming the traditional two-axis tracking problem into a simpler single-axis rotation system.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise adjustments are made to pivot connections, then reflector alignment is improved, but installation and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates self-aligning features in the pivot connections that automatically adjust reflector positioning during installation. The design includes adjustable mounting brackets and tolerance-compensating mechanisms that allow workers to install reflectors without requiring highly precise alignment, thereby simplifying installation while maintaining operational precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If space is allocated between adjacent reflectors for mounting, then pivot connection installation is enabled, but the plant footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the mounting structure for the pivot connection with the reflector support framework into a single integrated assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting spaces between reflectors, as the structural elements serve dual purposes: supporting the reflector and providing the pivot mounting interface, thereby reducing the overall plant footprint.
4Device complexity
If direct coupling of reflectors is used for rotation, then mechanical torque transmission is simplified, but torsion in the line increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the torque transmission function from the reflector coupling mechanism by introducing a separate drive shaft that runs longitudinally through the array. This shaft independently transmits rotational force to each reflector, eliminating the need for reflectors to transmit torque to one another and thereby removing torsional stresses from the reflector line structure.
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 system simplifies the rotation and adjustment of reflectors, reduces mechanical stress, and decreases the footprint of solar power plants, allowing for more efficient energy production and easier maintenance without interrupting operations.
Implementation Method 1
Each reflector has the function of reflecting the solar radiation incident on the mirror, and of directing the solar radiation thus reflected in order to concentrate it towards a receiver
Implementation Method 2
Concentrating solar thermal technology consists in particular of using solar radiation to heat a heat transfer fluid serving as a heat source in a thermodynamic cycle
Implementation Method 3
hinge elements configured so as to position the reflectors of this set in a staggered manner along a line extending in a longitudinal direction and to ensure mounting with a pivot connection of each reflector of the assembly along a pivot axis substantially oriented in the longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of transmission mechanisms distinct from the articulation elements, each transmission mechanism being mechanically coupled to the drive shaft and ensuring the movement of at least one reflector associated with said transmission mechanism, around the corresponding pivot axis of said at least one associated reflector, by transmitting a motor torque to said reflector associated by said transmission mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A system intended for rotating an assembly of reflectors (10i) of a concentrated solar power plant, comprising swivel members (11) spread along the reflectors (10i) along a line (L) and providing a pivot link mounting of each reflector (10i), a drive shaft (12) distinctly offset from the swivel members (11), an actuator (13) rotating the drive shaft (12), and a plurality of transmission mechanisms (14) distinct from the swivel members (11), each transmission mechanism (14) being mechanically coupled with the drive shaft (12) and moving at least one reflector (10i) associated with said transmission mechanism (14), around the pivot axis (Ai) corresponding to said at least one associated reflector (10i), by transmission of a motor torque (CM) to said associated reflector (10i) by said transmission mechanism (14).