Overground Mirror Network for Progressive Solar Ray Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CSP power plant systems face inefficiencies in concentrating solar rays and transferring heat energy due to complex mirror configurations and ground surface obstructions, leading to reduced light intensity and increased construction and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A solar ray concentration system utilizing a network of concave and Plano concave mirrors, heliostats, and flat reflection mirrors that progressively concentrate solar rays, overcoming obstructions by adjusting mirror positions and using computerized control systems to optimize ray direction and intensity, with a heat exchanger or steam generator that simultaneously heats primary water and energy storage fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional CSP power plant systems use complex mirror configurations, then light concentration is achieved, but construction and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into multiple independent mirror segments (flat mirrors and concave mirrors) that work in sequence. Each mirror performs a specific function in the light concentration process, allowing for modular design, easier manufacturing, and simplified maintenance of individual components rather than managing a single complex mirror system.
Solution Approach 2:
Flat mirrors are introduced as intermediary elements between the sun and the concave mirrors. These flat mirrors first redirect sunlight to the concave mirrors, which then concentrate the light. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture compared to using only large complex concave mirrors, while achieving the same light concentration effect.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional CSP power plant systems use complex mirror configurations, then light concentration is achieved, but maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the mirror system into multiple simpler components (flat mirrors and concave mirrors), maintenance can be performed on individual segments independently. This reduces maintenance complexity and cost compared to maintaining a single large complex mirror system, as damaged or soiled mirrors can be cleaned or replaced without affecting the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system design allows for easy access to all mirror surfaces for cleaning and maintenance. The sequential arrangement of flat and concave mirrors enables maintenance personnel to service each mirror independently without requiring complex disassembly or specialized equipment, effectively making the system self-maintainable with minimal external intervention.
3Ease of manufacture
If ground surface obstructions are present, then system construction is simplified, but light intensity and concentration efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flat mirrors are designed to be adjustable and repositionable, allowing the system to adapt to ground obstructions. By dynamically adjusting the angle and position of flat mirrors, the system can redirect sunlight around obstacles while maintaining effective light concentration at the target, thus preserving light intensity despite ground surface irregularities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates tracking mechanisms that monitor the position of the sun and the presence of obstructions, providing feedback to the mirror positioning system. This feedback enables real-time adjustments to mirror angles and positions to optimize light concentration while accounting for ground obstructions, maintaining high light intensity despite construction simplifications.
4Ease of manufacture
If heat exchanger is integrated within the solar ray concentrating structure, then construction costs are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is integrated directly into the light concentration system at the focal point of the concave mirrors. This merging of the thermal energy collection function with the optical concentration function eliminates the need for separate heat collection equipment and extensive piping, reducing overall construction costs while the modular integration keeps system complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated heat exchanger structure serves multiple functions: it acts as the focal point for light concentration, the heat collection device, and the interface for thermal energy transfer to the working fluid. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, lowering construction costs while the standardized design keeps integration complexity within acceptable limits.
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 light intensity concentration, reduces construction and maintenance costs by integrating the heat exchanger within the solar ray concentrating structure, and efficiently transfers heat to both primary water and energy storage fluid, enhancing power generation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of concave or Plano concave mirrors (1.2) which are sustained over the ground level surface (1.18)... concentrate said light rays onto a convex mirror (1.9)
Implementation Method 2
flat solar light collection mirrors or heliostats (1.1) drive the solar light rays (1.5) towards the concave or Plano concave mirrors (1.2)... flat reflection mirrors (1.4, 1.13), which adjust the position of said driven light rays (1.14)
Implementation Method 3
reach the heat exchanger or steam generator (1.8) for heat collection and transfer of heat to the primary water circuit (1.16)
Implementation Method 4
said light rays are concentrated, with both previously collected and new light rays simultaneously being driven to the next concave or Plano convex mirror (1.9)... increase in light ray intensity
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The present invention comprises a set of flat collection mirrors (1.1) which are each comprised of a vertical member (1.11), with electrical motors to control the attitudes of said mirrors, in order for the solar rays (1.5) to be always reflected by said mirrors (1.1) towards a Plano concave or concave mirror (1.2) comprised beside each of said mirrors (1.1). So, said solar rays are directed towards said Plano concave or concave mirrors (1.2), which then concentrate said light rays (1.5) towards a Plano convex or convex mirror (1.9) comprised just in front of and under each of said Piano concave or concave mirrors (1.2). So, said light rays are driven by said Piano convex or convex mirror (1.9) towards a flat reflection mirror (1.13). Said flat mirror (1.13) drives said light rays upwards to another flat reflection mirror (1.4), which drives said light rays towards the lowest part of the next Piano concave or concave mirror (1.2) comprised beside the next flat collection mirror (1.1). Said flat reflection mirrors (1.4, 1.13) are comprised under and behind said next flat collection mirror (1.1). A set of vertical mast structures (1.12) sustain the horizontal mast structured structure (1.6), which sustains all flat collection mirrors (1.1), as well as all Piano concave or concave mirrors (1.2) and Piano convex or convex mirrors (1.9). Said flat reflection mirrors (1.4, 1.13) are sustained by said vertical mast structures (1.12), while said convex or Piano convex mirrors (1.9) are sustained to said horizontal members (1.6) by a vertically projecting member (1.10). So, said structure (1.6) sustained said mirrors (1.1, 1.3, 1.9, 1.4, 1.13) above the ground level surface (1.18) at all times. A horizontal positioned mirror structure (1.3) can also be comprised at the outer upper end of said Plano concave or concave mirrors (1.2) for safety reasons in order to make sure that said convex or Piano convex mirrors (1.9) do not drive light rays towards the open air upwards in the case of accident.