Parabolic Solar Reflector Segments With Thin-Film Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar energy harvesting is cost-prohibitive due to the need for large areas of collection material and inefficient conversion methods, with existing systems struggling to store and transport energy effectively.
Innovation Solution
A solar concentrator system using a thin, low-cost reflector body with a parabolic surface supported by lightweight structures, capable of concentrating sunlight 1000 times or more, reducing material costs and enabling efficient energy conversion and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional thick parabolic reflectors are used to concentrate sunlight, then structural strength and shape stability are improved, but material cost and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin plastic film (e.g., 0.1mm thick) as the reflector substrate instead of conventional thick rigid materials. The thin film is stretched and tensioned across a framework to maintain its shape and structural integrity, achieving both cost reduction and sufficient strength through the flexible shell approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The large parabolic reflector is divided into multiple smaller panels or segments. Each segment can be independently manufactured, installed, and tensioned, reducing the material requirements for each individual piece while collectively forming the complete reflective surface. This segmentation also simplifies the support structure requirements.
2Productivity
If large area light collection systems are deployed to harvest sufficient solar energy, then energy collection capacity is improved, but system cost and material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical concentration parameter by using a precisely engineered parabolic geometry that focuses sunlight onto a small receiver area. This high concentration ratio (1000x or more) means that a smaller total collector area is needed to achieve the same energy output, reducing the quantity of collection material required.
3Productivity
If solar energy systems are designed to track the sun throughout the day, then light collection efficiency is improved, but system complexity and mechanical requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a fixed parabolic (curved) reflector geometry that is optimized to capture sunlight at the specific latitude and season of operation. This static curved design eliminates the need for tracking mechanisms while maintaining high collection efficiency through the geometric properties of the parabola, which naturally focuses parallel sunlight rays to a focal point.
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 significantly reduces the cost of solar energy collection and storage, making renewable energy competitive with conventional power plants by using thin, lightweight materials to maintain a parabolic shape and achieve high temperature concentrations for fuel production or direct electricity generation.
Implementation Method 1
a concentrator includes a reflector body formed from a single element, or multiple segments combined into a single reflector, whose substrate material is relatively low cost such as a thin plastic material. In addition, the substrate may include, in the absence of external forces, a substantially parabolic surface
Implementation Method 2
Each reflector element includes a reflecting surface adjacent to a properly formed parabolic substrate such that the reflecting surface focuses reflected incident sunlight light in a manner that provides sufficient light concentration
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to concentrating sunlight. In some implementations, a concentrator includes a plurality of reflector support structures and a plurality of reflector segments associated with each reflector support structure. Each reflector support structure formed to include a curved surface that receives an associated reflector segment and a bottom portion that distributes the weight of the reflector segment along a surface area. Each reflector segment includes a reflecting surface adjacent a flexible element such that the reflecting surface reflects incident sunlight light. In some examples, the reflector support structures may comprise a light weight material such as a polyurethane and/or the reflecting surface may be 5 mils or less.