Parabolic Trough Collector With Azimuth Tracking for Wind Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional parabolic trough collectors face limitations in aperture size due to increased wind loads, which cause focus deviations and deformations when rotated to follow the sun, resulting in reduced energy yield and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A parabolic trough collector design featuring a steel beam holding device mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, equipped with rollers and a secondary reflector, allowing azimuthal tracking and increased aperture size while minimizing wind loads, and incorporating a flexible main reflector with tensioning elements to maintain optical precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the aperture of the parabolic mirror is increased to achieve higher energy yield, then the energy yield is improved, but the wind load increases causing focus deviations and deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the tracking dimension from elevation angle (vertical rotation) to azimuthal angle (horizontal rotation). This dimensional change allows the collector to follow the sun's horizontal movement while maintaining a fixed elevation angle, thereby avoiding the vertical height increase that causes wind load problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the rotational parameter from vertical axis rotation (elevation tracking) to horizontal axis rotation (azimuthal tracking). This parameter change enables the collector to achieve sun tracking functionality while maintaining a constant vertical profile, reducing wind exposure and preventing focus deviations.
2Productivity
If the parabolic mirror is rotated about a horizontal axis to follow the sun, then the energy yield is improved, but the wind load increases sharply causing deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces horizontal axis rotation with vertical axis rotation, changing the dimension of movement. This allows the collector to track the sun's horizontal path across the sky while maintaining a fixed tilt angle, thereby preserving optical precision and avoiding wind-induced deformations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating the collector to change its elevation angle (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by rotating the entire collector assembly horizontally while maintaining a fixed elevation angle. This inversion of the tracking mechanism preserves structural stability and optical precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If a complex holding structure is used to avoid focus deviations under wind loads, then the optical precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the elevation tracking function from the holding structure and separates it from the azimuthal tracking function. By removing the need for complex vertical rotation mechanisms and instead using a fixed tilt angle with horizontal rotation, the holding structure becomes simpler while maintaining optical precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by fixing the elevation angle and using only azimuthal rotation. This parameter change eliminates the need for complex adjustable holding structures, as the fixed angle combined with horizontal rotation sufficiently maintains optical precision while simplifying the overall 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
The design achieves higher energy yield and larger aperture sizes, reducing wind-induced deformations and focus deviations, enabling efficient solar energy collection with improved optical precision and reduced structural complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a parabolic trough collector comprises a parabolic, trough-shaped main reflector, which concentrates the direct solar radiation to a so called focal line
Implementation Method 2
an absorber pipe (a so called receiver) is arranged in which a medium is passed through, which is heated by the focused solar radiation
Implementation Method 3
The holding device is mounted on a base for rotation about a substantially vertical axis. Thus, according to the invention, the holding device and thus the entire collector are equipped with azimuthal tracking
Implementation Method 4
provide parabolic trough collectors with a tensioning device, which is designed to tension individual mirror segments, which are arranged on a chain or the like, at a plurality of engagement points with a vertical force downwards
Implementation Method 5
The running surfaces of the rollers face upwards so that a contamination of the running surface and the rollers is prevented
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a parabolic trough collector comprising a parabolic, trough-shaped main reflector, preferably as a steel girder construction running holding device with a plurality of support arms for holding of the main reflector, an absorber tube, which extends along the focal line of the Main reflector extends and in which a heat transfer medium is heated, and a foundation, wherein the holding device on the foundation by a vertical axis is rotatably mounted.