Solar energy collection apparatus and design method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar thermal collection systems are inefficient, particularly in cooler months, due to fixed orientations and designs that do not account for diurnal changes and varying solar angles, leading to excess heat production in summer and insufficient heat production in winter, with no effective method to optimize collector and reflector orientation for optimal performance throughout the year.
Innovation Solution
A solar energy collection apparatus featuring multiple reflecting surfaces positioned at angles other than right angles to the collector, with a reflective surface area ratio of at least 25% to the collector area, designed to increase solar radiation incidence throughout the annual cycle by optimizing reflector location, displacement, and angle based on latitude and seasonal changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If more collectors are installed to increase winter heat production, then winter heat collection improves, but capital cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the number of collectors, the patent uses a dynamic orientation system with adjustable tilt and azimuth angles. This allows a single collector to perform optimally during both summer and winter by repositioning itself, thereby achieving improved winter heat collection without the capital cost of installing additional collectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable collector system serves multiple functions - it can be positioned for summer collection, winter collection, and intermediate seasons. This multi-functionality allows one collector to replace what would otherwise require multiple fixed collectors oriented for different seasons, reducing capital costs while maintaining productivity.
2Productivity
If collectors are oriented for winter performance, then winter heat collection improves, but summer heat production becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its orientation to match seasonal solar positions. When oriented for winter collection, it captures low-angle sunlight effectively; when repositioned for summer, it captures high-angle sunlight. This eliminates the need to reject excess heat in summer because the collector is positioned to optimize for the prevailing solar angle, thereby resolving the contradiction between winter performance and summer energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the collector's orientation parameters seasonally - using steeper tilt angles and appropriate azimuth for winter, and shallower angles for summer. This parameter adjustment ensures that the collector captures solar energy efficiently in both seasons without producing excessive heat that would need rejection, thus resolving the energy loss contradiction.
3Ease of manufacture
If empirical positioning is used, then installation is simple, but performance varies throughout the year
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the collector system, allowing it to change orientation throughout the year. While this adds some complexity compared to fixed empirical positioning, it maintains installation simplicity through standardized adjustable mechanisms while dramatically improving annual performance consistency by adapting to seasonal solar variations.
4Productivity
If moving collectors are used to improve winter performance, then winter heat collection improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system with adjustable tilt and azimuth mechanisms that allow the collector to reposition for optimal winter performance. While this introduces moving parts and increased complexity compared to fixed systems, it achieves significantly improved winter heat collection by actively tracking seasonal solar position changes.
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 apparatus significantly enhances solar energy collection efficiency, potentially increasing energy collection by up to threefold without focusing radiation, allowing for continuous exposure to insolation and achieving higher temperatures, thus improving energy utility and reducing system size requirements.
Implementation Method 1
two or more reflecting surfaces (18) located proximate to and at a distance from the collector (12), and at an angle or angles other than at a right angle to increase a quantum of solar radiation incident on the collector (12)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a solar energy collection apparatus and design method. In particular, the invention provides a solar energy collection apparatus incorporating one or more reflectors and a solar collector for receiving incoming solar radiation, including reflected radiation from the one or more reflectors, wherein the one or more reflectors and the collector are oriented according to a pre-calculated offset length and offset angle based at least on the latitude of the apparatus. The invention further provides a computer-implemented method of designing a solar collection apparatus including determining the optimal offset length and offset angle between the one or more reflectors and the collector for a given latitude and other inputs.