Solar unit assembly and a method for constructing such an assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar unit assemblies, particularly those using parabolic troughs, face challenges with fragility, high weight, and maintenance costs due to glass mirrors, and lack flexibility and cost-effectiveness, while alternative designs compromise efficiency or require frequent cleaning of aluminum reflectors.
Innovation Solution
A solar unit assembly with a primary support element attached only to the first row of solar collector units and side support elements, allowing flexibility and reduced reinforcement, utilizing high-reflective films and lightweight profiles to maintain stability and precision, enabling efficient concentration of solar energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If glass mirrors are used in parabolic troughs, then reflecting properties and stability are improved, but weight and fragility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a lightweight profile structure that copies or mimics the functional form of traditional glass mirrors without using the heavy glass material. The profile is shaped to provide both structural support and reflective functionality, eliminating the need for separate heavy glass mirror components while maintaining optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite construction by combining lightweight profile materials with reflective surfaces. This composite approach allows the structure to achieve both the mechanical stability traditionally provided by heavy glass and the lightweight properties needed to reduce support structure demands and overall system weight.
2Weight of moving object
If aluminium sheet reflectors are used, then weight is reduced, but reflecting properties deteriorate and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes thin film reflective surfaces applied to the lightweight profile structure. These thin films provide high reflecting properties similar to traditional glass mirrors while maintaining the lightweight advantage. The thin film can be precisely applied to ensure optimal optical performance without the weight penalty of thick glass or aluminum sheets.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining lightweight profile substrates with high-reflectivity thin film coatings, the invention creates a composite reflector system that achieves both low weight and high reflecting properties. This composite structure eliminates the need for frequent cleaning and polishing required by bare aluminum while maintaining minimal weight.
3Stability of the object's composition
If primary support element is attached to all rows of solar collector units, then stability is improved, but device complexity and reinforcement requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the primary support function to only the first row of solar collector units, removing the need for primary support attachment to all rows. This selective support approach maintains overall assembly stability while significantly reducing the complexity and reinforcement requirements of the support structure compared to attaching primary supports to every row.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is segmented into primary supports attached only to the first row and secondary supports attached to subsequent rows. This segmentation allows each support element to be optimized independently, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining the stability needed to hold the receiver and maintain precision.
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 design achieves 99.6% accuracy and reduces production, transportation, and maintenance costs, allowing for a larger number of solar collector units and increased temperature efficiency, making it more versatile and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective surface provided on the substrate to form a reflector element
Implementation Method 2
concentrates radiation onto a receiver positioned along the focal line of the reflector
Implementation Method 3
utilize the thermal energy to generate heat
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The present invention relates to a solar unit assembly (1) adapted for reflecting light onto a receiver (4), comprising a plurality of solar collector units (2), a primary support element (5), a plurality of secondary support elements (6), and two side support elements (7) The invention furthermore relates to a method of providing such a solar unit assembly (1).