Dual-Axis Solar Concentrator Tracking for Heat and Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar plants are limited in their ability to maximize solar energy collection throughout the day due to fixed orientations, which restricts their efficiency in both heating liquids and generating electric energy simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A solar plant design featuring a solar concentrator with adjustable mechanisms that allow it to rotate and orient itself to maximize solar energy collection, combining a circular rail and semicircular rails with gearmotors and photoelectric sensors to continuously adjust its position to receive the highest amount of solar radiation, while using heat exchangers for liquid heating and photovoltaic panels for electric energy generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If solar concentrators are installed with pre-established fixed orientations, then the device complexity is reduced, but the quantity of solar energy collected during the day is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from fixed static solar concentrators to movable concentrators that can dynamically adjust their orientation throughout the day. The concentrators are equipped with drive mechanisms allowing them to change position and track the sun's movement, thereby maximizing solar energy collection while maintaining manageable device complexity through automated control systems.
2Quantity of substance
If solar concentrators are equipped with variable orientations determined by suitable mechanisms, then the quantity of solar energy collected is maximized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated tracking mechanisms that use photoelectric sensors to detect sunlight direction and automatically adjust the concentrator orientation without human intervention. The system self-regulates its position to maximize energy collection, reducing the need for complex manual control systems while maintaining high efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where photoelectric sensors continuously monitor the position of the sun and provide real-time data to the control system. This feedback loop enables the concentrators to automatically adjust their orientation in response to changing sunlight conditions, optimizing energy collection while simplifying the overall control architecture through closed-loop control.
3Device complexity
If photovoltaic panels are installed with pre-established fixed orientations, then the device complexity is reduced, but the electric energy generation efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling photovoltaic panels to transition from fixed installations to dynamically adjustable configurations. The panels are integrated with the same tracking mechanisms as the solar concentrators, allowing them to follow the sun's path and maintain optimal incident angles throughout the day, thereby significantly improving electric energy generation efficiency.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the solar plant is designed to simultaneously heat liquids and generate electric energy, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a hybrid solar plant that performs multiple functions simultaneously: thermal energy collection for liquid heating and electrical energy generation through photovoltaic panels. Both functions share common structural support and tracking mechanisms, allowing the system to serve diverse energy needs while avoiding the complexity of completely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies merging by integrating the thermal collection system with photovoltaic electric generation system into a single unified plant. The solar concentrators and photovoltaic panels share common mounting structures, tracking mechanisms, and control systems, enabling simultaneous heating and power generation while reducing overall system complexity compared to separate independent systems.
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 enables the solar plant to achieve high energetic efficiencies by continuously optimizing its orientation to receive maximum solar energy, effectively heating liquids and generating electric energy with improved performance compared to traditional solar plants.
Implementation Method 1
solar concentrators of the solar energy having parabolic form or the form of circular sectors, which are constituted by a set of shaped elements made of reflecting material
Implementation Method 2
concentrate the same in a focus point, where the collected solar energy is utilized for heating the liquid
Implementation Method 3
heating of the liquid may be effected through a heat exchanger arranged in the solar concentrator focus point, in which exchanger the liquid to be heated circulates, which is into thermal conductor contact with the concentrated solar energy
Implementation Method 4
solar plants for generating electric energy are known, which are constituted by photovoltaic panels of traditional type, and adapted to receive the solar energy and generate directly electric energy
Implementation Method 5
photoelectric sensors adapted to control the movements of the solar concentrator
Data Source
AI summary
Solar apparatus for concurrent heating and power-generation duty having a base load bearing structure and a load bearing structure supported on the base load bearing structure secured to the plant solar concentrator so as to allow rotation of the concentrator with an established maximum rotation angle, with both a first alternate rotation movement in a circular direction and a horizontal plane along the base load bearing structure, and a second alternate movement along a curved path around a vertical plane orthogonal to the horizontal plane. The solar concentrator is actuatable with said first and second movement during the day by respective first and second actuators, controlled by a microprocessor, depending on the corresponding orientations of the concentrator, detected by first and second sensors, in a manner to orientate the concentrator for receiving maximum solar radiation during the day.