Solar Thermal Concentrator Tube With Wide Acceptance Angle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solar energy systems lack efficiency and require expensive tracking mechanisms to follow the sun, limiting their ability to collect sufficient solar energy without thermodynamic optimization.

Innovation Solution

A concentrator assembly with a wide acceptance angle, featuring a trough-shaped reflector and a light transmissive aperture, allows for non-tracking solar energy collection, utilizing thermodynamic principles to concentrate radiation efficiently without the need for tracking, and includes an absorber with a thermal energy transfer fluid and minichannels for enhanced efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If tracking mechanisms are used to follow the sun, then solar energy collection efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolar energy collection efficiencyVSAvoidtracking mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of actively tracking the sun's movement, the patent inverts the approach by using a stationary reflector that passively concentrates solar radiation onto a movable absorber. The absorber is positioned at the focal point of the parabolic trough reflector, allowing it to receive concentrated sunlight without requiring the entire system to track the sun's position across the sky.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the solar concentration system into two independent components: a stationary parabolic trough reflector and a movable absorber. This segmentation allows the reflector to remain fixed while the absorber can be independently positioned or adjusted, eliminating the need for complex tracking mechanisms that would require moving the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If high concentration ratios are achieved, then optical efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical efficiencyVSAvoidreflector shape precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a parabolic trough reflector with a specific curved geometry that is optimized for concentrating sunlight. The parabolic shape is mathematically defined and can be manufactured with standard precision techniques, achieving high concentration ratios without requiring ultra-precise manufacturing. The curved surface naturally focuses parallel sunlight rays onto the focal line where the absorber is positioned.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Device complexity

If non-tracking design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but solar energy collection capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidsolar energy collection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical tracking system with a geometric optical solution. Instead of using motors, sensors, and control systems to actively track the sun, the system uses a stationary parabolic trough reflector that passively concentrates sunlight onto the absorber through its geometric shape. This substitution of mechanical tracking with geometric concentration maintains simplicity while preserving energy collection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution achieves high optical efficiency, with concentrations greater than 80% at angles less than an acceptance angle, enabling efficient solar energy collection without the need for tracking mechanisms, thus reducing costs and improving thermodynamic performance.

Implementation Method 1

a trough shaped reflector portion extending between the proximal end and the distal end and defining an upper opening, the reflector configured to concentrate light from a source onto an absorber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

an absorber located within the tube... the reflector portion is configured such that substantially any radiation energy emitted from the absorber onto the reflector is either directed to the source or directed back to the absorber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS9958185B2Solar thermal concentrator and method of forming same

Publication Date: 2018.05.01 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA

AI summary

A concentrator tube comprises a reflector portion having two walls; and an aperture closing an opening to the reflector portion. The aperture and the reflector portion extend longitudinally. The aperture is substantially flat relative to curvature of the reflector portion.