Solar Mirror Sandwich Panel Bonding for Low Slope Error
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of individual solar mirror panels in solar thermal power plants due to their complexity and the need for precise manufacturing to maintain efficiency, as existing methods struggle to produce panels with low slope errors and consistent accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method for manufacturing solar mirror sandwich panels using a sheet-like reflective member, a first sheet-like stiffening member, and a spacer member of resin bonded wood composite, with controlled temperature gradients to achieve precise bonding and curvature, and a mould design for multi-layer panels to ensure accurate shaping and bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional manufacturing methods are used for solar mirror panels, then the panels can be produced, but the manufacturing cost is high and the slope error precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is divided into multiple layers (reflective member, stiffening members, spacer members) that can be manufactured separately and then bonded together. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently for precision and cost, resolving the contradiction between high manufacturing precision and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structures combining different materials (reflective coating on substrate, stiffening materials, spacer materials) to achieve both high precision slope control and cost-effective manufacturing. The composite structure allows each material to contribute its optimal properties while maintaining overall panel precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex manufacturing processes are used to achieve high precision, then slope error can be reduced, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the panel into separate bondable layers, the manufacturing process becomes modular and manageable. Each layer can be prepared independently with standard processes, then assembled using bonding techniques, reducing overall process complexity while maintaining high precision through controlled layering.
Solution Approach 2:
The layers are prepared and pre-formed before final assembly, allowing precision work to be done on individual components under controlled conditions. This preliminary preparation of layers simplifies the final assembly process while ensuring high manufacturing precision is achieved.
3Reliability
If individual mirror panels are manufactured with high precision, then the efficiency of solar thermal power plant is improved, but the cost of each panel increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The composite layered structure allows each component to be manufactured using cost-effective materials and processes while maintaining the overall panel precision required for high solar thermal efficiency. This resolves the contradiction by achieving reliability through material composition rather than expensive single-piece manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
Segmenting the panel into manufacturable layers enables each layer to be produced using standard, cost-effective techniques. The cumulative precision of bonded layers achieves the required efficiency while keeping individual layer manufacturing costs low, thus reducing overall panel cost while maintaining reliability.
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 method enables the production of solar mirror panels with average slope errors of less than 5 milliradian, reducing manufacturing costs and improving efficiency by ensuring high accuracy and consistency in panel shape, allowing for cost-effective and precise solar mirror construction.
Implementation Method 1
bonded together by an adhesive material
Implementation Method 2
controlled temperature gradients to achieve precise bonding and curvature
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A solar mirror panel (10) has a first sheet-like stiffening member (12) having a reflective surface, a second sheet-like stiffening member (18), and a spacer member (16) of resin bonded wood composite located between the first and second members (12, 16).