Triangular Solar Collector Support Structure for Torsion and Bending Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support structures for solar collectors, particularly cylindrical-parabolic types, face challenges in efficiently managing torsional and bending stresses, transportation, and assembly due to complex geometries and excessive number of elements, leading to increased costs and difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A support module with a triangular-section torsion beam structure, comprising a main triangular substructure and supplementary elements, which simplifies the transmission of torsional forces and reduces the number of structural elements, using a combination of pyramids, king posts, and struts to distribute loads without unnecessary triangulation, allowing for lighter and more efficient assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional double-layered support structures with extensive triangulation are used, then structural strength and stability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary structural elements from traditional double-layered support structures. By removing redundant triangulation and secondary layers, the design retains only the essential triangular substructure needed for torsional strength, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of multiple separate structural elements into a unified triangular substructure. The triangular configuration integrates torsional resistance, bending support, and geometric stability into a single cohesive framework, eliminating the need for separate double-layered systems and extensive bracing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If complex geometries with multiple elements are used, then structural stability is improved, but ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the support structure into a modular triangular substructure with standardized nodes and bars. This segmentation allows for pre-fabrication of modular units that can be easily assembled on-site, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining structural stability through the inherent rigidity of triangular configurations.
3Force
If extensive triangulation and multiple layers are used, then torsional force resistance is improved, but weight and material consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by concentrating structural reinforcement only where torsional forces are most critical - specifically in the triangular substructure configuration. Rather than uniformly distributing material throughout a double-layered system, the design places structural elements locally at the nodes and edges of the triangle, achieving maximum torsional resistance with minimum material consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a support module for a solar collector having a triangular substructure, formed by: a main structure intended to resist the torsional and bending forces of the collector, and an auxiliary structure that balances the assembly and supports the weight of the mirrors and the absorber tube. The main structure includes: a triangular substructure comprising rectangular pyramids and two half-pyramids at the ends, bars (5) joining the upper vertex of each pyramid (1) to the upper vertex (1) of the adjacent pyramid or to the upper vertex (1′) of the adjacent half-pyramid (1′), a diagonal bar (4) joining two opposite vertices of the base of each pyramid, and two king posts (6) located on each end of the triangular substructure. The auxiliary structure includes: arms (7, 7′), struts (8, 8′, 8″) for each arm (7, 7′), purlins (9) and supports (11) for the absorber tube (12).