Solar Tracker Clearance Reducing Device for Heliostat Aiming Precision
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Heliostats with dual-axis tracking in solar concentration systems face issues with structural rigidity and clearance, leading to deviations in solar radiation concentration due to angular errors and bending loads from gravity and wind, which affect aiming precision and overall performance.
Innovation Solution
A solar tracker system incorporating a clearance reducing device with a clamping support and mechanical pulling element to secure hinge pins, along with an anti-astigmatism system using pre-stressed cables or bars to minimize deformation and an additional central support with front tie rods to reduce bending loads, enhancing structural stability and aiming precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the reflective surface area of the heliostat is increased, then the solar radiation concentration capability is improved, but the aiming precision deteriorates due to reduced structural rigidity and increased clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The heliostat structure is divided into multiple rigid panels or segments that are interconnected with clearance reducing devices. This segmentation allows each panel to maintain its structural rigidity independently while collectively forming a large reflective surface, thereby preserving aiming precision across the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structural designs combining rigid materials for the reflective surface with specialized clearance reducing mechanisms. This composite approach enables the structure to maintain both large surface area and high rigidity, preventing the deterioration of aiming precision that would normally occur with larger structures.
2Manufacturing precision
If the heliostat structure is made more rigid to reduce clearance, then the aiming precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Clearance reducing devices are introduced as intermediary elements between structural components. These devices specifically target and eliminate clearance at critical joints and connections, improving aiming precision without requiring a complete redesign of the entire structure, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire heliostat structure uniformly more rigid, the patent applies clearance reducing devices only at specific critical locations where clearance most significantly affects aiming precision. This localized approach improves precision while minimizing the overall increase in structural complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional hinge pin connections are used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the clearance and structural rigidity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Clearance reducing devices serve as intermediary components that are integrated into traditional hinge pin connections. These devices maintain the ease of assembly associated with traditional connections while simultaneously eliminating clearance, thereby preserving structural rigidity without sacrificing manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Clearance reducing device (19) for fixing a hinge pin (20) to a pivoting connection, for example, a pivoting connection of a solar energy capture structure. Advantageously, said clearance reducing device (19) comprises a clamping support (21), integrally incorporated in a lug (8) of said pivoting connection, provided with through holes, to which a mechanical pulling element (22), arranged as a clamp around the hinge pin (20), is connected. The present invention also relates to a heliostat with dual-axis tracking capacity, comprising: a pedestal (1); a torque tube (2); a plurality of arms (9) to which a plurality of facets (11) configuring the heliostat grid is fixed; an azimuth drive (3) of the torque tube (2) arranged in the pedestal (1); a horizontal support (4) arranged at the upper end of the pedestal (1), and a clearance reducing device (19).