Solar Tracker With Dual Heat Source Collector for Continuous Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar-powered heat engines, such as Stirling engines, are limited by their reliance on solar energy alone, leading to inactivity during cloudy, rainy, or nighttime conditions, and suffer from structural issues like increased weight, damage from high temperatures, and potential falling parts due to their mounting configuration within solar tracking systems.
Innovation Solution
A dual heat source collector system integrated with a solar tracker, featuring a heat engine assembly with a solar heat collecting room and a heat source room separated by a heat transfer wall, utilizing a Fresnel lens and a secondary mirror to focus sunlight and generate thermal energy, with a heat-generating unit for backup energy and a control system for temperature and time-based operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the heat engine is mounted above the mirror through a support frame, then the heat engine can be positioned at the focal point to receive concentrated sunlight, but the overall structure becomes heavier and consumes more electricity to change angles
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mounting the heat engine above the mirror at the focal point, the patent inverts the arrangement by mounting the heat engine assembly on the back surface of the primary mirror. The heat collecting lens is positioned at the focal point through a mounting hole, allowing sunlight concentration while reducing the weight of the movable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the heat engine from the traditional vertical position above the mirror to a horizontal position on the back surface of the mirror. This dimensional change allows the heat collecting lens to still receive concentrated sunlight through the mounting hole while significantly reducing the moment arm and structural weight.
2Temperature
If the heat engine is installed at the focal point of the mirror, then solar energy concentration is maximized, but the heat engine is easily damaged due to long-term exposure to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the system into two functional parts: the heat collecting lens that receives concentrated sunlight at the focal point, and the heat engine that is positioned separately on the back surface of the mirror. This segmentation allows the lens to perform its focusing function while protecting the heat engine from direct exposure to extreme temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary mirror acts as an intermediary between the concentrated sunlight and the heat engine. The heat collecting lens focuses sunlight through the mounting hole in the mirror to generate thermal energy, which then heats the heat engine indirectly, reducing direct thermal exposure and improving reliability.
3Temperature
If the heat engine is mounted above the mirror, then it can receive concentrated sunlight, but parts of the heat engine may fall and hit the mirror causing damages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional mounting arrangement by placing the heat engine on the back surface of the mirror rather than above it. This inversion eliminates the risk of falling parts damaging the mirror, as the heat engine is now securely mounted on the solid back surface rather than suspended above.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of falling parts into a beneficial secure mounting arrangement. By mounting the heat engine on the back surface of the mirror, the structure that could potentially cause damage is instead used as a secure foundation, eliminating the falling hazard while maintaining solar energy reception through the heat collecting lens.
4Productivity
If a solar tracking system is equipped to follow sunlight, then the efficiency of solar power generation is maintained, but the system becomes more complex and cannot operate during cloudy, rainy, or nighttime conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dual heat source system where the heat engine can operate using either solar energy (with tracking) or alternative thermal energy sources (without tracking). This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain productivity under various conditions while reducing the reliance on complex tracking systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the system dynamically adaptable by allowing it to switch between solar-powered mode (with tracking) and alternative energy mode (without tracking). The solar tracker can be engaged or disengaged based on weather conditions, providing operational flexibility and reducing complexity when solar tracking is not required.
5Duration of action of moving object
If an energy storage system such as a large battery is provided to store electrical energy or a molten-salt battery to store thermal energy, then continuous operation is achieved, but the cost of the apparatus increases and the energy capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the heat transfer wall as an intermediary to enable thermal energy transfer between the solar heat collecting room and the heat source room. This allows thermal energy to be stored and transferred without requiring large battery systems, reducing both cost and complexity while maintaining continuous operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy storage parameter from electrical/thermal batteries to thermal energy storage through the heat transfer wall system. By storing thermal energy in the heat source room and transferring it through the heat transfer wall when needed, the system achieves continuous operation without the high cost and limited capacity of battery 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
Enables continuous operation of the heat engine across varying weather conditions and times, reduces structural stress and damage risks, improves energy efficiency, and maintains stable power generation by utilizing both solar and thermal energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
The heat collecting lens is configured to focus sunlight on the solar heat collecting room to generate a solar thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
The secondary mirror has a second reflective surface facing the first reflective surface and focusing on the mounting hole
Implementation Method 3
The heating thermal energy is transferred to the solar heat collecting room through the heat transfer wall
Implementation Method 4
The primary mirror has a first reflective surface and a back surface
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus combining a solar tracker and a dual heat source collector includes a heat engine assembly and the solar tracker. The heat engine assembly includes a heat collector, a heat collecting lens, and a heat engine. The heat collector includes a solar heat collecting room and a heat source room. The heat collecting lens is arranged on the heat collector and corresponds to the solar heat collecting room. The heat engine is located in the solar heat collecting room. The solar tracker includes a primary mirror, a secondary mirror, a pivot member, and a driving member. The primary mirror has a first reflective surface and a back surface. The primary mirror has a mounting hole passing through the primary mirror. The secondary mirror is mounted above the primary mirror.