Spherical Solar Collector With Mirrored Interior and Sun Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar energy collectors are often complex and costly, with limited efficiency in converting incident solar energy into useful thermal energy, particularly in middle latitudes with high sunlight exposure.
Innovation Solution
A solar energy collector with a unitary enclosure featuring a sun-tracking gimbal arrangement, mirrored interior, and a heat sink at the focal point of a lens, which directs sunlight to a central coil for heating an operating fluid that can be used for various applications such as steam generation or building heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional solar energy collectors are used, then solar energy can be captured, but the construction becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple solar collection surfaces into a single spherical enclosure with mirrored interior surfaces. The entire inner surface of the sphere acts as a reflective collector, eliminating the need for multiple separate collectors and complex mounting structures. This unified design reduces construction complexity while maintaining high energy conversion efficiency through continuous reflection of sunlight onto the central heat sink.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a spherical enclosure with mirrored interior surfaces that curve to reflect sunlight from any angle onto the central heat sink. The spherical geometry provides optimal reflective properties where light rays entering through the lens are reflected multiple times by the curved mirrored surfaces and concentrated at the focal point. This curved surface design simplifies the structure compared to flat-panel arrays while maximizing energy capture efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If solar energy collectors are designed for high efficiency, then conversion rate improves, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple spherical enclosure that can be constructed from inexpensive materials such as metal sheets or even repurposed containers. The mirrored interior can be achieved through relatively simple coating processes. The modular lens assembly can be replaced if needed, but the main spherical structure provides long-term durability. This approach prioritizes low initial manufacturing cost while achieving high conversion efficiency through the reflective geometry rather than expensive materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical enclosure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the structural housing, the reflective collector surface, and the thermal insulation chamber. The mirrored interior surfaces perform both aesthetic and functional roles in concentrating sunlight. The central heat sink serves as both the focal point for energy concentration and the heat transfer medium for various applications. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining high efficiency.
3Device complexity
If solar collectors are made simple in construction, then cost and reliability improve, but energy conversion efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical geometry with mirrored interior surfaces provides optimal reflective properties that concentrate sunlight onto the central heat sink regardless of the sun's position in the sky. The curved surfaces naturally redirect light rays from various angles to the focal point, achieving high conversion efficiency without complex tracking mechanisms or multi-component assemblies. This simple curved structure outperforms flat-panel designs in terms of energy capture efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical enclosure with mirrored surfaces automatically tracks the sun's movement throughout the day without requiring active control systems. As the sun moves across the sky, the reflected sunlight continuously strikes the mirrored interior and redirects to the central heat sink. The passive optical design eliminates the need for motors, sensors, or complex adjustment mechanisms, maintaining construction simplicity while ensuring consistent high efficiency in converting solar energy to thermal energy throughout the day.
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 provides a simple, reliable, and cost-effective method to convert a high percentage of solar energy into thermal energy, suitable for diverse applications like desalination, cooking, and industrial uses, with the ability to efficiently track the sun's position for optimal energy capture.
Implementation Method 1
one or more lenses formed in one of its walls... the heat sink is supported at the focal point of the lens
Implementation Method 2
converts a high percentage of the incident solar energy into useful thermal energy
Implementation Method 3
The interior of the container is mirrored... the mirrors accordingly direct sunlight admitted into the interior of the container by the lens or lenses and the window so that it is reflected by the mirrored interior of the container toward the center of the container
Implementation Method 4
A heat sink is supported at the focal point of the lens in contact with a heat collector taking the form of an elongated coiled tube... The fluid is heated as a result of the thermal energy impinging on the coil
Implementation Method 5
The heat sink is supported at the focal point of the lens in contact with a heat collector... A pump circulates an operating fluid through the coil
Data Source
AI summary
A collector for solar energy is disclosed having a closed hollow partially spherical container with a window for permitting solar energy to enter the container. The container has a reflective inner surface for retaining the energy. The collecting lens focuses the solar energy. Central tubing is provided and a pump circulates fluid through the tubing to a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy from the fluid in the tubing to a utilization device.