Mounting and canting system of reflective surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for assembling and canting reflective surfaces in solar concentration technologies, such as heliostats and parabolic troughs, face challenges with high angular errors, lengthy setup times, and increased costs due to manual adjustments and complex measurement processes, leading to inefficiencies and potential deformation issues.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional canting system with adjustable physical canting stops and a support structure that allows simultaneous adjustment and real-time verification of multiple facets, using a combination of mechanical and optical verification methods to ensure precise alignment and reduce human error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual iterative adjustment with external measurement elements is used for facet orientation, then angular precision can be improved, but setup time and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the facet supports with adjustable canting angles before the actual assembly process. The system allows facets to be positioned at predetermined canting angles using mechanical adjustment mechanisms, eliminating the need for time-consuming iterative manual adjustments during assembly. This pre-preparation of positioning parameters directly reduces setup time while maintaining angular precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex external measurement elements and iterative mechanical adjustment processes with a streamlined mechanical canting system. The facet supports incorporate direct mechanical adjustment mechanisms that enable precise angle setting without requiring external measurement equipment, thereby simplifying the process and reducing both time and operational complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex iterative adjustment with external measurement elements is used, then angular accuracy improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for complex external measurement elements from the system. By incorporating integrated mechanical canting adjustment mechanisms directly into the facet supports, the design removes the requirement for separate external measurement devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining angular accuracy through the built-in adjustment capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The facet supports are designed with self-service capabilities, where the mechanical canting adjustment mechanisms are built directly into the support structures. This allows the system to perform its own positioning and alignment functions without requiring complex external measurement and adjustment equipment, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Manufacturing precision
If facets are canted using machined molds or wedges with flipping operation, then canting precision is achieved, but production time and operational risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the facet supports with adjustable canting mechanisms before assembly. Instead of requiring flipping operations and subsequent adjustments, the system allows facets to be positioned at the correct canting angles during the initial mounting process, thereby eliminating time-consuming post-assembly adjustments and improving production speed while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by allowing adjustment of canting angles after the facet is mounted, rather than requiring precise pre-machining of molds or wedges followed by flipping operations. This reversal of the process sequence eliminates the need for flipping and reduces operational risks while maintaining canting precision through post-mounting adjustment capabilities.
4Ease of manufacture
If inverted reflective surface canting is performed, then gravity load calculations are simplified, but measurement verification complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement verification requirement from the inverted canting process by integrating verification capabilities into the mechanical adjustment system itself. The facet supports include built-in reference features and adjustment mechanisms that provide inherent verification of canting angles, eliminating the need for separate complex measurement procedures while maintaining calculation simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to surface assembly and canting control systems for assembling and canting surfaces formed by a plurality of smaller surfaces, preferably heliostats or parabolic troughs for installation in solar power plants for power production, and to assembly and canting methods based on such systems. Preferably, the system of the invention comprises a three-dimensional canting structure configured to be located in a space larger than that of the reflective surface; and a plurality of canting control nodes arranged in the three-dimensional canting structure. Advantageously, the control nodes of the system comprise one or more physical canting stops, formed as substantially static elements, with the possibility of having pivoting or vertically movable auxiliary elements, where the positions of said stops are adjustable for defining canting reference points on the surface to be canted.