UAV-Based Heliostat Surface Normal Assessment Using Reflection Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concentrating solar power (CSP) plants face challenges in ensuring precise optical alignment of heliostat mirrors due to slope, canting, and pointing errors, which reduce productivity and require efficient measurement systems for initial installation and ongoing maintenance, especially in large outdoor solar fields with numerous heliostats.
Innovation Solution
The use of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to collect images of heliostats, determining surface normal variances by identifying features of a reference heliostat in reflections, and updating presumed surface normals to align heliostats accurately, allowing for efficient measurement and maintenance without requiring large optical targets or disrupting plant operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ground-based measurement instruments are used to measure heliostat surface normals, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase due to the need for large optical targets and access to heliostat locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-based measurement to aerial measurement using UAVs, changing the spatial dimension of the measurement system. This allows the measurement device to approach the heliostat from above, eliminating the need for large optical targets on the ground and simplifying the overall measurement system configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the heliostat's own reflective surface as an intermediary to capture images of reference features. Instead of requiring separate optical targets, the measurement system leverages the heliostat's natural reflective property to create a self-contained measurement approach that reduces external equipment requirements.
2Measurement precision
If detailed surveys and large optical targets are used for heliostat alignment, then measurement precision improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for disrupting plant operations and extensive setup
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system uses the heliostat's own reflective surface to capture images of reference features, making the heliostat itself part of the measurement process. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external optical targets and reduces setup requirements, allowing measurements to be taken more easily during plant operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-identifies reference features on adjacent heliostats or structures before the actual measurement process. This preliminary action allows the measurement system to quickly acquire and process images without requiring complex real-time alignment procedures, improving ease of operation while maintaining precision.
3Reliability
If frequent measurements are conducted to monitor heliostat performance over time, then reliability of operation improves, but the loss of time increases due to the need to cease plant operations for detailed surveys
Solution Approach 1:
The aerial measurement system allows measurements to be conducted without ceasing plant operations, maintaining continuous useful action. The UAV can quickly capture images of heliostats during normal operation, enabling frequent monitoring of surface normal accuracy and reliability assessment without interrupting power generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses rapid aerial imaging to quickly capture heliostat surface information, rushing through the measurement process in a matter of seconds per heliostat. This eliminates the time-consuming setup and teardown associated with traditional ground-based surveys, allowing frequent measurements that monitor reliability over time without significant operational disruption.
4Measurement precision
If comprehensive measurement systems are deployed to assess all heliostat facets, then measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and quantity of equipment required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV-based measurement system serves multiple functions: it can measure individual heliostats, assess entire heliostat fields, monitor changes over time, and capture data from various angles. This single multi-functional platform replaces multiple specialized ground-based instruments, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement precision across all facets.
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 rapid and precise assessment of multiple heliostats, reducing pointing errors and improving efficiency by allowing frequent scans without ceasing operations, and eliminating the need for additional hardware or detailed surveys.
Implementation Method 1
At least a portion of a reference heliostat is visible in a reflection on the assessed facet
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments may include collecting, by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a measuring image of an assessed heliostat in a heliostat field. The measuring image of the assessed heliostat includes an assessed facet forming a reflective surface of the assessed heliostat. At least a portion of a reference heliostat is visible in a reflection on the assessed facet. Also, a surface normal variance between a calculated surface normal of the assessed heliostat and a presumed surface normal of the assessed heliostat may be collected. The calculated surface normal is determined from a point on the assessed facet that corresponds to one or more features of the reference heliostat identifiable in the reflection. The presumed surface normal of the assessed heliostat may be updated based on the determined surface normal variance.