摘要:
The present invention provides a heliostat apparatus including one mirror frame that supports a reflecting mirror; a pair of north-south rotational shafts to rotate the mirror frame in the north-south direction; an east-west rotational shaft to rotate the mirror frame in the east-west direction with the north-south direction as the rotational axis direction; a pair of arms projecting from the east-west rotational shaft to the east and to the west; an east-west rotational shaft support that allows the axial rotation of the east-west rotational shaft; and the pair of the north-south rotational shafts positioned to face each other on the ends of the pair of the arms; wherein the rotation of the mirror frame, etc. as an integrated unit in the east-west direction with the east-west rotational shaft as the rotational axis adjusts the east-west angle of a reflecting surface of the reflecting mirror; and with the north-south rotational shaft as the rotational axis, the rotation of the mirror frame in the north-south direction adjusts the north-south angle of the reflecting surface of at least one reflecting mirror. With this mechanism, a lower-cost heliostat apparatus can be provided.
摘要:
Substituting a solar concentrator for a conventional burner for heating is desirable. However, the sun's energy is diurnal and cannot be counted upon even during daylight hours. To ensure heating is available, a backup conventional combustor can be provided. According to the present disclosure, a heat exchanger element of the heater assembly is directly acted upon by solar rays via a solar concentrator and by combustion. The heat exchanger acts as the combustion holder. Fuel provided to the outside of the heat exchanger is adjusted based on the demanded for heating and the amount of insolation achieved via the solar concentrator. The heat exchanger can be part of a conventional heater or a heat pump for heating water.
摘要:
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods to provide a closed loop pointing system for the purpose of redirecting light from a source onto a target. In one aspect the present invention relates to a method of redirecting incident light, comprising the steps of: using at least one light redirecting element to redirect the incident light; providing a plurality of optical proxies that are associated with the reflecting element in a manner such that at least two of the optical proxies distribute a portion of the incident light uniquely relative to each other, wherein optical information encoded in the light distributed by the optical proxies cumulatively correlates to the aim of the light redirecting element; observing the optical information distributed by the optical proxies; and using the optical information to controllably actuate the light redirecting element in a manner that aims the redirected light onto a target.
摘要:
At least one aspect of the present invention is related to a support frame assembly for supporting a solar device, such as an array of mirror elements and/or photovoltaic panels. The support frame assembly includes a plurality of support arm assemblies, each of which includes a pair of rails and a plurality of web structures interconnecting the rails. Specifically, each of the web structures has a base which is attached to one of the rails and a pair of legs extending towards and attached to the other of the rails. The web structures are preferably formed through a single stamping process with at least one of the web structures being at least partially in a nesting relationship with another of the web structures.
摘要:
A solar energy harvester comprises: an elongated stationary solar irradiance converter assembly; a concentrator comprised of a substantially flat array of flat reflective heliostatic slats disposed at tilt angles to concentrate the sun onto the converter assembly, said slats each rotating in elevation about a north-south axis; sun sensor detecting the efficacy of concentration as the sun traverses; and control circuitry and drive motor positioning the collector in elevation according to the sun sensor so that the slat array tracks and faces the sun whenever the solar incident energy is greater than a selectable threshold level.
摘要:
A heliostat which comprises a reflector element and a carrier that is arranged to support the reflector element above a ground plane. A drive means is arranged to impart pivotal drive to the carrier about a fixed, first axis that is, in use of the heliostat, disposed substantially parallel to the ground plane. The heliostat further comprises a means mounting the reflector element to the carrier in a manner which permits pivotal movement of the reflector element with respect to the carrier and about a second axis that is not parallel to the first axis. A drive means arranged to impart pivotal movement to the reflector element about the second axis. The reflector element, which may be flat or curved, may be constituted by a plurality of sub-reflector elements. Also, a plurality of the reflector elements may be supported by a single carrier. A plurality of the above defined heliostats may form a solar energy reflector array with the heliostats being arranged to reflect incident solar radiation to at least one target collector.
摘要:
{PG,1 A radiation concentration system for reflecting incident radiation rays from a displaceable source to a fixedly positioned focus. The concentration system includes a positioning mechanism for maintaining a mirror element plane normal to a bisecting line of an incident and a reflected angle of radiation impinging on and being reflected from the mirror plane. The radiation concentrating system provides for a displacement mechanism which drives the mirror element about mutually perpendicular axis lines. The displacement mechanism drives the mirror element about a first axis line extending in a direction from the displacement mechanism to the focus and further drives the mirror element about a second axis line normal to the first axis line. In this manner, the mirror element is maintained in a predetermined positional relation for reflection of the incident radiation to the fixed focus.
摘要:
Systems and methods are described herein that may be used to form a heliostat. Various reflective surfaces and support structures are described that permit lightweight construction of configurable heliostats.
摘要:
In an example, a solar energy system includes multiple PV modules, multiple reflectors, and a racking assembly. Each of the reflectors is positioned opposite a corresponding one of the PV modules. The racking assembly mechanically interconnects the PV modules and the reflectors to form an interconnected system. The racking assembly defines gaps within the racking assembly and between adjacent PV modules and reflectors. The interconnected system includes multiple contact points associated with the gaps. The gaps and contact points configure the interconnected system to accommodate surface unevenness of an installation surface up to a predetermined surface unevenness.