Abstract:
A portable solar concentrator includes a stand, a plurality of inner panels supported by the stand, and a plurality of outer panels attached to the inner panels. The inner panels have a reflective surface, and are configured to direct solar energy at a target. The outer panels have a reflective surface and can be configured in an active position to direct solar energy at the target, and can be configured in an inactive position to direct solar energy away from the target.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a concentrator that can track the position of the sun, concentrates solar energy radiation in a focal point zone (4), and comprises reflectors (1) which are fixedly oriented relative to one another. In order to reflect the sunbeams using the reflectors, a plurality of reflecting outer surfaces (1a) is arranged in such a way that the outer surfaces are at least partially located inside each other and concentric to each other at least approximately in the shape of truncated cones or segments of truncated cones having different inclinations, resulting in the sunbeams being focused on a significantly smaller surface, namely the focal point zone (4), after being reflected.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a drive module of a Fresnel mirror collector, comprising a preferably electric motor, which is coupled to a mirror drive shaft by means of a reduction gear train, characterized by an angle sensor, which is integrated in the drive module.
Abstract:
At least some of the heliostats can be arranged and operated in such a manner that the maintenance vehicle can pass through the solar field along conditional pathways. The arrangement and control of the heliostats to allow access to heliostats by a maintenance vehicle can enable different heliostat patterns as compared with conventional arrangements. In particular, heliostats in one section of the solar field, which may be less geometrically efficient, can be arranged at a higher density as compared to heliostat in another section of the solar field. In addition, the locations of heliostats in various sections of the field can be optimized based on ground coverage as viewed from a vantage point in the solar tower and/or revenue generation without constraining the locations to particular line or arc patterns.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a focussing system for concentrating radiation onto a target surface, comprising: a first reflective element forming part of the surface of a cone axially aligned along a first alignment axis, the first reflective element being positioned such that when planar radiation is incident on the first reflective element in a direction parallel to the first alignment axis, the planar radiation is focussed towards a first focus lying along the first alignment axis, wherein said part of the surface of a cone is contained within a sector having an included angle of less than 180 degrees; and a second reflective element having a reflective surface that at all points is flat in a direction parallel to a single reference direction, the second reflective element being positioned between the first reflective element and the first focus such that, when planar radiation is incident on the first reflective element in a direction parallel to the first alignment axis, radiation reflected from the first reflective element onto the second reflective element is focussed towards a second focus. A multiple target focussing system comprising a plurality of focussing systems, solar powered systems using focussing systems, kits, telescopes, defocussing light sources, and methods for assembling focussing systems are also disclosed.
Abstract:
In one aspect of the present invention, a solar energy collection system that includes multiple longitudinally adjacent collectors is described. The collectors are coupled end to end to form a collector row. The collector row extends along a longitudinal axis and is arranged to rotate about a pivot axis to track the sun in at least one dimension. Each collector includes a reflector, one or more solar receivers and a support structure. The support structure includes a tube assembly that underlies the reflector. The tube assemblies of the collector row are arranged end to end along the longitudinal axis. There is a space between the tube assemblies of adjacent collectors in the collector row, where the reflectors of the adjacent collectors extend beyond the underlying tube assemblies to form a substantially continuous reflective surface over the space. A coupling device is positioned in the space between the tube assemblies. The coupling device connects and helps to rotate the tube assemblies of the adjacent collectors. Some embodiments relate to various types of coupling devices and collector arrangements.
Abstract:
A solar concentrator calibration tool that compensates for inconsistencies in the fabrication, assembly and installation of a solar collector system, permitting the solar collector to perform optimally. The calibration tool provides feedback information to a supervisory control processor, allowing the processor to compare the expected position of the sun to the "actual" position found by the calibration tool. The processor then generates a calibration signal, thereafter used by the collector's movement control mechanism, to compensate the tracking of the solar collector to accurately follow the movement of the sun, unconstrained by the effects of the construction inconsistencies.
Abstract:
Low concentration CPC type concentrating collector, without optical losses and without thermal shorts which would be responsible for substantial efficiency losses, comprising at least one absorber (1) one absorber tube (10), concentrating reflectors (2) and at least one bottom set (3), said absorber (1), concentrating reflectors (2) and bottom set (3) being superimposed but without touching each other, and having a concentration value in the range of about 1 to 3. The absorber (1) has a surface selected from the group comprising an inverted V shape, any open polygonal line and/or curve and the like and combinations thereof. The invention further contemplates an absorbing grid formed by said concentrating collectors, which allows the overcoming of the thermal and optical positioning difficulties due to higher temperatures, since it comprises a system of expansion guides (13) allowing for its expansion in the longitudinal direction.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a solar facility (1) having a solar energy concentrator (30) comprising a plurality of flat mirror cells (31), and having a solar energy converter (10) for the conversion of solar energy into current and/or heat and comprising a concentrator field (11), wherein each mirror cell (31) can be aligned such that it reflects solar rays (2) onto the concentrator field (11), wherein each mirror cell (31) has an individual layout as a function of the position thereof relative to the concentrator field (11) such that, during operation of the solar facility (1), the mirror images from the individual mirror cells (31) reflecting on the concentrator field (11) are equal in position, shape and size.
Abstract:
A solar energy conversion system may include a receiver with a first heat transfer fluid channel having at least two opposite sides. Each side may present an external surface facing in a direction opposite to that of the external surface of the other opposite side. Each side may be configured to contact a heat transfer fluid carried in the first heat transfer fluid channel. A heliostat field may be configured to direct solar energy to each of the at least two opposite sides during the course of a day such that a thermal stress tending to bend the channel remains below a specified level.