Abstract:
The invention relates to a bearing structure (1) for the reflector (4) of a solar collector (3) and a production method for the bearing structure (1) according to the invention, or rather for the reflector bearing element (2) of said collector. The bearing structure (1) according to the invention, for the reflector (4) of a solar collector (3), has a reflector bearing element (2) that is shaped as a parabolic trough in the longitudinal direction (90), wherein the reflector bearing element (2) is made of plastic and has the structure of a multi-wall sheet (10). A corresponding reflector bearing element (2) either can be extruded in the shape of a parabolic trough or can be produced by forming a flat multi-wall sheet into the shape of a parabolic trough by means of hot forming.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an elongated absorber arrangement for a trough collector, which is exposed to concentrated radiation over its length during operation, and which has means for transporting a heat transfer fluid through the absorber arrangement. The absorber arrangement has at least one fluid-free absorber space for concentrated radiation, which has a thermal opening leading to the interior thereof and walls for absorbing the heat that is incident on it. The means for transporting the fluid have a feed-line arrangement and a discharge-line arrangement, which are operationally connected to one another by a heat exchanger arrangement through which fluid flows, wherein said heat exchanger arrangement extends over the length of the absorber arrangement, is designed for the fluid to flow through as a transverse flow in relation to the length of the absorber arrangement and is thermally connected to the at least one absorber space in such a way that the fluid is heated during operation in the transverse flow from an inlet temperature to the operating temperature and reaches the discharge-line arrangement at this temperature.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a single axis tracking support for solar panels, comprising a framework that forms an approximately trapezoidal base having at least two opposite sides that are approximately parallel to one another, characterized in that said framework is equipped with foldable support frames that are approximately parallel to one another and are each intended to receive a solar panel, said support frames each comprising two end feet that are able to receive a solar panel and together define a rotation axis of said panel, said end feet being mounted in a foldable manner on the parallel sides of the framework.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for controlling the inclination angle of a solar module (115). The apparatus includes a solar module mounted on a rotatable support (112) that is rotated by a mechanism (110). The apparatus further includes a sensor and a controller (111) for controlling the mechanism to adjust the inclination angle of the solar module based on the sensed conditions.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a stand for PV modules, comprising an upright (12), a girder (3), a supporting strut (23) and an adjusting device (32). The girder (3) is supported against the upright (12) in an inclined manner by means of the supporting strut (23). The stand includes as few moulded parts and screw connections as possible in the connection region between the upright (12) and the girder (3) without having to compromise on the adjusting possibilities. A first horizontal hinge pin (27) and a second horizontal hinge pin (4) are mounted in the adjusting device (32). The adjusting device (32) comprises an adjusting strut (2) that is partially received in the upright (12) and protrudes from the top of the upright (12). The adjusting strut (2) can be pivoted about the first horizontal hinge pin in order to compensate for an erroneous inclined position of the upright (12) and is blocked in one of many possible pivoting positions on the upright (12) in a rotationally fixed manner. The girder (3) comprises an open longitudinal channel defined by opposing lateral walls, and the second horizontal hinge pin (4) is mounted on the opposing lateral walls. The adjusting device (32) engages in the open longitudinal channel, is connected therein to the second horizontal hinge pin (4), and is fixed transversely to the girder (3) by means of the opposing lateral walls (33) of the longitudinal channel. The adjustment can be carried out before the assembly of the girder (3).
Abstract:
A hinge for solar tracking apparatus is disclosed. The hinge includes a first mounting plate, a second mounting plate and a plurality of connecting elements. The first mounting plate has a pair of beveled or curved side faces. The second mounting plate has a pair of beveled or curved side faces. The plurality of connecting elements connect the first mounting plate to the second mounting plate in a spaced apart configuration, wherein each of the plurality of connecting elements connects diagonally opposite side faces of the first mounting plate to the second mounting plate. The hinge facilitates the solar tracking apparatus to track the Sun.
Abstract:
The basis for the function of a linearly concentrating solar collector lies, in simple terms, in the fact that reflectors reflect incident sunlight onto a receiver tube through which a heat-absorbing medium flows. Owing to the rotation of the Earth, the reflectors need to be adjusted regularly, however, in order to ensure that the sunlight hits the receiver tube. Known tracking methods use calculated positions of the sun for this purpose, which, in the case of structural deviations, for example as a result of expansion and material stress, results in inaccuracies and losses in efficiency. The invention is intended to improve the tracking of the reflectors in such a linearly concentrating solar collector. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that the radiation intensity in the region on both sides next to the receiver tube is measured and, by means of regulation, in the case of uneven emission on both sides of the receiver tube, the reflectors are tracked to such an extent that the radiation intensity on both sides of the receiver is the same and thus the maximum of the radiation intensity is on the receiver tube.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an actuator device for a solar tracker (1), in which solar energy is captured by means of rows of solar panels (1.1) that move to follow the sun. The actuator device comprises an arm (4) including, at one end (4.1), a hinge for coupling to transmission means (2) for transmitting the movement to the solar panels (1.1) of the solar tracker (1). The invention also includes a means (3) for rotating the aforementioned arm (4) about a shaft and a means (5) for actuating said arm-rotating means (3), such that the rotation of the arm (4) triggers, by means of the hinge (4.1): the movement of the means (2) for transmitting the movement of the solar panels (1.1), and the rotation of said solar panels (1.1).
Abstract:
The invention relates to a solar collector (1) comprising a linear lens (2) for bundling solar radiation impinging on the lens (2) into a focal line (3) and an absorber device (10) extending along the focal line (3) of the lens (2). The absorber device (10) comprises a carrier profile (11) that is open to the lens (2). An absorber (20) is provided in the carrier profile (11), wherein the absorber (20) comprises on the side thereof facing the lens (2) a trough-shaped feature (21) extending along the focal line (3), and at least two flow-through channels (25) are provided parallel to the trough-shaped feature (21) for conducting a heat transfer medium. The combination of the trough-shaped feature and the at least two flow-through channels results in increased efficiency.
Abstract:
A system and method for cleaning a reflector/collector pivotally mounted on a pivoting mechanism, the system including a wiping device disposed on one side of the reflector/collector, and a counterbalance element coupled to the wiping device over a top end of the reflector/collector, wherein the pivoting mechanism causes the reflector/collector to pivot between a first state wherein the wiping device moves to the top end of the reflector/ collector by means of gravity and cleans the reflector/collector, and a second state wherein the wiping device moves to a bottom end of reflector/collector by means of gravity and cleans the reflector/collector.