US20100051015A1 - Linear solar energy collection system - Google Patents
Linear solar energy collection system Download PDFInfo
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- US20100051015A1 US20100051015A1 US12/198,219 US19821908A US2010051015A1 US 20100051015 A1 US20100051015 A1 US 20100051015A1 US 19821908 A US19821908 A US 19821908A US 2010051015 A1 US2010051015 A1 US 2010051015A1
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- frame
- solar panels
- receiver tube
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
- F24S23/70—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors
- F24S23/82—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors characterised by the material or the construction of the reflector
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S10/00—Solar heat collectors using working fluids
- F24S10/40—Solar heat collectors using working fluids in absorbing elements surrounded by transparent enclosures, e.g. evacuated solar collectors
- F24S10/45—Solar heat collectors using working fluids in absorbing elements surrounded by transparent enclosures, e.g. evacuated solar collectors the enclosure being cylindrical
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S20/00—Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
- F24S20/20—Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
- F24S23/70—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors
- F24S23/74—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors with trough-shaped or cylindro-parabolic reflective surfaces
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
- F24S23/70—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors
- F24S23/79—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors with spaced and opposed interacting reflective surfaces
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
- F24S30/40—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement
- F24S30/42—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with only one rotation axis
- F24S30/425—Horizontal axis
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
- F24S30/40—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement
- F24S30/45—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with two rotation axes
- F24S30/455—Horizontal primary axis
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S40/00—Safety or protection arrangements of solar heat collectors; Preventing malfunction of solar heat collectors
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
- F24S23/70—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors
- F24S2023/87—Reflectors layout
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
- F24S23/70—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors
- F24S2023/87—Reflectors layout
- F24S2023/872—Assemblies of spaced reflective elements on common support, e.g. Fresnel reflectors
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
- F24S2025/01—Special support components; Methods of use
- F24S2025/017—Tensioning means
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
- F24S2030/10—Special components
- F24S2030/13—Transmissions
- F24S2030/133—Transmissions in the form of flexible elements, e.g. belts, chains, ropes
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
- F24S2030/10—Special components
- F24S2030/13—Transmissions
- F24S2030/135—Transmissions in the form of threaded elements
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
- F24S2030/10—Special components
- F24S2030/15—Bearings
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/44—Heat exchange systems
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking
Definitions
- This invention relates to the generation of electrical energy through solar thermal power collection, and, more particularly, to a linear solar energy collection system that employs a secondary reflector, light-weight solar panels and a fixed linear receiver tube in which a heat transfer fluid is circulated.
- a generally parabolic-shaped trough 10 is provided having a curved, reflective surface 12 that is typically formed of a number of mirrors.
- the reflective surface 12 is effective to concentrate and reflect incident sunlight 13 at 30 to 80 times its normal intensity along a focal line that is coincident with a receiver tube 14 mounted by holding bars 16 in a position above the reflective surface 12 .
- the mirrors are carried by a support structure 18 which, in turn, is connected at each end to pylons 20 secured in the ground on a concrete foundation or the like.
- a motor 22 is drivingly connected to the support structure 12 to pivot it thus allowing the reflective surface 12 to track the progress of the sun across the sky.
- a local controller 24 may be provided to control the operation of the motor 22 as it pivots the support structure 18 and surface 12 throughout a day, and to monitor certain alarm conditions.
- a heat transfer fluid is circulated through the receiver tube 14 which is heated by the sunlight reflected from surface 12 .
- This fluid is used to generate steam which powers a turbine that drives an electric generator.
- a flexible hose 26 is coupled to the receiver tube 14 , typically via ball joints 28 , and moves with it as the support structure 18 is pivoted.
- the flexible hose 26 may be connected to a header pipe (not shown), which then connects to the steam generator.
- the mirrors forming the reflective surface 12 typically comprise 4 mm low-iron float glass mirrors thermally sagged during manufacturing into a parabolic shape. These mirrors are very heavy, and are available from only a few manufacturers. They are difficult to install and require robust mounting structure to support in order to provide for accurate positioning of the reflective surface 12 and to resist wind loads. While thinner glass mirrors have been suggested as an alternative, they are more fragile resulting in increased handling costs and breakage losses. Most support structures 18 for the mirrors are formed of galvanized steel which is also heavy, requires precise manufacturing and is expensive to build.
- Bridge trusses have been employed in more recent designs for the support structures 18 , but have proven to be nearly equally expensive to manufacture and often are lacking in torsional stiffness.
- the flexible hoses 26 and ball joints 28 employed to transfer heated fluid from the receiver tube 14 have high thermal losses, and exhibit high failure rates and leaks since they must move with the support structure 18 and reflective surface 12 as they pivot.
- the goal of any solar collection system is to reduce the cost of electricity generated.
- There are fundamentally two ways to do this namely, reduce the cost of the solar field and annual operating expenses, and, to increase system efficiency.
- Solar field optical efficiency is dependent upon a number of factors, including, without limitation, sunlight incident angle effects, collector tracking error, the geometric accuracy of the mirrors to focus light on the receiver tubes, mirror reflectivity, cleanliness of the mirrors, the creation of shadows across the mirrors, transmittance of solar energy into the receiver tubes, cleanliness of the receiver tubes, absorption of solar energy by the receiver tubes, end losses and the creation of shadows between rows of mirrors.
- While current systems produce electricity at a cost in the range of $0.12 to $0.18 per kilowatt-hour, it is desirable to achieve a cost level of about $0.05 per kilowatt-hour to be more competitive with present fossil-fuel based systems.
- This invention is directed to a linear solar energy collection system that improves solar field efficiency, lowers operational and maintenance costs, and therefore reduces the overall cost of generating electricity per kilowatt-hour.
- each reflector unit includes a light-weight, generally planar aluminum frame that mounts a number of solar panels in a fixed position at angles progressively increasing from the frame centerline outwardly to its perimeter so as to collectively form a surface having a shape approximating that of a parabola.
- the focal line of such parabola is coincident with a secondary reflector which receives sunlight incident on the solar panels and reflects such light onto a receiver tube mounted in a fixed position substantially concentric to the centerline of the frame.
- the frame is supported by truss elements to add rigidity, and is connected to a drive mechanism operative to pivot the frame and truss elements in order to track the position of the sun during the course of a day.
- a number of individual reflector units may be arranged side-by-side to form a solar energy collection system having a collection field of desired size.
- each solar panel comprises a honeycomb aluminum section and a highly reflective silver-metallized surface connected together by an adhesive layer.
- the solar panels are strong, durable, light-weight and efficiently reflect incident sunlight many times its normal intensity onto the secondary reflector.
- the reflective surface of such panels may be washed to maintain cleanliness, which, in one presently preferred embodiment of this invention, is accomplished by the provision of an in-ground washing system operative to direct cleansing water against such surfaces.
- a heat transfer fluid is circulated through the receiver tube for heating by the sunlight directed thereto from the secondary reflector. Because the receiver tube is fixed relative to the pivoting frame, it may be connected to a fixed transfer conduit that communicates with a steam generator and turbine. Since both the receiver tube and transfer conduit are mounted in a fixed position, heat losses resulting from the transfer of fluid out of the receiver tube are minimized and maintenance problems with the moving connections between the receiver tube and transfer conduit that were required in prior art systems, as described above, are substantially eliminated.
- a reflector unit in an alternative embodiment, includes solar panels formed in smaller segments mounted to a number of shafts, which, in turn, are pivotally connected to the frame.
- the solar panels collectively form a generally parabolic surface as in the previously described embodiment, but may also be tilted by rotation of the shafts in a generally northerly and southerly direction to more directly face the sun as its incidence angle varies with the changing of the seasons.
- FIG. 1 is perspective view of a prior art solar energy collection system
- FIG. 2 is an end view of the system shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a reflector unit for the solar energy collection system of this invention.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a solar panel of this invention.
- FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG. 4 showing the solar panel partially disassembled
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the receiver tube employed herein;
- FIG. 7 is a schematic, end view of the solar panels and secondary reflector of the unit depicted in FIG. 3 , illustrating the orientation of the solar panels from the centerline of the frame outwardly;
- FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the relationship between the solar panels and secondary reflector of the unit of FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 9 is a schematic view depicting how the unit herein tracks the position of the sun during the course of a day
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism for pivoting the frame and solar panels
- FIG. 11 is an end view of the drive mechanism illustrated in FIG. 10 ;
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a solar collection system according to this invention in which a number of reflector units shown in FIG. 3 are oriented side-by-side;
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the sprinkler system of this invention operating with the solar panels and secondary reflector in a first position before sunrise and a second position after sunset;
- FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the frame and solar panel portion of an alternative embodiment of a solar energy collection system according to this invention.
- FIG. 15 is an enlarged, side view of a portion of FIG. 14 illustrating the manner in which the solar panels are mounted for tilting movement relative to the frame;
- FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 showing the solar panels tilted after rotation of the mounting shaft.
- FIGS. 3-12 one embodiment of a solar energy collection system according to this invention is illustrated which may comprise several individual reflector units 30 oriented side-by-side, as discussed below with reference to FIG. 12 .
- the reflector unit 30 is initially generally described, followed by a discussion of individual aspects of the design.
- the reflector unit 30 includes a frame 32 having opposed side walls 34 , 36 , and opposed end walls 38 , 40 connected together in a generally rectangular shape as depicted in FIG. 3 .
- the walls 34 - 40 are preferably formed of aluminum or other light-weight, weather resistant and durable material.
- the frame 32 is reinforced by a truss structure 42 , a portion of which is shown in FIGS. 3 and 12 , which is also preferably formed of aluminum or similar material.
- the truss structure 42 and frame 32 may be supported above ground level by pylons 44 secured on a foundation such as concrete footers (not shown) that can support the weight of the unit 30 and wind loading applied to it.
- the frame 32 and truss structure 42 are pivotally mounted to the pylons 44 and may be tilted by operation of a drive mechanism 46 including a drive motor 48 .
- the frame 32 mounts a number of solar panels 50 and a secondary reflector 52 which collectively form the structure for receiving incident sunlight 53 from the sun 55 and reflecting it onto a receiver tube 54 located in a fixed position at the centerline 56 (See FIG. 7 ) of the frame 32 .
- the solar panels 50 extend between the end walls 38 , 40 and are spaced from one another on either side of the receiver tube 54 in a direction toward the side walls 34 , 36 .
- the secondary reflector 52 is located above the solar panels 50 , as discussed below, and is supported in that position at each end by rods 58 and tension wires 60 extending from the frame 32 .
- Each solar panel 50 is generally rectangular in shape having opposed side edges 62 , 64 and opposed end edges 66 , 68 .
- the panels 50 have a slight concave curvature in a direction from one side edge 62 to the other side edge 64 , which may be slightly different from one panel 50 to another as described below.
- Each panel 50 comprises a base section 70 , a top section 72 and an intermediate section 74 sandwiched between the sections 70 , 72 .
- the base section 70 is preferably formed of a honeycomb aluminum, or similar light-weight, weather resistant and durable material that may be bent in the slight curvature noted above and shown in FIG. 4 .
- the top section 72 is preferably a highly-reflective, silver-metallized film comprising multiple layers of polymer film with an inner layer of pure silver to provide a reflective surface 76 having high specular reflectance.
- One suitable material for top section 72 is commercially available from ReflecTech, Inc. of Wheat Ridge, Colo. under the trademark “ReflecTech” solar film.
- the intermediate layer 74 is preferably a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive. Layer 74 may be affixed on one side to the top section 72 and provided with a peel-off backing (not shown) which is removed prior to attachment to the base section 70 .
- the receiver tube 54 is a component employed in prior art solar collection systems and is readily commercially available. As shown in FIG. 6 , it comprises a hollow, stainless steel housing 78 having a solar-selective absorber surface surrounded by an anti-reflective, evacuated glass sleeve 80 . Typically, the housing 78 has a length of 4 meters and a diameter of 70 mm, and the glass sleeve is 115 mm in diameter. A heat transfer fluid such as oil or water is circulated through the housing 78 where it is heated by reflected sunlight, as discussed below.
- the receiver tube 54 has glass-to-metal seals and metal bellows (not shown) to accommodate differing rates of thermal expansion between the stainless steel housing 78 and glass sleeve 80 , and to help maintain the vacuum-tight enclosure. This reduces heat losses at high operating temperatures and protects the solar-select absorber surface of the housing 78 from oxidation.
- the solar panels 50 and secondary reflector 52 collectively function to direct incident sunlight 53 onto the receiver tube 54 to elevate the temperature of heat transfer fluid circulating within the receiver tube 54 to a level sufficient to operate a steam generator (not shown) for the production of electricity.
- the positioning of the solar panels 50 with respect to the secondary reflector 52 , and the configuration of the secondary reflector 52 are both important in maximizing the efficiency of the reflector unit 30 .
- the discussion that follows concerns this aspect of the present invention.
- a parabola is a geometric shape defined by the locus of points that are equidistant from a point (the focus) and a focal line (directrix) that lie in the same plane. Reflective surfaces having the shape of a parabola have been commonly used in solar power collection systems because incident sunlight may be reflected to collection device located at the focus or directrix of the parabola.
- the unit 30 of the present invention is designed to take advantage of this property of a parabola, but in a much more efficient, less expensive and practical manner than taught in the prior art.
- FIG. 7 an end view of the frame 32 and its end wall 40 is shown with the receiver tube 54 depicted within an opening 82 formed in the frame end wall 40 , substantially concentric to the frame centerline 56 , and the secondary reflector 52 located at a position spaced from the receiver tube 54 .
- a first array 84 of solar panels 50 extends from the receiver tube 54 to the side wall 34 of frame 32
- a second array 86 of solar panels 50 is mounted between the receiver tube 54 and side wall 36 .
- the end edges 66 and 68 of each panel 50 are secured in a fixed position to an end wall 38 and 40 , respectively, of the frame 32 by fasteners or other suitable means such as the provision of recesses in the end walls 38 , 40 (not shown).
- the solar panels 50 in each array 84 , 86 are oriented at an angle with respect to the secondary reflector 52 so as to direct incident sunlight 53 to a focal line or directrix that is coincident with the surface 96 of secondary reflector 52 .
- the angle of the solar panels 50 increases from the centerline 56 of frame 32 outwardly to its side walls 34 , 36 .
- the angle of each panel 50 relative to the secondary reflector 52 is chosen to closely approximate the orientation of each of a number of discrete segments 90 “sliced” from a continuous parabola 92 , as schematically depicted in FIG. 8 .
- the solar panels 50 in each array 84 , 86 comprise segments of the parabola 92 which are separated from one another, and then individually affixed to the frame 32 . Consequently, the solar panels 50 collectively form a reflective, substantially parabolic-shaped surface 94 whose focus and directrix 95 are substantially coincident with the secondary reflector 52 .
- each panel 50 which differs from one panel 50 to another depending on its angulation relative to the secondary reflector 52 , in order to ensure that the individual focal point of each panel 50 is substantially the same.
- curvature may be calculated using the standard mathematical equation defining a parabola, namely:
- the first and second arrays 84 , 86 of solar panels 50 collectively form a parabolic surface 94 that reflects incident light to a focus or directrix.
- the secondary reflector 52 is located along the directrix or focal line of surface 94 and is constructed to reflect the light from surface 94 onto the receiver tube 54 to elevate the temperature of heat transfer fluid circulating therein.
- the secondary reflector 52 is approximately 200 mm to 250 mm in width with a reflective surface 96 in the shape of a hyperbola.
- the exact geometry of the reflective surface 96 is derived from the Cassegrain Equations for a primary parabolic-shaped reflective surface, which, in this instance, is the parabolic surface 94 collectively formed by the solar panels 50 , and a secondary hyperboloid reflective surface.
- the secondary reflector 52 may be constructed of a honeycomb panel having the appropriate shape noted above connected by an adhesive layer to the same material that forms the top section 74 of solar panels 50 .
- FIGS. 9-11 it is advantageous for the solar panels 50 to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the position of the sun 55 throughout the course of a day in order to maximize the efficiency with which the sunlight is reflected to the secondary reflector 52 , and, in turn, to the receiver tube 54 .
- FIG. 9 illustrates this pivotal movement of frame 32 , and, in turn, the solar panels 50 and secondary reflector 52 , during daylight hours. Such pivotal movement is about an axis which is generally coincident with the centerline 56 of the frame 32 .
- the frame 32 is pivoted by a drive mechanism 46 including a motor 48 .
- a support frame 98 is connected to a pylon 44 which rotatably mounts three rollers 100 , 102 and 104 spaced approximately 120° apart. These rollers 100 - 104 receive and support a drive wheel 106 which is connected by a link chain 108 , or other suitable drive means such as a belt, to the output shaft of motor 48 .
- the drive wheel 106 is connected by a plate 110 to the rods 58 which support the secondary reflector 52 at one end, and connect to the frame 32 at the opposite end.
- the drive wheel 106 rotates with respect to the rollers 100 - 104 .
- the rods 58 and frame 32 rotate with the drive wheel 106 , thus pivoting relative to the pylons 44 to assume the positions shown in FIG. 9 .
- the receiver tube 54 remains in a fixed position with respect to the frame 32 and drive wheel 106 throughout the pivotal motion of the frame 32 .
- the receiver tube 54 extends through an opening 82 formed in each end wall 38 , 40 of frame 32 .
- the protruding end of receiver tube 54 enters a bore 111 formed in the plate 110 , and a central bore 112 formed in the drive wheel 106 where it is received and supported by a bearing 114 that allows the receiver tube 54 to remain in a fixed position during rotation of the drive wheel 106 .
- This construction has the advantage of allowing the receiver tube 54 to be connected to a fixed transfer conduit 114 , shown in FIG. 3 , coupled to a steam generator (not shown). Consequently, the expensive and leak-prone connections between the moving receiver tubes and transfer conduits employed in the prior art, and shown, for example, in FIG. 2 , are eliminated in this invention.
- the solar energy collection system of this invention is modular in construction. As shown in FIG. 12 , a number of individual reflector units 30 depicted in FIG. 3 and described above may be located side-by-side to increase capacity and overall efficiency of the solar field.
- a drive mechanism 46 may be located in between adjacent units 30 such that each end of the output shaft of motor 48 may be coupled to the drive wheel 106 of one of the units 30 in the manner described above in connection with a discussion of FIGS. 10 and 11 .
- the receiver tube 54 of one unit 30 may be coupled to the receiver tube 54 of an adjacent unit 30 to transmit heat transfer fluid to one or more conduits (not shown) for the combined collection system.
- an in-ground sprinkler system 116 is provided to help clean the reflective surface 94 of the solar panels 50 and the surface 96 of the secondary reflector 52 .
- one or more first sprinkler heads 118 connected to a source of water are positioned to direct streams 119 of water onto the first array 84 of solar panels 50 and a portion of the secondary reflector 52 with the unit 30 in position prior to sunrise, and one or more second sprinkler heads 120 direct streams 121 of water onto the second array 86 of solar panels 50 and the remainder of the secondary reflector 52 when the reflector unit 30 moves to its position at the end of a day. Maintaining the collective reflective surface 94 of the solar panels 50 , and the surface 96 of the secondary reflector 52 , clean significantly increases the overall efficiency of the reflector unit 30 .
- FIGS. 14-17 An alternative embodiment of a solar energy collection system having one or more reflector units 122 according to this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 14-17 .
- the reflector unit 122 is similar to reflector unit 30 in many respects except for the addition of structure that permits adjustment of the position of solar panels about a second axis.
- the frame 32 and solar panels 50 of the unit 30 are pivoted as illustrated in FIG. 9 about an axis generally coincident with the centerline 56 of the frame 32 .
- Such motion is in an easterly to westerly direction consistent with the apparent movement of the sun 55 across the sky during the daylight hours.
- the earth tilts on its axis during the course of a year causing the change of seasons and altering the angle of inclination of the sun's rays.
- the unit 122 of this embodiment of the present invention is designed to not only track the sun's daily path but its annual inclination.
- the same frame 32 described above is employed in unit 122 , but instead of elongated solar panels 50 extending between the frame side walls 34 , 36 , a plurality of shorter, segmented solar panels 124 are provided.
- the solar panels 124 are divided into groups, and each group of panels 124 essentially takes the place of a single solar panel 50 in the embodiment of FIGS. 3-13 .
- one group of several panels 124 is mounted within each of a number of sub-frames 126 , e.g. a generally rectangular-shaped structure having opposed ends and opposed sides. These sub-frames 126 are secured in the same fixed positions to the side walls 34 and 36 of frame 32 , and at the same angles, as solar panels 50 described above.
- the panels 124 within each group may be coupled to a threaded shaft 128 , which, in turn, is rotatably mounted to the end walls of a sub-frame 126 .
- a lever arm 130 may extend from each panel 124 and connect to an internally threaded sleeve 132 which threads onto the shaft 128 .
- the sleeves 132 move axially along the shafts 128 causing the panels 124 to tilt. See FIGS. 15 and 16 .
- the direction of rotation of the shaft 128 determines the direction of tilting of the panels 124 .
- the panels 124 may be tilted in a northerly direction or in a southerly direction according the angle of inclination of the sun 55 .
- the remainder of the structure and operation of the system 122 is essentially the same as that described above in connection with a discussion of reflector unit 30 .
- the receiver tube 54 is depicted in FIGS. 7 , 9 , 13 and 14 as being positioned at the center of frame 32 and substantially concentric to its centerline 56 . As shown in FIGS. 3 , 10 and 12 , the receiver tube 54 may also be located slightly above the center of frame 32 . In both instances, the receiver tube 54 is located at substantially the center of rotation of the frame 32 and generally at the center of gravity of the reflector unit 30 .
Abstract
A modular linear solar energy collection system comprises one or more reflector units each having a light-weight generally planar aluminum frame that mounts a number of solar panels in a fixed position at angles which progressively increase from the frame centerline outwardly to its perimeter so as to collectively form a surface having a shape approximating that of a parabola. The focal line of such parabola is coincident with a secondary reflector which receives sunlight incident on the solar panels and reflects such light onto a receiver tube mounted in a fixed position concentric to the centerline of the frame. The frame is connected to a drive mechanism operative to pivot the frame and solar panels in order to track the position of the sun during the course of a day.
Description
- This invention relates to the generation of electrical energy through solar thermal power collection, and, more particularly, to a linear solar energy collection system that employs a secondary reflector, light-weight solar panels and a fixed linear receiver tube in which a heat transfer fluid is circulated.
- Systems for the generation of electricity by collecting solar thermal radiation were first introduced in 1914, and have become increasingly popular with the rise in fossil fuel costs and concerns over global warming. The majority of solar energy collection systems currently in use are of the type depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 2 . A generally parabolic-shaped trough 10 is provided having a curved,reflective surface 12 that is typically formed of a number of mirrors. Thereflective surface 12 is effective to concentrate and reflectincident sunlight 13 at 30 to 80 times its normal intensity along a focal line that is coincident with areceiver tube 14 mounted byholding bars 16 in a position above thereflective surface 12. The mirrors are carried by asupport structure 18 which, in turn, is connected at each end topylons 20 secured in the ground on a concrete foundation or the like. Amotor 22 is drivingly connected to thesupport structure 12 to pivot it thus allowing thereflective surface 12 to track the progress of the sun across the sky. Alocal controller 24 may be provided to control the operation of themotor 22 as it pivots thesupport structure 18 andsurface 12 throughout a day, and to monitor certain alarm conditions. - A heat transfer fluid is circulated through the
receiver tube 14 which is heated by the sunlight reflected fromsurface 12. This fluid is used to generate steam which powers a turbine that drives an electric generator. In order to transfer the heated fluid from thereceiver tube 14 to a steam generator, aflexible hose 26 is coupled to thereceiver tube 14, typically viaball joints 28, and moves with it as thesupport structure 18 is pivoted. Theflexible hose 26 may be connected to a header pipe (not shown), which then connects to the steam generator. - Solar collection systems of the type described above suffer from a number of deficiencies. The mirrors forming the
reflective surface 12 typically comprise 4 mm low-iron float glass mirrors thermally sagged during manufacturing into a parabolic shape. These mirrors are very heavy, and are available from only a few manufacturers. They are difficult to install and require robust mounting structure to support in order to provide for accurate positioning of thereflective surface 12 and to resist wind loads. While thinner glass mirrors have been suggested as an alternative, they are more fragile resulting in increased handling costs and breakage losses.Most support structures 18 for the mirrors are formed of galvanized steel which is also heavy, requires precise manufacturing and is expensive to build. Bridge trusses have been employed in more recent designs for thesupport structures 18, but have proven to be nearly equally expensive to manufacture and often are lacking in torsional stiffness. In addition to these problems, theflexible hoses 26 andball joints 28 employed to transfer heated fluid from thereceiver tube 14 have high thermal losses, and exhibit high failure rates and leaks since they must move with thesupport structure 18 andreflective surface 12 as they pivot. - The goal of any solar collection system is to reduce the cost of electricity generated. There are fundamentally two ways to do this, namely, reduce the cost of the solar field and annual operating expenses, and, to increase system efficiency. Solar field optical efficiency is dependent upon a number of factors, including, without limitation, sunlight incident angle effects, collector tracking error, the geometric accuracy of the mirrors to focus light on the receiver tubes, mirror reflectivity, cleanliness of the mirrors, the creation of shadows across the mirrors, transmittance of solar energy into the receiver tubes, cleanliness of the receiver tubes, absorption of solar energy by the receiver tubes, end losses and the creation of shadows between rows of mirrors. While current systems produce electricity at a cost in the range of $0.12 to $0.18 per kilowatt-hour, it is desirable to achieve a cost level of about $0.05 per kilowatt-hour to be more competitive with present fossil-fuel based systems.
- This invention is directed to a linear solar energy collection system that improves solar field efficiency, lowers operational and maintenance costs, and therefore reduces the overall cost of generating electricity per kilowatt-hour.
- One aspect of this invention is predicated on the concept of providing a simple, modular linear solar energy collection system comprising one or more reflector units each fabricated using light-weight materials arranged in a construction that is highly accessible, easily maintained, and lower in initial cost. In one embodiment, each reflector unit includes a light-weight, generally planar aluminum frame that mounts a number of solar panels in a fixed position at angles progressively increasing from the frame centerline outwardly to its perimeter so as to collectively form a surface having a shape approximating that of a parabola. The focal line of such parabola is coincident with a secondary reflector which receives sunlight incident on the solar panels and reflects such light onto a receiver tube mounted in a fixed position substantially concentric to the centerline of the frame. The frame is supported by truss elements to add rigidity, and is connected to a drive mechanism operative to pivot the frame and truss elements in order to track the position of the sun during the course of a day. A number of individual reflector units may be arranged side-by-side to form a solar energy collection system having a collection field of desired size.
- Preferably, each solar panel comprises a honeycomb aluminum section and a highly reflective silver-metallized surface connected together by an adhesive layer. The solar panels are strong, durable, light-weight and efficiently reflect incident sunlight many times its normal intensity onto the secondary reflector. The reflective surface of such panels may be washed to maintain cleanliness, which, in one presently preferred embodiment of this invention, is accomplished by the provision of an in-ground washing system operative to direct cleansing water against such surfaces.
- A heat transfer fluid is circulated through the receiver tube for heating by the sunlight directed thereto from the secondary reflector. Because the receiver tube is fixed relative to the pivoting frame, it may be connected to a fixed transfer conduit that communicates with a steam generator and turbine. Since both the receiver tube and transfer conduit are mounted in a fixed position, heat losses resulting from the transfer of fluid out of the receiver tube are minimized and maintenance problems with the moving connections between the receiver tube and transfer conduit that were required in prior art systems, as described above, are substantially eliminated.
- In an alternative embodiment, a reflector unit includes solar panels formed in smaller segments mounted to a number of shafts, which, in turn, are pivotally connected to the frame. The solar panels collectively form a generally parabolic surface as in the previously described embodiment, but may also be tilted by rotation of the shafts in a generally northerly and southerly direction to more directly face the sun as its incidence angle varies with the changing of the seasons.
- The structure, operation and advantages of the presently preferred embodiment of this invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is perspective view of a prior art solar energy collection system; -
FIG. 2 is an end view of the system shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a reflector unit for the solar energy collection system of this invention; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a solar panel of this invention; -
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion ofFIG. 4 showing the solar panel partially disassembled; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the receiver tube employed herein; -
FIG. 7 is a schematic, end view of the solar panels and secondary reflector of the unit depicted inFIG. 3 , illustrating the orientation of the solar panels from the centerline of the frame outwardly; -
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the relationship between the solar panels and secondary reflector of the unit ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 9 is a schematic view depicting how the unit herein tracks the position of the sun during the course of a day; -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism for pivoting the frame and solar panels; -
FIG. 11 is an end view of the drive mechanism illustrated inFIG. 10 ; -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a solar collection system according to this invention in which a number of reflector units shown inFIG. 3 are oriented side-by-side; -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the sprinkler system of this invention operating with the solar panels and secondary reflector in a first position before sunrise and a second position after sunset; -
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the frame and solar panel portion of an alternative embodiment of a solar energy collection system according to this invention; -
FIG. 15 is an enlarged, side view of a portion ofFIG. 14 illustrating the manner in which the solar panels are mounted for tilting movement relative to the frame; and -
FIG. 16 is a view similar toFIG. 15 showing the solar panels tilted after rotation of the mounting shaft. - Referring now to
FIGS. 3-12 , one embodiment of a solar energy collection system according to this invention is illustrated which may comprise severalindividual reflector units 30 oriented side-by-side, as discussed below with reference toFIG. 12 . Thereflector unit 30 is initially generally described, followed by a discussion of individual aspects of the design. - The
reflector unit 30 includes aframe 32 havingopposed side walls end walls FIG. 3 . The walls 34-40 are preferably formed of aluminum or other light-weight, weather resistant and durable material. Theframe 32 is reinforced by atruss structure 42, a portion of which is shown inFIGS. 3 and 12 , which is also preferably formed of aluminum or similar material. Thetruss structure 42 andframe 32 may be supported above ground level bypylons 44 secured on a foundation such as concrete footers (not shown) that can support the weight of theunit 30 and wind loading applied to it. As described in detail below with reference toFIGS. 10 and 11 , theframe 32 andtruss structure 42 are pivotally mounted to thepylons 44 and may be tilted by operation of adrive mechanism 46 including adrive motor 48. - The
frame 32 mounts a number ofsolar panels 50 and asecondary reflector 52 which collectively form the structure for receivingincident sunlight 53 from thesun 55 and reflecting it onto areceiver tube 54 located in a fixed position at the centerline 56 (SeeFIG. 7 ) of theframe 32. Thesolar panels 50 extend between theend walls receiver tube 54 in a direction toward theside walls secondary reflector 52 is located above thesolar panels 50, as discussed below, and is supported in that position at each end byrods 58 andtension wires 60 extending from theframe 32. - Referring now to
FIGS. 4 and 5 , asolar panel 50 according to this invention is shown in greater detail. Eachsolar panel 50 is generally rectangular in shape having opposed side edges 62, 64 and opposed end edges 66, 68. Thepanels 50 have a slight concave curvature in a direction from oneside edge 62 to theother side edge 64, which may be slightly different from onepanel 50 to another as described below. Eachpanel 50 comprises abase section 70, atop section 72 and an intermediate section 74 sandwiched between thesections base section 70 is preferably formed of a honeycomb aluminum, or similar light-weight, weather resistant and durable material that may be bent in the slight curvature noted above and shown inFIG. 4 . Thetop section 72 is preferably a highly-reflective, silver-metallized film comprising multiple layers of polymer film with an inner layer of pure silver to provide areflective surface 76 having high specular reflectance. One suitable material fortop section 72 is commercially available from ReflecTech, Inc. of Wheat Ridge, Colo. under the trademark “ReflecTech” solar film. The intermediate layer 74 is preferably a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive. Layer 74 may be affixed on one side to thetop section 72 and provided with a peel-off backing (not shown) which is removed prior to attachment to thebase section 70. - The
receiver tube 54 is a component employed in prior art solar collection systems and is readily commercially available. As shown inFIG. 6 , it comprises a hollow,stainless steel housing 78 having a solar-selective absorber surface surrounded by an anti-reflective, evacuatedglass sleeve 80. Typically, thehousing 78 has a length of 4 meters and a diameter of 70 mm, and the glass sleeve is 115 mm in diameter. A heat transfer fluid such as oil or water is circulated through thehousing 78 where it is heated by reflected sunlight, as discussed below. Thereceiver tube 54 has glass-to-metal seals and metal bellows (not shown) to accommodate differing rates of thermal expansion between thestainless steel housing 78 andglass sleeve 80, and to help maintain the vacuum-tight enclosure. This reduces heat losses at high operating temperatures and protects the solar-select absorber surface of thehousing 78 from oxidation. - The
solar panels 50 andsecondary reflector 52 collectively function todirect incident sunlight 53 onto thereceiver tube 54 to elevate the temperature of heat transfer fluid circulating within thereceiver tube 54 to a level sufficient to operate a steam generator (not shown) for the production of electricity. The positioning of thesolar panels 50 with respect to thesecondary reflector 52, and the configuration of thesecondary reflector 52, are both important in maximizing the efficiency of thereflector unit 30. The discussion that follows concerns this aspect of the present invention. - A parabola is a geometric shape defined by the locus of points that are equidistant from a point (the focus) and a focal line (directrix) that lie in the same plane. Reflective surfaces having the shape of a parabola have been commonly used in solar power collection systems because incident sunlight may be reflected to collection device located at the focus or directrix of the parabola. The
unit 30 of the present invention is designed to take advantage of this property of a parabola, but in a much more efficient, less expensive and practical manner than taught in the prior art. - Referring now to
FIG. 7 , an end view of theframe 32 and itsend wall 40 is shown with thereceiver tube 54 depicted within anopening 82 formed in theframe end wall 40, substantially concentric to theframe centerline 56, and thesecondary reflector 52 located at a position spaced from thereceiver tube 54. Afirst array 84 ofsolar panels 50 extends from thereceiver tube 54 to theside wall 34 offrame 32, and asecond array 86 ofsolar panels 50 is mounted between thereceiver tube 54 andside wall 36. The end edges 66 and 68 of eachpanel 50 are secured in a fixed position to anend wall frame 32 by fasteners or other suitable means such as the provision of recesses in theend walls 38, 40 (not shown). Thesolar panels 50 in eacharray secondary reflector 52 so as to directincident sunlight 53 to a focal line or directrix that is coincident with thesurface 96 ofsecondary reflector 52. As seen inFIG. 7 , the angle of thesolar panels 50 increases from thecenterline 56 offrame 32 outwardly to itsside walls panel 50 relative to thesecondary reflector 52 is chosen to closely approximate the orientation of each of a number ofdiscrete segments 90 “sliced” from acontinuous parabola 92, as schematically depicted inFIG. 8 . In essence, thesolar panels 50 in eacharray parabola 92 which are separated from one another, and then individually affixed to theframe 32. Consequently, thesolar panels 50 collectively form a reflective, substantially parabolic-shapedsurface 94 whose focus anddirectrix 95 are substantially coincident with thesecondary reflector 52. - It should be understood that in a true parabola the distance from every point along its surface to the focal point of the parabola is the same. When a parabola is “cut” into
segments 90, e.g. discretesolar panels 50, and then individually mounted to theframe 32 as contemplated in this invention, there must be at least some spacing between the side edges 62, 64 of adjacentsolar panels 50 to facilitate mounting and to avoid shadowing or overlap between them. SeeFIG. 7 . The spacing betweenpanels 50, and their linear orientation along theframe 32, both contribute to a change in the distance from the center of eachpanel 50 to the focus and directrix. Consequently, a slight concave curvature is required in eachpanel 50, which differs from onepanel 50 to another depending on its angulation relative to thesecondary reflector 52, in order to ensure that the individual focal point of eachpanel 50 is substantially the same. Such curvature may be calculated using the standard mathematical equation defining a parabola, namely: -
y=x 2/4f - Where: f=the focal point
-
- x=horizontal distance from the center
- y=vertical distance
- As noted above, the first and
second arrays solar panels 50 collectively form aparabolic surface 94 that reflects incident light to a focus or directrix. Thesecondary reflector 52 is located along the directrix or focal line ofsurface 94 and is constructed to reflect the light fromsurface 94 onto thereceiver tube 54 to elevate the temperature of heat transfer fluid circulating therein. In one presently preferred embodiment, thesecondary reflector 52 is approximately 200 mm to 250 mm in width with areflective surface 96 in the shape of a hyperbola. The exact geometry of thereflective surface 96 is derived from the Cassegrain Equations for a primary parabolic-shaped reflective surface, which, in this instance, is theparabolic surface 94 collectively formed by thesolar panels 50, and a secondary hyperboloid reflective surface. Thesecondary reflector 52 may be constructed of a honeycomb panel having the appropriate shape noted above connected by an adhesive layer to the same material that forms the top section 74 ofsolar panels 50. - Referring now to
FIGS. 9-11 , it is advantageous for thesolar panels 50 to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the position of thesun 55 throughout the course of a day in order to maximize the efficiency with which the sunlight is reflected to thesecondary reflector 52, and, in turn, to thereceiver tube 54.FIG. 9 illustrates this pivotal movement offrame 32, and, in turn, thesolar panels 50 andsecondary reflector 52, during daylight hours. Such pivotal movement is about an axis which is generally coincident with thecenterline 56 of theframe 32. - With reference to
FIGS. 10 and 1 , and as noted briefly above, theframe 32 is pivoted by adrive mechanism 46 including amotor 48. In the presently preferred embodiment, asupport frame 98 is connected to apylon 44 which rotatably mounts threerollers drive wheel 106 which is connected by alink chain 108, or other suitable drive means such as a belt, to the output shaft ofmotor 48. Thedrive wheel 106 is connected by aplate 110 to therods 58 which support thesecondary reflector 52 at one end, and connect to theframe 32 at the opposite end. In response to operation of themotor 48, thedrive wheel 106 rotates with respect to the rollers 100-104. Therods 58 andframe 32 rotate with thedrive wheel 106, thus pivoting relative to thepylons 44 to assume the positions shown inFIG. 9 . - In the presently preferred embodiment, the
receiver tube 54 remains in a fixed position with respect to theframe 32 anddrive wheel 106 throughout the pivotal motion of theframe 32. As described above, thereceiver tube 54 extends through anopening 82 formed in eachend wall frame 32. The protruding end ofreceiver tube 54 enters abore 111 formed in theplate 110, and acentral bore 112 formed in thedrive wheel 106 where it is received and supported by abearing 114 that allows thereceiver tube 54 to remain in a fixed position during rotation of thedrive wheel 106. This construction has the advantage of allowing thereceiver tube 54 to be connected to a fixedtransfer conduit 114, shown inFIG. 3 , coupled to a steam generator (not shown). Consequently, the expensive and leak-prone connections between the moving receiver tubes and transfer conduits employed in the prior art, and shown, for example, inFIG. 2 , are eliminated in this invention. - The solar energy collection system of this invention is modular in construction. As shown in
FIG. 12 , a number ofindividual reflector units 30 depicted inFIG. 3 and described above may be located side-by-side to increase capacity and overall efficiency of the solar field. In such arrangements, adrive mechanism 46 may be located in betweenadjacent units 30 such that each end of the output shaft ofmotor 48 may be coupled to thedrive wheel 106 of one of theunits 30 in the manner described above in connection with a discussion ofFIGS. 10 and 11 . Further, thereceiver tube 54 of oneunit 30 may be coupled to thereceiver tube 54 of anadjacent unit 30 to transmit heat transfer fluid to one or more conduits (not shown) for the combined collection system. - In another aspect of this invention, an in-ground sprinkler system 116 is provided to help clean the
reflective surface 94 of thesolar panels 50 and thesurface 96 of thesecondary reflector 52. As schematically depicted inFIG. 13 , one or more first sprinkler heads 118 connected to a source of water (not shown) are positioned to directstreams 119 of water onto thefirst array 84 ofsolar panels 50 and a portion of thesecondary reflector 52 with theunit 30 in position prior to sunrise, and one or more second sprinkler heads 120direct streams 121 of water onto thesecond array 86 ofsolar panels 50 and the remainder of thesecondary reflector 52 when thereflector unit 30 moves to its position at the end of a day. Maintaining the collectivereflective surface 94 of thesolar panels 50, and thesurface 96 of thesecondary reflector 52, clean significantly increases the overall efficiency of thereflector unit 30. - An alternative embodiment of a solar energy collection system having one or
more reflector units 122 according to this invention is illustrated inFIGS. 14-17 . Thereflector unit 122 is similar toreflector unit 30 in many respects except for the addition of structure that permits adjustment of the position of solar panels about a second axis. As discussed above, theframe 32 andsolar panels 50 of theunit 30 are pivoted as illustrated inFIG. 9 about an axis generally coincident with thecenterline 56 of theframe 32. Such motion is in an easterly to westerly direction consistent with the apparent movement of thesun 55 across the sky during the daylight hours. As is well known, the earth tilts on its axis during the course of a year causing the change of seasons and altering the angle of inclination of the sun's rays. Theunit 122 of this embodiment of the present invention is designed to not only track the sun's daily path but its annual inclination. - The
same frame 32 described above is employed inunit 122, but instead of elongatedsolar panels 50 extending between theframe side walls solar panels 124 are provided. Thesolar panels 124 are divided into groups, and each group ofpanels 124 essentially takes the place of a singlesolar panel 50 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 3-13 . As best seen inFIG. 14 , one group ofseveral panels 124 is mounted within each of a number ofsub-frames 126, e.g. a generally rectangular-shaped structure having opposed ends and opposed sides. Thesesub-frames 126 are secured in the same fixed positions to theside walls frame 32, and at the same angles, assolar panels 50 described above. In one embodiment, thepanels 124 within each group may be coupled to a threadedshaft 128, which, in turn, is rotatably mounted to the end walls of asub-frame 126. Alever arm 130 may extend from eachpanel 124 and connect to an internally threadedsleeve 132 which threads onto theshaft 128. In response to rotation of ashaft 128, either manually by turning aknob 134 or by operation of a motor (not shown), thesleeves 132 move axially along theshafts 128 causing thepanels 124 to tilt. SeeFIGS. 15 and 16 . The direction of rotation of theshaft 128 determines the direction of tilting of thepanels 124. In this manner, thepanels 124 may be tilted in a northerly direction or in a southerly direction according the angle of inclination of thesun 55. The remainder of the structure and operation of thesystem 122 is essentially the same as that described above in connection with a discussion ofreflector unit 30. - While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
- For example, the
receiver tube 54 is depicted inFIGS. 7 , 9, 13 and 14 as being positioned at the center offrame 32 and substantially concentric to itscenterline 56. As shown inFIGS. 3 , 10 and 12, thereceiver tube 54 may also be located slightly above the center offrame 32. In both instances, thereceiver tube 54 is located at substantially the center of rotation of theframe 32 and generally at the center of gravity of thereflector unit 30. - Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (33)
1. A solar energy collector system, comprising:
at least one frame;
a number of solar panels each having a reflective surface, said solar panels being mounted to said at least one frame in position to reflect sunlight incident on said reflective surface thereof;
a receiver tube within which a heat transfer fluid is circulated;
a secondary reflector positioned so as to receive sunlight reflected from said solar panels and to reflect said sunlight onto said receiver tube to heat the heat transfer fluid therein.
2. The system of claim 1 in which said at least one frame comprises opposed end walls and opposed side walls interconnected to form a substantially planar structure having a centerline, said receiver tube being concentrically disposed about said centerline.
3. The system of claim 2 in which said solar panels are arranged in a first array extending from said receiver tube to one of said side walls, and a second array extending from said receiver tube to the other of said side walls, each of said solar panels in both said first and second arrays having a first end fixed to one of said end walls and a second end fixed to the other of said end walls.
4. The system of claim 3 in which said solar panels in said first array and said second array each have opposed side edges extending between said first and second ends thereof, said solar panels in each of said first array and said second array being oriented side-by-side with a space between the side edge of adjacent solar panels.
5. The system of claim 3 in which said solar panels in each of said first array and said second array are oriented at an angle with respect to said secondary reflector, the angle of each solar panel within said first and second arrays progressively increasing from said centerline of said frame to said opposed side walls thereof.
6. The system of claim 5 in which said angulation of said solar panels in said first array and in said second array collectively form a surface having a shape approximating that of a parabola with a focal line substantially coincident with said secondary reflector.
7. The system of claim 1 in which each of said at least one frame comprises a number of frames located side-by-side, each of said frames mounting a number of said solar panels.
8. The system of claim 1 in which each of said solar panels comprises a first section formed of honeycomb aluminum, a second section having said reflective surface and a third section connecting said first section to said second section.
9. The system of claim 8 in which said first section of honeycomb aluminum has opposed ends and opposed sides, said first section being formed in a concave shape between said opposed sides.
10. The system of claim 1 in which said at least one frame is pivoted to track the movement of the sun during the course of a day, said frame being pivoted relative to said receiver tube which is mounted in a fixed position.
11. The system of claim 10 further including a conduit connected to said receiver tube, said conduit being mounted in a fixed position relative to said frame.
12. The system of claim 1 in which said frame has opposed end walls and opposed side walls interconnected to one another, said receiver tube and said secondary reflector extending between said opposed end walls of said frame.
13. The system of claim 12 in which said secondary reflector directs reflected sunlight along substantially the entire extent of said receiver tube.
14. A solar energy collector system, comprising:
at least one frame;
a number of solar panels, each of said solar panels including a first section formed of a light-weight honeycomb structure, a second section having a reflective surface and a third section connecting said first and second sections, said solar panels being mounted to said at least one frame in position to reflect sunlight incident on said reflective surfaces thereof;
a receiver tube within which a heat transfer fluid is circulated;
a secondary reflector positioned so as to receive sunlight reflected from said solar panels and to reflect said sunlight onto said receiver tube to heat the heat transfer fluid therein.
15. The system of claim 14 in which said light-weight honeycomb structure is honeycomb aluminum.
16. The system of claim 14 in which said first section has opposed ends and opposed sides, said first section being formed in a concave shape between said opposed sides.
17. A solar energy collector device, comprising:
at least one frame;
a number of solar panels each having a reflective surface, said solar panels being mounted to said at least one frame in position to reflect sunlight incident on said reflective surface thereof;
a receiver tube within which a heat transfer fluid is circulated;
a secondary reflector supported by said frame in position to receive sunlight reflected from said solar panels and to reflect said sunlight onto said receiver tube to heat the heat transfer fluid therein;
a drive mechanism operative to pivot said at least one frame between a first position in which said solar panels face in a substantially easterly direction, and a second position in which said solar panels face in a substantially westerly direction;
a washing system operative to apply water onto a first array of said solar panels and onto at least a portion of said secondary reflector when said at least one frame is in said first position, and to apply water onto a second array of said solar panels and onto at least one other portion of said secondary reflector when said at least one frame is in said second position.
18. The system of claim 17 in which said washing system is an in-ground sprinkler system having sprinkler heads effective to direct water onto said solar panels and onto said secondary reflector.
19. A solar energy collector device, comprising:
at least one frame including opposed side walls and opposed end walls interconnected to one another, said frame being pivotal between a first position and a second position;
a receiver tube within which a heat transfer fluid is circulated, said at least one frame being pivotal relative to said receiver tube;
a number of solar panels each having a reflective surface, said solar panels being mounted to said at least one frame in position to reflect sunlight incident on said reflective surface thereof;
a secondary reflector positioned so as to receive sunlight reflected from said solar panels and to reflect said sunlight onto said receiver tube to heat the heat transfer fluid therein.
20. The system of claim 19 further including a conduit coupled to said receiver tube, said conduit being mounted in a fixed position relative to said frame.
21. The system of claim 19 in which said at least one frame comprises a number of frames oriented end-to-end, said receiver tube associated with each frame being coupled to said receiver tube associated with an adjacent frame.
22. The system of claim 19 in which each of said end walls of said at least one frame is formed with a bore, said receiver tube extending between said end walls and within said bore therein.
23. A solar energy collector system, comprising:
at least one frame including opposed end walls and opposed side walls interconnected to one another;
a number of shafts pivotally supported by said at least one frame, said shafts being spaced from one another in a direction from one end wall to the other end wall of said at least one frame;
a number of solar panels fixed to each of said shafts in position to reflect sunlight incident on a reflective surface of said solar panels;
a receiver tube within which a heat transfer fluid is circulated;
a secondary reflector positioned so as to receive sunlight reflected from said solar panels and to reflect said sunlight onto said receiver tube to heat the heat transfer fluid therein;
a first drive mechanism operative to pivot said at least one frame between a first position in which said solar panels face in a substantially easterly direction, and a second position in which said solar panels face in a substantially westerly direction;
a second drive mechanism coupled to said shafts, said second drive mechanism being effective to pivot said shafts to orient said solar panels at different positions in a generally northerly direction and in a generally southerly direction according to the angle of incidence of the sun.
24. The system of claim 23 in which each of said solar panels collectively form a surface having a shape approximating that of a parabola with a focal line substantially coincident with said secondary reflector.
25. The system of claim 23 in which each of said solar panels comprises a first section formed of honeycomb aluminum, a second section having said reflective surface and a third section connecting said first section to said second section.
26. The system of claim 23 in which said first section of honeycomb aluminum has opposed ends and opposed sides, said first section being formed in a concave shape between said opposed sides.
27. A solar energy collector system, comprising:
a number of reflector units oriented side-by-side, each of said reflector units comprising:
(i) a frame;
(ii) a number of solar panels each having a reflective surface, said solar panels being mounted to said frame in position to reflect sunlight incident on said reflective surface thereof;
(iii) a receiver tube within which a heat transfer fluid is circulated;
(iv) a secondary reflector positioned so as to receive sunlight reflected from said solar panels and to reflect said sunlight onto said receiver tube to heat the heat transfer fluid therein.
28. The system of claim 27 in which said frame of each of said reflector units comprises opposed end walls and opposed side walls interconnected to form a substantially planar structure having a centerline, said receiver tube being concentrically disposed about said centerline.
29. The system of claim 27 in which said solar panels of each of said reflector units collectively form a surface having a shape approximating that of a parabola with a focal line substantially coincident with said secondary reflector.
30. The system of claim 27 in which each of said solar panels comprises a first section formed of a honeycomb aluminum, a second section having said reflective surface and a third section connecting said first layer to said second layer.
31. The system of claim 30 in which said first section of honeycomb aluminum has opposed ends and opposed sides, said first section being formed in a concave shape between said opposed sides.
32. The system of claim 1 in which said frame is pivoted to track the movement of the sun during the course of a day, said frame being pivotal relative to said receiver tube which is mounted in a fixed position.
33. The system of claim 27 in which said receiver tube of each of said reflector units is coupled to said receiver tube of at least one adjacent reflector unit.
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/198,219 US20100051015A1 (en) | 2008-08-26 | 2008-08-26 | Linear solar energy collection system |
PCT/US2008/078520 WO2010024830A1 (en) | 2008-08-26 | 2008-10-02 | Linear solar energy collection system |
US12/344,825 US20100051018A1 (en) | 2008-08-26 | 2008-12-29 | Linear solar energy collection system with secondary and tertiary reflectors |
US12/770,194 US20100205963A1 (en) | 2008-08-26 | 2010-04-29 | Concentrated solar power generation system with distributed generation |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/198,219 US20100051015A1 (en) | 2008-08-26 | 2008-08-26 | Linear solar energy collection system |
Related Child Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/344,825 Continuation-In-Part US20100051018A1 (en) | 2008-08-26 | 2008-12-29 | Linear solar energy collection system with secondary and tertiary reflectors |
US12/770,194 Continuation-In-Part US20100205963A1 (en) | 2008-08-26 | 2010-04-29 | Concentrated solar power generation system with distributed generation |
Publications (1)
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US12/198,219 Abandoned US20100051015A1 (en) | 2008-08-26 | 2008-08-26 | Linear solar energy collection system |
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US20080308091A1 (en) * | 2007-06-15 | 2008-12-18 | Corio Ronald P | Single Axis Solar Tracking System |
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US20110214666A1 (en) * | 2008-11-18 | 2011-09-08 | Deutsches Zentrum Fur Luft-Und Raumfahrt E.V. | Fixed focus parabolic trough collector |
US20110284055A1 (en) * | 2010-05-24 | 2011-11-24 | Cogenra Solar, Inc. | Concentrating solar energy collector |
CN102589158A (en) * | 2012-03-16 | 2012-07-18 | 浙江大学 | Coaxial light-gathering secondary reflection groove type solar natural circulation heat-collecting device |
US20130092154A1 (en) * | 2011-10-18 | 2013-04-18 | Gear Solar | Apparatuses and methods for providing a secondary reflector on a solar collector system |
US20130285595A1 (en) * | 2011-09-30 | 2013-10-31 | Day and Night Solar, LLC | Portable solar panel power source |
CN103939873A (en) * | 2014-03-27 | 2014-07-23 | 浙江大学 | Flat plate natural circulation solar energy medium and high temperature heat collection device based on Fresnel condensation |
US20140318531A1 (en) * | 2011-12-29 | 2014-10-30 | Evgeny Vyacheslavovich KOMRAKOV | Device for concentrating energy |
US20190068111A1 (en) * | 2017-08-31 | 2019-02-28 | King Abdulaziz University | Solar carport module |
US10358359B2 (en) | 2016-09-16 | 2019-07-23 | International Business Machines Corporation | Solar-thermal water purification by recycling photovoltaic reflection losses |
US10378792B2 (en) | 2016-09-16 | 2019-08-13 | International Business Machines Corporation | Hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic energy collection |
CN110271445A (en) * | 2019-07-05 | 2019-09-24 | 无锡旭浦能源科技有限公司 | New-energy automobile intelligent charging system and its method based on photovoltaic energy storage |
US10480827B2 (en) * | 2015-05-14 | 2019-11-19 | Toyo Engineering Corporation | Solar heat collector |
US20200370788A1 (en) * | 2016-06-24 | 2020-11-26 | Alliance For Sustainable Energy, Llc | Secondary reflectors for solar collectors and methods of making the same |
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EP2565553A1 (en) * | 2011-09-05 | 2013-03-06 | Areva Solar, Inc | Solar energy collector comprising a washing system and washing method |
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Cited By (22)
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US20080308091A1 (en) * | 2007-06-15 | 2008-12-18 | Corio Ronald P | Single Axis Solar Tracking System |
US8459249B2 (en) * | 2007-06-15 | 2013-06-11 | Ronald P. Corio | Single axis solar tracking system |
US20110214666A1 (en) * | 2008-11-18 | 2011-09-08 | Deutsches Zentrum Fur Luft-Und Raumfahrt E.V. | Fixed focus parabolic trough collector |
US20100154888A1 (en) * | 2008-12-18 | 2010-06-24 | Sk Energy Gmbh | Solar Module and Solar Device |
US20110284055A1 (en) * | 2010-05-24 | 2011-11-24 | Cogenra Solar, Inc. | Concentrating solar energy collector |
US8669462B2 (en) * | 2010-05-24 | 2014-03-11 | Cogenra Solar, Inc. | Concentrating solar energy collector |
US9246035B2 (en) * | 2011-09-30 | 2016-01-26 | Day and Night Solar, LLC | Portable solar panel power source |
US20130285595A1 (en) * | 2011-09-30 | 2013-10-31 | Day and Night Solar, LLC | Portable solar panel power source |
US20130092154A1 (en) * | 2011-10-18 | 2013-04-18 | Gear Solar | Apparatuses and methods for providing a secondary reflector on a solar collector system |
US20140318531A1 (en) * | 2011-12-29 | 2014-10-30 | Evgeny Vyacheslavovich KOMRAKOV | Device for concentrating energy |
CN102589158A (en) * | 2012-03-16 | 2012-07-18 | 浙江大学 | Coaxial light-gathering secondary reflection groove type solar natural circulation heat-collecting device |
CN103939873A (en) * | 2014-03-27 | 2014-07-23 | 浙江大学 | Flat plate natural circulation solar energy medium and high temperature heat collection device based on Fresnel condensation |
US10480827B2 (en) * | 2015-05-14 | 2019-11-19 | Toyo Engineering Corporation | Solar heat collector |
US20200370788A1 (en) * | 2016-06-24 | 2020-11-26 | Alliance For Sustainable Energy, Llc | Secondary reflectors for solar collectors and methods of making the same |
US11644219B2 (en) * | 2016-06-24 | 2023-05-09 | Alliance For Sustainable Energy, Llc | Secondary reflectors for solar collectors and methods of making the same |
US10358359B2 (en) | 2016-09-16 | 2019-07-23 | International Business Machines Corporation | Solar-thermal water purification by recycling photovoltaic reflection losses |
US10378792B2 (en) | 2016-09-16 | 2019-08-13 | International Business Machines Corporation | Hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic energy collection |
US10829391B2 (en) | 2016-09-16 | 2020-11-10 | International Business Machines Corporation | Solar-thermal water purification by recycling photovoltaic reflection losses |
US11118815B2 (en) | 2016-09-16 | 2021-09-14 | International Business Machines Corporation | Hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic energy collection |
US20190068111A1 (en) * | 2017-08-31 | 2019-02-28 | King Abdulaziz University | Solar carport module |
US10554167B2 (en) * | 2017-08-31 | 2020-02-04 | King Abdulaziz University | Solar carport module |
CN110271445A (en) * | 2019-07-05 | 2019-09-24 | 无锡旭浦能源科技有限公司 | New-energy automobile intelligent charging system and its method based on photovoltaic energy storage |
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