CA2569981A1 - Solar energy collecting apparatus - Google Patents
Solar energy collecting apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2569981A1 CA2569981A1 CA002569981A CA2569981A CA2569981A1 CA 2569981 A1 CA2569981 A1 CA 2569981A1 CA 002569981 A CA002569981 A CA 002569981A CA 2569981 A CA2569981 A CA 2569981A CA 2569981 A1 CA2569981 A1 CA 2569981A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- solar energy
- frame
- focusing means
- collector
- solar
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G6/00—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy
- F03G6/06—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy with solar energy concentrating means
- F03G6/068—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy with solar energy concentrating means having other power cycles, e.g. Stirling or transcritical, supercritical cycles; combined with other power sources, e.g. wind, gas or nuclear
-
- 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
- F24S10/70—Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed through tubular absorbing conduits
-
- 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
- F24S23/30—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with lenses
- F24S23/31—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with lenses having discontinuous faces, e.g. Fresnel lenses
-
- 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
- F24S23/77—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors with flat reflective plates
-
- 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
-
- 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
- F24S30/452—Vertical primary axis
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F02G2254/00—Heat inputs
- F02G2254/30—Heat inputs using solar radiation
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F02G2290/00—Engines characterised by the use of a particular power transfer medium, e.g. Helium
-
- 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
- F24S2030/17—Spherical joints
-
- 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
- F24S25/10—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules extending in directions away from a supporting surface
-
- 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
- F24S25/10—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules extending in directions away from a supporting surface
- F24S25/13—Profile arrangements, e.g. trusses
-
- 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
- Y02E10/46—Conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling or solar thermal engines
-
- 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
-
- 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
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Optical Elements Other Than Lenses (AREA)
- Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
Description
I i li i II I I
This invention relates to apparatus for collecting solar energy and more particularly to an apparatus which includes a number of lenses and mirrors for concentrating the sun's rays onto a single focal point and for converting the energy at the focal point into thermal and mechanical energy.
Devices are well known for collecting solar energy and converting the energy into other forms such as mechanical and thermal energy. Examples of such devices are described in U.S.
patents no. 4,297,521 and 4,284,839 both to Steven A. Johnson. Known devices have a number of shortcomings among which are lack of easy mobility and complicated construction with resulting high cost of production.
I have invented a solar collector which is very simple of construction with resulting easy mobility and relatively low cost. Briefly my solar collector comprises: a frame; a solar energy collector mounted to the frame; a plurality of focusing means each mounted to the frame and immovable relative to each other; the focusing means being arranged such that when any one of the focusing means receives solar energy, the remaining focusing means likewise receive solar energy; and a plurality of mirror means mounted to the frame, each mirror means being mounted to reflect solar energy from a separate focusing means onto the solar energy collector.
The solar collector of the invention is described with reference to the accompanying photographs in which:
Figures 1 to 6 are perspective views of the solar collector from various angles; and . i i Figures 7 to 9 are perspectives view of the solar collector and the apparatus for converting solar energy into thermal energy.
Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the description of the photographs.
With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the solar collector of the invention, generally 10, has a frame 12 in the shape of a pyramid having a generally rectangular base 14 and outwardly extending channel-shaped side bars 16. The side bars commence adjacent to the four corners of the base, slope inwardly toward each other and terminate at an apex 18.
With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the base consists of a frame 20 within which are mounted four focusing means in the form of lenses 22. Each lens has a circular outer periphery mounted in a circular case 24. The four lenses are immovably mounted side by side one another such that the outer periphery of each lens lies in the same imaginary plane 26 as the like periphery of the remaining lenses.
With reference to Figures 5 and 6, mounted to each of the four bars 16 is a mirror 30.
Each mirror receives a light beam from a separate lens and reflects the beam onto a single focal point of apparatus, generally 40.
Other means may be used for focusing the light beam onto mirrors 30 other than lenses 22. For example, mirrors may be substituted for lenses 22 in which case they may be oriented such that they reflect the light beams directly on apparatus 40. In such case, mirrors 30 may be dispensed with altogether.
This invention relates to apparatus for collecting solar energy and more particularly to an apparatus which includes a number of lenses and mirrors for concentrating the sun's rays onto a single focal point and for converting the energy at the focal point into thermal and mechanical energy.
Devices are well known for collecting solar energy and converting the energy into other forms such as mechanical and thermal energy. Examples of such devices are described in U.S.
patents no. 4,297,521 and 4,284,839 both to Steven A. Johnson. Known devices have a number of shortcomings among which are lack of easy mobility and complicated construction with resulting high cost of production.
I have invented a solar collector which is very simple of construction with resulting easy mobility and relatively low cost. Briefly my solar collector comprises: a frame; a solar energy collector mounted to the frame; a plurality of focusing means each mounted to the frame and immovable relative to each other; the focusing means being arranged such that when any one of the focusing means receives solar energy, the remaining focusing means likewise receive solar energy; and a plurality of mirror means mounted to the frame, each mirror means being mounted to reflect solar energy from a separate focusing means onto the solar energy collector.
The solar collector of the invention is described with reference to the accompanying photographs in which:
Figures 1 to 6 are perspective views of the solar collector from various angles; and . i i Figures 7 to 9 are perspectives view of the solar collector and the apparatus for converting solar energy into thermal energy.
Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the description of the photographs.
With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the solar collector of the invention, generally 10, has a frame 12 in the shape of a pyramid having a generally rectangular base 14 and outwardly extending channel-shaped side bars 16. The side bars commence adjacent to the four corners of the base, slope inwardly toward each other and terminate at an apex 18.
With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the base consists of a frame 20 within which are mounted four focusing means in the form of lenses 22. Each lens has a circular outer periphery mounted in a circular case 24. The four lenses are immovably mounted side by side one another such that the outer periphery of each lens lies in the same imaginary plane 26 as the like periphery of the remaining lenses.
With reference to Figures 5 and 6, mounted to each of the four bars 16 is a mirror 30.
Each mirror receives a light beam from a separate lens and reflects the beam onto a single focal point of apparatus, generally 40.
Other means may be used for focusing the light beam onto mirrors 30 other than lenses 22. For example, mirrors may be substituted for lenses 22 in which case they may be oriented such that they reflect the light beams directly on apparatus 40. In such case, mirrors 30 may be dispensed with altogether.
2 With reference to Figures 7 - 9, apparatus 40 serves to converting solar energy into thermal energy. The apparatus has a tube 42 composed of clear glass which is surrounded by an insulating sheath except for one small area or point which serves as the focal point 44 for the four beams of light reflected off the mirrors. The tube contains a fluid, preferably black motor oil. The fluid is heated by the solar energy and flows to a conventional heat exchanger 46 where the heat from the fluid is converted into thermal energy.
Preferably apparatus 40 is a Sterling engine in which case tube 42 contains gaseous hydrogen. The hydrogen is heated and caused to expand by the solar energy collected by the tube.
The heated and expanded hydrogen drives pistons mounted within casing 46 and the pistons drive crankshafts which activate a generator. Sterling engines are well known.
An apparatus for converting the solar energy to other forms of energy can be substituted for apparatus 40. For example the solar energy can be converted to electrical energy by means of a photo-electric cell.
With reference to Figure 3, the frame is mounted to an apparatus 50 for tracking the movement of the sun such that each lens remains focused on the sun as the sun moves across the sky. The tracking apparatus is conventional and is not described in this application.
It will be understood, of course, that modifications can be made in the apparatus described above without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed in the claims which follow.
Preferably apparatus 40 is a Sterling engine in which case tube 42 contains gaseous hydrogen. The hydrogen is heated and caused to expand by the solar energy collected by the tube.
The heated and expanded hydrogen drives pistons mounted within casing 46 and the pistons drive crankshafts which activate a generator. Sterling engines are well known.
An apparatus for converting the solar energy to other forms of energy can be substituted for apparatus 40. For example the solar energy can be converted to electrical energy by means of a photo-electric cell.
With reference to Figure 3, the frame is mounted to an apparatus 50 for tracking the movement of the sun such that each lens remains focused on the sun as the sun moves across the sky. The tracking apparatus is conventional and is not described in this application.
It will be understood, of course, that modifications can be made in the apparatus described above without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed in the claims which follow.
3
Claims (3)
1. A solar collector comprising:
(a) a frame;
(b) a solar energy collector mounted to said frame;
(c) a plurality of focusing means each mounted to said frame and immovable relative to each other; said focusing means being arranged such that when any one of said focusing means receives solar energy, the remaining said focusing means likewise receive solar energy; and (d) a plurality of mirror means mounted to said frame, each said mirror means mounted to reflect solar energy from a separate said focusing means onto said solar energy collector.
(a) a frame;
(b) a solar energy collector mounted to said frame;
(c) a plurality of focusing means each mounted to said frame and immovable relative to each other; said focusing means being arranged such that when any one of said focusing means receives solar energy, the remaining said focusing means likewise receive solar energy; and (d) a plurality of mirror means mounted to said frame, each said mirror means mounted to reflect solar energy from a separate said focusing means onto said solar energy collector.
2. The solar collector of claim 1 further including means for tracking the movement of the sun such that said focusing means remains focused on the sun as the sun moves across the sky.
3. The solar collector of claim 1 wherein said solar energy absorber is a Sterling engine.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002569981A CA2569981A1 (en) | 2006-12-05 | 2006-12-05 | Solar energy collecting apparatus |
| PCT/CA2007/002154 WO2008067643A1 (en) | 2006-12-05 | 2007-12-04 | Solar energy collecting apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002569981A CA2569981A1 (en) | 2006-12-05 | 2006-12-05 | Solar energy collecting apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2569981A1 true CA2569981A1 (en) | 2008-06-05 |
Family
ID=39491601
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002569981A Abandoned CA2569981A1 (en) | 2006-12-05 | 2006-12-05 | Solar energy collecting apparatus |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2569981A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2008067643A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITAN20130094A1 (en) * | 2013-05-15 | 2014-11-16 | Iside S R L | SOLAR TRACKING DEVICE AND CONCENTRATION FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS |
| GB2586062B (en) * | 2019-08-01 | 2023-11-01 | Solar Steam Ltd | Solar heating system |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1683266A (en) * | 1925-08-05 | 1928-09-04 | Lewis H Shipman | Solar heating apparatus |
| US2902028A (en) * | 1958-07-29 | 1959-09-01 | Arthur H Manly | Evaporation apparatus |
| US3869199A (en) * | 1973-12-13 | 1975-03-04 | Itek Corp | Solar energy absorber |
| US3982527A (en) * | 1974-01-02 | 1976-09-28 | Cheng Chen Yen | Method and apparatus for concentrating, harvesting and storing of solar energy |
| US4057048A (en) * | 1975-11-12 | 1977-11-08 | Maineline Sales Co., Inc. | Solar heat collector |
| US4188941A (en) * | 1978-07-14 | 1980-02-19 | Hopkins James R | Solar heating system |
| US4284839A (en) * | 1978-12-18 | 1981-08-18 | Johnson Steven A | Internal refractor focusing solar energy collector apparatus and method |
| US4297521A (en) * | 1978-12-18 | 1981-10-27 | Johnson Steven A | Focusing cover solar energy collector apparatus |
| US4303057A (en) * | 1979-08-16 | 1981-12-01 | Crandon Reba L | Swimming pool solar heater |
-
2006
- 2006-12-05 CA CA002569981A patent/CA2569981A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2007
- 2007-12-04 WO PCT/CA2007/002154 patent/WO2008067643A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2008067643A1 (en) | 2008-06-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |