CN101535736A - Synchronized solar concentrator array - Google Patents

Abstract

A solar energy collecting device includes a rotation axis to be mounted parallel to the earth's polar axis, a solar energy collector mounted for rotation around the rotation axis at a predetermined rotation speed, the solar energy collector defining a tilt angle with respect to the rotation axis, and a tilt angle adjustment mechanism for automatically and intermittently adjusting the tilt angle. Various configurations of the solar energy collector are possible, and the rotation speed may be one revolution per day or half a revolution per day depending on the solar energy collector configuration. Many drive modes are possible, including rotating continuously throughout a day or rotating during daylight hours and rotating backward or forward at night. The tilt angle adjustment mechanism includes a handle fixed to the solar energy collector and a tilt angle change guide.

Description

Synchronized solar concentrator array

Technical field

The present invention relates to solar energy collecting, and especially relate to daylight tracking and solar ray collecting and collection.

Background technology

Effectively utilize solar energy to become important research project.Various application have been invented to the solar energy of assembling or do not assemble.Main obstacles is a cost.There is not at present successful commercial sun applications.Recently solar panels is installed on the roof widely, yet, because solar panel uses the photovoltaic solar battery under the sun luminescent condition of not assembling, so solar panel is still expensive.The photovoltaic solar battery of being made by semi-conducting material such as silicon or GaAs is expensive component in the solar panel.Will use less solar cell if at first assemble sunlight, under the sunlight strength of assembling, also can improve the conversion efficiency of the sunlight of solar cell to electricity.

Solar collector can reduce the size and the cost of energy receiver.Yet solar collector need be followed the tracks of moving of the sun usually, tracking system huge often, complicated, expensive with insecure and be difficult to realize.One type solar tracking system uses double-axis tracking, wherein, needs around the continuous rotation of two uneven axles.The tracking system of another kind of type uses pole axis to follow the tracks of, and wherein, solar receiver or collector are around pole axis (axle that promptly is parallel to earth axis) rotation.For example, U.S. patent No.6284968 has described that " solar tracking system provides clockwise pole axis rotation with annual 366.25 constant speeds of changeing, and the annual one track rotation of changeing in the counterclockwise direction is provided.The bracing or strutting arrangement of track drive system tilts with 23.45 ° angle from polar drive system, and is constant, and the axle that this angle equals the earth favours the angle of axis of an orbit." (summary).U.S. patent No.5632823 has also described the solar tracking system that a kind of use pole axis is followed the tracks of, wherein, rule of thumb adjust angle of inclination (i.e. angle between sun gatherer and pole axis rotation): " sun shade perpendicular to the indicator of solar collector panel is used for suitably aiming at described panel.Selectively, measure the electric current and its maximum that produce by solar cell and shown that solar panel suitably aligns with the sun." (summary)

Summary of the invention

The present invention be directed to solar energy collecting equipment and system, it has been eliminated basically because the restriction of prior art or one or more problems that shortcoming causes.

The purpose of this invention is to provide the pole axis tracking system that is used for solar energy collecting, this pole axis tracking system has simple structure and easy to implement.

Characteristic that the present invention is other and advantage will be illustrated in description subsequently, and part will be apparent from described description, or can be recognized by enforcement of the present invention.Will realize and obtain purpose of the present invention and other advantages by the structure that in the description of being put down in writing and their claim and accompanying drawing, particularly points out.

For the advantage that obtains these and other and according to purpose of the present invention, as specifically being implemented and broadly describing, the invention provides a kind of solar energy collecting equipment, this solar energy collecting equipment comprises: rotating shaft; Be mounted for around the solar collector of rotating shaft rotation, this solar collector defines the angle of inclination with respect to rotating shaft; Be used for driving the driving mechanism that solar collector rotates around rotating shaft with predetermined rotary speed at least a portion of one day; And the bevel angle adjustment mechanism that is used for adjusting automatically and off and on the angle of inclination.The various configurations of solar collector are possible, and the configuration that depends on solar collector, the speed of rotation may be change every day one or every day half way around.The pattern of various drivings is possible: be included in that whole day is rotated continuously or time rotation and rotate to start position backward or forward and began rotation in second day again at night in the daytime.

The bevel angle adjustment mechanism of an embodiment has comprised handle and the angle change guide that is fixed to solar collector.

On the other hand, the invention provides a kind of solar energy collecting system, it comprises a plurality of such solar energy collecting equipment, and this system further comprises: pedestal, and the rotating shaft of a plurality of solar energy collecting equipment is installed on the pedestal; And the housing that is used to surround a plurality of solar energy collecting equipment.

On the other hand, the invention provides a kind of method that is used to collect solar energy, this method comprises: the pole axis that is parallel to the earth is installed rotating shaft; Installation is used for around the solar collector of rotating shaft rotation, and this solar collector defines the angle of inclination with respect to rotating shaft; In at least a portion of one day, rotate solar collector around rotating shaft with predetermined rotary speed; And automatically and off and on adjust the angle of inclination.

Be appreciated that above-mentioned describe, in general terms and following detailed are exemplary with illustrative, and be for further instruction of the present invention as requested is provided.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows solar energy collection unit according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows the solar energy collection unit that disposes selected according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 shows the solar energy collection unit of Fig. 1 when incident sunlight is partly stopped;

Fig. 4 show when incident sunlight be during from the direction that departs from desired angle, the solar energy collection unit of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is the overview of pole axis with any place of latitude θ;

Fig. 6 A is the partial top view of pole axis;

Fig. 6 B is the partial side view of the pole axis when east-west direction is watched;

Fig. 7 A shows and is installed on the pole axis, without any the solar energy collection unit that tilts;

Fig. 7 B shows and is installed on the pole axis, is used for the acclivitous solar energy collection unit of day-light saving time;

Fig. 7 C shows and is installed on the pole axis, is used for the downward-sloping solar energy collection unit of winter time;

Fig. 8 has shown the solar energy collection unit that has the connection handle thereon that is used for the angle of inclination adjustment according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 9 A, 9B and 9C are respectively top view, right view and the front views of angle change guide according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 9 D has shown the installation configuration that is used for angle change guide according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 is the front view with respect to the position of the solar energy collection unit with handle of angle change guide;

Figure 11 A and Figure 11 B illustrate top view and the right view that moves along the handle of angle change guide respectively;

Figure 12 shows the array of the solar energy collection unit under transparent lid;

Figure 13 shows the solar energy collection element with focused energy receiver;

Figure 14 shows when sunlight comes from different directions, the solar energy collection element of Figure 13;

Figure 15 shows the system that comprises the solar energy collection element shown in Figure 12, and wherein, whole housing tilts to the angle that equals latitude;

Figure 16 A-D has shown the solar energy collecting system of the handle with the rigid bodies of being connected to that is used for the angle of inclination adjustment according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 16 A is that perspective view and Figure 16 B-D are side views.

Figure 16 E has shown when being rotated to different orientation, the solar energy collecting system of Figure 16 A;

Figure 17 A-B has shown interchangeable angle change guide;

Figure 18 has shown the cross-sectional view of the snap close equipment of the rigid bodies that is used for installation diagram 16A on cross bar;

Figure 19 A-G has shown the alternate embodiments of handle and angle change guide, and Figure 19 A is a perspective view, and Figure 19 B-D is the side view of three vertical direction at zero angle of inclination and the side view of three vertical direction that Figure 19 E-G is the non-zero angle of inclination.

The specific embodiment

Embodiments of the invention provide a kind of solar energy collecting system that uses the pole axis tracking to follow the tracks of the sun.In one embodiment, solar energy collecting system is formed by a plurality of solar energy collection unit 300.As depicted in figs. 1 and 2, each solar energy collection unit 300 or 300 ' comprises solar collector 100 or 100 ', and this solar collector 100 or 100 ' receives sunlight and sunlight is guided to target energy gatherer 200 such as solar cell.Solar collector 100 in the embodiment in figure 1 be the collector of transmission-type such as lens, wherein, the target energy receiver 200 and the sun are on the opposite side of solar collector.Solar collector 100 ' in the embodiment of Fig. 2 be the reflection-type collector such as mirror, wherein the target energy receiver 200 and the sun are in the same side of solar collector.In two types solar energy collection unit 300 and 300 ', solar collector 100 and 100 ' and solar receiver 200 between spatial relationship fix.Because the gathering of the sun, such as the photovoltaic of assembling (CPV), solar receiver can have suitable cooling body as required for the application of particular type.

As another selection (not showing), solar energy collection unit can only comprise energy receiver and not have solar collector.In this disclosure, if a solar collector is arranged, term " solar energy receiving surface " is meant the surface of solar collector; If there is not solar collector, term " solar energy receiving surface " is meant the surface of target energy receiver.The solar energy collection unit 300 of using Fig. 1 in the following description as an example, unless but point out that especially otherwise same principle also is applicable to the solar energy collection unit 300 ' of Fig. 2.

As shown in Figure 1, sunlight 90 is radiated on the collector 100 with predetermined incident angle δ, and collector 100 guides to sunlight 90 on the target energy receiver 200.For the collection of the solar flux of maximum, usually preferred incident angle δ is zero, and promptly sunshine is perpendicular to the surface of collector 100.Yet any other incident angle δ also is can be received according to the design of system.For specific application, need be on energy receiver illumination uniformly, for example when photovoltaic (PV) when battery is used as energy receiver, collector 100 preferably can guide to incident sunlight 90 on the target energy receiver 200 haply equably, even when the surface of collector 100 is partly stopped.Fig. 3 shows the such situation to the solar energy collection unit 300 of Fig. 1, wherein, have only the part of collector 100 to be exposed in the sunlight and collector 100 guides to target energy receiver 200 to uneven sunlight 90, so that it is incident upon on the target energy receiver basically uniformly.Preferably, such homogeneity is present on the whole 2 dimension surfaces of collector.The collector of the non-imaging that suitably is designed can be realized such function.

Solar energy collection unit is installed in the position that is used to follow the tracks of the sun on the tracking structure.Solar energy collection unit 300 may be allowed the certain errors scope in tracking.As shown in Figure 4, when incident sunlight 90 is radiated on the collector 100 with the incident angle Δ of the predetermined incident angle δ that is different from Fig. 1 and shows, described target still receives whole or most light energy, if departing from of incidence angle is in the limited field of design.Though this loss that may or may not cause the sunlight energy according to the design of gatherer, the specific error margin that it provides system's design and has operated of departing from.

The principle that pole axis coordinate system and pole axis are followed the tracks of is described below.Fig. 5 is the overview that shows pole axis 400, and this pole axis 400 is the axles that are parallel to the rotating shaft of the earth on any position of the earth.This locational latitude is expressed as θ.Fig. 6 A and Fig. 6 B show the orientation of the pole axis 400 in the local coordinate system.Fig. 6 A is the partial top view that has shown along the pole axis 400 of North and South direction; Fig. 6 B is the side view along the locality of east-west direction, and it has shown that wherein θ is at that locational latitude with respect to the be inclined upwardly pole axis 400 of angle θ of ground.

Shown in Fig. 7 A, when equinox, the sun is under the line on the plane, so solar energy collection unit 300 is without any being mounted obliquely within on the pole axis 400.In summer, the sun is higher with respect to the angle of equatorial plane.Fig. 7 B has shown that solar energy collection unit 300 equals the angle of the sun with respect to equatorial plane with respect to pole axis 400 acclivitous amount Ω (inclination angle).Shown in Fig. 7 C, in the winter time, the sun is lower with respect to the angle of equatorial plane, and the correspondingly downward-sloping angle of inclination Ω of solar energy collection unit 300.The sun changed with respect to the angle of equatorial plane seasonally, changed (variation of the maximum inclination angle between continuous two days is about 0.4 °) slightly from one day to second day, had 23.45 ° of maximum angles under the line on the both sides on plane.Therefore, preferably, solar energy collection unit 300 can be by seasonal adjustment with respect to the angle of inclination of pole axis 400.The angle of inclination can be adjusted constantly or off and on, and is simple in order to implement, and preferably, is every day or every several days.

According to embodiments of the invention, solar energy collection unit 300 is mounted to rotate around rotating shaft, and this rotating shaft is parallel to the pole axis of the solar energy collecting system that is mounted.(in herein open, clearly illustrated at context under its situation of the meaning, rotating shaft is known as pole axis sometimes.) solar energy collection unit 300 with the speed of changeing about every day one along pole axis 400 rotations to follow the tracks of the sun.From celestial north pole, direction of rotation is clockwise offsetting geocyclic effect so that solar energy collection unit 300 all the time with identical angle faces to the sun.

In simple an enforcement, solar energy collection unit 300 may be rotated around rotating shaft 400 continuously with the speed of the constant that changes about every day one.Selectively, it can rotate to collect solar energy with the speed of changeing about every day one by day, with rotate to suitable position at night (non-acquisition time) backward or forward with different speed, and restart rotation for second day the daytime reasonable time of operating in.

Solar energy collection unit 300 is installed on the rotating shaft, and the angle of inclination can be regulated.With reference to figure 8-11 and 16-19, some examples of bevel angle adjustment mechanism have been described.These examples have used the handle that is fixedly attached to energy collection unit, interact with angle change guide, to change the angle of inclination.Though handle is the single energy harvester unit 300 that is used for being connected the example shown in Fig. 8 and 10, with be connected on the rigid bodies that is combined together to form by a plurality of energy harvesters unit 300 in the example shown in Figure 16 A-D and Figure 19 A-G, but can use identical bevel angle adjustment mechanism.

In the example shown in Fig. 8, handle 350 is fixedly attached to solar energy collection unit 300 and is used to adjust the angle of inclination of solar energy collection unit 300 with respect to rotating shaft 400, and this rotating shaft 400 is parallel to the pole axis in the system that is mounted.In Figure 16 A (perspective view) and example that Figure 16 B-D (being respectively top view and two vertical side views) illustrates, beam 410 is connected to rotating shaft 400, and to change around the rotating shaft rotation about every day one.Preferably, beam 410 is perpendicular to rotating shaft 400 be fixed on the described axle.One or more solar energy collection unit 300 (having illustrated four as an example in Figure 16 A) are combined together to form rigid bodies 330.Rigid bodies 330 is connected on the beam 410 by hinge, so that it can rotate around beam in specific angular range at least, to adapt to essential angle of inclination adjustment.Preferably, consider by the design of symmetric arrangement and other, in all possible angle of inclination, rigid bodies 330 with respect to beam 410 be balance and are balances with respect to rotating shaft 400.Selectively, two or more rings 501 and 502 are installed on the rotating shaft 400, and each encircles with corresponding brush 511 and contacts with 512 so that electrical conduction is gone out, and such layout may be essential for long-term rotation.Handle 350 be fixedly attached to rigid bodies 330 so that by moving handle 350 to different positions, whole rigid bodies 330 is around beam 410 rotations and therefore changed angle of inclination with respect to rotating shaft 400.

Angle change guide 360 is configured to the part of the far-end of engages handle 350 in some part of the rotation of every day, to change the angle of inclination of rigid bodies 330.In Figure 16 A, shown the locational rigid bodies 330 of time in the daytime, and handle 350 points to away from angle change guide 360.In Figure 16 E, shown locational rigid bodies 330 in the time at night, and handle 350 directed angle change guide 360 and its distal portions engage angled angle change guide 360.

An example of angle change guide 360 has been shown in Fig. 9 A-9C.Fig. 9 A is the view along rotating shaft 400; Fig. 9 B is along the view of handle 350 when handle 350 engage angled angle change guide 360; Fig. 9 C is the view of edge perpendicular to the direction of above-mentioned both direction.When rigid bodies 330 was rotated around rotating shaft 400 with handle 350, shown in Figure 10,11A and 11B, the distal portions of handle 350 slided along angle change guide 360.The shape of designed inclination angle degree change guide 360 so that when the distal portions of handle 350 when angle change guide 360 is slided, driving handle so that rigid bodies 330 rotate slightly around beam 410.Angle of inclination when as a result, the angle of inclination of rigid bodies 330 is different from it and enters angle change guide when handle withdraws from angle change guide 360.The amount of angle change by the in-position of angle change guide when handle enters it 360 and when handle withdraws from from it angle change guide withdraw from determining positions.

Rigid bodies 330 is fixedly attached to beam 410 by clip, breech lock or other inclination auxiliary equipment most of the time that is fit to, so that it with fixing angle of inclination around rotating shaft 400 rotations, during the blink when the handle engage angled angle change guide 360.In described time durations, the inclination auxiliary equipment unclamps, so that rigid bodies 330 can be around beam 410 rotations (changing the angle of inclination) when by angle change guide 360 driving handles 350.After handle withdrawed from angle change guide, the inclination auxiliary equipment was by fastening again.In fact, if rigid bodies 330 is designed to be balanced well, and the friction between rigid bodies and the beam 410 enough can keep the angle of inclination not change greatly, described friction is also enough little when by angle change guide 360 driving handles changes with the permission angle of inclination, and the auxiliary equipment that tilts so not necessarily needs to be unclamped significantly and be fastening again.

Figure 18 has shown the example of inclination auxiliary equipment, and it is the view along beam 410.The jagged part 410A of beam 410 is provided with the tooth of a plurality of peripheries along it.The inner surface 330A of rigid bodies 330 is around described part 410A and gapped between them, the ball 330B that mounting spring loads between the tooth of jagged part 410A and inner surface 330a.When not changing the angle of inclination, spring tension remains on described ball 330B in two recesses between the tooth, and rigid bodies 330 is not with respect to beam 410 rotations.When changing the angle of inclination, handle promotes rigid bodies 330 and drops in the next recess with respect to beam 410 rotations and described ball.

In one day any desired time, can carry out the angle of inclination adjustment automatically.In the embodiment that Figure 16 A-E shows, when handle rotates to the position of angle change guide, adjust the angle of inclination at night; Also can be by the relative position that changes handle 350 and angle change guide 360 at one day the angle of inclination of adjustment At All Other Times.In addition, possible every day or adjust the angle of inclination more or less frequently.For example, in order to adjust twice every day, two handles and/or two angle change guide may be set.If described adjustment is less than once a day, for the these days when not implementing to adjust, the path that suitable travel mechanism shifts out handle to angle change guide 360 is set, and for the these days of implementing to adjust it being moved back in the path of handle.In a preferred embodiment, carry out the angle of inclination adjustment every day.

For specific tilt angle adjustment schedule, determine amount for the angle change of each adjustment by the length of season (annual time) and the time between continuous adjustment.For each adjustment, reorientate angle change guide 360, so that the position is withdrawed from corresponding to the target angle of inclination corresponding to current angle of inclination and it haply in its in-position.At upstream end, enlarging shape (referring to Fig. 9 B) can be set enter angle change guide, even when handle can not ideally align with the inlet port of guiding device to help handle.

An example of the angle change guide 360 of reorientating has been shown in Figure 16 A, 16E and 9D.Angle change guide 360 is being connected near its two ends on two wheel 360A and the 360B, and wherein, two wheels are with the annual one speed rotation of changeing.Two tie points on two wheels have the fixing phase angle difference of ε=2 π (l-η)/365.242199, and wherein, η is one day the part that handle engages guiding device.For example, if sliding through 3 hours, handle passes guiding device, η=3/24=0.125 so.Select the radius of two wheels so that the maximum inclination angle that obtains by angle change guide 360 is 23.45 degree on the both sides on plane under the line.

Another example that in Figure 17 A-B, has shown angle change guide 360 '.Angle change guide 360 ' is made by a plurality of parallel guiding walls 361 ', and guiding wall 361 ' forms parallel guiding groove between it.The right hand end of guiding wall can be moved up or down predetermined amount, for example width of a groove from position intermediate.On the center shown in Figure 17 A, handle 350 does not enter and withdraws from guiding groove with changing the angle of inclination, i.e. the corresponding same angle of inclination of the entrance and exit of groove.When as in Figure 17 B, show during the right hand end of the guiding wall 361 ' that moves up, the entrance and exit of groove is corresponding to different angles of inclination.Therefore, along with handle slides along groove, handle 350 is pushed, thereby changes the angle of inclination.The position of the right hand end of guiding wall 361 ' can be programmed, they are positioned at (Figure 17 A) and not run-off the straight angle adjustment on the center so that in some days, with in other some days upwards (Figure 17 B) or move down the right hand end of guiding wall 361 ', so that the run-off the straight angle adjustment.The amount of the angle change that is caused by each adjustment depends on the design of guiding device 360 ', such as groove shape etc.As previously noted, the angle of inclination of the sun changes and the different amount of change every day in the whole year relatively lentamente.Therefore, angle change guide 360 ' can be programmed or plan with the schedule that is fit to according to the whole year and change the angle of inclination.

Except the example of foregoing description, handle and angle change guide may be implemented with many forms.For example, Figure 19 A-G shows selectable design.Figure 19 A has shown round handle 350 " and angle change guide 360 " perspective view.Figure 19 B-D is at top view and two side views of the system shown in Figure 19 A when the angle of inclination is zero degree.Figure 19 E-G has shown top view and two side views of system when the angle of inclination is non-vanishing.Shown in Figure 19 A, handle 350 " have planar round-shaped, this handle 350 " comprise beam 410, be the center perpendicular to rigid bodies 330 and with rotating shaft 400.Angle change guide 360 " have all the time in conjunction with round handle 350 " the seam of a part.Angle change guide is installed on the framework of solar energy collecting system and moved up and down (being illustrated by the arrow in Figure 19 F) with engages handle with adjust the angle of inclination in one day.Angle change guide 360 " moving up and down of every day can be by the general description of equation Z=A cos (wt+ phase place), wherein, the phase place of amplitude A and motion every day defines the angle of inclination.

In the pole axis tracking system, be synchronous with respect to the position of the earth round the rotation of pole axis and the sun.By using calculator and comparator, on the different phase of the transmission between the array of motor and slowly rotation, can monitor the angle control with precise control so that axle rotatablely move accurately with the location matches of the prediction of the sun.For different length in daytime, between at sunrise etc., it can be used to accurate adjustment.Correct timing and reliability are very important, and backup (redundancy), sensing and feedback can help to keep tracking system accuracy and reliability.

Latitude and longitude and the input of date and time accurately along with the installation site are easy to be provided with initial tracking direction.For example, the sun is at process meridian at the noon of local time.If follow the tracks of beginning, described equipment may rotate to change continuously every day one, perhaps when night and daytime backward with forward to reset the position.

Suitable control circuit preferably adopts the self-correcting timer, and it can be used for controlling the motion of solar energy collection unit.Selectively, general standard time source such as the gps time signal or the airtime source of standard can be used for eliminating the accumulation of error any time.Preferably, use software control.The tracking that solar energy sensor also can be used to assist.

In one embodiment, the array that is installed in the solar energy collection unit on their rotating shaft links together by chain, transmission mechanism or other sychronisation, and described chain, transmission mechanism or other sychronisation can be driven by a power source.All unit constantly rotate with identical speed.Because with the speed of changeing every day one slow and continuous rotation and angle of inclination adjustment very slowly, the array of such solar energy collection unit can side by side and continuously be driven by lower powered motor.

Figure 12 shows the solar energy collecting system that comprises energy collection unit 300, and each energy collection unit 300 is mounted with rotating shaft 400 rotations around itself.All axles 400 are parallel to each other.All solar energy collection unit are with identical speed rotation, and their angle of inclination is adjusted as described earlier.Preferably, all energy collection unit are driven by common power source.Energy collection unit 300 and their follower are enclosed in the housing 371 with transparent cover 370 together.In such system, the array that is enclosed in the energy collection unit 300 in the housing forms static flat panel 371, and described array can be used as a unit and install.Housing has also reduced the influence of environment to single solar energy collection unit 300.

In order to allow panel to be independent of outside power source running, little but enough energy storing devices such as rechargeable battery or ultracapacitor be by preferably as energy source, to allow the motor continuous operation when night and cloudy or the rainy day in follower.The control circuit of describing before it may comprise.Especially when a plurality of similar panels are installed in identical position, such energy storing device and control circuit are also outside.

Panel 371 must be fabricated and install, so that rotating shaft 400 is parallel to the pole axis of the earth.In one embodiment, panel is configured so that all rotating shafts 400 are parallel to the pedestal 372 of housing, such panel will be mounted so that pedestal with respect to the horizontal plane is inclined upwardly and equal the angle of the latitude on the installation site, and rotating shaft 400 is orientated along the North and South direction in the top view as shown in figure 15.In an alternate embodiments, described panel is configured so that all rotating shafts with respect to angle of pedestal 372 inclinations, and this angle equals the latitude (described position is known in supposition during fabrication) on the installation site.Such panel can be mounted, and makes pedestal be parallel to horizontal plane, and rotating shaft 400 is orientated along the North and South direction in top view.In another alternate embodiments, be installed in when panel on the surface of inclination, such as the roof, and when the orientation of knowing this surface and angle of inclination, described panel can be fabricated with described relatively pedestal and be orientated rotating shaft by this way, promptly when panel along the orientation of design when flatly being installed on the roof, rotating shaft is parallel to pole axis at installed position.

Figure 13 and 14 shows has one or more static target energy receivers 210 and the selectable solar energy collecting system of rotation with one or more collectors 110 of the tracking sun.

As shown in figure 13, sunlight 90 is radiated on the collector 110 with predetermined incidence angle Φ, and collector 100 guides sunlight to target energy recipient 210 again.The relative position of collector 110 and target energy recipient 210 is unfixed.Each target energy recipient 210 can receive the sunshine that the quilt that comes from one or more collectors 110 guides again.In other words, a plurality of collectors 110 can guide to a target energy receiver 210 to sunlight, and this target energy recipient 210 can be called centralized energy receiver (in this case, the array of collector 110 is as static heliostat); Or selectively, each collector 110 can guide to sunlight the target energy receiver of itself, and it is known as the distributed energy receiver.Be similar to the system that shows among Fig. 1 and 2, collector 110 can be reflection-type or transmission-type; Be on the sunlight 90 of incident and the identical or different side that target energy receiver 210 can be positioned at collector 110.Preferably, even partly blocked when incident sunlight is used for application-specific, collector 110 can produce the light output of uniform density.Preferably, collector 110 has the certain tolerance to tracking error.

As shown in figure 14, sunlight 90 shines with another direction at one day different time, and collector 110 also changes its position, so that incidence angle becomes Ψ, collector 110 will still guide to centralized energy receiver 210 to sunlight again.The position of centralized energy receiver 210 is fixed, and the position of collector 110 changes.

Adopt static target energy receiver 210 shown in Figure 13 and 14 (or centralized or distributed) in an embodiment, collector 110 with the speed that is different from solar energy collection unit 300 with energy receiver 200 that moves as illustrated in fig. 1 and 2 around the pole axis rotation.In an embodiment who uses static energy receiver, collector 110 is the mirrors on two sides, this collector 110 rotates around pole axis with the speed of half way around every day, and the angle that tilts is compared half the amount that is conditioned with the embodiment that uses the energy receiver that moves.Usually, as Figure 13 and shown in Figure 14, the speed of rotation and the amount of tilt adjustments depend on the design of collector.Structure is adjusted at the angle of inclination of describing before may being similar to for the structure of the adjustment at the angle of inclination of collector 110.

Be similar to the solar energy collection unit 300 of the target energy receiver 200 that use to move, the energy collection unit of using static target energy receiver 210 is to be similar to as shown in figure 12 mode and can be configured to array and to be enclosed in the housing with transparency cover.

In the array of solar energy collection unit, a structural detail may partly stop the sunlight of the incident on another solar collector in the specific time.Use such as solar heat for some, uneven irradiation is can be received on energy receiver; Application such as photovoltaic (PV) for other is used, and for the uniform illumination of the performance need of the best is penetrated, when the sunlight of input is partly stopped, preferably uses the non-imaging collector that can produce output illumination uniformly.

The many different distortion of solar energy collecting system has been described above.A common characteristic in the different distortion be solar collector (this solar collector or be used for that sunlight guided to the solar collector (100/110) of solar receiver (200/210) or do not have the solar receiver of collector) be mounted with at least a portion of one day with predetermined rotary speed around the pole axis rotation, and adjust the angle of inclination automatically and off and on.Described distortion comprises:

If solar collector is the solar collector (100) that is used with solar receiver (200), and this solar receiver (200) rotates with collector, or solar collector is the solar receiver (not shown in figures) that does not have collector, and so described predetermined rotary speed is about commentaries on classics every day one.If solar collector is the solar collector (110) that is used with static solar receiver (210), and this static solar receiver (210) spatially fixed, and so described predetermined rotary speed is about every day of a half way around." at least a portion in every day is rotated with predetermined rotary speed " comprises multiple drive modes, rotate (being 24 hours every days) continuously such as whole day, or rotation (for example time) in the daytime in the portion of time of every day, and backward or forward rotation (preferably at faster speed) to the position that begins so that it can restart rotation at second day.In addition, term " rotation " comprises rotation intermittently (promptly each very short time period was such as one minute suitable angle of rotation), as long as average speed is the rotary speed of being scheduled to." approximately every day one change " or " approximately every day half way around " is meant that rotary speed may depart from the ideal value of per 24 hours 360 degree (or 180 spend).Usually, relatively cheap time set (clock) can obtain per 24 hours ± 1 degree of accuracy (being equal to per 24 hours ± 4 minutes) of spending.The timing error of accumulation can use the time source of the universal standard to be corrected every now and then, such as gps time signal or standard radio time source.In addition, cause more efficient solar energy collecting though follow the tracks of more accurately, if can be accepted less than the efficiency of energy collection of the best, (rotation) speed of tracking can depart from the bigger amount of desirable speed (for example 10 or even 20 spend per 24 hours).In addition, solar collector may be designed to make and keep high relatively collection efficiency for large-scale solar angle that in this case, even bigger tracking error may be accepted.Therefore, be appreciated that above-described to the scope of the present invention that falls into that departs from the ideal case of the constant airspeed rotation of per 24 hours 360 (or 180) degree.In addition, because the limited eccentricity (0.0167) of circumsolar Earth's orbit, the accurate length of every day may be longer or shorter than 24 hours.Tracking equipment may be designed to adjust the variation of this every day of length, perhaps by changing rotary speed or by the error of accumulation is revised every now and then.These all variations of the rotary speed of tracking system within the scope of the invention.

" automatically and angle of inclination intermittently adjust " is meant do not have artificial interference that described adjustment automatically takes place, and adjusts with more than once a day, take place once a day or less than frequency once a day.The advantage of angle of inclination adjustment intermittently is that it can simple relatively frame for movement obtain, such as handle 350 in the illustrated embodiment.

Also described solar energy collecting system, wherein, a plurality of such solar collectors are installed on the pedestal and by common power source and drive, so that with identical speed rotation.Solar collector can be any one in the above-mentioned distortion.A plurality of solar collectors can be enclosed in the housing, are mounted as a unit after these a plurality of solar collectors.

From top description as can be known, only have one group of fixing axle according to the synchronous solar concentrator array of the embodiment of the invention, but can obtain the tracking accuracy that two traditional axles are followed the tracks of.All elements that move in described array rotate with identical speed and direction, and around their fixed axis separately; Therefore, do not need complicated controlling organization.It is very big or clumsy that each collector needs not be.Use repeatably, little and simple assembly can reduce manufacturing cost.Therefore, can reduce the cost of whole system.In addition, energy collection unit can be constant speed rotation (though this is optional) and can with general standard time source (such as gps signal or standard radio time source) synchronously, thereby eliminated the relevant problem of system with the clock that uses solar energy sensor or locality.

By using collector,, can reduce the use of solar cell material significantly for panel with same rated power.By using effective sun tracing method, the indirect cost of solar tracking becomes not obvious.Because each solar energy collection unit can have little size, their array can be set up planar and can make up the flat panel of a kind of low section (profile height).

A special application of the panel that be fabricated relevant with Figure 13 and Figure 14 is static heliostat, and it is very desirable for centralized energy recipient.

Advantage according to the solar energy collecting system of the embodiment of the invention is as follows:

-one fixed axis is followed the tracks of and is used for accurate solar energy collecting;

The array of-single axle or axle all is parallel to earth axis;

-because collector is arranged, use less solar energy conversion element;

The array of-synchronous solar collector can be driven by a little power source;

-with controllable, almost constant, the synchronous rotation of speed slowly;

-slight the adjustment in seasonal as required angle of inclination;

-may use at the distributed energy receiver or on centralized energy receiver;

-having lid, it looks and looks like static smooth panel or static heliostat.

Under the situation that does not depart from essence of the present invention or scope,, be conspicuous for a person skilled in the art to various modifications and the distortion that solar energy collecting system of the present invention carries out.Therefore, the present invention is intended to cover the interior modification and the distortion of scope of additional claim and their equivalent.

Claims (26)

1. solar energy collecting equipment comprises:

Rotating shaft;

Be mounted for around the solar collector of rotating shaft rotation, this solar collector defines the angle of inclination with respect to described rotating shaft;

Driving mechanism, this driving mechanism are used to drive solar collector and rotate around rotating shaft with predetermined rotary speed at least a portion of one day; With

Bevel angle adjustment mechanism, this bevel angle adjustment mechanism are used for adjusting automatically and off and on described angle of inclination.

2. solar energy collecting equipment according to claim 1, wherein, described bevel angle adjustment mechanism comprises:

Handle, described handle are fixed to solar collector and handle and solar collector together around the rotating shaft rotation;

Angle change guide, it has the elongated opening of a part that is fit to the reception handle, described angle change guide is positioned so that handle enters first end of described opening, slide along described opening, and second end from described opening withdraws from the part rotation of solar collector, wherein, when handle enters first end of opening the angle of inclination of solar collector be first value and when handle angle of inclination of solar collector when second end of opening withdraws from be second value; With

The angle change guide guiding mechanism, it is used for adjusting the position of angle change guide seasonally.

3. solar energy collecting equipment according to claim 2, further comprise clip or breech lock, it is used for fixing angle of inclination solar collector being fixed to rotating shaft, wherein, when handle enters first end of opening of angle change guide, clip or breech lock are disengaged and engage again when second end of opening withdraws from when handle.

4. solar energy collecting equipment according to claim 2, wherein, described handle and angle change guide are positioned so that handle enters the opening of angle change guide at non-collection of energy time durations.

5. solar energy collecting equipment according to claim 1, wherein, described solar collector is a solar receiver, and wherein, described predetermined rotary speed is about commentaries on classics every day one.

6. solar energy collecting equipment according to claim 1, wherein, described solar collector is a solar collector, wherein, solar energy collecting equipment further comprises solar receiver, and described solar receiver has fixing locus with respect to solar collector, wherein, solar collector guides to solar receiver to sunlight, and wherein, described predetermined rotary speed is about commentaries on classics every day one.

7. solar energy collecting equipment according to claim 1, wherein, described solar collector is a solar collector, wherein, described solar energy collecting equipment further comprises static solar receiver, and described solar receiver is spatially fixed, wherein, described solar collector guides to solar receiver to sunlight, and wherein, and described predetermined rotary speed is about every day of a half way around.

8. solar energy collecting equipment according to claim 7, wherein, described solar collector is the mirror on two sides.

9. solar energy collecting equipment according to claim 1, wherein, described drive mechanism solar collector whole day is rotated continuously.

10. solar energy collecting equipment according to claim 1, wherein said drive mechanism solar collector is to rotate to start position backward or forward and to restart rotation in second day one day daylight time rotation and in the time at night.

11. solar energy collecting equipment according to claim 1, further comprise solar receiver, wherein, solar collector is the solar collector that is used for sunlight is guided to solar receiver, and, wherein, when partly illuminated, solar collector is to produce the non-imaging collector of light output uniformly basically.

12. solar energy collecting equipment according to claim 1, further comprise solar receiver, wherein, solar collector is the solar collector that is used for sunlight is guided to solar receiver, wherein, solar collector is non-imaging collector, when sunlight with the angular illumination in preset range on solar collector the time, described non-imaging collector guides to described solar receiver to whole incident sunlight basically.

13. solar energy collecting equipment according to claim 1 further comprises the control circuit that is used to control driving mechanism, described control circuit receives universal standard time signal, is used for the rotation of solar collector and the earth synchronous with respect to the rotation of the sun.

14. solar energy collecting equipment according to claim 1, comprise a plurality of solar collectors that form rigid bodies, described equipment further comprises the beam that is mounted for around the rotating shaft rotation, wherein, described rigid bodies is connected to beam with the angle of inclination, and rigid bodies and beam are together around the rotating shaft rotation, wherein, rigid bodies with respect to beam be balance and be balance with respect to the rotating shaft on all angles of inclination, and, wherein, bevel angle adjustment mechanism is adjusted the angle of inclination of rigid bodies.

15. a solar energy collecting system comprises a plurality of solar energy collecting equipment as claimed in claim 1, described system further comprises:

Pedestal, the rotating shaft of a plurality of solar energy collecting equipment of installation on described pedestal; With

Housing, described housing are used to surround a plurality of solar energy collecting equipment;

16. solar energy collecting system according to claim 15, wherein, the rotating shaft of a plurality of solar energy collecting equipment is parallel to each other, and described system further comprises:

Be used to provide the power source of driving power; With

Drive system, this drive system is used for driving power is transferred to the driving mechanism of a plurality of solar energy collecting equipment, to drive them with identical speed rotation.

17. solar energy collecting system according to claim 16 further comprises:

The control circuit that is used for control-driven system; With

Be used to the energy storage facilities of power source storage power,

Wherein, described control circuit and energy storage facilities are arranged on the outside of housing.

18. solar energy collecting system according to claim 15, wherein, the rotating shaft of a plurality of solar energy collecting equipment is parallel to described pedestal.

19. solar energy collecting system according to claim 15, wherein, the rotating shaft of a plurality of solar energy collecting equipment with predetermined angle with respect to described basement tilt.

20. solar energy collecting system according to claim 15 further comprises static solar receiver, wherein, the solar collector of each solar energy collecting equipment is the solar collector that sunlight is guided to solar receiver.

21. solar energy collecting system according to claim 15, wherein, each solar energy collecting equipment further comprises solar receiver, and wherein, the solar collector of each solar energy collecting equipment is the solar collector that sunlight is guided to each solar receiver.

22. a method that is used to collect solar energy comprises:

The pole axis that is parallel to the earth is installed rotating shaft;

Installation is used for around the solar collector of described rotating shaft rotation, and described solar collector limits the angle of inclination with respect to rotating shaft;

In at least a portion of one day, rotate solar collector around described rotating shaft with predetermined rotary speed; With

Automatically and off and on adjust described angle of inclination.

23. a solar energy collecting equipment comprises:

Rotating shaft;

Be mounted for around the solar collector of described rotating shaft rotation, described solar collector limits the angle of inclination with respect to described rotating shaft;

Driving mechanism is used for driving solar collector and rotates around described rotating shaft with predetermined rotary speed at least a portion of one day; With

Be used for automatically adjusting the bevel angle adjustment mechanism at angle of inclination, described bevel angle adjustment mechanism comprises:

Handle, described handle be fixed to solar collector and and solar collector rotate around rotating shaft together;

Angle change guide, its handle in the rotation of at least a portion of rotating shaft engages handle and

Be used for adjusting the angle change guide guiding mechanism of the position of angle change guide seasonally.

24. solar energy collecting equipment according to claim 23, wherein, described angle change guide has the elongated opening of a part that is fit to the reception handle, described angle change guide is positioned so that handle enters first end of described opening, slide along described opening, and second end from described opening withdraws from the part rotation of solar collector, wherein, the angle of inclination of solar collector is first value when handle enters first end of opening, when handle angle of inclination of solar collector when second end of opening withdraws from is second value.

25. solar energy collecting equipment according to claim 24, wherein, described angle change guide has a plurality of open parallel.

26. solar energy collecting equipment according to claim 23, wherein, described handle has circular shape and described angle change guide engages handle all the time.

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