CN102124284A

CN102124284A - Heliostat joint

Info

Publication number: CN102124284A
Application number: CN2009801322160A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·B·米尼克; R·丹尼尔
Original assignee: United Technologies Corp
Current assignee: Aerojet Rocketdyne of DE Inc; Raytheon Technologies Corp
Priority date: 2008-08-18
Filing date: 2009-08-18
Publication date: 2011-07-13
Also published as: WO2010022027A3; US20110108019A1; WO2010022027A2

Abstract

A heliostat includes a joint with a range of motion in both elevation and azimuth of more than 90 degrees.

Description

The heliostat joint

The priority that No. 61/089,843, the interim patent disclosure of the U.S. of disclosure requirement application on August 18th, 2008.

Technical field

The disclosure relates to a kind of heliostat, relates more specifically to be used for the joint of heliostat.

Background technology

Current heliostat all can have relative limited scope at the azimuth with motion on the elevation angle.This limited relatively range of movement need change structure with operation best at different region locations and at different latitudes.This can cause different regions or even the different piece of same region in adopt different heliostats structures with solar focusing on receiver.

Special time during this limited relatively range of movement also can need some heliostats by day with itself reorientation 180 degree to continue to follow the tracks of the sun.This action needs about 15 minutes usually, can not catch solar energy during this period.

Summary of the invention

The range of movement that is included in the elevation angle and direction according to the heliostat of disclosure exemplary aspect all surpasses the joints of 90 degree.

Heliostat according to disclosure exemplary aspect comprises the base that limits longitudinal axis, and described base limits first radius.First link (link) is installed on described base movingly around first axle.Second link is installed on described first link movingly around second axis, and described second axis is from described at least first radius of described longitudinal centre line displacement.

Heliostat according to disclosure exemplary aspect comprises the joint with first member and second member, the rotation antarafacial of the rotation of wherein said first member and described second member, wherein said first member axis is offset first distance from described second member axis, and wherein said second member is about at least 1/2 of described first distance around the radical length of described second axis.

Description of drawings

For those skilled in the art, various features can become obvious from the detailed description of disclosed non-limiting example.Drawings that accompany the detailed description can briefly explain as follows:

Fig. 1 is the overall schematic views that is used for solar column of the present invention system;

Fig. 2 is the perspective view of heliostat;

Fig. 3 A is the side view of heliostat on primary importance with heliostat array;

Fig. 3 B is the top view of heliostat on the second place with heliostat array;

Fig. 4 is first perspective view that links that is used for the joint of heliostat;

Fig. 5 is second perspective view that links that is used for the joint of heliostat;

Fig. 6 is the perspective view of another embodiment of first link that is used for the joint of heliostat;

Fig. 7 A is the side view of heliostat on primary importance with heliostat array, shows drive system;

Fig. 7 B is the top view of heliostat on the second place with heliostat array, shows drive system;

Fig. 8 is the top expanded view of drive system; And

Fig. 9 is the side expanded view of drive system.

The specific embodiment

With reference to Fig. 1, solar column system 20 comprises the high central receiver system 22 of assembling, central receiver system 22 has receiver 24, and the square on the ground predetermined altitude of receiver 24 is couple to tower structure 25 to receive solar radiation S from a plurality of solar tracking mirrors or heliostat 26.The salt of fusing or other heat-transfer fluid are transmitted through central receiver system 22 and are heated from cold tank system 28.Heated heat-transfer fluid is transferred to hot tank system 30 then.When needs power, the heat-transfer fluid of heat is pumped into steam generation systems 32 and produces steam.This steam drives steam turbine plant/generator system 34 and produces electric energy so that be transferred to electrical network.Heat-transfer fluid from steam generator get back to cold tank system 28 with storage up to central receiver system 22, being heated once more, steam is recovered by condenser system 36 simultaneously.Disclose concrete component configuration in the embodiment shown although should understand, adopted any configuration of heliostat all can benefit from the disclosure.

With reference to Fig. 2, heliostat 26 generally comprises base 40, joint 42, frame assembly 44 and heliostat array 46.Base 40 supported joints 42 with allow frame assembly 44 and thereby allow the joint motions (articulation) of heliostat array 46, thereby follow the tracks of the sun and focus on solar radiation S as required.

With reference to Fig. 3 A, base 40 can be and limits longitudinal centre line A and radius r 1(Fig. 3 B) roughly cylinder.In disclosed non-limiting example, hemispherical cap 48 covers base 40.

Joint 42 generally comprises first link, 50 and second link 52.First link 50 comprises first bow-shaped arm 54 with end pivoting 54A, 54B, and second bow-shaped arm 56 with end pivoting 56A, 56B.As shown in the figure, end pivoting 54A, 54B limit initial elevation angle axis B, and end pivoting 56A, 56B qualification initial orientation angle axis C(is also shown in Figure 4).End pivoting 54A, 54B make axis B transverse to axis C with respect to the orientation of end pivoting 56A, 56B.In a non-limiting example, axis B is perpendicular to axis C.

Second link 52 comprises the bow-shaped arm 58(Fig. 5 with end pivoting 58A, 58B), end pivoting 58A, 58B engage end pivoting 56A, the 56B(of first link 50 along axis C).Alternatively, first link 50 ' comprises single end pivoting 56C(Fig. 6).

First link 50 is installed on base 40 movingly around axis B.Second link 52 is installed on first link 50 movingly around axis C.Also promptly, axis C is offset column radius r1 at least with respect to longitudinal centre line A by axis B, to realize significant freedom of motion.Second link 52 is positioned heliostat array 46 from extra at least radius r 1 place of axis C, to provide heliostat array 46 with respect to unrestricted in fact azimuth of base 40 and elevational movement.By adopting elevation angle axis B to realize skew, joint 42 all provides significant range of movement on the elevation angle and azimuth.In a non-limiting example, on the elevation angle and azimuth, this range of movement surpasses 90 degree, approximately is 180 degree usually.Should be understood that heliostat array 46 can asymmetricly install as required to optimize load and other operating characteristic and demand.

Kinematics combination by uniqueness has realized the smooth and continuous motion of gamut under no singular point condition.This range of movement has been avoided any rare non-sun collection action (maneuver).

With reference to Fig. 7 A, be attached at the orientation and the position of the drive system 70 qualification heliostat arrays 46 between base 40 and the heliostat array 46 at 2 e, f place on the heliostat array 46.Drive system 70 generally comprises and is attached at heliostat array 46(by

fixed mount

74A, 74B) with base 40(by

skew arm

76A, 76B, Fig. 7 B) between two drive rod 72A, 72B, for example driving screws.

Drive system 70 is regulated heliostat array 46 to provide joint motions so that the range of movement that is provided by joint 42 to be provided with respect to base 40.Joint 42 is essentially heliostat array 46 a some g in the space is provided.By other two some e, f being defined as representative, set up the definition and the direction on heliostat array 46 planes by fixed mount 74A, 74B.By this way, do not have singular point, and do not need heavy significantly alignment orientation angle to continue to follow the tracks of the sun.On the contrary, realize solar tracking in level and smooth and continuous mode.

Each drive rod 72A, 72B are attached to

fixed mount

74A, 78B by joint 78A, the 78B as spherojoint or U joint, so that universal connection to be provided betwixt.Fixed

mount

74A, 74B support separately joint 78A, 78B allowing rotation and the joint motions of drive rod 72A, 72B separately, thus location heliostat array 46.

With reference to Fig. 8, each

skew arm

76A, 76B generally comprise shoulder 80, arm 82, forearm 84, swivel bearing 86, wrist rotor 88 and CD-ROM drive motor 90.Pivot 92 between shoulder 80 and the arm 82 allow arms 82 transverse to base 40 and be roughly parallel to ground G(Fig. 7 A) plane P in move.Should understand plane P alternatively is orientated.

Wrist rotor 88 is installed to forearm 84 by swivel bearing 86, makes that wrist rotor 88 can be around forearm 84 rotations (being schematically shown by axis F and arrow F).Swivel bearing 86 can comprise the sleeve that allows rotation F in fact.

Wrist rotor 88 comprises rotating disk 96, and rotating disk 96 allows CD-ROM drive motor 90 rotations (W illustrates by arrow), and thereby allows drive rod 72A around axis W rotation (also shown in Figure 9).Also promptly, wrist rotor 88 support drive motors 90, drive rod 72 can extend and withdrawal along axis Y by for example passing CD-ROM drive motor 90 with the screw-threaded engagement of driving screw.Should understand alternatively or extraly provides other CD-ROM drive motor, for example linear electric motor or other telescopic arrangement.Rotating disk 96 can comprise that rotation hookup (coupling) is to be transferred to electric energy and control signal CD-ROM drive motor 90 separately.

Shoulder 80, arm 82, forearm 84 provide skew so that drive rod 72A, 72B to be provided full motion and avoid the excessive extension of drive rod 72A, 72B.Each length of arm 82 and forearm 84 can equal radius r 1 at least.The range of movement that whether provides greater or less than 180 degree partly is provided, arm 82 and forearm 84 can be longer or shorter length alternatively.Drive rod 72A, 72B can keep tensioning and only be compressed load when reducing extension when extending.

Joint 42 helps heliostat 26 extended operation scopes, and healthy and strong drive system 70 is used for controlling effectively and activating heliostat 26.Rare action is avoided, uncomplicated relatively and reliable hardware support heliostat array 46.

Should understand that identical Reference numeral refers to corresponding or similar element in all several accompanying drawings.Although will also be understood that to disclose concrete component configuration in the embodiment shown, other configuration also can be benefited from it.

Although illustrate, illustrate and claimed concrete sequence of steps, should be understood that unless otherwise indicated, but according to any order, carry out these steps alone or in combination, and will from the disclosure, benefit.

Above stated specification is exemplary, rather than is limited by the restriction in it.Herein disclosed is various non-limiting examples, will fall within the scope of the appended claims but those of ordinary skills will appreciate that the various modifications and variations of considering above-mentioned instruction.Therefore, be appreciated that within the scope of the appended claims, can with specify different modes and put into practice the disclosure.For this reason, should study claims to determine real scope and content.

Claims

1. heliostat comprises:

Range of movement at the elevation angle and azimuth all surpasses the joint of 90 degree.

2. heliostat as claimed in claim 1, also comprise base, described joint is installed on described base, and described base limits first radius, described joint comprises a skew, and wherein heliostat array orientation angle rotation is from described at least first radius of described base longitudinal axis displacement.

3. heliostat as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described joint provides the range of movement of about 180 degree the elevation angle and azimuth both.

4. heliostat as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described joint does not comprise singular point.

5. heliostat as claimed in claim 1 also comprises drive system, and described drive system is with respect to base location heliostat array.

6. heliostat as claimed in claim 5, wherein, described drive system limits two points on described heliostat array, and described joint limits a point on described heliostat array.

7. heliostat as claimed in claim 6, wherein, described two points are partly limited by drive rod separately.

8. heliostat as claimed in claim 7, wherein, each of described drive rod separately comprises driving screw.

9. heliostat as claimed in claim 7, wherein, each of described drive rod separately is installed on described base by the skew arm configuration.

10. heliostat comprises:

Limit the base of longitudinal axis, described base limits first radius;

Be installed on first link of described base movingly around first axle; And

Be installed on second of described first link movingly around second axis and link, described second axis is from described at least first radius of described longitudinal centre line displacement.

11. heliostat as claimed in claim 10, wherein, described first axle is a longitudinal axis.

12. heliostat as claimed in claim 11, wherein, described second axis is an azimuthal axis.

13. heliostat as claimed in claim 10, wherein, described second axis normal is in described first axle.

14. heliostat as claimed in claim 10 also comprises the heliostat array that is installed on described second link.

15. heliostat as claimed in claim 14 also comprises drive system, described drive system is located described heliostat array with respect to base.

16. heliostat as claimed in claim 15, wherein, described drive system comprises two points that attach to described heliostat array, and described two points are partly limited by drive rod separately.

17. a heliostat comprises:

Joint with first member and second member,

Wherein, the rotation antarafacial of the rotation of described first member and described second member,

Wherein, the described axis of described first member is from described journal offset first distance of described second member, and

Wherein, described second member is about at least 1/2 of described first distance around the radical length of described second axis.

18. heliostat as claimed in claim 17, wherein, described radical length equals described first distance at least.

19. heliostat as claimed in claim 17, wherein, described joint provides the range of movement of spending greater than 90 at the elevation angle and azimuth both.

20. heliostat as claimed in claim 17, wherein, described joint provides the range of movement of about 180 degree the elevation angle and azimuth both.