CN103038580B - Solar energy field layout and for wherein arrange, the system and method for maintenance and operation heliostat - Google Patents

Abstract

Can by safeguard vehicle can along passage of having ready conditions by solar energy field in the way of arrange and operate in heliostat at least some of.In order to allow by safeguard the vehicle layout close to the heliostat of heliostat with control so that with routine arrange compared be capable of different heliostat patterns.Especially, compared with the heliostat in another section of solar energy field, can arrange with higher density may heliostat in a section of the most efficient solar energy field.Furthermore it is possible to do not make position constraint in the case of certain line or arc pattern based on favourable from solar column from the point of view of covered ground and/or income produce the position optimization of the heliostat in each section making field.

Description

Solar energy field layout and for wherein arrange, the system and method for maintenance and operation heliostat

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This application claims the U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/355 submitted on June 16th, 2010,271, the U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/378 that on August 30th, 2010 submits to, 382, the U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/380 of JIUYUE in 2010 submission on the 5th, 237, the U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/487 that on May 17th, 2011 submits to, the rights and interests of the international application no PCT/US11/26273 that on February 25th, 136 and 2011 submits to, it is all integrally incorporated herein.

Technical field

Present disclose relates generally to solar energy system, and more particularly relate to arrange the system and method for heliostat in solar energy field.The disclosure further relates to the system and method for safeguarding and/or operate heliostat in solar energy field.

Summary of the invention

Embodiment of the disclosure and be generally directed to safeguard and/or the operation system of solar energy field of solar power system, method and apparatus.Can be by the solar energy field operated in a specific way and/or heliostat to safeguarding that vehicle navigates to realize the maintenance (such as clean, repair or replace) of some heliostat.Safeguard that vehicle can be through solar energy field on the permanent or passage of having ready conditions in solar energy field.Heliostat can be controlled to allow to safeguard that vehicle advances along these passages of having ready conditions.

The heliostat in a part of solar energy field can be arranged according to more orderly and highdensity pattern, such as, close to solar column, the heliostat in the another part in solar energy field can be arranged according to more unordered pattern, for example away from solar column simultaneously.Therefore can by control some heliostat with the passage of having ready conditions opening in the solar energy field for safeguarding vehicle make to realize to the heliostat in orderly or unordered drafting department close.The density of the heliostat in the various parts of field can be made and arrange that optimization produces with improvement and/or maximization solar energy and/or income produces.Can do not consider about basic orientation symmetric in the case of select the density/layout of heliostat.

In an embodiment, design and operate the method for solar heat heliostat field and can include sheltering in response to the ground predicted by heliostat in terms of the position at the top of the solar column from solar energy field or near it in the case of being confined to line or arc not making heliostat position and be used in heliostat position optimization in quite a few of solar energy field.The method can also include constructing solar heat heliostat field according to optimization position.It addition, the method can include selecting the driver's compartment between primary importance and the second position in constructed solar energy field.Selected driver's compartment at least partially can be with some heliostat as border so that when border heliostat has the first orientation, the border heliostat of the opposite side at driver's compartment the short of width of this part defined is to allow to safeguard that vehicle passes through this part.The method can also include that the illuminator making border heliostat is redirected to the second orientation from the first orientation so that the width of the described part limited by the border heliostat of the opposite side at driver's compartment be enough to allow to safeguard that vehicle passes through this part.The method can also include safeguarding that vehicle moves to the second position from primary importance along driver's compartment.In second position, it is possible to use safeguard that vehicle is safeguarded in heliostat in constructed solar energy field one or more.

In an embodiment, the method for solar energy field design can be included in and not make heliostat position shelter in response to the ground predicted by heliostat at the top of solar column or in terms of its neighbouring position in the case of being confined to concentric arc and be used in heliostat position optimization in quite a few of solar energy field.The method may be responsive to optimized result to construct solar heat heliostat field.

In an embodiment, the solar energy field for solar heat Force system can have on tower and sets up receiver and will arrange at least 5000 heliostats around this tower in the above so that solar-energy collecting is to the field on receiver.Can include limiting at least some of of field for manufacturing the method for solar energy field, heliostat will be located in above it.At least one part described can have along the radius extended from tower position for first dimension of at least 0.5 times of tower height degree and second dimension orthogonal with the first dimension as at least the first dimension.The method is not limited in addition to being additionally may included in the position in being maintained at described at least one of border in the case of any geometrical pattern position of the heliostat at least one portion boundary described by using optimization algorithm to make solar energy produce and/or income produces to maximize and makes the number of the heliostat at least one part described and arrange optimization.

In an embodiment, the solar energy field for solar heat Force system can have on tower and sets up receiver and will arrange at least 5000 heliostats around this tower in the above so that solar-energy collecting is to the field on receiver.For manufacture the method for solar energy field can include limit field at least some of, heliostat will be positioned with its above.At least one part described can have along the radius extended from tower position for first dimension of at least 0.5 times of tower height degree and second dimension orthogonal with the first dimension as at least the first dimension.The method is not limited in addition to being additionally may included in the position in being maintained at described at least one of border in the case of any geometrical pattern position of the heliostat at least one portion boundary described make the number of the heliostat at least one part described and arrange optimization by making the ground of heliostat to be sheltered to the maximizing time average of efficiency relative to the advantage point in the 30% of the tower height started from receiver location, and the area on the ground that this efficiency is sheltered by the illuminator of heliostat is divided by the gross area of the illuminator of the heliostat at least one part described.

In an embodiment, solar energy field can have the many heliostats of target being configured to insolation be directed in the solar column in solar energy field.For dispose in solar energy field the method for many heliostats can be included in be not limited to certain line or arc layout in the case of and based on favourable from solar column from the point of view of ground shelter and use optimization algorithm to determine the heliostat deployed position for described many heliostats.

In an embodiment, solar column system can include solar column and heliostat field.Solar column can have target wherein.Heliostat field can be around solar column.Can be configured to each heliostat be directed at this target insolation.At least annular section away from the field of tower can have the heliostat on the concentric arc not being arranged in centered by the pedestal of tower.At least internal of field around column foot seat can have the heliostat arranged according to regular grid pattern or concentric arc.

In an embodiment, solar column system can include solar column and heliostat field.Solar column can have target wherein.Heliostat field can be around solar column.Can be configured to each heliostat be directed at this target insolation.This can have inner region and outskirt, both centered by solar column.Outskirt can be around inner region.The heliostat in inner region can be disposed according to line or the arc pattern through inner region.Can not consider to dispose the heliostat in outskirt in the case of the line or arc pattern of outskirt.

In an embodiment, a kind of system can include solar column and be deployed in solar energy field and target at the top of solar column that is configured to make insolation be redirected in solar energy field or near it.The marking area of solar energy field can have be at least 100 heliostats total heliostat dispose so that there is heliostat in the major part throughout this marking area of solar energy field.Heliostat in this marking area disposes pattern so that can not draw parallel lines or arc by a series of 20 or more multiple heliostats, can make spaced apart in-plant three times of the average arest neighbors less than the heliostat along line or arc of heliostat along this line or arc.

In an embodiment, solar energy field can have the many heliostats at the target being configured to insolation be directed in solar column.A kind of method for disposing described many heliostats can include when solar column on the Northern Hemisphere time in the southern solar energy field of solar column, disposes heliostat with density higher compared with to the north of solar column, or when solar column in the Southern Hemisphere time with density higher compared with on the south solar column deployment heliostat in the solar energy field in the north of solar column.

In an embodiment, solar energy field can have the many heliostats at the target being configured to insolation be directed in solar column.A kind of method for disposing described many heliostats can include selecting the time in one or more time or 1 year, and for selected one or more times, described many heliostats are arranged so that add up to different from the second area in the first region of at least one in reflector size, heliostat density, the number of heliostat and average reflector size between the first and second regions of solar energy field.This second area can be the MIRROR SITE relative in the basic orientation centered by solar column of first area.

In an embodiment, a kind of method for disposing heliostat in solar energy field can include determining that the first area of solar energy field, in the first region, time in one or more times and/or one or more 1 year, the heliostat at target insolation being directed in solar column is geometrically being less than efficiently compared with the heliostat in the second area of solar energy field, and disposes heliostat in solar energy field so that first area has total illuminator area more higher than second area or heliostat density.

In an embodiment, the heliostat field being positioned in the Northern Hemisphere can be included in the receiver tower in heliostat field and the receiver in tower.Nan Chang part and the Bei Chang part of field can be divided by the line from east to west of the pedestal through tower.Receiver can have in the face of the north side, face of Bei Chang part with in the face of the southern side, face of Nan Chang part.Dough-making powder southern side, north, face can have equal area.The illuminator area that adds up to of the heliostat in Nan Chang part can be more than the total illuminator area of the heliostat in Bei Chang part.

In an embodiment, solar column system can be included therein and have the solar column of target and around the heliostat field of solar column.Can be configured to each heliostat be directed at described target insolation.For second group of heliostat in the second area of first group of heliostat in the first area of field and field, corresponding be different from for second group of heliostat in total reflector size, heliostat density, heliostat number and the average reflector size of first group of heliostat.Second area can be the mirror image relative in the basic orientation centered by solar column of first area.

In an embodiment, solar column system can include solar column and be arranged to thus around the heliostat field of solar column.Heliostat density in Part I in this can be higher than the heliostat density in the Part II of field.Part I can have during one or more time periods compared with the heliostat in the Part II of field on an average at the most efficient heliostat.

In an embodiment, by solar energy field, the solar column wherein with target can be positioned.A kind of method of heliostat for safeguarding with maintenance vehicle in solar energy field can include selecting the driver's compartment between primary importance and the second position in solar energy field.Selected driver's compartment at least partially can be with heliostat as border so that when border heliostat is in the first orientation, the border heliostat of the opposite side at driver's compartment the short of width of this part defined is to allow to safeguard that vehicle passes through this part.The method can also include that the illuminator making border heliostat redirects, so that the width of the described part limited by the border heliostat of the opposite side at driver's compartment be enough to allow to safeguard that vehicle passes through this part.The method can also include safeguarding that vehicle moves to the second position from primary importance along driver's compartment.

In an embodiment, solar energy field can have the many heliostats at the target being configured to insolation be directed in the solar column in solar energy field.A kind of method for disposing described many heliostats in solar energy field can include using optimization algorithm determine for solar energy field at least some of in the heliostat deployed position of described many heliostats so that the minimal information amount needed for the determined deployed position represented on line or arc is more than the half of the quantity of information needed for the determined deployed position of expression independently.

In an embodiment, solar column can include solar column and heliostat field.Solar column can have target wherein.Heliostat field can be around solar column.Each heliostat can be configured at target that insolation is directed in solar column.This can include inner region and outskirt.Interior and outskirt both can be centered by solar column.Outskirt can be around inner region.The heliostat in inner region can be disposed according to line or arc pattern.The heliostat in outskirt can be disposed, so that the minimal information amount needed for the determined deployed position represented on line or arc is more than the half of the quantity of information represented independently needed for determined deployed position.

In an embodiment, a kind of electricity-generating method can include operating any system disclosed herein.In an embodiment, a kind of by fused salt, motlten metal, pressurization H₂O and pressurization CO₂The method of heating can include operating any system disclosed herein.

When being considered in conjunction with the accompanying, according to following description, purpose and the advantage that embodiment of the disclosure will become clear from.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Embodiment hereinafter will be described in reference to the drawings, and it has not necessarily been drawn to scale.In the case of applicatory, possible some feature not shown is to help diagram and the description of lower region feature.Throughout each figure, similar reference number represents similar element.

Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram of the concept of the tower-mounted solar energy receiver illustrating the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Fig. 2 is the schematic diagram of the birds-eye view of the solar energy field of the heliostat around solar column illustrating the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

The schematic diagram of the elevation view of the heliostat cleaning vehicle in a part for the heliostat field that Fig. 3 A shows the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Fig. 3 B is the close-up illustration of the burnisher interacted with the heliostat illuminator in heliostat field of the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Fig. 3 C is the close-up illustration of another burnisher interacted with the heliostat illuminator in heliostat field of the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Fig. 4 shows the schematic diagram of the birds-eye view with the heliostat field specifying driver's compartment of the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Fig. 5 shows the schematic diagram of the elevation view of the heliostat with the illuminator being in different orientation of the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Fig. 6 is the schematic diagram of control system for safeguarding and/or operate heliostat in solar energy field of the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Fig. 7 shows the schematic diagram of the birds-eye view of a part for the solar energy field wherein with cleaning vehicle of the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

The schematic diagram of the birds-eye view of the animal activity in a part for the solar energy field that Fig. 8 shows the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

The schematic diagram of the elevation view of the heliostat cleaning vehicle in a part for the heliostat field that Fig. 9 shows the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Figure 10 shows the one or more embodiments according to open theme and has the schematic diagram of heliostat and the birds-eye view by a part for the solar energy field of the advance of the cleaning vehicle of solar energy field being in various orientation.

Figure 11 shows the one or more embodiments according to open theme and has the schematic diagram of heliostat and the birds-eye view by a part for the solar energy field of the advance of the different size cleaning vehicle of solar energy field being in various orientation.

Figure 12 shows the figure of the birds-eye view of a pair cleaning vehicle in the part according to the openly solar energy field of one or more embodiments of theme and solar energy field.

Figure 13 shows the figure of the cleaning vehicle in the solar energy field of Figure 12 of time after a while of the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Figure 14 is the view of a part in field with the solar energy field that the certain altitude from tower in the case of heliostat cleaning vehicle starts for the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Figure 15-Figure 21 shows one or more embodiments according to open theme through having ready conditions passage clean the isometric view of a part of solar energy field of cleaning vehicle of heliostat in solar energy field.

Figure 22 shows the schematic diagram of the birds-eye view of the solar energy field in the different piece of solar energy field with different heliostat layout according to the one or more embodiments disclosing theme.

Figure 23 shows the schematic diagram of the feature birds-eye view of a part for the solar energy field of the one or more embodiments according to open theme, and this feature birds-eye view shows the first heliostat layout patterns in exterior section and the second heliostat layout patterns in interior section.

Figure 24 shows the schematic diagram of the birds-eye view of the solar energy field of the identified sample position with the heliostat density for table 2 of the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

What Figure 25-Figure 30 showed the one or more embodiments according to open theme identifies the various position schematic diagram for the birds-eye view of the solar energy field compared.

Figure 31-Figure 32 is the chart of the number of the heliostat of the function as the distance to arest neighbors heliostat of the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Figure 33-Figure 35 shows multiple towers of the one or more embodiments according to open theme and the schematic diagram of the birds-eye view of solar energy field layout.

Figure 36 is the figure of single illuminator heliostat of the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Figure 37 is the picture of double illuminator heliostats of the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Figure 38-Figure 39 shows the schematic diagram of the birds-eye view of the ordered arrangement of solar energy field showing heliostat of the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Figure 40 shows the schematic diagram that the various parts of the one or more embodiments according to open theme have the birds-eye view of solar energy field in the case of different heliostat layout.

Figure 41 shows the schematic diagram of the feature birds-eye view of the solar energy field close to tower of the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Figure 42-Figure 43 is the schematic diagram of the feature birds-eye view of the northeast part of the first and second solar energy field respectively illustrating the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Figure 44-Figure 45 is the schematic diagram of the feature birds-eye view of the Counties of North-west Five of the first and second solar energy field respectively illustrating the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Figure 46-Figure 47 is the schematic diagram of the feature birds-eye view of the southeast part of the first and second solar energy field respectively illustrating the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Figure 48-Figure 49 is the schematic diagram of the feature birds-eye view of the southwest part of the first and second solar energy field respectively illustrating the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Figure 50 be the one or more embodiments according to open theme for the time in different one day, there is the elevation view of heliostat in the case of different illuminator layout.

Figure 51 is the elevation view of a pair heliostat of the first spacing that the part being in caused in heliostat according to the one or more embodiments disclosing theme is covered.

Figure 52 is the elevation view being in a pair heliostat not resulting in the second spacing covered of the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Figure 53-Figure 54 respectively illustrates interior section and the northern view of exterior section of the solar energy field that the top from tower according to the one or more embodiments disclosing theme starts.

Figure 55-Figure 56 respectively illustrates interior section and the southern view of exterior section of the solar energy field that the top from tower according to the one or more embodiments disclosing theme starts.

Figure 57-Figure 58 shows the schematic diagram of the birds-eye view of a part for the first and second solar energy field of the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Figure 59 shows the configuration safeguarding vehicle for movement in the range of single row of heliostats of the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Figure 60 shows the motor-driven articulated vehicle to be cleaned between heliostat of the one or more embodiments according to open theme.

Figure 61 is shown in which the field layout of the statistical property of the embodiment identifying various position and associated region to explain open theme.

Figure 62 A to Figure 65 B shows the comparison between the calculating character of each field.

Figure 66 and Figure 67 shows corresponding to prior art and the field layout of open embodiment for the purpose of the different characteristic of the open embodiment of diagram.

Figure 68 shows a layout for discussing optimized purpose.

Detailed description of the invention

Embodiment of the disclosure and be generally directed to safeguard and/or the operation system of solar energy field of solar power system, method and apparatus.Especially, it relates to power plant magnitude (magnitude) system rather than navigation system.Such as, the peaking flux power level adding up to flux to tower and/or target is at least 5 megawatts, at least 10 megawatts, at least 20 megawatts, at least 50 megawatts, at least 100 megawatts, at least 250 megawatts or at least 500 megawatts.

Can drive and safeguard that vehicle passes through solar energy field and/or the heliostat that operates in a specific way to realize the cleaning of heliostat.Safeguard the control of vehicle and/or the operation of heliostat so that the probability of the native country animal and/or its habitat that damage such as desert Testudinis reduces and/or minimizes.Therefore, it can to promote coexisting of solar energy field and the compromised and/or Endangered species covered by protection plan or animal.Although discussing above in association with desert Testudinis, but this embodiment can be used to react the growth of vegetation, and this vegetation can be moved or dead and reappear in different positions.

Safeguard that vehicle can pass solar energy field on the permanent channels in solar energy field.Additionally or alternatively, can be at least some of to safeguard that vehicle can be arranged along passage of having ready conditions (that is, the passage that certain maintenance vehicle normally will not pass through via this passage when heliostat is orientated the receiver aimed in solar column) and control in heliostat by the way of solar energy field.

Safeguard that vehicle is close to layout and the control of the heliostat of heliostat so that be capable of arranging different heliostat pattern with conventional through solar energy field in order to allowing.Especially, can arrange such as close to the heliostat in a part of the solar energy field of solar column with more orderly and highdensity pattern (being i.e. confined to line or arc), can arrange for example away from the heliostat in the another part in the solar energy field of solar column with the most orderly pattern being not limited to certain line or arc simultaneously.By control some heliostat with the passage of having ready conditions opening in the solar energy field for safeguarding vehicle obtain the heliostat in any one part close.The density of the heliostat in the various parts of field can be made and arrange that optimization produces with improvement and/or maximization solar energy and/or income produces.Can do not consider about basic orientation symmetric in the case of select the density/layout of heliostat.Especially, for the density of heliostat, number, total reflector size and/or average reflector size can for there is the region of the solar energy field comparing more inefficient (i.e. for the insolation amount of reflection at the target in tower of given reflector size) bigger than the heliostat in another region of solar energy field, this is such as reason due to the cosine losses being associated with the geographical position of heliostat or other factors.Additionally or alternatively, for the density of heliostat, number, total reflector size and/or average reflector size can in some region of solar energy field bigger so that the amount of power generation and/or be directed to amount and/or homogeneity condition (the uniform outer surface temperature of the such as receiver in tower or the even heat flux) optimization of time in time and/or one or more a year in one or more a day of insolation at target.

With reference now to Fig. 1, it is shown that the diagram of solar column system.Can be configured to solar column system such as produce solar steam and/or fluid or the gas of such as fused salt heated.This system can include solar column 18, and it receives the focusing sunlight 10 reflected from the solar energy field 16 of independent heliostat 12 (only illustrating two, although actual field can include thousands of heliostat 12).Solar energy receiver 20 can be arranged on solar column 18.Solar energy receiver 20 can include such as arranging at various height or position and/or serve the one or more independent receiver of difference in functionality.Can be configured to solar energy receiver 20 use the insolation 14 being reflexed on receiver 20 by heliostat 12 water and/or steam and/or supercritical steam to be heated.Such as, solar column 18 can be at least 25 meters high, at least 50 meters high, at least 75 meters high or the highest.Some parts is only illustrated in FIG in order to understand and discuss.The physical embodiments of solar column system can include such as additional optics, control system, sensor, pipeline, electromotor and/or turbine, the most not shown.

In an embodiment, auxiliary reflector can receive, from heliostat 12, the insolation 10 reflected.Then insolation can be reflected down to being positioned at ground level or its neighbouring receiver by auxiliary reflector.In an embodiment, two or more solar columns 18 can be provided in single solar energy field 16 or in each solar energy field 16.Each tower 18 can be associated with each solar energy system receiver of such as solar energy system steam receiver.In an embodiment, at any given time, given heliostat can be made to point to any one solar energy receiver in tower.

In an embodiment, more than one solar energy receiver 20 can be arranged in tower 18.Aiming at so that a movement in the barycenter of reflected beam 10 of projection solar energy receiver from tower 18 is to another in the solar energy receiver in same tower at tower 18 of heliostat can be adjusted.Solar energy receiver 20 can include steam generator, steam superheater, steam reheater, photovoltaic panel, fused salt receiver, air receiver machine, helium receiver, granule receiver or be configured to convert solar energy into any combination of any other receiver electrically or thermally.

Fig. 2 is the simplification birds-eye view of the embodiment of the solar energy system of the field 16 including independent heliostat.It should be noted this view not drawn on scale and be simplified for the sake of understanding.Note that and can arrange in the case of heliostat with radial symmetric pattern to arrange heliostat along concentric channels relative to tower 18.In an embodiment, heliostat illuminator can periodically be cleaned.Alternately or additionally, one or more additional attended operation that such as heliostat repairs or replace can one by one be performed to the most of or all illuminator in heliostat field.For this and with reference to Fig. 3 A, it is provided that safeguard vehicle 30 to provide each heliostat 12 or part thereof of close, the such as reflecting surface of illuminator 13.Safeguard that vehicle 30 can be automatic machinery people's vehicle, operate by the operator in vehicle 30 or by the driver (i.e. passing through remote control) away from vehicle 30.Vehicle-mounted on vehicle 30 can include that controller 32 enables to realize remotely and/or robot controls safeguarding.

Safeguarding that vehicle 30 can advance along the driving path between heliostat 12A, 12B, it is sufficiently spaced to allow vehicle 30 to pass through.Such as, safeguard that vehicle 30 can have the Breadth Maximum D less than the distance between heliostat 12A, 12B₃₀.Heliostat 12A, 12B can be spaced sufficiently apart, even if when being at an angle of or aim at receiver, and distance D between the outermost portion of heliostat 12A, 12B_12ABWidth D still greater than vehicle 30₃₀To allow vehicle 30 to pass through.Alternatively, can heliostat 12A, 12B be more closely arranged together so that be orientated at least for some illuminator, the part of heliostat will be disturbed with vehicle 30 phase.In order to allow vehicle 30 pass through, the illuminator of heliostat 12A, 12B can be controlled with the mobile position to perpendicular so that distance D between vertical illuminator_maxWidth D more than vehicle₃₀。

Can be immediately adjacent to although heliostat 12A, 12B of being adjacent to the driving path of vehicle 30 can be vehicles 30, but other heliostats 12C-12E isolation in this path can be will be far from relative to this driving path or hide.Safeguard that vehicle 30 can include can crossing heliostat with the arm 34 close to these hiding heliostat 12C-12E.Arm 34 can be to have part 36A of generallyperpendicular extension, less horizontal part 36B and the robots arm of the generallyperpendicular extension 36C of termination in cleaning executor 38.One or more parts of arm 34 can be the flexible change enabling to realize to cross the heliostat (such as heliostat 12A, 12B) being adjacent to path with the length close to hiding heliostat (such as heliostat 12C-12E).Certainly, according to one or more contemplated example, it is also possible to have for allowing other layouts close to the arm 34 hiding heliostat.Such as, vehicle 30 can be provided with the suspension bracket (seeing Figure 15-Figure 21) of the heliostat for crossing the driving path being adjacent to vehicle.

Safeguard that the example of vehicle 30 includes but not limited to clean vehicle, such as, be used for promoting that illuminator tilts, and vehicle safeguarded by other kinds of heliostat, such as to repair and/or replace heliostat illuminator.Safeguarding that vehicle 30 can have length, width and height, each is at least 0.5m, at least 1m, at least 1.5m, at least 2m, at least 3m or at least 10m.Safeguard that the ratio between the different dimensions of vehicle 30 (i.e. in length, width and height and the ratio between another in length, width and height) can be at least 0.25, at least 0.5, at least 0.75, at least 1, at least 1.25, at least 1.5, at least 2 or at least 4.Alternately or additionally, safeguard that the ratio between the different dimensions of vehicle 30 can be at most 0.025, at most 0.5, at most 0.75, at most 1.0, at most 1.25, at most 1.5, at most 2.0, at most 4.0, at most 6.0, at most 8.0 or at most 10.0.Safeguard that vehicle can have any kind of vehicle shape, include but not limited to rectangular prism or substantially cylindrical shape.

Safeguard that vehicle 30 can be relatively large vehicle, such as platform truck or similar vehicles (such as shown in Figure 15-Figure 21).Size according to driver's compartment and the size safeguarding vehicle 30, safeguard that vehicle 30 may not have and be enough to the space of revolution when it runs into barrier along passage.Therefore, safeguarding that vehicle may need to turn round reversely rather than turn to, this brings problem may to tradition oversize vehicle.In an embodiment, easy reverse operating can be accommodated by safeguarding vehicle to be designed in driver's compartment passage.Such as, safeguard that vehicle can include that a pair driving cabin front deck and rear deck make driver alternately can operate vehicle in the different ends of vehicle to advance along desired direction.In another example, vehicle 30 can have rotatable cabin so that driver can make this cabin be rotated in the face of desired direction.Alternately or additionally, vehicle 30 can have the radius of turn of relative close, such as by having four-wheel or multi-wheel steering, to allow vehicle 30 to turn round at driver's compartment.

For being designed to clean the maintenance vehicle on the surface of the illuminator 13 of heliostat, the cleaning end 38A of arm 34 can include such as contacting cleaning element 37, as shown in Figure 3 B.Contact cleaning element 37 can contact the surface of illuminator 13 to remove dirt and chip from the surface of illuminator.Such as, contact cleaning element 37 can include but not limited to wiper, sponge or grinding-material.Alternately or additionally, the cleaning end 38B of arm 34 can include such as minute surface at a distance of setpoint distance D_35BPlace makes fluid 39 flow to the device on illuminator 13.Such as, can include one or more nozzle for flowing out the device 33 of fluid, it is for being directed to pressure fluid on the surface of illuminator to remove dirt and chip therefrom.Such as, this fluid can include but not limited to water or cleaning fluid.

Can be attached to one or more photographing unit 38F clean executor 38 and/or vehicle 30 can be attached to by one and multiple photographing unit 30F to obtain the image of heliostat.This image can obtain image (using multiple positions that vehicle moves period to obtain multiple view) from multiple angles while vehicle is fixed or be mobile.Controller can obtain image and process to calculate position and the orientation of heliostat to be cleaned.Image can also be processed to determine the need for cleaning heliostat.To allow cleaning and/or can accurately and precisely carry out calculating the orientation to control cleaning executor 30 and location in can confirm that heliostat position and being oriented in preset range.

With reference to Figure 59, truck 612 has center alignment pit 620, and it allows to travel on truck driving heliostat 606 on vertical or near upright position.Cleaning executor 608 can arrive heliostat 606 (the second cleaning executor 610 illustrated with can providing retraction), and extension 614a and 614b laterally stretches out to use cleaning executor 618 to clean neighbouring heliostat 602 simultaneously.The feature of the present embodiment that can apply to any embodiment described herein is to make wheel 616 spaced apart to extend in adjacent heliostat space below 622 to provide broader attitude (stance).Shown configuration can allow truck 612 to pass through in the almost rut in the width spaces of single heliostat is plus minimum spacing nargin providing sufficiently wide attitude while obtaining stability.This configuration can be extended to have the gap 620 around multiple heliostats, and wherein cleaning executor is orientable with each heliostat around of cleaning.

In various embodiments above or in the claims, vehicle or truck can be equipped with the equipment of curvilinear style pilot (cowcatcher) formula to make animal away from the route turning of wheel harmlessly.Blade can have flexible edge to allow to embrace surface.Alternatively, proximity detector (acoustics, infrared or other) or imaging device (laser scanner, radar, photographing unit etc.) and a series of fluidic generator can be provided on this type of pilot (or as replace) to promote animal away from the path of vehicle.Skirtboard can be provided in case stop thing is movable below wheel in side.

Figure 60 shows the motor-driven articulated vehicle to be cleaned between heliostat.In an embodiment, vehicle 640 has central spine 638, and its length can be variable.Alternatively, it is possible to use any type of regular length chassis.Pivoting bracket 642 (such as, wheel shaft) allows operation wheel to pass through around heliostat, and it is spaced apart with the average distance between heliostat during vehicle carries out the region operated wherein.Cleaning part 634 can clean the heliostat in level or nearly horizontal level or on any other position.Cleaning part 634 can position and orientable.Same configuration 640 can use multiple cleaning executor.Detection by the position of heliostat 630, it is possible to achieve multiple degree of freedom and complicated control.

If there is not the path of any group of illuminator orientation for heliostat in solar energy field, vehicle directly can contact with heliostat with this path in the case of first contacting with another heliostat of solar energy field or collide, then heliostat used herein is considered as the concealed heliostat relative to certain maintenance.In other words, for concealed heliostat, would be required to and the collision of other heliostats one or more in addition to concealed heliostat from each path of the original position (or the position outside solar energy field) of vehicle to concealed heliostat.Term " concealed heliostat " or " having ready conditions can be close to heliostat " refer to particular vehicle geometric properties based on this vehicle and carry out, with layout, the ability contacted with the geometric properties of the heliostat of solar energy field with heliostat.When thinking that heliostat is concealed, for the institute's likely settled date illuminator orientation/configuration of the groups of all heliostats in solar energy field, prevent contacting between vehicle with concealed heliostat with other heliostats.As discussed below, when heliostat is to have ready conditions come-at-able, this refers to the most under certain conditions (i.e. illuminator orientation/configuration) and prevents contacting of heliostat with solar energy field.

When being referred to as contacting with specific heliostat by vehicle above, this refers to vehicle body in the position of the driving path along vehicle and not by using slender arm 34 directly to contact the ability of heliostat reaching heliostat.Therefore, when vehicle 30 is designated as can contacting specific heliostat, the any position on vehicle in it refers in the main body of vehicle and/or on wheel (or rut or pedal or drive the pedal of vehicle for crawler type/pedal) position and/or 4m or 3m or 2m or 1m of the mass centre of vehicle, it can contact or touch specific heliostat physically.

Some heliostat can stop safeguards that concealed heliostat is immediately adjacent to by vehicle 30, because heliostat is the most relatively closely disposed in the way of the most intensive, the illuminator of heliostat is sufficiently large, thus stop passing through between adjacent heliostat, and/or heliostat disposes (such as staggered or be not limited to line or the arc pattern of the overall situation) with specific geometric ways, it can limit the mobility (such as due to radius of turn or the size of vehicle of vehicle) safeguarding vehicle between heliostat.

In an embodiment, the heliostat 12 in solar energy field 16 or in the specific part of solar energy field 16 can be arranged so that the insufficient space between adjacent heliostat so that safeguarding that vehicle passes through in-between.Safeguard that therefore vehicle can pass solar energy field 16 or one part via the driver's compartment defined well or track.With reference now to Fig. 4, heliostat 12 is with the most intensive deployment arrangements so that in the part of on the scene 16, safeguards that vehicle may not be from there through.One or more driver's compartments 42 can be radially oriented, and the most one or more driver's compartments 40 can be the region of the substantially annular centered by solar column 18.Although driver's compartment 40 and 42 is illustrated as continuous print, but driver's compartment can be divided into various section so that district 40 and/or 42 exists only in some part of field 16, and the therefore continuous print not by field.

Can relative to safeguard one or more dimensions of vehicle 30 to define driver's compartment because the thing that can form the driver's compartment for relatively small vehicle may will not form the driver's compartment for relatively large region.In solar energy field 16, at least most of solar energy field 16 or major part (for example, at least 80% or 90% or 95% or 99% or more than) can be considered as the part in " without driving " district.Safeguard that vehicle 30 can not approach or pass through " without driving " district, thus the animal in solar energy field provides shielding and/or No Attack Area.Therefore, it is greatly reduced and/or minimizes the probability hurtful to animal due to the movement in solar energy field.

Additionally, the layout of heliostat can allow animal to pass through the movement of solar energy field 16, even if heliostat density may be in sizable " without drive " district wherein.With reference now to Fig. 5, it is shown that illuminator 13 is in the heliostat 12 of different orientation.When illuminator 13 is in substantially vertical orientation, heliostat provides minimum vertical headroom H₁.Such as, vertical clearance H₁Can 200cm, 0.5m, 1m or be enough to provide for animal illuminator below by headroom any other value in the range of.Alternately or additionally, vertical clearance can i.e. be different from the substantially perpendicular orientation shown in Fig. 5 based on the minimum point of the illuminator 13 during normal operating.

Limited in substantial horizontal orientation by illuminator 13 in heliostat 12 area below, thus define the first horizontal clearance L₁With the second horizontal clearance L₂, each have an one fixed width (not shown), and wherein, animal can not be by heliostat 12 and/or safeguard that vehicle 30 is freely roamed leisurely with stopping.Illuminator 13 is maintained at specific orientation by the supporting construction 15 of such as pyller.Supporting construction 15 provides at ground level has length L that animal will not be the most close₃Barrier with width (not shown).But, length L₃It is substantially less than length L₁And L₂, thus allowing at least most of heliostat 12 area below or major part is come-at-able for the animal of such as desert Testudinis.It should be noted that the desert animal including but not limited to desert Testudinis trends towards than the vertical clearance H provided by heliostat₁Short.

Based on many factors, the attended operation of solar power system (including the heliostat in solar energy field and/or generating) and/or the control of practical operation can include but not limited to that cleaning time table, animal information and enable amount produce optimization.Such as, with reference to Fig. 6, some information 62 zoologic is taken into account by the maintenance of solar energy field and/or the control 60 of operation the most alternatively.It addition, the control 60 of the maintenance of solar energy field and/or operation can will be stored in the information 64 (separated together with control system 60 or with control system 60) in such as memorizer and the information 66 about solar energy field 16 itself is taken into account.Control system 60 therefore can be with hinged outfan 68 to safeguard (such as clean, repair or replace heliostat) and/or controlling (such as heliostat aims at or boiler attendance) solar energy field 16.

About animal information 62, one or more different factors can be taken into account by control system 60, includes but not limited to that observed animal position, the animal position predicted, observed animal are moved, the animal predicted is moved, observed animal habitat position and/or the animal habitat position predicted.For example, it is possible to the animal in solar energy field 16 is tagged by radio transmitter or other mechanism that tags so that the position of transmitter or label be enough to describe the position of animal.In another example, it is possible to use radar, sonar, ultrasound wave, infrared thermoviewer and/or visual light imaging device monitor position and/or the movement of animal.In another example, the data about animal position or movement can be used to predict the animal position in the time period after a while, to predict the animal movement in the time period after a while, or predict position and the shape (see below the discussion being associated with Fig. 8) of the used area on animal or animal habitat ground.Prediction can be performed by control system 60 or as the part of the animal information 62 being input to control system 60.

The combination that can use one or more image processing techniques or image processing techniques determines and/or predicts animal position, movement and/or habitat.For example, it is possible to one or more positions in solar energy field 16 and/or upper at any maintenance cart 30 and/or imaging vehicle (i.e. safeguarding the less of vehicle and/or more movement) and/or use one or more cameras to obtain still image and/or a series of images (such as video) in any other position that a part for solar energy field 16 can carry out imaging.One non-limiting example of this type of image processing techniques relates to the motion detection routine that digital camera is typically used.In another example; safeguard the data base of the image of one or more " target species ", and can attempt mating the candidate image (it can include or can not include animal) from solar energy field with the one or more images in the data base of the image of the target species in the most in imminent danger or threatened species.This type of data base can be included in such as memorizer 64.

Alternatively, it is possible to use the sound system of such as acoustics imaging or passive audio detection and animal is moved by pattern recognition and positional information and event position and identify.For example, it is possible to by obtaining audio frequency from multiple location microphones and carrying out triangulation and determine that position is to determine position and speed.Other information of forecastings can be generated by model based on animal behavior and current location and track and historical position and trace information.Describe in all embodiments of optical means and equipment wherein, it should be understood that in the case of feasible, these last functions identified with offer can be replaced with this type of acoustic method and equipment.Additionally, satellite or air-borne imagery can be used to predict (including the visible or non-visible of radar, infrared ray, ultraviolet imaging data) movement of the animal of other weakness zones of care, and input as described above can be supplied to system for route planning.

In an embodiment, the image in the region of solar energy field 16 and/or any other physics reading can be categorized as (i) indicates the existence of non-domestic animal and/or (ii) not to indicate the existence of non-domestic animal.This classification can depend on coming the physics reading of self-fields and/or for judging to exist in data instruction solar energy field one or more threshold values of the time of animal.The value of these threshold values can depend on and " wrong report (falsepositive) " (i.e. when not actually existing animal, animal determines that animal dis exists) and the cost that is associated with " failing to report (falsenegative) " (determining that when there are in fact animal animal does not exists).These threshold values can be determined based on each species, wherein in imminent danger or threatened species be given more consideration and (such as can cause the lower threshold value of more wrong report.The information about animal information 62 being supplied to control system 60 can include from operator or the input of expert (such as naturalist).For example, it is possible to provide the image of each several part of solar energy field for classification further to operator, i.e. determine that whether animal is the Endangered species of actually required lower-threshold.

The position on animal habitat ground can be detected in many ways.In one example, naturalist can artificially walking identify the position on animal habitat ground 74, including being likely located at underground and standing to safeguard the habitat of broken ring of vehicle in solar energy field 16.In another example, can manually and/or automatically obtain and manually and/or automatically analyze image.In another example, As time goes on follow the tracks of the movement of animal, and determine the position (see for example the discussion being associated with Fig. 8) of animal dwelling/habitat based on the result followed the tracks of.

In addition to the data base of animal painting, memorizer can include that the various parts of solar energy field 16 or the image of different schemes use when determining maintenance or controlling output 68 for control system 60.Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible to by the cleaning historical storage of the heliostat utilized and/or driver's compartment in memory.As being described more fully, some heliostat can be stayed not clear up, or some driver's compartment is likely to be due to animal or the existence of its habitat and impassabitity.Memorizer 64 can store this information and access for control system 60.Such as, control system 60 can for cleaning, again aim at or compensate dirty heliostat and heliostat is prioritized and/or selects driver's compartment or replace driver's compartment so as cleaning heliostat time use this information.

Additionally or alternatively, control system 60 can receive the information 66 about solar energy field to determine maintenance and/or operation output 68.Such as, the position of heliostat 12 in solar energy field information 66 can include but not limited to solar energy field 16, the desired operation (such as solar tracking information) of heliostat 12, safeguarding vehicle dimension, safeguarding vehicle location (such as along the position in path), position for the position (driver's compartment 40 or 42 in such as Fig. 4) of permanent driver's compartment of certain maintenance vehicle and driver's compartment of having ready conditions (the most more fully hereinafter describe only by heliostat being redirected available driver's compartment) for certain maintenance vehicle.Can memory module 64 and solar energy field information module 66 be combined in individual module (not shown), the part being combined as control system 60 together, the part being integrated into control system 60 individually or as single compound storage-field information module.

Control system 60 can use optional animal information 62, memory module 64 and/or solar energy field information module 66 to determine the maintenance for solar energy field 16 and/or operation standard.Can make to point to one or more parts of solar energy field 16, such as independent heliostat 12, any other parts safeguarding vehicle 30 and/or solar power system or system from the output 68 of control system 60.Such as, output 68 can include the instruction for cleaning the heliostat in solar energy field or control algolithm.This control system 60 may determine that the cleaning order of heliostat or selects special modality, such as to avoid safeguarding the animal in vehicle driver's compartment or habitat along the maintenance vehicle driver's compartment specified.Heliostat cleaning history can be used to determine the priority for some the most cleaned heliostat.

Additionally or alternatively, the behaviour of heliostat can be controlled by control system 60 (or another control system based on the output from control system 60) to be explained it and safeguard or lack.Such as, dirty heliostat can reflect insolation with relatively low efficiency at receiver 20.Other heliostats can be made again to aim to compensate the reflected flux of the minimizing caused by dirty heliostat.Optimization can be performed one or more in clean or dirty heliostat again to be aimed at by control system 60, thus keep the temperature homogeneity of receiver 20.Dirty heliostat can be made to be redirected at the region that the temperature of receiver is less crucial or different receivers, such as vaporizer portion.Control system 60 can also control some heliostat 12 to compensate other heliostats currently experiencing maintenance.Such as, when cleaning solar energy field a part of, the heliostat in the Part II of solar energy field can be made again to aim to receiver 20 and to sentence the throughput loss compensated during cleaning.

Control system 60 can also control heliostat and reorientate for cleaning.For example, it is possible to make the illuminator 13 of heliostat 12 redirect to the position of perpendicular to allow by safeguarding that vehicle 30 is cleaned.Can also occur independent heliostat 12 illuminator 13 redirect allow to have ready conditions driver's compartment for certain maintenance vehicle.For example, it is possible to make to be substantially adjacent to have ready conditions, the illuminator 13 of the heliostat 12 of driver's compartment redirects to the position of perpendicular to allow to safeguard that vehicle 30 passes through.Additionally or alternatively, heliostat can be controlled, thus avoid any Latent destruction of the animal being pointed in solar energy field.Such as, if the animal in solar energy field has the height that be enough to contact heliostat illuminator 13 for some illuminator is orientated, then control system 60 can control the heliostat around animal to avoid those illuminators to be orientated.

Control system 60 can be with the operation safeguarding vehicle 30 in controlling filed.For example, it is possible to the speed safeguarding vehicle 30 come according to the threshold value or level of confidence that there is animal in limiting field, even if animal is not determined to current in safeguarding vehicle driver's compartment.If estimating that only existing less animal there is a possibility that, then can allow animal vehicle 30 to operate in standing the specific region of solar energy field of one or more constraint.Water when this type of constraint can include but not limited to constraint of velocity, the use of water or clean solution in order to clean heliostat, cleaning heliostat or the Peak Flow Rate of clean solution, noise constraints and/or safeguard other operating parameters of vehicle.

With reference now to Fig. 7, safeguard that vehicle 30 operates such as to safeguard heliostat 12 by the surface of the illuminator 13 of cleaning heliostat 12 in solar energy field 16.Safeguard that vehicle 30 can be by the permanent driver's compartment of radial directed 42 and vertical permanent driver's compartment 40 close to solar energy field 16.Therefore the various sections of heliostat 12 are separated from each other and allow to safeguard that vehicle 30 is close to heliostat by driver's compartment 40 and 42.Safeguard the position on the animal habitat ground in the animal of such as Testudinis 72 that the operation of vehicle can depend in specific driver's compartment 40 or such as cave 74.Along with safeguarding that vehicle 30 advances along driver's compartment 40, if it runs into habitat 74, then it turns back along its road and attempts walking around habitat 74.Such as, safeguard that vehicle 30 can be from top close to habitat such that it is able to close to its by from bottom close to and the heliostat that can not arrive.If safeguarding that vehicle 30 runs into the animal 72 of movement when advancing along driver's compartment 40, then can reduce cleaning speed to provide animal and safeguard the sufficient time leaving driver's compartment 30 before vehicle 30 arrives this position.

Alternately or additionally, safeguard that vehicle 30 can wait until animal leaves driver's compartment before advancing along the passage of design in driver's compartment 40.Can wait based on estimating that the time in driver's compartment is determined by animal in view of being blocked by animal or pursue replacement passage.Can be according to species identification (such as, estimate Testudinis will take more time in driver's compartment than the animal faster moved), in 1 year, time and/or the historical record speed in the solar energy field of particular animals be estimated to carry out this.In the case of estimating that time quantum is less than predetermined threshold, then safeguard that vehicle can suspend until animal is not in block channel along passage.Otherwise, safeguard that vehicle can advance to avoid blocking along replacing passage.

In another example, control system 60 can be controlled so that the prediction probability calculated of the time period of prolongation will be reached in response to animal in the channel or requires to avoid cleaning some heliostat in the case of the flux of heliostat operating of solar column system.Therefore the cleaning of heliostat can be postponed a period of time, the most several hours, several days, several week or other times section.Time between the identification of dirty heliostat and cleaning can be stored in such as memorizer 64 and be cleaned dispatching (being such as prioritized) in response to these storage data.Be probably dirty owing to not cleaning the minute surface of heliostat, thus heliostat insolation is directed to tower 18 aspect may be less effective, thus reduce system effectiveness；But, coexisting of the compromised or endangered animal species in solar energy field can overweight this reduction of system effectiveness.

With reference now to Fig. 8, can add in a part for solar energy field 16 by grid system 88, animal 72 is confirmed as being positioned in this part.As time goes on (continuously or discretely) animal or the position of animal population can be monitored, such as, use and be attached to representative animal 72 or the wireless lebal of multiple animal.Animal 72 can advance along the passage 80 in solar energy field.In each equal time portion, the point 86 along passage 80 can be recorded.The gathering of point 86 can imply that ad-hoc location is the habitat 74 for animal 72.Such as, the position hint animal 72 of the point 86 in grid 82 will spend its most of the time in this grid 82.Therefore grid 82 can be categorized as have habitat 74 wherein, and can forbid safeguarding that vehicle 30 is through grid 82.Additionally or alternatively, can be by unrelated with grid and comprise the arbitrary shape 84 of many time points 86 to specify habitat position.

Alternately or additionally, can be with the every day of analyzing animal 72 or annual Move Mode with the position/movement of prediction animal 72 or the position that determines habitat 74.For example, it is possible to monitor the movement of animal (or a treated animal) within a predetermined period of time, the most several days, one week, one month or even some months.Based on these data, can predict where animal or fauna are normally at as the function of time in time or a year in a day.Therefore can forbid safeguarding that vehicle enters predicted position in those time.Such as, Testudinis may the most earlier the time (or the special time in a year) spend more time in the first region, and when closer to night (or another time in 1 year) spend more time in the second area.Therefore can forbid safeguarding that the vehicle relatively early time in one day or carries out operating or at least allow it to operate in the case of having some constraint in the first region when closer to night in the second area.

In an embodiment, can exist in the field 16 of heliostat 12 can be close to passage or driver's compartment 90 of having ready conditions for having ready conditions of certain maintenance vehicle 30.Driver's compartment 90 of having ready conditions refers to being adjacent to when the illuminator 13 of heliostat 12 of driver's compartment is in specific orientation the only come-at-able special modality by solar energy field 16 of certain maintenance vehicle 30.Such as, with reference to Fig. 9, between a pair heliostat 12 of solar energy field 16, there are condition driver's compartment 90.It is substantially horizontally oriented 13 when the illuminator of heliostat 12 is in_HTime, safeguard the width W of vehicle_BMore than the width between the end of illuminator, thus prevent from safeguarding that vehicle passes through along passage 90.When the illuminator of heliostat 12 is in substantially vertical orientation 13_vTime, safeguard the width W of vehicle_BLess than distance W between heliostat supporting construction 15_HC, thus allow to safeguard that vehicle passes through along passage 90.

Heliostat used herein can include single illuminator (see for example 36) or can rotate the mirror assembly of the one or more illuminators (seeing Figure 37) in series rotated with rigid body.The mirror assembly 13 of specific heliostat 12 can have by coordinate pair such as in order in preset timeThe orientation limited, wherein, θ_iRepresent the elevation angle andRepresent azimuth.Heliostat 12 can have one or two rotary freedom, and can describe according to the elevation angle/azimuth or represent this rotation in any other manner.

In order to safeguard that vehicle 30 passes through along passage 90 of having ready conditions, it is not necessary to illuminator to be arranged in the position 13 of perpendicular_v.On the contrary, can be by heliostat 12 with safeguard that vehicle 30 is designed and arranged to allow illuminator 13 to be in and is different from vertical angle.For example, it is possible to the width W at the top of vehicle 30 will be safeguarded_TWith the width W safeguarded at the bottom of vehicle 30_BEven if being designed to as shown in Figure 9 when illuminator 13 and vertical 13_vWhen differently positioning, allow also to safeguard that vehicle 30 passes through along passage 90.

On the contrary, the heliostat 12 in other parts of field 16 can be the most closely spaced so that even if when illuminator 13 is arranged in substantially perpendicular orientation 13_vTime, distance W between adjacent heliostat supporting construction 15_HBAgain smaller than the width W safeguarding vehicle_B.Therefore, can be with the distance of Shortcomings to allow to safeguard vehicle 30 is by regardless of whether how illuminator is orientated between heliostat.The close combination depending on safeguarding the separating distance between the size of vehicle 30, the size of heliostat 12, the structure of heliostat 12, the layout of heliostat 12 and/or heliostat 12 between adjacent heliostat of the certain maintenance vehicle.This type of heliostat can be referred to as concealed heliostat, because it safeguards that vehicle 30 is the most close.

Figure 10-Figure 11 relates to wherein safeguarding that vehicle 30 can be in the condition can not also passed through in the region taken by heliostat 12.In Figure 10-Figure 11, the center of each heliostat (or barycenter or supporting construction) is depicted as round dot, the illuminator 13 of heliostat is represented as rectangle, and it can rotate around this round dot, and the circle that the range of movement of the illuminator 13 in plane graph is represented as around round dot.Figure 10-Figure 11 has been simplified and has assumed that the region of each heliostat is continuous print and is shaped as circle.This rough schematic view should be interpreted as restrictive.Additionally, Figure 10-Figure 11 relates to from 3d space to the projection in 2D space, i.e. plane or birds-eye view.It will be appreciated that the stop feature of any heliostat can be applied in any mode relevant with the 3D heliostat of any shape.Therefore the mirror assembly of heliostat can have any shape, and heliostat itself can have any configuration.

As shown in the left side of Figure 10, vehicle 30 can be along passage 90 of having ready conditions through solar energy field, because the illuminator 13 being adjacent to the heliostat 12 of passage 90 is in the distance bigger than the width of vehicle 30 due to the orientation of illuminator 13.But, when illuminator 13 is differently oriented about the group 100 of heliostat 12, passage be blocked and stop vehicle 30 by group 100, as shown in the right side of Figure 10.It is noted that while the illuminator 13 in as directed group 100 implys that vertical orientated, but this diagram also may indicate that in substantial horizontal orientation or hinders the illuminator 13 in any other orientation of passage.

With reference now to Figure 11, arranging so that unconditionally stop the vehicle 30A section 110 through heliostat 12 of the heliostat 12 combined with the size safeguarding vehicle 30A,.Even if vehicle 30A can pass through a pair heliostat (that is, there is enough width gaps), due to the obstruction caused by the heliostat in the second row in bottom row, it is possible to stop vehicle to further pass through field.Especially, the length and width of the vehicle 30A combined with the layout between heliostat and spacing prevents vehicle 30A from turning along passage to avoid and the collision of the heliostat in the second row.

On the contrary, safeguard that vehicle 30B is shorter than in length and safeguard vehicle 30A, but there is identical width.Although prevent from safeguarding vehicle 30A by section 110 through the field of heliostat 12, but safeguard size that vehicle 30B reduces due to it and can move along passage 114 of having ready conditions.It should also be noted that the heliostat 12 of the passage 114 that can control to be adjacent to have ready conditions and make it redirect with along with safeguarding that vehicle 30B is along before passage 114 and then adapt to it and turn and mobile.

Finally, safeguard that vehicle 30C is shorter than in length and safeguard vehicle 30A or 30B, but there is identical Breadth Maximum and circular front shape.Although safeguarding that vehicle 30B forces such as it need redirecting of the heliostat being adjacent to its passage 114 through field, but safeguard that vehicle 30C is sufficiently small so that it can be turned in the case of the illuminator 13 of heliostat 12 is maintained on consistent position and move along passage 116.Therefore, concealed heliostat and/or concealed position concept (contrast have ready conditions can close to heliostat or have ready conditions can approximated position) be the layout based on vehicle and heliostat, particularly vehicle dimension or radius of turn.

In an embodiment, the island of the concealed heliostat in solar energy field 16 can be with permanent driver's compartment and/or have ready conditions can be close to driver's compartment 90 as border.Such as, as shown in figure 12, safeguard that vehicle 30 can advance along the passage 90 of having ready conditions that the circumference in solar energy field 16 orients for a pair.According to one or more contemplated example, passage 90 of having ready conditions can also is that difform.Such as, passage 90 of having ready conditions can be along radial directed or the line of tangential orientation, along by the crenellation pattern of field, along any other pattern or combinations of patterns or advance even along random.Although all illuminators 13 along passage 90 are shown in the position of perpendicular to allow to safeguard that vehicle 30 passes through, but it is also contemplated that illuminator 13 operates according to " instant (just-in-time) " agreement, the most only it is directed to safeguard the position that vehicle 30 passes through in order to allowing when safeguarding vehicle close to illuminator 13.Therefore, the major part of passage 90 may be intercepted by illuminator 13, and it continues the receiver in collimation tower, until needing to redirect to allow to safeguard that vehicle 30 passes through.

This same " immediately " concept can also be applied to illuminator 13 to be safeguarded, such as when replacing mirror assembly.In other words, concealed heliostat 12 makes insolation focus on receiver by continuing, until approaching the cleaning of specific heliostat 12.The obstruct of the heliostat sight line during maintenance activity can be taken into account by the additional control of heliostat.Such as, safeguard that one or more heliostat (such as using arm 36B) can stop from the reflection insolation that may not require to safeguard or pass through the one or more heliostats safeguarded so that it is the appointment aiming point on the target in tower 18 can not be arrived.Therefore, it can to make provisionally heliostat again to aim to avoid the stop caused by arm 36B/cover.

It should also be noted that the position of passage 90 needs not be one group of passage or rule passage (concentric circular passage the most as shown in figure 12).On the contrary, passage 90 can be special channel and/or irregular passage.Safeguard with heliostat, vehicle 30 can suitably control that to select it close with allow between it by route of solar energy field 16.Therefore, at any time, in fact it could happen that be safeguard vehicle 30 itself be hidden in solar energy field 16 internal and do not have any specific leaving channel be it will be evident that but heliostat 12 suitably control passage can be allowed to open along with safeguarding vehicle 30 to move.This type of special channel can also be used to animal and/or its habitat avoiding in solar energy field.For example, it is possible to by optionally select to be controlled by the special channel of heliostat to safeguard vehicle around animal and/or animal habitat ground motor-driven.The heliostat along this special channel can be controlled to allow to safeguard that vehicle passes through.

Heliostat 12 away from passage 90 is not that vehicle 30 can be immediately adjacent to；Alternatively, middle heliostat prevention is immediately adjacent to.In order to arrive these hiding heliostats 12, it is attached to safeguard that one or more arm 36B of vehicle 30 can cross middle heliostat 12.Arm 36B can include that one or more cleaning end 36C is simultaneously to clean multiple heliostat.Cleaning end 36C can include brush or short range ejector filler or spraying apparatus, and it can operate in distance less than 2m between equipment and minute surface.Safeguard that vehicle 30 passage 90 of can circumferentially having ready conditions continues, its tail leaves the section 130 of the cleanest heliostat, as shown in figure 13.

Figure 14 illustrates from the top close to tower 18, i.e. close to the field of the heliostat 12 in terms of the position of receiver 20.Figure 15-Figure 21 illustrates the series of frames (frame) shown by the cleaning safeguarding heliostat that an embodiment of vehicle 150 is carried out.Especially, safeguard that vehicle 150 can advance along passage 90 of having ready conditions so that close to the heliostat 12 in field 16.The heliostat of passage of being adjacent to have ready conditions orients along substantially perpendicular directions, thus allows vehicle 150 to move along passage 90.On the contrary, the heliostat away from passage 90 of having ready conditions orients to allow cleaning along substantially horizontal direction.

Safeguarding that vehicle 150 can include one or more cranes 152 with suspension rod 156, it can reach away from having ready conditions in the heliostat field of passage 90.The cleaning equipment of roll-type cleaning equipment 154 or any other type can be supported by suspension rod 156 to provide and contacting (seeing Figure 18-Figure 19) with the direct of illuminator 13.Can temporarily engage the one or more ground supports bodies 158 safeguarding on vehicle 150 and safeguard vehicle 150 to support during clean operation.

In an embodiment, heliostat density and/or arrange may not be throughout solar energy field 16 be consistent.On the contrary, heliostat density can become according to the position in solar energy field 16.Such as, the heliostat at per unit angle the heliostat density measured can increase towards outward flange (i.e. away from tower 18) compared with the inside of field 16.Heliostat density can be to increase to 1.2,1.5,2,3 or 5 times between interior section and the exterior section of field 16 of on the scene 16.

It is the number area divided by the regions/areas section on land of different heliostats in the region (or subregion) on land for the heliostat density of the regions/areas section of solar energy field.The regions/areas section on land can be any shape, includes but not limited to rectangle, wedge shape, annular, triangle or any other shape.Should be appreciated that in single solar energy field, some region can have some subregion of bigger heliostat density and have other subregions of relatively low heliostat density.Such as, with bigger heliostat density closer to given tower and dispose heliostat further from one or more towers with relatively low heliostat density and be probably favourable.

In another example, can be wherein it is believed that heliostat be disposed with bigger density in the region of heliostat less efficient compared with the heliostat in other regions (i.e. each heliostat guides less insolation due to such as cosine losses or geographical obstruction).The region of " the most efficient " therefore can have more heliostat to compensate the efficiency reduced to increase the insolation amount being directed at receiver from the region of " the most efficient ".The region of " the most efficient " and heliostat density (or the number of heliostat, the average reflector size or add up to reflector size substantially the same insolation total amount to be directed at receiver in the region of " more efficient " can be selected with the time in time in one or more one day and/or one or more 1 year.In some embodiments it is possible to by with increase heliostat density, average reflector size or add up to the size of reflector size on the contrary or in combination expansion field to increase the number of the heliostat in the region of solar energy field.This type of homogeneous flux distribution being arranged in the receiver realized in solar column or uniform temperature distribution aspect are probably favourable.The system and method for the position of the heliostat in determining solar energy field disclosed herein can manage to realize this type of homogeneous flux distribution of the receiver in solar column and/or uniform temperature distribution.

Although not clearly requiring, but any embodiment described herein is referred to " single column " system, wherein, it is associated with tower 18 and/or is configured to make insolation be redirected to tower 18 or part thereof of heliostat 12 the most only makes insolation be redirected to single tower 18, even if more than one tower 18 is positioned at given solar power system place.This feature can apply to any heliostat or heliostat group (such as north field heliostat and/or south field heliostat and/or western field heliostat and/or field, east heliostat).In certain embodiments, insolation is not redirected to other towers from the heliostat being associated with single tower 18.

Within a period of time (for example, at least 1 week, at least 1 month, at least 3 months, at least 6 months, at least 9 months, at least 1 year, at least 2 years or at least 3 years), can actually by make insolation be redirected to the heliostat 12 of solar column 18 or heliostat group be arranged so that by heliostat 12, by each heliostat 12 of group or all insolations of being altered course by whole group less than 30%, less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 3% or less than 1% other towers 18 of sensing rather than specify solar column 18.

Any embodiment disclosed herein is referred to " multitower " system, wherein it is possible to make the heliostat in the solar energy field being associated with the first tower redirect to be directed at the second tower insolation.Especially, in some embodiments it is possible to alternatively make to aim at different towers to realize the uniformity objective (i.e. uniform temperature on receiver surface or homogeneous flux) of the one or more receivers in tower from the heliostat of solar energy field.Time and/or some is in 1 year time in some is one day, one or more in the heliostat being associated with the first tower may less efficiently (such as due to cosine losses), if do not had been resolved, this may cause flux/temperature unevenness.In order to avoid this type of situation, can make again to aim at (such as, by control system of heliostat or system user) to help compensate for the less efficient heliostat being associated with the first solar column from the heliostat of the second solar column.In some cases, it is believed that again aimed to the heliostat of the first solar column be the heliostat of " more efficient " for the second solar column.Therefore, it can make the heliostat of some " more efficient " again aim at and become the heliostat of " the most efficient " to realize uniformity objective.

Term ratio between the size and/or the time is reflected by independent heliostat a specific day/year insolation amount and the physical size of heliostat of the independent heliostat the most efficiently referred in terms of tower.Therefore, time in terms of the top down of the tower in the solar energy field being positioned at the Northern Hemisphere, south heliostat that be likely to be due to cosine effect and seem the northern heliostat less than equivalent size with identical location.The independent heliostat efficiency parameters of the heliostat that term is disposed on a position refers to the size of heliostat that will appear when not having in the case of other heliostats at the top of tower or near it in field in terms of target.Term independent heliostat efficiency parameters can be interchangeably used with the geometrical efficiency of heliostat.

Distance between tower and heliostat relates to the distance between barycenter and the position of heliostat of the tower at ground level.The position of heliostat is defined as the ground level of heliostat barycenter and projects downwards.Distance between two heliostats is its each Descartes's distance between position.The size of heliostat or the area of heliostat are the areas of all illuminators of its mirror array.Some heliostat can include such as single illuminator 13 shown in Figure 36.For these single illuminator heliostats, the size of heliostat is the area of single illuminator.Multiple illuminator heliostats can have one or more heliostat motor so that illuminator in series rotates to follow the sun.Such as, many illuminators heliostat can include a pair illuminator 13A, 13B, as shown in figure 37.For these many illuminators heliostats, size is the sum of the illuminator area of all illuminators for heliostat.

Table 1: the example of heliostat size

Total reflector size of the heliostat in the regions/areas section being deployed in land or total reflector size are the total/total sizes of all heliostats (the total area of the most all illuminators, the carrying of the most each heliostat has the mirror assembly of one or more illuminator) in the regions/areas section/sub-segments on land.Various heliostats in this land can include any number of illuminator at mirror assembly.Total illuminator density of the heliostat in the regions/areas section for being deployed in land can also be calculated or add up to illuminator density as total reflector size or to add up to the ratio between reflector size and land area or the area of subregion.Units of measurement for heliostat density is the heliostat number of per unit area, such as every m²Heliostat.On the other hand, illuminator density is the most dimensionless, such as the illuminator area of per unit land surface.Basic orientation refers to positive north, due east, due south and Zheng Xi (in any sequence).Be referred to as the time at dusk can any time after local solartime 1PM, after 2PM or after 3PM, simultaneously its can at sunset, 15 minutes before sunset, before sunset 30 minutes, before sunset 60 minutes, before sunset 90 minutes or within 2 hours, terminate the most before sunset.

At the top of solar column or its neighbouring position can be at most the 25% of height of tower at top, at most the 20% of height of tower, at most the 15% of height of tower, at most the 10% of height of tower, the height of at most 15% or tower of the height of tower at most 5% tolerance in.Relative at the top of tower or its neighbouring one or more targets non-topple over (non-dumping) time period be the flux being thus incident on target be at most the 95% of the peaking flux being incident on target, at most 90%, at most 85% or the time period of at most 80%.This peaking flux can for given one day as peaking flux every day, for given month as monthly peaking flux or for the given time as annual peaking flux.Generally, this non-dumping time section is not at night or without insolation or extremely low insolation time period.During non-dumping time section, the amount of flux can be to be incident at least the 15% of peaking flux, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50% or at least 60% at the top of tower or on its neighbouring target.Such as, non-dumping time section can in the morning, occur during afternoon and/or winter.But, this is not to limit, and can depend on one or more physical parameters of solar power system.

When carrying out reference side's grid relative to open embodiment, if foursquare turning is mesh point, then the square grid in square can be made to be directed at turning.The mesh parameter of the distance side of the being grid between horizontal and vertical proximity network lattice point.X% side's grid in square has mesh parameter, and its length is the x% of the length around foursquare limit.Such as, with by point { (x₁, y₁, (x₁, y₂), (x₂, y₁) and (x₂, y₂) the given 1% side's grid being directed at around foursquare turning will be at { (x₁, y₁), (x₁+0.01*(x₂-x₁), y₁)、(x₁+0.02*(x₂-x₁), y₁)....(x₁+0.99*(x₂-x₁), y₁), (x₂, y₁), (x₁, y₁+0.01*(y₂-y₁)), (x₁+0.01*(x₂-x₁), y₁+0.01*(y₂-y₁)), etc. place has mesh point,

Figure 22 is the schematic diagram representing the solar energy field with heliostat 12, and each heliostat 12 is configured to follow the sun and make insolation be redirected to central tower 18.Such as, this solar energy field can comprise more than 50,000 heliostat, although according to one or more contemplated example, it is also possible to have the heliostat of other numbers.Solar energy field 16 can include one or more radial directed driver's compartment 42.The interior section 222 of the exterior section 220 of heliostat 12 with the heliostat 12 close to tower 18 can be demarcated by circumferential orientation driver's compartment 40.Figure 23 shows the close-up illustration of a part for field 16, and it specifically illustrates the heliostat 12 in interior section 222 has and those the different layouts in exterior section 220.The labelling on axle in Figure 23 represents the distance (in units of rice) with tower 18.

Figure 24 identification 24 diverse locations in the solar energy field 16 discussed below with reference to heliostat density.Each position can be such as 100m².Northern section 220N on the scene can arrange three position L along direction the most northwards₁-L₃.In west section 220W the most on the scene, three position L can be arranged in the direction along substantially northwest₄-L₆.West section 220W on the scene can arrange three position L along direction the most westwards₇-L₉.Three position L can be arranged in direction along substantially southwest in west section 220W the most on the scene and in southern section 220S the most on the scene₁₀-L₁₂.Southern section 220S the most on the scene can arrange three position L along direction the most to the south₁₃-L₁₅.In east section 220E the most on the scene, three position L can be arranged in the direction along the substantially southeast₁₆-L₁₈.East section 220E the most on the scene can arrange three position L along direction the most eastwards₁₉-L₂₁.East section 220E the most on the scene can arrange three position L along substantially northeastward₂₂-L₂₄。

For closest to each position of tower, i.e. L₁、L₄、L₇、L₁₀、L₁₃、L₁₆、L₁₉And L₂₂Center can be in the distance with tower 18 e.g., from about 350m.For each position farthest apart from tower, i.e. L₃、L₆、L₉、L₁₂、L₁₅、L₁₈、L₂₁And L₂₄Center can be in the distance with the e.g., from about 750m of tower 18.For each other positions, i.e. L₂、L₅、L₈、L₁₁、L₁₄、L₁₇、L₂₀And L₂₃Center can be in the distance with the e.g., from about 550m of tower 18.

Table 2 below shows the heliostat density value of the diverse location for identifying in fig. 24.The density value listed in table 2 illustrates and the heliostat density design in the different quadrants of field or part can be become change, even if position is otherwise equidistant with tower.It addition, the heliostat density ratio of the position for similarly positioning relative to tower can such as change as the function with the distance of tower.Such as, north and south heliostat density ratio can increase along with the distance with tower.

In order to illustrate, position L₁₃And L₁The density being shown in the southern field 220S at same distance and north section 220N is different.Can be for the position similarly positioned relative to tower 18 in south section 220S and north section 220N to define north and south density ratio.Especially, for L₁₃And L₁For；North and south density ratio is 2.32/2.09=1.11.By L₁₄Value and L₂Value compares and obtains the north and south density ratio of 2/1.66=1.2.By L₁₅Value and L₃Value compares and obtains the north and south density ratio of 1.62/1.25=1.3.Therefore, by increasing the distance with tower 18, the north and south density ratio between the same position (i.e. in the distance that tower 18 is equal) arranged can increase.

Table 2: the density of the heliostat of the various location in solar energy field

Heliostat density in the southern part of solar energy field can exceed the heliostat density in the northern part of solar energy field.Embodiment described in Figure 22-Figure 24 and Biao 2 can be applicable to solar energy field on the Northern Hemisphere.In the Southern Hemisphere, this result will be contrary.In other words, in the Southern Hemisphere, the heliostat density in the northern part of solar energy field is by the heliostat density in the southern part exceeding solar energy field.

In on the Northern Hemisphere, south heliostat is likely to be due to cosine effect and trends towards being weaker than its northern homologue positioned equally.On the contrary, in the Southern Hemisphere, north heliostat is likely to be due to cosine effect and trends towards being weaker than its southern homologue positioned equally.Then in the region with more weak heliostat (region relative to having stronger heliostat) with the density that increases to dispose heliostat to provide additional insolation reflectance to compensate or to compensate this weakness at least in part and be probably favourable.When receiver has north and the south of substantially the same size, the heliostat density of the increase in the south part (i.e. in the most efficient region) of solar energy field can help heat flux evenly or the uniform temperature distribution realizing on the surface of receiver.Additionally or alternatively, more weak heliostat can include bigger illuminator.

Furthermore it is also possible to definition thing density ratio.In order to illustrate, position L₇And L₁₉It is shown in the west section 220W at same distance and the density in the section 220E of east is different.Can be for the position similarly positioned relative to tower 18 in west section 220W and east section 220E to define thing density ratio.Especially, for L₇And L₁₉For, density ratio in north and south is 2.14/2.08=1.03.By L₈Value and L₂₀Value compares and obtains the north and south density ratio of 1.88/1.75=1.05.By L₉Value and L₂₁Value compares and obtains the north and south density ratio of 1.52/1.4=1.08.Therefore, by increasing the distance with tower 18, the thing density ratio between the same position (i.e. in the distance that tower 18 is equal) arranged can increase.

Heliostat density in the western part 220W of solar energy field can exceed the heliostat density in east part 220E of solar energy field.The electricity charge of the electricity in afternoon hours can be more than the electricity charge of the electricity in morning sessions.Therefore, can make the placement optimization of heliostat the most described herein so that power generation in afternoon and/or the insolation in afternoon to tower 18 maximize to realize insolation or the flux of aspiration level on the most several hours periods receiver in tower 18, this may be used to income or income/field cost function maximizes or at least increases.The total size of the density of heliostat or number and/or illuminator or illuminator density can be taken into account by this type of income/field cost function, such as with catch the income of each heliostat or illuminator capital cost certain than or other functions.For example, it is possible to make to obtain substantially uniform insolation on the placement optimization of the heliostat all flux receiving surfaces with the most several hours periods receiver around.In another example, the placement optimization of heliostat can be made so that the insolation amount or the flux that are incident on the receiver surface in the solar energy field region having poor efficiency heliostat during the most several hours maximize or at least increase.Afternoon power generation maximization and/or to tower insolation in afternoon maximization and/or in the afternoon period realize on the receiver uniform insolation/flux can with power generation in morning and/or to tower insolation in morning and/or in the morning during realize uniform insolation/flux on the receiver as cost, because the total amount of the sum of the heliostat can being deployed in solar energy field and/or illuminator area is probably fixing and/or affined.

When design have a limited number of heliostat (such as due to budget or geographic constraint) for the solar energy field that power in afternoon preferential produces time, western part that can be on the scene is arranged more greater number of heliostat than east part.Even if may the most weak (i.e. the most efficient) in terms of tower receives the amount of insolation compared with the heliostat of the location same with east section on the scene of the heliostat in the west section of field, for produce improve the standard afternoon electric power purpose, this heliostat is arranged can also preferred these more weak west heliostats.

In order to design solar energy field, cost function can be set up, the sum of the heliostat that its constraint can be disposed in being included in the solar energy field of part of at least two basic orientation (such as north and south, thing) and/or total illuminator area.May require that solar energy field has the power generation and/or the total insolation reflection of the raising to the target being associated with solar column in afternoon of raising, even if altering course as cost with power generation in morning and/or from the morning insolation of heliostat to solar column target.In response to this cost function, can design and specify the heliostat layout disposed, wherein, in a part on the scene there is more heliostat (or total reflector size of the average reflector size or bigger of bigger heliostat density or bigger) in ratio in the part along the field of contrary basic orientation, such as, the northern part of the same orientation of the contrast of the greater number of heliostat in the southern part of field.Alternately or additionally, it is possible to use this cost function designs solar energy field, wherein, than section in the Orient being disposed more heliostat and/or disposing with bigger density than in section in the Orient in the section of west in west section on the scene.This deployment according to any scheme and/or feature, can include but not limited to any combination of scheme disclosed herein and/or feature.

Figure 25 represents the region of the solar energy field wherein deploying heliostat.One part of solar energy field can be north square area 252.Another part of solar energy field can be south square area 254, and it is substantially the mirror image across the northern areas 252 of the east axle centered by tower 28.Northern areas 252 and both regions 254, south can be made to be directed at basic orientation, i.e. two vertical edges in figure are parallel to North and South direction, and two horizontal sides in figure are parallel to east-west direction.Northern areas 252 and both regions 254, south can have substantially the same thing skew, i.e. from the north and south axle displacement centered by tower 18.For region 252, south, the angle of deviation 257 can be there is between the vector 259 from the center 256 of the center of tower 18 to northern areas 252.For region 254, south, similar angle of deviation (not shown) can defined from the center of tower 18 between the vector (not shown) at the center 258 in region 254, south.Owing to northern areas 252 and region 254, south are mutual north and south mirror images, so its angle of deviation 257 must be identical.

North and south and the concept of thing mirror image is illustrated in Figure 26-Figure 27.For the north and south mirror image in the region on land, the thing angle of deviation 267 is identical for two regions, such as region 262 and the mirror image 264 thereof on land.For the thing mirror image in the region on land, the north and south angle of deviation 277 is identical for two regions, such as region 272 and the mirror image 278 thereof on land.As shown in Figure 28-Figure 29, can check many sub regions 283A-D, 287A-D, it can may not be separate (293A-B and 297A-B seeing in Figure 29), is completely contained in northern areas 282 or region 284, south.For example, it is possible to defined the less subregion 283A in the square area 282 of the north by the little square with center 285A.

As shown in figure 30, in order to region 302 is completely maintained in large area 300, region 302 can be only positioned on the position defined by its scope.The moving range 308 of little square 302 in bigger square 300 is with the track 306 of the point in bigger square as boundary, wherein, in the center 304 in region can be positioned so that region 302 is completely maintained in bigger square 300.This scope 308 represents one group of possible position at little foursquare center 304.

Paragraphs below is applicable to tower-heliostat system based on the Northern Hemisphere, wherein, the sum (or total reflector size of all heliostats) of the southern heliostat of tower exceedes the sum (or total reflector size of all heliostats) of heliostat in the north of tower.For system based on the Southern Hemisphere, the sum (or total reflector size of all heliostats) of the southern heliostat of tower will exceed the sum (or total reflector size of all heliostats) of the heliostat in the north of tower.Therefore can be by northern and southern narration be exchanged to illustrate that following description is applied to Southern Hemisphere embodiment by this feature.

With reference to Figure 28, first can be carried out between reflector size with the number of heliostat and/or the total reflector size of all heliostats in the north and south mirror image 287A of the little square 283A in region 284, south and compare adding up to of the number of heliostat in the region 283A when the position of region 283A is in northern areas 282 and/or all heliostats.Additional comparison, such as 283B Yu 287B, 283C Yu 287C and 283D and 287D can be performed for the different mirror area in the north and region 282,284, south.The ratio adding up to reflector size of all heliostats in total reflector size square little with the south 287A of all heliostats in the ratio of the sum of the heliostat in each sum square little with south 287A comparing the heliostat that can relate in the least square 283A and/or little square 283A.

As shown in figure 29, can compare first and relate to region 293A, 297A and performing this when relatively relating to region 293B, 297B and compare after a while, wherein, region 293A, 293B (with 297A, 297B therefore) are overlapped.With reference to Figure 30, it is also possible to make region 302 slide throughout its gamut 308, such as by region 302 being moved minimum amount to cover gamut so that each point of scope 308 is accessed only once by the center 304 in region 302.Center 304 for region 302 may be located at each point in scope 308 therein, such as in region 294, south, and the north and south mirror position at the center 304 of domain of the existence 302.

For each accessed position at the center 304 in the region 302 in scope 308, another of the sum of the heliostat in the sum of the heliostat in the northern version in region 302 and/or the southern version of total reflector size contrast district 302 and/or total reflector size compares.This can perform for the bigger or the most infinitely-great several destination locations in scope 308.Therefore, it can perform many compare.In some embodiments it is possible to perform to compare when the center 304 in region 302 is moved.Alternately or additionally, the center 304 that can make region 302 is confined to equal to the size of scope 308, the movement of the 5% of length, 0.1% or 0.01% on foursquare limit that i.e. defined by scope 308.

Based on this displacement, one group (such as one big group) between the northern subregion according to the position in scope 308 open to discussion and its south mirror image homologue compares one by one.Comparing for this group, it is one or more that the great majority in this group relatively can show in following characteristics: the number of the heliostat in (1) north subregion and south subregion is at least 2,3,5 or 10 heliostats or at most 12,10,7,5 or 3 heliostats；(2) ratio between the sum of the sum of heliostat in region, the such as region 287A of south and the heliostat in northern areas, such as region 283A is at least 1.01,1.02,1.03,1.04,1.05,1.06,1.07,1.08,1.09,1.1,1.12,1.14,1.16,1.17,1.18,1.19 or 1.2；And (3) south region, such as region 287A in heliostat sum totals size and northern areas, such as region 283A in heliostat sum total size between contrast be at least 1.01,1.02,1.03,104,1.05,1.06,1.07,1.08,1.09,1.1,1.12,1.14,1.16,1.17,1.18,1.19 or 1.2.Such as, in Figure 28, single comparison can be with the total of the heliostat in comparison domain 283A and 287A or the total reflector size of all heliostats, second compare can be between 283B and 287B of region, 3rd compare can be between 283C and 287C of region, and the 4th compare can be between 283D and 287D of region.

Can be for the given position defined parameters α in solar energy field.Especially, the ratio between the height of the target α can define the distance from given position to tower and central tower or tower.Therefore bigger compared with those with smaller value value represents the position that distance tower is farther.Such as, for the tower height degree between large-sized solar field (i.e. more than 50000 heliostats) and about 130m and 140m, when the distance from ad-hoc location to tower is 550m, then α can be between about 3.9 and about 4.25.In an embodiment, northern areas 252 and the corresponding south majority in region 254, great majority or all can have more than 2.0,2.5,2.7,3,3.25,3.5,3.75,4,4.25,4.5,4.75,5,6,7,8,9 or the α of 10.

Figure 31-32 illustrates the change of the density in zones of different.Figure 31 represents the number of the heliostat in field, the north, and Figure 32 represents the number of the heliostat in field, south.Each heliostat has the distance to arest neighbors heliostat of the relative density in instruction field.In Figure 31-Figure 32, depict the number of heliostat for each nearest neighbor distance (in units of rice).As from Figure 31-Figure 32 should it will be apparent that the north field and south field in heliostat arrange between there are differences.

In an embodiment, multiple single column solar energy field of common location can be provided in single geographical location, as shown in figure 33.For example, it is possible to provide four tower 18A-18D with respective solar energy field 330A-330D.In an embodiment, each 330A-330D can be only made to be associated with its tower 18A-18D.Can be only configured to the heliostat in each field make insolation be redirected to its respective tower, the heliostat in 330A will be configured to only make insolation be redirected to tower 18A on the spot.The most southern region 332,334 in field 330C, 330C can be defined by line 336 in the south of all tower 18A-18D.Various principle described herein can apply to any 330A-330D or the combination of field.Figure 34-Figure 35 illustrates for tower and other configurations of the common location of solar energy heliostat field.In the example of Figure 35, it is believed that some part 352,354 for specific a line solar energy field 350C, 350D, 350F southernmost.In an embodiment, from the region of any heliostat or heliostat to distance and another the distance from any heliostat or heliostat field to tower of its respective tower ratio can be less than 0.9,0.7,0.5,0.3,0.2,0.1 or 0.05.

In an embodiment, can be configured to the heliostat in one or more in field alternatively guide the insolation at different tower to compensate less efficient heliostat.Such as, some heliostat (the most more efficient heliostat) the tower 18A in Figure 33 " can use " the southern part of field 330C from tower 18C is to compensate the heliostat (the most efficient heliostat) in the southern part of field 330A.Therefore can will be orientated the most efficiently (i.e. in the south of tower 18A) for tower 18A from being converted in the most efficient orientation (i.e. in the north of tower 18C) for tower 18C from the north heliostat used of part of field 330C, but, the heliostat number of the increase in the south now pointing to tower 18A compensates for the efficiency of the reduction of the south part of a 330A, and may be used for promoting the homogeneity condition of receiver, at least when the receiver in tower 18A has north and the south of substantially the same size.

The point schematic diagram of solar energy field is the figure in proportion describing the heliostat layout in solar energy field, thus, represents single heliostat with single round dot, is each respectively positioned at each heliostat position (see for example Figure 41-49).Although some some schematic diagram usually includes virtual link line or arc (it is described in above it arc or line deploying heliostat), but there is not such requirement.In the some schematic diagram of some prior art solar energy field, the most or all of heliostat in the non local region of solar energy field is typically arranged according to orderly arc layout patterns (see for example Figure 38-Figure 39).In other prior art example, the layout of heliostat can be retrained so that on the straight line through the sizable non local part of solar energy field, dispose heliostat at regular intervals.In both cases, the heliostat in prior art systems is disposed on line or on arc/curve with aturegularaintervals.

Figure 38-Figure 39 relates to the highly constrained and/or layout patterns of high-sequential, the layout of the heliostat of the deployment being particularly restrained on the line or arc of solar energy field.On the contrary, the embodiment of solar energy field disclosed herein includes the region wherein making heliostat dispose optimized solar energy field (i.e. not used for the separate overall situation geometrical constraint on the border specifying region and/or field) in the case of not being constrained in any certain line or arc.Therefore, when seeing the some schematic diagram of open solar energy field with bigger ratio (contrary with the little localized areas in the sizable region only considering heliostat layout), may not there is recognizable notable line chart case or notable arc pattern apart from interior in big non local in solar energy field.

In an embodiment, heliostat can be arranged in the way of changing to promote the higher efficiency being mapped to the useful energy form of such as steam, electricity or Biomass day.Can by so that dispose by the way of arranging these farther heliostats in the case of the deployment not making heliostat is constrained in certain line or arc be relatively farther from some of tower, most of or essentially all heliostat and make the efficiency optimization of solar column system.By loosening this type of constraint and by using one or more optimization routine (i.e., wherein this routine can enjoy more degree of freedom in sizable region of solar energy field, but it is not necessarily whole field), can be compared to the efficiency realizing improvement for more orderly placement scheme.

The efficiency of solar energy field can relate to overall strength or the amount of the insolation of the receiver pointed in tower of the function as capital investment cost.For example, it is possible to measure efficiency as total reflectance divided by certain tolerance of the gross area of the illuminator of heliostat.It addition, the solar energy field obtained from optimization is likely to be due to the shortage of the predefined passage by heliostat field and is more difficult to keep.The use of the driver's compartment of having ready conditions in the region of solar energy field can retrain at the line in not having these regions or arc, allow to safeguard vehicle allows field layout optimization in the case of accessing the heliostat in these regions simultaneously.

Heliostat in the one or more regions not making solar energy field is disposed in the case of being constrained in certain line or arc, and it is one or more that the layout obtained from extensive optimization routine can show following characteristics:

(1) when watching some schematic diagram (or quite a few of field) of field, the heliostat in the perimeter of solar energy field is not necessarily deployed in global lines layout and/or overall situation arc layout (or combinations thereof).Such as, the perimeter of the field of heliostat can be at least 2 times of the height for tower, 2.5 times, 3 times, 3.5 times or the distance of 4 times.

(2) even if total layout patterns of perimeter is not constrained in global lines or arc pattern, the most there is not the requirement that heliostat must avoid local pattern to dispose.Alternatively, the localization pattern of some can be observed.For example, it is possible to certain localization that there is heliostat interrupts crenellation pattern, wherein, there are the many heliostat zigzag clusters being interrupted each other and disposing throughout whole field.

In an embodiment, the method being used for calculating heliostat layout can include global optimization, meta-heuristic and/or other computing techniques.This type of of heliostat layout calculates the mode that wherein heliostat layout can be taked to there is no the constraint (being i.e. not limited to the deployment on line or arc) being associated with the orderly or arc on the non local region of field/line domination pattern.The heliostat layout that characterization result obtains can be carried out with relatively high heliostat field insolation changed course efficiency parameters.Optimization can shelter maximization based on the covered ground making in one or more one day time and/or the time is realized by the heliostat in one or more parts of solar energy field in one or more 1 year the target from solar column (or top) see or ground.

Figure 38-Figure 39 represents first (" field 1 ") layout 380,390 in order, wherein, on the RADIAL 384 initiated on the concentric circular 382 that heliostat 12 is deployed in around central tower and/or at tower.Figure 40-Figure 41 represents second (" field 2 ") in the heliostat layout in each several part of the field being optimised in the case of not being constrained in certain line or arc.Relative to second (field 2) in first (field 1) of Figure 38-Figure 39 and Figure 40-Figure 41 both, for the sake of understanding, only illustrate the heliostat of wired number；But, the practical embodiments of solar energy field can include being deployed in e.g., from about 4km²Area in more than 50000 heliostats.This heliostat can be of similar shape, size and height.Two fields all with lead to tower 18 four radially sidewalks 42 be characterized, such as, as shown in figure 42.

Figure 42-Figure 49 illustrates the arc constrained layout (i.e. Figure 42, Figure 44, Figure 46 and Figure 48) of appearance 1 and the optimization of field 2 without the contrast between constrained layout (i.e. Figure 43, Figure 45, Figure 47 and Figure 49).Especially, Figure 43 represents northeast part 400NE of field, and Figure 45 represents that the Counties of North-west Five 400NW, Figure 47 of field represent southeast part 400SE of field, and Figure 49 represents southwestern part 400SW of field.

In on the scene 2, the heliostat (such as in middle section 402) close to tower 10 and away from the heliostat (such as in perimeter 400) of tower 17 between there is the difference in terms of layout.Remote heliostat (in perimeter 400) can be defined as having the heliostat of the ratio of the tower of at least 2,2.5,3,3.5,4,4.5,5,7.5 or 10-between heliostat distance and the height of tower.In middle section 402, can with more in order, the most intensive layout arrange heliostat (being such as constrained in line or arc), simultaneously can be not to the deployment optimization of the heliostat made in the case of any constraint of line or arc in perimeter 400.

Multizone scheme can be disposed, wherein, for the region close to tower 18, such as region 402, dispose heliostat with certain regular grid pattern.This regular grid pattern or other kinds of loading (packing) pattern can improve heliostat and load and/or make it maximize, even to use too much heliostat or too much to add up to illuminator area to make every reflective mirror product metric maximum turn to cost.In these closed areas, significant heliostat layout patterns can be the lattice of very well ordered, such as triangular grid pattern or hexagon close loading pattern.For the region further from tower 18, such as region 400, wherein heliostat is away from tower 18, and in the case of not considering specific pattern or desired placement scheme, deployment is optimised.In an embodiment, can at the top of tower or its neighbouring position (or position on any other ground) ground coverage of seeing and by do not require the heliostat on line or rule arc/curve dispose (or by require heliostat layout on line or arc but and further constrained layout thus it requires the layout of most of heliostats being in aturegularaintervals on line or arc) make heliostat layout optimization.This type of optimizes the ground that the illuminator of the relative high levels for giving heliostat density and/or illuminator density can be caused to cause and covers.The covered ground of this relative high levels realized by the heliostat of the one or more positions in solar energy field can be used for promoting that solar radiation is useful to the more efficient conversion of useful energy.

The concept of covered ground (or ground cover) is discussed below with reference to Figure 50-Figure 52.Whenever mention covered ground (or ground is covered or ground is sheltered or ground stop) at this, its be about from the height in solar column, such as at this top of tower at or position near it in terms of solar energy field.When certain region guarded the threshing floor from specific viewing location 500, such as at the top of solar column 18 or its neighbouring receiver 20 (or other targets), some part on ground will be visible from viewing location 500, and the illuminator 13 being intended to be directed to insolation the heliostat 12 at receiver 20 is covered by other parts on ground.Viewing location 500 can correspond to heliostat 12 position on the target 20 of its reflection insolation (i.e. aiming point on target or receiver 20) while following the sun.When solar energy field limit region there is the heliostat of greater number and/or there is the heliostat of the illuminator area bigger than other regions of solar energy field time, this may cause wherein this restriction region to have the situation of covered ground of higher degree.

In addition to heliostat density and/or illuminator density, many additive factorss can be depended on for wherein deploying the covered ground of the specific region of the solar energy field of heliostat, include but not limited to: the time in time and/or 1 year in (1) one day；(2) geographical position of solar energy field；(3) the actual heliostat layout (geometry of such as heliostat, the distance between such as heliostat, the angle connecting the vector of heliostat or any other aspect of heliostat layout) of the part of the solar energy field of its covered ground is being analyzed；(4) size of each heliostat, shape or height；(5) height (or its height and position can be the height that may not be the viewing location that the position with solar energy target such as receiver 20 overlaps) of tower；And the distance of this part (the most determining or analyzing the part of its covered ground) that (6) are from solar column to solar energy field.

In an embodiment, covered ground can be analyzed for the time one or more positions in solar energy field in time and/or a year in one or more a day.For example, it is possible to analyze one or more heliostat layout and distribute mark according to the covered ground provided by heliostat layout.Viewing location can be at solar column or the position of its neighbouring solar energy target.According to the time in selected one day or in 1 year or mark can be distributed according to certain time average or time-weighted average.Alternately or additionally, mark can be calculated by analyzing the covered ground on the multiple positions in solar energy field.For by the heliostat of the given number in the given area being deployed in land and/or the heliostat illuminator of intended size, many potential heliostat layouts can be there is.When heliostat is not limited to the deployment on line or rule arc/curve, the number of potential heliostat layout in fact can be sizable.Each in these potential heliostat layouts can be associated from different covered ground marks.

Embodiment described herein can relate to produce the technology of the solar energy field layout of the position of at least some of heliostat described in central tower solar thermal power plants.The search in space of heliostat configuration can be performed to analyze covered ground or other parameters derived from covered ground.Search volume corresponding to the space of possible heliostat placement scheme can be sizable.As attempting using the replacement of brute-force technology, Global Optimization Algorithm For Analysis can make at least 50 in the heliostat in field, the position optimization of 100,500,1000 or 5000.It is, for example possible to use Global Optimization Algorithm For Analysis determines that the deployed position (that is, having the heliostat of at least twice more than tower height degree to tower distance) of the heliostat in the perimeter of solar energy field does not make this deployment be constrained in certain line or arc.

The given covered ground that optimization instrument obtains in the big search volume of heliostat layout can be used to derive function or the approximation of overall optimum of the given part for heliostat field.Optimization instrument can include but not limited to that global or local searches for random/probability instrument, meta-heuristic algorithm, simulated annealing, hill climbing algorithm, genetic algorithm, dynamic programming and/or ant group algorithm.Covered ground derives function can include the total covered ground of the time average throughout field or the region of field.This time average ground coverage function can be in other day the time and/or other in 1 year several days for cost prioritizing selection some months in summer and/or the weighting function of the coverage of face larger in several hours at dusk.

In an embodiment, for determining that the method for solar energy field layout can include being initially selected for one or more parts of the solar energy field that heliostat is placed.Position can be determined for one group of heliostat, the heliostat in the large area of such as solar energy field, this type of region composition at least the 50% of solar energy field, 70%, 80% or 90%.Use one or more Techniques of Optimum, the field placement scheme of the selected portion for solar energy field can be generated.Subsequently, according to the placement scheme generated, heliostat can be arranged in solar energy field.

Generating so that cover can be by least partially optimization the covered ground realized by heliostat at the top of tower or in terms of its neighbouring position or ground of placement scheme.Covered ground/cover can be only that the heliostat in the region in solar energy field makes insolation be redirected to the tolerance of total capacity at top (or near top) of solar column.Other can also be used to measure.Additionally or alternatively, one or more non local region for solar energy field, such as it is relatively distant from the region of the solar energy field of tower, when being used in the placement scheme optimization of one or more parts of solar energy field, placement scheme can be determined in the case of not being constrained in any certain line or arc.

Figure 50-Figure 52 can relate to the west heliostat being positioned at the west of tower 10 and viewing location/impact point 500, although can obtain, for the heliostat in other sections of solar energy field, the reasoning that is similar to.With reference now to Figure 50, owing to heliostat 12 follows the sun with the impact point 500 insolation 14 being reflexed on receiver 20, therefore the orientation (the such as elevation angle and/or azimuth) of the illuminator 13 of heliostat 12 all changes on whole daytime, from the orientation 13 in morning_MOOrientation 13 to afternoon_AF。

From viewing location 500, the existence of the illuminator 13 of heliostat 12 will cover ground.Due to the different orientation of the heliostat of time in different a day, the size in shielded region and/or position can change for each heliostat.Such as, due to the orientation 13 of illuminator in morning_MO, produce shielded region 502, the simultaneously orientation 13 of the illuminator in afternoon relative to viewing location 500_AFLess shielded region 504 can be caused.For the time in any a day in the Northern Hemisphere, the independent heliostat of the given distance in the positive north at tower the size in the shielded region, ground caused can be more than the size in shielded region, ground that will be caused by same independent heliostat in the case of being deployed in the same distance in due south of tower.In the Southern Hemisphere, this situation will be contrary so that south heliostat can cause the more ground of each heliostat to cover compared with the heliostat of the corresponding north.

Figure 51 illustrates two heliostats 12 in the west being both deployed in tower 10.The part 512 of illuminator 13 is stopped by adjacent heliostat 12 relative to viewing location 500.In other words, the insolation reflected by this part 512 can not arrive stopped by the illuminator 13 of heliostat 12 in viewing location 500.This part 512 can be considered as wasting illuminator space, during some illuminator is orientated, is i.e. unused for available illuminator space insolation being directed at receiver.It addition, overlap can be there is between the region covered by each illuminator 13, thus produce single shielded region 510 on the ground.By being separated further by heliostat, as in figure 52, each illuminator the shielded ground region produced becomes independent and different regions 520,522, there is gap 524 in-between.This gap 524 represents at its ground region currently arranged and do not covered by heliostat in orientation.Owing to this gap will be visible from viewing location 500, so it can represent wasting space, during some illuminator is orientated, i.e. it is not used to land insolation being directed at receiver.

The distance between part 513 and/or the size in shielded region, such as 510 and/or the shielded region of each illuminator 13 being blocked, the size in such as gap 524 can be used in the optimization of heliostat field layout.By not making heliostat layout constraint in certain line or arc and the covered ground optimum procedure being included every density range that above-mentioned covered ground considers by realization, it is possible to obtain efficient heliostat layout.

Retrain by avoiding solar energy field layout is applied arc or line, can make the ground covered by heliostat amount (i.e. a time point or within one or more time periods time average) optimization.In an embodiment, this can relate to wherein allowing heliostat position depart significantly from can in solar energy field restrictive rule or any line of pattern or the situation of arc in order.Additionally or alternatively, the deployment of heliostat can be made to be confined to such as concentric arc；But, the heliostat along each arc is placed can be the most irregular.Additionally or alternatively, the deployment of heliostat can be constrained in the region in the concentric driver's compartment centered by solar column.The calculation of such as simulated annealing can determine the optimum position of the heliostat in each region in the case of not having any further geometrical constraint (such as arranging online or on arc).This algorithm can cover based on the ground in terms of the such as target from solar column and make the heliostat position optimization in each region.

With reference now to Figure 53, it is shown that the part for solar energy field at the top of tower 18 or in terms of its neighbouring position, the view of northern section of interior section 402 of the field 2 in such as Figure 40-Figure 41.Figure 54 shows a part for solar energy field, the such as northern section of the exterior section 400N of the field 2 in Figure 40-Figure 41.Similarly, the interior section 402 of the field 2 during Figure 55-Figure 56 illustrates Figure 40-Figure 41 and the southern section of exterior section 400S.Character is covered on the ground of the layout that therefore Figure 53-Figure 56 illustrates the heliostat in solar energy field.With as compared with time from the point of view of a schematic diagram (i.e. the birds-eye view of solar energy field), this solar energy field is seeming at the top of tower or when seeing near it more in order (that is, because it is designed to make ground cover maximization).

Exterior section for field, the heliostat in the region 400 of all solar energy field as shown in figure 40 are placed and can not be considered specific bank or arc pattern, and the heliostat of the interior section being simultaneously used for field is placed can be highly constrained in specific line or arc.Such as, in Figure 58, the fields inside 582 closer to the field 2 of tower more in order and/or substantially conforming to grid layout, can determine the position of heliostat in external field 580 in the case of not being constrained in certain line or arc simultaneously.Both there is the heliostat disposed according to line chart case (in interior section 572) or arc pattern (in exterior section 570) for the field 1 shown in Figure 57, the fields inside 572 close to tower and the external field 570 away from tower.Contrary with the field 2 of Figure 58, the position of the heliostat of the field 1 in Figure 57 is selected as being in aturegularaintervals along global lines or arc pattern (being i.e. constrained in the deployment on line or arc pattern), this can cause in one or more one day time in time and/or one or more 1 year less than optimal covered ground.Although the field 2 in Figure 58 has wherein it is observed that the perimeter 580 of local line or arc pattern, it is to be noted that be to determine in the case of the deployment of specific global lines or arc pattern not requiring for the position of these heliostats.On the contrary, in the layout of field 2, recognizable any local pattern is relative to the optimized of covered ground rather than the product of the requirement for disposing along the heliostat of some line or arc.

In an embodiment, the solar energy field of heliostat can be provided in any combination of any feature disclosed in this, includes but not limited to any combination (for scope, any combination of upper and lower bound limits possible scope) of following characteristics:

(1) heliostat is sized feature such as, any feature can relate at least 10 in solar energy field or one part, 50,100,150,200,500,1000,3000,5000,10000,20000,50,000 or 100, the heliostat group of 000 heliostat；

(2) heliostat altitude feature is such as, and any feature can relate to heliostat group, wherein, it is believed that whole, the most or suitable majority of one group of heliostat on any position is short.Such as, heliostat height H (i.e. the height of the barycenter of the mirror assembly from ground, local) is at most 10m, 7m, 5m, 3m, 2.5m or 2m.Such as, the ratio between heliostat height H and tower height degree is at most 20%, 10%, 5%, 3%, 2%, 1.5% or 1%；

(3) reflector size feature is for any group of heliostat of any size, and average reflector size can the most at least 1m²、3m²、5m²、10m²Or 12m²Or at most 50m²、30m²Or 20m²；

(4) uniformly reflector size heliostat can have the mirror assembly of the ratio between substantially the same size or standard deviation and the average reflector size of the mirror assembly size with the most at most 0.5,0.4,0.3,0.2,0.1,0.05,0.03,0.01 or 0.005；

(5) heliostat density can be with at least 0.1,0.3,0.5,0.75,1,1.5 or 2.5 or density (every 100m of at most 10,5,3,2,1.5 or 1²Heliostat) at one group of heliostat of deployed in areas of solar energy field；

(6) illuminator density can be at one group of heliostat of deployed in areas of solar energy field with offer at least 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% or 25% or the illuminator density (i.e. the gross area of the illuminator of all mirror array of all heliostats in given area is divided by the size of given area) of at most 70%, 50%, 30%, 20%, 15% or 10%.

As discussed above, it is useful for disposing heliostat according to the heliostat scheme the most not making heliostat be constrained in line or arc for ' ground blocking capability ' optimized placement scheme.Figure 61 figure-65 shows the particular case (i.e. at the top of tower or at the top of tower or near it ground from the point of view of observer only shelter) of ' ground blocking capability '.Position at the top of tower or near it from the point of view of observer, heliostat illuminator ' covering ' (equivalently, " shelter " or " hiding ") ground of solar energy field.When heliostat mutual sufficiently close together time, the time in some is one day, the sight line of adjacent heliostat overlapping (again from the point of view of the observer from tower) decrease relative to the shielded floor area adding up to heliostat illuminator area.Make in the optimized embodiment of heliostat layout in the case of not by any constraint of the alignment forcing it online or on arc wherein, decrease the lap between adjacent heliostat, given identical density and heliostat size, compared with making heliostat constraint placement scheme online or on curve, it is achieved that ' ground is covered ' of bigger level.Illustrate that the another way of this point is when allowing heliostat to be positioned at not follow on the position of line or arc to cover efficiency (each heliostat or the dead area of per unit heliostat illuminator area) relative to the ground of the advantage point in tower bigger.

For 24 positions being labeled as L1-L24 in Figure 61, from the point of view of the beholder at the top being positioned at the tower that its height is about 135 meters, analyze and cover than the heliostat in competiting place 1 and field 2 ability on ground.Each region L1-L24 includes at least 50 heliostats.This analysis is completed for some time point in a year.24 positions of following selection: the about 350m in the north, about 550m, at about 750m (3 positions), the about 350m in northwest, about 550m, at about 750m (3 positions), the most about 350m, about 550m, at about 750m (3 positions), the about 350m in south, about 550m, at about 750m (3 positions), the about 350m in southwest, about 550m, at about 750m (3 positions), the about 350m in the southeast, about 550m, at about 750m (3 positions), the about 350m in west, about 550m, at about 750m (3 positions), the most about 350m, about 550m, at about 750m (3 positions).

Figure 62-Figure 65 illustrate respectively one day of the solar energy field position near California Ivanpah at about 35 ° of 20 ' 26 " N, 115 ° 18 ' 38 " W dimension in March, June, JIUYUE and the December result of 3 times (i.e. 9AM, noon, 4PM).In Figure 62 A, Figure 63 A, Figure 64 A and Figure 65 A, row B-H shows the ground shield parameter (G.O.) of the percentage ratio representing the ground covered by heliostat seen at the top of tower, and arranges I-N and show the heliostat of per unit floor area.The heliostat density being optimised for performance trends towards closer to bigger in tower and southern part on the scene.Being different from ground shield parameter, heliostat density does not changes, and the month being therefore not dependent in one day in time or 1 year.

Figure 62 B, Figure 63 B, Figure 64 B and Figure 65 B, row Q-V shows density normalization ground shield parameter, and the heliostat according to the deployment of heliostat placement scheme in its sign different time in a day or the month in 1 year covers the efficiency (GO.O/Dens) on ground.Row W-Y illustrates the G.O./Dens of 24 positions in two fields.Row Z-AB shows identical with arranging W-Y but is used rough inaccuracy orientation to be averaging scheme and carry out being orientated the result being averaging.Row AC-ACK shows the ground shield parameter not being normalized according to the heliostat illuminator density in given area (i.e. L1, L2...L24).

Figure 62 B, Figure 63 B, Figure 64 B and his Figure 65 B show that field 2 trends towards (i.e. seeing at the top of tower or near it) in terms of covering ground more efficient than field 1.Especially, it can be observed that on some position, the ratio between the G.O./density of the heliostat in the G.O./density of the heliostat in (i) field 2 and (ii) field 1 tends to exceed 1 and i.e. exceedes at least a few percent.

The example of Figure 61-Figure 65 show wherein heliostat be not constrained in the optimization of the heliostat layout of circular arc or line with use wherein heliostat and be restrained to line or arc than when heliostat layout obtainable compared with achieve the ground coverage of bigger per unit illuminator area.Some embodiment relates to system based on central tower heliostat, and it includes the multiple heliostats being deployed in solar energy field.Heliostat-Tower System can be deployed on any position in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere such as at the dimension more than 20 degree or more than 25 degree or more than 30 degree and/or less than 50 degree or less than 45 degree or less than 40 degree or less than 35 degree.

On the scene 1 and 2 two, field in the case of, the layout of heliostat is remote from the characteristic of the field of tower.It is closer to center solar column, in the case of the notable deterioration in terms of not having system effectiveness, heliostat can be disposed in the most constrained scheme.Further away from center solar column, the optimal placement of heliostat can be realized by the layout in the case of not being constrained in line or curve.Although for arranging that the prior art systems of heliostat can be with optimization, but it is do so in the case of taking constraint, such as make along the spacing between the heliostat of ranks (rank) optimized while in concentric ranks, arrange that heliostat is with by making continuous print ranks interlock to make ranks at a distance to be minimized by the stop closer to ranks, to realize honeycomb arrangement more or less.Therefore, the heliostat of ranks is spaced apart with angle A, and the heliostat of next ranks is by by spaced apart with A/2 with those of one ranks.

Pitch pattern in ranks can change, and also can change the distance between concentric ranks, but along have less than between ranks three times of spacing or less than line or arc directly radially in the range of each ranks of average headway of three times of average nearest neighbor distance of heliostat there is the repeat patterns of many heliostats.This makes ranks be well defined and obvious when random observation.Note that field 1 described herein example is the obviously example of the layout patterns retrained by line or arc.There is more unconspicuous example, but go through geometrical constraint at display, the overlap of the most parallel arc.Constraint simplifies the degree of freedom in optimization, and allows to obtain overall situation best allocation in simplifying constraint.The method herein proposed and result must be before by using the optimization method not ensureing to provide global optimum certainly scheme to obtain overall situation optimum, so that the non-geometric constraint realizing heliostat is arranged, it has been observed that for not previously being considered determining that useful some the optimized cost function of a layout achieves the level more optimized.These include cost function (such as season income or season electricity output) or the simpler cost function of complexity, and (such as in 0.5 times of the receiver height of receiver) is covered on the ground from the point of view of favourable near the such as receiver from tower.

Figure 66 is shown in which that the spacing of the heliostat 722 as indicated by 726 is along some arc substantially uniformly (equidistant along arc) and the most uneven (three the close followed by gaps on other arcs 730 as indicated by 728；Repeat) the section of field layout 720.Drawing arc 728 is to illustrate that heliostat is positioned on arc or line, even if its spacing is uneven.Further, the figure shows concentric or parallel arc.These concentric arcs can be substantially circular, ellipse or avette.Figure 67 show the embodiment according to open theme away from tower and be the region of the field 220 from figure 23 above of reflection optimization field layout.This is that wherein heliostat 747 seems to be fairly close on straight line 744 or arc 742 but goes through its example not having of display.220 are line or arc or particularly parallel lines or concentric arc being positioned so that, it extends through at least 20 heliostats being spaced from each other less than three times of average (arest neighbors) spacing of the heliostat being adjacent to or on online or arc with the difference of field 720.

Can be from needing how much information to characterize from the viewpoint of the position of heliostat the sign as the heliostat fallen online or arc.In an identical manner and due to by enabling heliostat position constraint to reduce the same cause of optimized dimension in line or arc, compared with unconfined one, the layout of constrained optimization to be defined needs less information (assuming that the method for unconstrained optimization utilizes the unrestricted free of the placement of heliostat and do not produces the internal limitations may being reflected in optimized results).In other words, the layout of constrained optimization has the entropy than a unconfined less information or less.There is many in order to the algorithm of detection of straight lines or the existence of other curves of such as arc, and be best understood by by the technical staff of image procossing or compression of images field.Such as, the algorithm for image procossing and compression of images is developed well, and can be used to detection curve and determine the curve representing the least complicated type needed for the layout of field.Once it is detected, can be for parallel condition test curve.The number of the number of curve and the heliostat fallen on curve position can be quantified.If characterizing the quantity of information needed for the close position specifying heliostat in terms of its independent coordinate of the quantity of information needed for the layout of field in terms of the position on curve and curve, then can not be said to be on curve or line by heliostat, because using this term in this manual.Therefore, in order to make heliostat fall on curve or line, the minimal information amount needed for representing the position on line or curve should represent the little about twice or more needed for position by ratio independently, it is assumed that two kinds represent in phase equally accurate.In order to provide simple examples, if 1250 heliostats with equal number distribution on 25 curves, each it is represented by cubic polynomial, then can characterize its position illy with 50 numbers or 1325 of 3 numbers (number) for each curve and the heliostat on each curve.Its position is specified to would be required to 2500 numbers in the case of without reference to line or curve.

It is considered as in terms of optimum target being equal to the sector that another general constraint optimized to the field layout according to prior art exempted according to the embodiment of open theme is the border circular areas that will be around receiver so that obtain rotational symmetric pattern.Such as mutually stop that the optimum target minimizing or eliminating can produce alternate intervals pattern in order to its that heliostat receiver in central tower is guided the DT, as obvious in Figure 66, but this pattern finally repeats in the adjacent sectors 732 have RADIAL 734, and pattern repeats between this RADIAL 734.Repeat all embodiments lacking and characterizing open theme of sector pattern.It is, for example possible to use the optimization covering efficiency in ground is constrained in equal sector region 772 and 776 (Figure 68), it can have the identical or layout patterns of mirror image.But, according to the embodiment of open theme, in otherwise heliostat is constrained on region 772.In Figure 68, it is shown that the driver's compartment 778 being bonded in layout, it limits wherein does not places heliostat and serves as optimized constraint but the region of the not layout in constraint, such as 772,776 and 774.

The embodiment of open theme include to multiple may the optimization of targets, can be grouped according to the feature of optimized complexity and computation burden and the result obtained from optimization.Table 3 shows optimization method and the result of the nonlinear optimization algorithm applied together with fixing geometrical constraint based on (in some cases).Embodiment is divided into open optimization method embodiment and the different characteristic of the kind of heliostat layout, example and association by table 3.In the embodiment of the row I in being indicated as table 3, heliostat can be made to move back and forth in the sector of arbitrary dimension.Optimization can be improved by increasing the width of sector.Due to the optimization of the interior zone near tower and do not benefit from the high-freedom degree number in optimization, it is possible to this region is got rid of, such as the region 782 shown in Figure 68.Can obtain rotationally symmetrical from the optimization covered about ground, because how ground covered by this layout no matter angle relative to receiver has identical effect.By increasing sector size, it is possible to achieve have the more degree of freedom of the optimization benefit of minimizing.

In the embodiment of the row II in being indicated as table 3, make the energy production optimization in one or more time intervals of the operation in simulation one or more day time operation cycle.One group of simulation natural law can include multiple season and zoom in and out with corresponding to the annual operation cycle.If if the optimization of field layout there is not the difference of the weather on an average between significance and AM and PM to be nearly free from difference by the difference between the beginning performed every day and end, then pass through only to change the layout on side and carry out mirror image to make degree of freedom die-off to produce performance prediction.Otherwise, field optimum can be turned to whole unit.

In the embodiment of the row III in being indicated as table 3, make the income operation optimization in one or more time intervals of the operation in simulation one or more day time operation cycle.One group of simulation natural law can include multiple season and zoom in and out with corresponding to the annual operation cycle.Usually, income optimization will be expected the asymmetric of the thing side that causes optimal field layout.If during one day, (recognize that it became also according to season) if or do not have the weather difference on an average between significance and AM and PM not produce significant difference in the beginning of operation every day and the difference producing the energy being worth between terminating for the optimization of field layout, then by only changing the layout on side and mirror image can be carried out make degree of freedom die-off to produce performance prediction.Otherwise, field optimum can be turned to whole field.

Note that the constraint that can apply such as driver's compartment 778 in an embodiment, heliostat can be foreclosed there.

Table 3: optimization method and result: there is the nonlinear optimization algorithm of fixing geometrical constraint

Should be appreciated that the software instruction with hardware, with the hardware of software programming, can being stored on non-transitory computer-readable medium or above combination realize above-mentioned module, process, system and portion.Such as, the processor of programming instruction sequence being configured to perform be stored on non-transitory computer-readable medium such as can be used to realize the system for controlling heliostat and/or for determining the system of the heliostat layout in solar energy field.Such as, processor can include but not limited to personal computer or work station or other this type of calculating systems, it includes processor, microprocessor, microcontroller device, or is made up of the control logic including the most such as integrated circuit of special IC (ASIC).This instruction can be compiled from the source code instruction provided according to programming languages such as such as Java, C++, C#_.net.This instruction can also include according to such as VisualBasic^TMCode that language or another structuring or Object-Oriented Programming Language provide and data object.Programming instruction sequence and data associated therewith can be stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium of such as computer storage or memory device, it can be any suitably memory devices, such as, but not limited to ROM, PROM, EEPROM, RAM, flash memory, disc driver etc..

Furthermore, it is possible to module, processing system and section are embodied as single processor or distributed processors.Furthermore, it is to be understood that be can to perform above-mentioned steps on single or distributed processors (monokaryon and/or multinuclear).Further, process, module and the submodule described in the various figures of above example and for this embodiment can cross over multiple computer or system distribution, or can jointly be positioned in single processor or system.Provide below the example arrangement embodiment replacement being adapted for carrying out module described herein, portion, system, device or process.

Module described herein, processor or system can be embodied as such as programmed general purpose computer, electronic equipment, hardwire analog logic circuit, the software being stored on computer-readable medium or signal, optical computing equipment, electronics and/or the networked system of optical device, dedicated computing equipment, IC-components, the semiconductor chip that program by microcode and be stored in the software module on computer-readable medium or signal or object.

The embodiment of described method and system (or its subassembly or module) can be realized in program logic circuit of general purpose computer, special-purpose computer, programming microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit element, ASIC or other integrated circuits, the hardwire electronics of digital signal processor, such as discrete component circuit or logic circuit, such as PLD, PLA, FPGA, PAL etc..Usually, it is possible to any process realizing function described herein or step can be used to realize described method, system or the embodiment of computer program (or being stored in the software program on non-transitory computer-readable medium).

In addition it is possible to use such as provide the object of the portable source code that can use on multiple computer platform or Object-oriented Software Development environment to be completely or partially easily achieved open method, system and the embodiment of computer program with software.Alternatively, it is possible to use the design of such as standard logic circuits or VLSI partially or completely realizes open method, system and the embodiment of computer program with hardware.Other hardware or software can be used to realize embodiment according to the speed of system and/or efficiency requirements, specific function and/or the specific software being currently in use or hardware system, microprocessor or microcomputer.Can describe according to function provided herein and occur with solar energy and/or the general rudimentary knowledge in computer programming field is used system that is any known or that develop after a while or structure, equipment and/or software hardware and/or the embodiment of software implementation method, system and computer program by those skilled in the art.

Furthermore, it is possible to be used in the upper software performed such as programmed general purpose computer, special-purpose computer, microprocessor to realize open method, system and the embodiment of computer program.

The feature of open embodiment can be combined in the range of the disclosure, rearrange, omission etc. to be to produce additional embodiment.Additionally, sometimes can advantageously use some feature in the case of the corresponding use not having other features.

It is therefore evident that according to present disclose provides solar energy field layout and for arranging, safeguard and operate the system and method for heliostat wherein.Make it possible to realize many replacements, revise and change by the disclosure.Although having shown that and describe in detail specific embodiment to illustrate the application of the principle of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the present invention can additionally be embodied in the case of without departing from this type of principle.Therefore, applicant is intended to these type of replacements all, amendment, equivalent and the change contained within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (24)

1. design and a method for operation solar heat heliostat field, including:

Do not make heliostat position constraint in the case of line or arc, covering in response to the prediction ground realized by heliostat at the top of the solar column from solar energy field or in terms of its neighbouring position and the position optimization of heliostat that is used in a part for solar energy field；

Solar heat heliostat field is constructed according to optimization position；

The driver's compartment between primary importance and the second position is selected in the solar energy field of structure, selected driver's compartment at least some of with some heliostat as border, make when the illuminator of border heliostat has the first orientation, the border heliostat of the opposite side at driver's compartment at least one of short of width of the selected driver's compartment limited is to allow to safeguard that vehicle passes through at least some of of selected driver's compartment；

The described illuminator making border heliostat is redirected to the second orientation from the first orientation so that at least one of width of the selected driver's compartment limited by the border heliostat of the opposite side at driver's compartment be enough to allow to safeguard that vehicle passes through at least some of of selected driver's compartment；

Maintenance vehicle is made to move to the second position along described driver's compartment from primary importance；And

In described second position, working service vehicle safeguard structure solar energy field in heliostat in one or more.

Method the most according to claim 1, wherein, described maintenance includes one or more by cross that at least one in the heliostat of border clean in heliostat.

Method the most according to claim 1, wherein, described solar heat heliostat field constructs on the Northern Hemisphere；Described optimization makes bigger than in the Part II in the structure field in the solar column north of heliostat density in the Part I of solar column southern structure field；The south of receiver in the solar column that insolation is directed to by the heliostat in the north of the receiver in the solar column that insolation is directed to by the heliostat in Part II and Part I has substantially the same front face area；And described Part I is with respect to the mirror image that the line from east to west of the pedestal of solar column is Part II.

Method the most according to claim 1, wherein, described optimization make the west of solar column structure field Part I in heliostat density than the east at solar column structure field Part II in bigger；The west of the receiver in the solar column that insolation is directed to by the heliostat in the east of the receiver in the solar column that insolation is directed to by the heliostat in Part II and Part I has substantially the same front face area；And described Part I is with respect to the mirror image that the meridian line of the pedestal of solar column is Part II.

5. a method for solar energy field design, including:

Do not make heliostat position constraint in the case of any geometrical pattern, covering in response to the prediction ground realized by heliostat at the top of solar column or in terms of its neighbouring position and the position optimization of heliostat that is used in quite a few of solar energy field；And

Solar heat heliostat field is constructed in response to optimized result.

Method the most according to claim 5, wherein, described optimization is confined to the perimeter of described solar energy field.

7. the solar heat heliostat field obtained from the method for claim 5 or 6.

8. make and set up receiver and at least 5000 heliostats will be arranged around solar column in the above so that solar-energy collecting is to the method for the solar energy field of the solar heat Force system of the solar energy field set up on solar column on receiver for having on solar column, including:

Limit and heliostat will be made to be positioned at least some of of described solar energy field above it；

First dimension of described at least 0.5 times had at least partially along the height for solar column extended from solar column position and second dimension orthogonal with the first dimension；And

In the case of any geometrical pattern position of the heliostat not being constrained at least one portion boundary of described solar energy field in addition to the position at least one portion boundary being maintained at described solar energy field, by using optimization algorithm to make solar energy production and/or income produce the number of the heliostat maximized at least one part making described solar energy field and arrange optimization.

Method the most according to claim 8, wherein, described optimization algorithm is that global or local searches in random/probability instrument, meta-heuristic algorithm, genetic algorithm, simulated annealing, hill climbing algorithm, genetic algorithm, dynamic programming and/or ant group algorithm or combination.

10. make and set up receiver and at least 5000 heliostats will be arranged around solar column in the above so that solar-energy collecting is to the method for the solar energy field of the solar heat Force system of the solar energy field set up on solar column on receiver for having on solar column, including:

Limit and heliostat will be made to be positioned at least some of of solar energy field above it；

First dimension at least partially with along the height for solar column extended from solar column position at least 0.5 times of described solar energy field and second dimension orthogonal with the first dimension；And

In the case of any geometrical pattern position of the heliostat being not limited at least one portion boundary of described solar energy field in addition to the position at least one portion boundary being maintained at described solar energy field, covering the number of the heliostat at least one part that time average optimization makes described solar energy field of efficiency by being used in the ground of heliostat relative to the advantage point in setting up the 30% of the solar energy tower height that receiver location starts on solar column and arrange optimization, the area total area divided by the illuminator of the heliostat at least one part described on the ground that efficiency is covered by the illuminator of heliostat is covered on described ground.

11. methods according to claim 10, wherein, described optimization algorithm is that global or local searches in random/probability instrument, meta-heuristic algorithm, genetic algorithm, simulated annealing, hill climbing algorithm, genetic algorithm, dynamic programming and/or ant group algorithm or combination.

The method of 12. any one in-11 according to Claim 8, wherein, at least one part of described solar energy field is whole solar energy field.

The method of 13. any one in-11 according to Claim 8, wherein, at least one part of described solar energy field is the scope in the solar energy field in the distance of at least 5 times of solar energy tower height to the distance range less than 25 times of solar energy tower height.

The method of 14. any one in-11 according to Claim 8, wherein, described solar column height includes a range of suitable solar energy tower height, and described optimization includes determining optimal accurately solar energy tower height from a range of suitable solar column senior middle school.

The method of 15. any one in-11 according to Claim 8, wherein, described it be not limited to any geometrical pattern and mean to be not intended to heliostat position and make it online or on the online or arc of falling in the specific range of arc, or in the range of the certain position online or in the predefined distance of arc, at least ten times of the average headway of a length of heliostat being adjacent to or fall online or on arc of described line or arc.

16. 1 kinds of methods for the many heliostats of deployment in solar energy field, wherein said heliostat is configured to the target in the solar column pointing in solar energy field by insolation, and the method includes:

Cover in the case of not being constrained in certain line or arc layout and based on the ground from the point of view of favourable from solar column, use optimization algorithm to determine the heliostat deployed position for described many heliostats.

17. methods according to claim 16, also include selecting in one or more one day the time in time and/or 1 year, and wherein, the amount covered of ground during described optimization algorithm makes selected one or more times maximizes.

18. methods according to claim 16, wherein, described optimization algorithm make from solar column receiver be not more than distance from ground to receiver 25% distance in viewpoint in terms of time average ground cover maximization.

19. methods according to claim 16, also include installing heliostat according to determined deployed position.

20. methods according to claim 16, wherein, described optimization algorithm includes that simulated annealing, meta-heuristic algorithm, global or local search for random/probability instrument, hill climbing algorithm, dynamic programming algorithm and/or ant group algorithm.

21. methods according to claim 16, wherein, determined deployed position is the perimeter for solar energy field, and also includes the heliostat deployed position determining the interior zone for solar energy field being confined to regular grid.

22. methods according to claim 16, wherein, described use optimization algorithm includes selecting multiple concentric driver's compartment centered by solar column, and the deployed position in using annealing algorithm to determine a part of the solar energy field between adjacent some in driver's compartment in the case of not any constraint to certain line or arc layout.

23. methods according to claim 22, wherein, described part includes at least five ten heliostat deployed position wherein.

24. methods according to claim 16, wherein, described optimization algorithm is weighted so that maximization is covered on the ground during in period in the afternoon in summer.