ES1179408U - One-axis long-range solar tracker for parabolic trough concentration (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Solar tracker of a horizontal polar axis comprising an indeterminate number of columns (1), on which support structures (2) are supported by bushings that are on top of each column (8), (9) and (10) ), with a structure or ribs (3) to support parabolic mirrors, characterized in that the whole assembly has more than one motor point. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Large-axis solar tracker for parabolic trough concentration.

Technical sector 5

The present invention belongs to the renewable energy sector, specifically solar energy. Its application is more interesting in thermo solar concentration energy by means of parabolic trough concentrator. Although it could also be applied to photovoltaic solar energy. 10

The object of this invention is a system to minimize the number of concentrators (solar tracker) from making the followers very long. This avoids many of the articulated joints of the pickup tubes between follower and follower. fifteen

Background of the invention

Solar concentrating solar plants with parabolic trough concentrators have a tube in the focal line of the mirror parabola, where the energy of the Sun captured in the mirrors is concentrated. Within this tube circulates the hot fluid carrying the energy. At the end of each concentrator a complex articulated system must be used to join the tubes of one concentrator to the next. Apart from the cost of this articulated system, there is the possibility of fluid leaks and there are also heat losses. To avoid the maximum number of articulated joints is one of the objectives of a plant of this type.

To achieve this, very long concentrators have been made so far, but with the limitation that by having only one point where the movement is applied, the length must be limited, so as not to have to make super-resistant structures due to the moment that 30 applies the force of the wind along all the mirrors.

The driving system that is currently used to move the tracker precisely towards the direction of the Sun is by combining two hydraulic cylinders, placed at the center of the entire length of the tracker. 35

This system makes it very difficult for a follower to have more than one driving point since if one goes faster than the other, tensions can break the structure.

Explanation of the invention 40

The claimed invention is a single-axis solar tracking system to support parabolic mirrors that concentrate the Sun's energy towards a tube.

To support the entire moving part there are feet or columns, screwed on top of a concrete foundation. The number of these columns is variable depending on the separation between them and the length you want to give the solar tracker.

Above each column is a bushing where the central support structure joins.

 fifty

This structure is linked to two bushings, that is, between column and column. The structure can be tube, lattice, etc.

The number of structures is equal to the number of columns minus one.

 5

Above the central support structures, the support ribs of the parabolic mirrors are fixed. These ribs should have a shape that approximates the parabola to easily adapt to the mirrors.

Also on some concrete points of this structure will be the support of the collecting tube 10 that will pass through the axis of the parabola.

The columns that have been mentioned, are aligned in the north-south direction so that if the entire structure attached to the bushings is turned, it will be facing east, zenith and west. fifteen

In order to move the structure there will be the driving system, formed by several thrust points. Each of them will consist mainly of an electric motor and its reduction. This gearmotor, by chain, by auger or by any other transmission system will rotate the follower as ordered by the control system. This control system can be open loop (by astronomical clock), closed loop (by solar probe) or mixed.

The main feature of the invention is that there are several driving points. Every 2, 3, 4 or more columns, there is a system like the one described above so that they move simultaneously when the solar tracker must move.

Having multiple driving points allows the follower to have a great length, thus saving several articulated systems of the collector tube between follower and follower. 30

When using electric motors, with its flexibility of par-speed it allows us easily that the whole follower turns in unison without danger of breaking or bending any structure.

 35

To control the entire follower there must be a central control and a slave control for each motor.

Description of the drawings

 40

Figure 1 shows the profile follower. Only one part is shown as the follower can be made as long as desired. 3 columns are observed, the one in the center has no driving group and the other two do.

Figure 2 shows the same, in plan. Four. Five

Figure 3 shows the elevation.

Figure 4 shows the isometric view of this part.

 fifty

In these first 4 figures, the solar tracker is shown with the support ribs of the mirrors and with the support bars of the collecting tube.

The following figures show no ribs or support bars so that the mechanisms can be better seen. 5

Figure 5 shows the same as Figure 4 but without ribs or support bars.

Figure 6 shows the detail of the drive group

 10

Figure 7 shows mainly the axis where the structures are attached.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

The foot or column (1), as shown in Figures 1 and 3, are attached to the ground from 15 studs that leave the concrete foundation. The distance between the columns is 12300 mm. The column has a height up to the axis of 3200 mm and a base width of 1500 mm. It is made of two UPN-100 profiles and 30x30x2 square tube reinforcements.

 twenty

A number followed by columns that would be feasible is that of 41, which would support 40 sets of support structure (2).

Each set of structure (2), consists of 4 tubes of 60x60x2 of 12000 mm, the width is 1200 x 1200 mm and there will be, welded, all the necessary reinforcements for 25 that complete the entire length and are 60 degrees between them . At the ends 4 tubes of 60x60x2 are welded making a frame and the plates where the bushings (8), (9) and (10) will be screwed.

Thus, with these 40 structures and 41 columns, the follower will have a total of 492 30 meters in length.

Every two columns there is a motor assembly (5) with its reduction that rotates an auger (6) that meshes a toothed crown (7) of 3000 mm of primitive diameter, with teeth of module 10 and a total angle of movement of 200º . The last tooth at each end 35 is covered to prevent the crown of the auger from accidentally coming out.

So, in this case there would be 20 engine sets, in total.

Above each support structure there will be 32 ribs (3), 16 on each side, which are 40 to support the parabolic mirrors. This parabolic surface obeys the equation, using millimeters as a unit:

y = 0.0001354263x2

 Four. Five

the focal line being x = 0 and y = 1846 mm.

The limits of the parabola will be x = -2900 mm and x = 2900 mm, that is a total width of 5800 mm.

 fifty

The collecting tube, which passes through the focal line, is held by 4 sets of tubes (4) in each support structure. (The clamping piece is not detailed).

The bushings are formed by the shaft (8), the support plates (9) and the upper clamp (10) that prevents it from coming out. Inside the clamp there is a bearing of 5 friction of 180 mm inside diameter, 185 mm outside diameter and 100 mm wide.

The control of the system is made from a master that controls the whole, with an inclinometer and a solar probe, thus making a mixed system of open and closed loop. 10 The inclinometer, by calculating the position of the Sun at each moment, puts the follower in the approximate position and the probe corrects the position to achieve an accuracy of ± 0.1º.

Each slave system has an electronics that controls a motor system with an inclinometer and a solar probe.

Claims (3)

1. Solar tracker of a horizontal polar axis comprising an indeterminate number of columns (1), on which the support structures (2) are supported by bushings that are above each column (8), (9) and (10) ), with a structure or ribs (3) to support parabolic mirrors, characterized in that the whole assembly has more than one motive point. 2. Solar tracker of a horizontal polar axis according to claim 1, which consists in that every two, three or more columns there is a motive point by means of an electric motor. 10 3. Solar tracker of a horizontal polar axis according to claim 2, which consists in that each drive system is controlled by an electronic slave control to a central control, so that all the motor points move in unison.  fifteen