FR2512181A1 - Parabolic solar collector for cutting torch - uses supple reflecting material carried on umbrella type frame and rotated such that centrifugal force stiffens reflector - Google Patents

Abstract

The reflector is carried on a frame which is rotated to provide rigidity against wind and allows orientation of the reflector. The unit is mounted on a pedestal (1,2) which can be positioned about a vertical axis by a motor (3), and is pivoted (4) so that a hydraulic cylinder (7) can be used to tilt the unit to adjust its elevation. Hydraulic cylinders (10') are mounted on rods extending from the support unit (8), and when operated open out the reflecting surface (18), which is carried on curved spines (14), in the manner of an umbrella. The opened reflector has the spines aerodynamically shaped to aid rotation of the motor driven reflector. The rigidity and the degree of reflection of the reflector is varied by variation of its speed of rotation.

Description

 The object of the invention relates to a solar collector device with a flexible and foldable reflecting surface.

 It is intended to be used for both fixed and mobile installations and its joints and assemblies facilitate its transport as well as its orientation or even its retraction if left on site.

 It is known to use flat and parabolic reflectors concentrating the sun's rays in a beam in order to capture the calories emitted, but these devices generally consist of rigid, heavy and bulky elements; their cost price is high and their handling difficult to carry out with equipment that does not absorb significant energy.

 The device according to the invention eliminates these drawbacks and makes it possible to produce a parabolic reflector with a fixed point at the sensor focus starting from a flexible, foldable reflecting surface, easily transportable and orientable and having all the advantages of rigid parabolic mirrors.

 I1 is made up of a combination of a shiny and flexible reflective surface with a deployable frame, structured and guyed in a flexible manner with an articulated rigid structure comparable to the frame of an umbrella.

In the accompanying drawings, given by way of nonlimiting example, of one of the embodiments of the subject of the invention
Figure 1 shows a partial sectional view in elevation of the device as a whole.

 Figure 2 shows the same folded apparatus.

 Figure 3 shows the flexible structure of the reflector.

 Figures 4, 5, 6 show various positions that can be given to the sensor.

 Figure 8 shows a possible application for a solar torch.

 The reflector in FIG. 1 is mounted on a base forming a control plate controlled by a motor 3, supporting the barrel 2, at the upper part of the barrel 2 which can rotate on itself is disposed a bearing 4.

 On this bearing is articulated the link 5 secured to the bracket 6 connected to the jack 7.

 On this rod is fixed the rod 8 hearth carrier 22 on which slides the sleeve 9 carrying the bearings 10, 11 retaining the fixed point of the jacks 10 '.

 The crowns of the hinges 12, 13 are arranged so that the foldable rods or "whales" 14 such as umbrella mounts can be articulated.

 These rods centered in an arc having the radius of the desired parabola carry the flyweights 15, 16.

 The circular bearings 12, 13 are connected to the motor 17, which ensures the rotation of the assembly. The weights 15, 16 ensuring in the event of rotation the tension of the lining 18 in flexible and shiny material, such as a fabric or a metallized synthetic resin.

 Centrifugal force is thus used for regularity of gloss.

 This flexible surface 18 is structured by the flexible tie rods 19, 20 and the transverse frame 21, FIG 3 forming a flexible funicular with several nodes.

 The deployed sensor Fig 1, 4 has a windward catch. This is why, the rods or "whales" 14 can be aerodynamically profiled by giving them a helical pitch forming a helix, so that the rotation prevents any deformation and that the weights ensure the total opening and stiffening of the fabric.

 The motor 17 helping this rotation.

 The good wind resistance allows the use of large diameter sensors without fear of deformations causing the receiving focal point to vary.

 The base can be fitted with a flywheel with a horizontal axis, so as to form a mass which, once launched, helps to maintain the assembly and serves as a power accumulator.

 The base can itself be mounted on a ball crown and by gyroscopic effect of the flywheel of the accumulation flywheel provides for the most part the azimuth guidance.

 Any guidance orientation or adjustment device can be adapted to this reflector in order to follow the solar path. The focus 22 can be continuous. This is how we can use as a guide method, ordinary car headlights with their standard bulbs.

 The passive internal resistance of the filament of the bulb drops if we bring the concentration of the sun from the parable of the headlight onto the filament an electronic computer ensures the remote control.

 This adjustable Fig 4 reflector has the advantage of being inexpensive. It can fold Fig 5 to no longer offer wind resistance when not in use.

 It can be placed either in a horizontal or vertical position 24, or completely retracted 25 to hide it if need be Fig 7.

 It is possible to adapt to this sensor either fixed or mobile series of accessories specific to the desired functions.

 A convex mirror 26 can. be placed in the focal point of the parabola 27 and return the radiation in a strand of luminous fiber 28 or flexible optical wick via a radiation cooler 29, the cooling cycle of which is continuous with the mirrors.

 The free end being provided with a nozzle and a concentration lens constitutes a solar torch 30 for welding, pyrography, stone sculpture, enameling, etc.

 However, the shapes, dimensions and arrangements of the various elements may vary within the limit of equivalents, as indeed the materials used for their manufacture, without thereby changing the general conception of the invention which has just been described.

Claims (6)

 10 Solar collector device with reflective surface, flexible and collapsible, intended to be used both for fixed and mobile installations for conventional apparatuses or particular applications, such as solar torches allowing by the combination of the joints of its flexible and rigid mounts ensure its wind resistance as well as its orientations with or without deployment, characterized by the fact that it is constituted by a base (1) forming a caudaudine actuated by a motor (3) supporting a barrel (2) carrying a bearing (4) on which is articulated a link (5) secured to a bracket (6) connected to a jack (7).  20 Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that a rod (8) firebox or optical wick (22) on which slides the furnace (9) carrying circular bearings (10, 11) supporting the jacks (10 ' ) and hinges (12, 13) on which the rods or "whales" (14) are carrying load weights (15, 16)  30 Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the rods or "whales" (14) support the flexible reflective surface (18) forming a parabolic mirror stretched by a guy line (19, 20) and a weft forming funicular (21).  40 Device according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the bent or bent rods (14) are aerodynamically shaped so as to produce a helical pitch forming a helix to ensure the rotation of the reflector (18) also driven by a motor (17).  50 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the axial rod (8) supports at its end a hearth or sensor (22) while the surface (18) forming a reflector can be fixed on the internal or external facing of the " whales "or adjustable rods (14), a flexible assembly (21) of funicular with knots between the whales ensures the approach of the ideal shape.  60 Device according to claim 1, characterized by the possible junction of a convex mirror (27) in the focal point of the parabola (26) directing the radiation via a cooler (29) towards the solar torch ( 30).