FR3138683A1 - DEVICE FOR PRODUCING ELECTRIC AND THERMAL ENERGY FROM SOLAR ENERGY - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing electrical and thermal energy (1) from solar energy, comprising a fixed frame (2), a rotating frame (3), a central panel (4), side panels (4a) and (4b), a box (5) resting on a carriage (6), said energy production device (1) also comprises a mechanism allowing the central panel (4) to move horizontally along the axis horizontal perform a rotation thus making it possible to converge the solar flux collected on the box (5) containing a solar receiver, said energy production device (1) also comprises a mechanism allowing the rotating frame (3) to follow the sun according to the horizontal axis. Abstract Figure: Fig. 1

Description

DEVICE FOR PRODUCING ELECTRIC AND THERMAL ENERGY FROM SOLAR ENERGY

The invention relates to the field of devices and systems for producing electrical and thermal energy from solar energy. The known devices are of the photovoltaic solar panel type making it possible to produce electrical energy, or else of the solar concentrator type devices making it possible to produce both electrical energy and thermal energy or even so-called solar thermal devices. allowing the production of thermal energy, mainly for heating and for the production of domestic hot water. These devices are intended for several applications, more particularly for applications where both electrical energy requirements and thermal energy requirements are required, such as in homes, apartments, premises, industry, aquatic centers and other applications. The invention relates in particular to a stationary or mobile device making it possible to produce electrical energy and thermal energy from solar energy. This device, having a modular design, makes it possible to adapt the production of electrical and thermal energy according to the application and energy need. This energy production device also has the particularity of following the position of the sun in space at all times, which makes it possible to maximize the solar energy captured and therefore the energy produced.

In order to produce electrical energy and thermal energy from solar energy, it is known from the prior art to use devices such as photovoltaic solar panels, solar thermal type devices or even solar concentrator type devices, said solar concentrators each use a thermodynamic machine to convert thermal energy, produced from the concentration of solar energy, into electrical energy and thermal energy. Thus, it is still known in the state of the prior art to produce your own electrical energy using technologies such as photovoltaic solar panels. These photovoltaic solar panels are often installed on fixed structures, tilted at a fixed angle to the horizontal and in a fixed direction as well. Thus these photovoltaic solar panel systems capture solar energy optimally at a certain vertical position of the sun in the sky (elevation) and at a certain horizontal position of the sun in the sky (azimuth), said optimal vertical position and optimal horizontal position, correspond to an inclination where the plane of the solar panel is perpendicular to the sun's rays, which corresponds to a maximum projection surface of the sun's rays on said photovoltaic solar panel. Other photovoltaic panel systems can be installed on a mobile structure on 1 axis or on 2 axes, which makes it possible to follow the evolution of the position of the sun continuously during the day. This makes it possible to maximize the energy production of photovoltaic solar panels by optimizing the angles of incidence between the sun's rays and the photovoltaic solar panels. The first disadvantage of photovoltaic solar panel devices is that these devices do not directly produce thermal energy, which is in certain cases a sought-after energy requirement. Thus, in this specific case where a need for thermal energy is sought, the electricity produced by the photovoltaic panels will be used to produce thermal power through electrical heating resistors or so-called heat pump systems. Thus, only part of the solar energy is transformed into electricity (around 20% of the available energy) due to double conversion (solar – electric via photovoltaic solar panels then electric – thermal). Also, it is still known in the state of the prior art so-called solar concentration devices or systems or also under the expression “solar concentrators”. These solar concentrators contain a solar collector, formed by a single paraboloid-shaped mirror or a set of mirrors arranged to form a paraboloid profile. These mirrors have the role of reflecting the sun's rays, solar energy, and directing it onto another surface called the reception surface. All of the mirrors constitute the collector or solar collector and the energy received by each mirror is converged on a single surface. The component placed at this receiving surface is known as the solar receiver. At said solar receiver, solar energy is collected which results in an increase in the surface temperature of the material constituting the solar receiver. The temperature at the receiver depends on several parameters among them, the collected surface (effective surface of the mirrors or the surface of the collector) which defines the solar energy collected, and the reception surface (surface of the solar receiver where the solar energy is concentrated). Thus the concentration rate represents the ratio between the total surface collected (effective surface of the mirrors or surface of the collector) and the surface of the solar receiver. The choice of the shape of the mirrors also impacts the design of the structure, thus the distance between the mirrors and the solar receiver is impacted by the curvature of the mirrors (its paraboloid shape). This distance has a significant impact on the mass and size of the solar concentrator. In these solar concentrator type devices, the role of the solar receiver is to transfer solar energy in the form of heat flow and temperature to the working fluid of a thermodynamic machine, this thermodynamic machine being the energy converter. This energy converter can convert thermal energy into mechanical energy then into electrical energy through an electric generator or directly convert thermal energy into electrical energy as is the case with thermoelectric generators. Several energy converters or thermodynamic machines can be used to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy then into electrical energy, among them the best known are turbogenerators, also known as "micro-turbine" or "gas turbine », Stirling machines, thermoacoustic converters, steam cycles known as “Rankine cycles”, Ericsson machines and Joules machines. These thermodynamic machines have the role of converting thermal energy into useful energy, mechanical energy. Mechanical energy is in turn converted into electrical energy through an electric generator. The choice of working fluid depends on the thermodynamic machine. Water, ethanol and organic fluids are used for steam cycles, gases such as Helium, Argon, Hydrogen are the most used in Stirling machines, while ambient air is the main working fluid of the turbogenerator type machines or Ericsson machines or Joules machines. Depending on the design of the solar receiver, the working fluids of the thermodynamic machines can circulate directly in the solar receiver and recover solar energy, or be heated through a secondary circuit. As is the case with all thermodynamic systems, part of the energy not transformed into work is rejected from the cycle, so this energy will serve as a heat source when needed. Solar concentrators are therefore known to produce both electrical energy and thermal energy from solar energy. On the other hand, these so-called “solar concentrator” devices have the disadvantage of being expensive, complex, requiring an imposing and heavy structure, and need a sun tracking system called in English “solar tracking” or solar tracking. The design of the mirrors constituting the collector and the design of the solar receiver depends on the thermodynamic energy converter used, and in particular on the operating temperature of the working fluid of said energy converter. So for a given energy converter, we have a very specific mirror design, a curvature of the collector and therefore a given paraboloid, and a surface temperature at the solar receiver. This limits the use of the same solar concentrator to only one type of thermodynamic machines.

It is also known from the state of the art of devices for producing heat from solar energy solely for the need for heating or for the need for domestic hot water, without any production of electrical energy. These devices, known as solar thermal, because the energy produced is only thermal and not electrical, use evacuated tubes or other technologies which make it possible to capture solar energy and heat a heat transfer fluid, often water. These systems are often stationary and do not follow the sun during the day. Thermal energy can heat water and the temperature can reach more than 70 degrees Celsius.

To increase the efficiency of all the devices listed above, tracking the sun or what we call in English “solar tracking” is necessary especially for solar concentration systems. In fact, compared to photovoltaic systems, solar concentration systems must have regular and precise monitoring of the sun, to maintain solar concentration at the solar receiver, which allows increasing the temperature of the solar receiver and transferring the thermal energy to the working fluid of the thermodynamic machine. Thus, it is necessary to adapt the position of the solar collector at any time according to the position of the sun, the elevation and the azimuth, to converge and concentrate the solar energy at the level of the solar receiver. So regular monitoring must be done according to the position of the sun in the sky, its elevation, and depending on its horizontal position, the azimuth. Photovoltaic solar panels, for their part, also have improved performance with an optimized angle of incidence, but continue to convert solar energy into electrical energy even if the angle of incidence is not optimal. This is why they are often installed on fixed structures and without a solar tracking system.

It is also known from the prior art, devices making it possible to follow the sun throughout the day. These devices are mainly equipped with two electric or hydraulic motors, one for vertical tracking (elevation) and the second for horizontal tracking (Azimuth).

It is also known from the prior art, so-called hybrid solar panel devices, which make it possible to produce both electrical energy and thermal energy. These systems are often positioned in a fixed direction on a fixed structure. The main disadvantage of these hybrid panels is that the thermal energy produced is dependent on the electrical energy produced. Thus for an electrical power produced, the same proportion of thermal energy is produced. Knowing that the electrical and thermal energy demand of a home or factory is often variable, this makes these solutions non-optimal. With photovoltaic solar panels, the electrical production can be consumed directly by the user, if the energy production is less than or equal to the energy demand, or it can be stored in an energy store such as an accumulator or battery, or returned to the electricity network (sold on the network for example). In the case where the energy is stored in a battery, it is known that these battery systems have the disadvantage of being expensive, of having a limited lifespan, of having a negative environmental impact with emissions of carbon dioxide during the manufacturing phase and require the use of specific materials for their manufacture (Lithium, Lead, etc.)

The state of the art thus shows that devices for producing energy from solar energy have disadvantages: no direct production of thermal energy for devices called photovoltaic solar panels, heavy, complex and expensive structures for solar concentrator type devices, with an optical design of the mirrors depending on the choice of the energy converter, and finally the non-possibility of producing electrical energy with so-called solar thermal systems. Note that the storage of electrical energy in batteries is also a major disadvantage for photovoltaic solar panels due to the price of the batteries, their lifespan and their environmental impact.

The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a multi-energy production device, from solar energy, making it possible to produce electrical energy and thermal energy, with a less heavy structure and a modular design where the mirrors forming the solar collector as well as the convergence distance can easily adapt depending on the energy converter used. From the same perspective, this proposed energy production device also makes it possible to avoid the use of batteries for the storage of electrical energy produced by having the advantage of storing thermal energy in a storage tank. energy and transform it into electrical energy through a thermodynamic machine.

To do this, the invention thus relates, in its broadest acceptance, to a new device for producing electrical and thermal energy from solar energy, comprising a fixed frame, a rotating frame, a central panel capable of integrating mirrors forming a solar collector or photovoltaic solar panels. Said rotating chassis of the energy production device also includes beams forming a rail system. Said energy production device also comprises a solar receiver integral with a box comprising a thermal – mechanical energy converter or a thermal – electrical energy converter or a thermal – thermal energy converter, said box is movable on a carriage that can move on the rotating chassis. The energy production device also comprises a translation mechanism integral with the central panel and movable in translation on the beams of the rotating chassis. Said energy production device also comprises a rotation mechanism movable in translation on the beams of the rotating chassis. and allowing the central panel to perform a rotational and tilting movement around a coupling mechanism located on the translation mechanism, said energy production device also comprises a rotation motor allowing the rotating frame to perform a rotational movement to follow the sun along the horizontal plane.

The central panel thus rests on one side on a movable translation mechanism on the rotating frame and on the other side on a movable rotation mechanism on a vertical frame, said vertical frame is coupled to the rotating frame. The central panel is coupled on either side to side panels, said central panel and said side panels are designed to receive mirrors or photovoltaic solar panels or a combination of mirrors and photovoltaic solar panels.

Thanks to the system according to the invention, the proposed energy production device, presented in and in , will be deployed on a flat surface (not visible). The fixed frame can be attached to the ground, the rotating frame makes it possible to follow the sun according to the azimuth (horizontal position).

To follow the position of the sun according to the vertical plane, in particular the position of the sun according to the elevation in the sky, the rotating chassis includes rails allowing the central panel positioned on a mobile structure to slide to perform a translation movement at the level of the rotating chassis.

Preferably, the central panel is coupled to a translation mechanism, said translation mechanism is driven by a translation motor through a rod allowing it to move along the x axis ( ) which allows the central panel to modify the angle of incidence with the sun's rays to adapt to the position of the sun according to the elevation in the sky, thus making it possible to maximize the solar reception surface and therefore maximize solar energy collected.

To concentrate the sun's rays on the solar receiver in the case of thermal energy production for a direct thermal need or to operate a thermodynamic energy converter, the central panel can be coupled to a rotation mechanism located on the rotating frame at the level of a vertical frame. Advantageously, said vertical chassis comprises a rail system with a horizontal movement mechanism, said mechanism makes it possible to move the central panel which makes it possible to perform a rotational movement around its point of attachment on the movable structure on the rotating chassis.

Preferably, said energy production device comprises a rotation mechanism movable in translation on beams of the vertical frame coupled to the movable frame, said rotation mechanism comprises rollers sliding between the beams of the central panel and allowing the central panel to perform a rotation and tilting movement around a coupling mechanism located on the translation mechanism, said rotation mechanism thus makes it possible to converge the solar flux collected by all of the mirrors on the solar receiver, thus making it possible to heat the surface of the solar receiver and to ensure the thermal energy necessary for a thermal energy need or for the operation of an energy converter integrated in the box.

Preferably, said energy production device comprises two side panels, one on each side of the central panel. Thus the central panel can be coupled on both sides to two side panels through a system of hinges, said hinges allow the side panels to swing around the central panel thus making it possible to close or open or adapt the position of the side panels which allows adapt the width of the energy production device if necessary for a stationary application or for transport for a mobile application, said side panels, coupled on either side to the central panel, thus carry out the same axial movement and the same rotation made by the central panel by acting on the translation mechanism and the rotation mechanism.

Preferably, said energy production device is able to integrate on the central panel and on the side panels mirrors or photovoltaic solar panels or a combination of mirrors and photovoltaic solar panels. According to a preferred aspect, the central panel and the side panels comprise beams which can receive photovoltaic solar panel systems or mirror fixing mechanisms making it possible to adapt the curvature of the solar collector, said central panel and said side panels, are compatible with mirrors forming a collector or photovoltaic solar panels or both a combination of mirrors and photovoltaic solar panels.

The rails of the rotating frame also allow the box containing the solar receiver and the energy converter to move along the horizontal axis of the rotating frame. This allows the position of the solar receiver to be adapted to the position of the solar collector at any time. Having a variable distance from the solar receiver makes it possible to adapt the curvature of the mirrors (curvature of the collector formed by the mirrors positioned on the central panel and the side panels). This distance has a direct impact on the convergence surface at the solar receiver and therefore an impact on the temperature of the solar receiver, thus the energy production device proposed in this invention is compatible with several types of energy converters and thermodynamic machine, this offers a modular and adaptable solution. According to a preferred aspect, the carriage is movable along the horizontal axis x, thus making it possible to adapt the position of the solar receiver located on the box to the position of the solar collector, which makes it possible to adapt the solar reception surface as needed at the level of the solar receiver and to adapt accordingly and as necessary the temperature of the surface of the solar receiver, which makes the device compatible with different types of energy converters.

Preferably, the central panel and the side panels include beams which can attach photovoltaic solar panel systems or mirrors. In the case of mirrors, these are fixed to the central panel and to the side panels through a mechanism allowing them to be positioned along the three axes in space to vary the curvature of the mirrors and consequently the curvature of the solar collector (shape of the paraboloid). The distance between each mirror will depend on the size of the mirrors chosen and the concentration surface sought at the solar receiver.

Advantageously, the curvature of the mirrors forming the solar collector is adaptable through the mirror fixing mechanism. It is thus possible to modify the curvature of the solar collector formed by the mirrors positioned on the central panel and the side panels. According to a preferred aspect, said mirrors are positioned on an adjustable and adaptable mechanism in all directions of space and making it possible to adapt the curvature of the solar collector to adapt the solar reception surface which also makes it possible to adapt the temperature to the level of the solar receiver.

According to a preferred aspect, said fixed chassis comprises fixed beams on which is fixed a rotation motor coupled on the other side to a movable structure through other beams secured to the rotating chassis. This rotation motor can be an electric motor or a hydraulic motor and allows the mobile structure to rotate around the fixed structure according to the azimuth. Between the two circular beams, casters or bearings can be integrated, or simply a slight contact can be made between the surfaces of the two circular beams given that the mobile structure is supported by the rotation motor. Thus the fixed frame comprises a rotary motor coupled on one side to fixed beams and secured to other fixed beams resting on the ground or on a horizontal surface or a frame, said rotary motor is coupled on the other side to other beams integral with the rotating chassis, said fixed chassis comprises a fixed circular ring, said beams of the movable chassis are integral with a movable circular ring, said fixed circular ring and said movable circular ring are in contact through rollers or in slight contact direct.

The movements of the translation mechanism, the rotation mechanism, the carriage and the rotation motor, will take place automatically and in real time through motors which can be hydraulic motors or electric motors or a combination of electric motors and motors hydraulics.

Preferably, said energy production device is compatible with a reservoir comprising a fluid for storing thermal energy (not visible on the and the ). The thermal energy stored in this reservoir can be used to meet the thermal energy needs of a given application but also to produce electricity in the event of an absence of solar energy, for example. For the production of electricity, this can be done using a thermodynamic cycle of the Organic Rankine Cycle type (in English “Organic Rankine Cycle”). Advantageously, the energy production device comprises a thermal storage system making it possible to store thermal energy, said stored thermal energy is used in the form of thermal energy or transformed into electrical energy through an energy converter or else used simultaneously in the form of thermal energy and electrical energy.

Preferably, said box comprising the solar receiver integrates an ORC type energy converter (in English “Organic Rankine Cycle”), or a turbogenerator or a Stirling machine or other type of thermodynamic machine

Advantageously, this energy production device can be fixed to the ground or integrated into a mobile application, for example a trailer, a truck or other mobile vehicle. Thus, it is used for stationary applications for the production of electrical and thermal energy or mobile applications for the production of electrical and thermal energy.

Several embodiments of the present invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures in which:

schematically illustrates the energy production device with only mirrors at the central panel and side panels;

is a schematic view of the energy production device of the according to a different view, showing the solar receiver at the level of the box containing the energy converter;

is an exploded schematic view of the energy production device;

is a schematic view of the rotating frame including the vertical frame;

is a schematic view of the translation mechanism of the central panel on the rotating frame;

is a schematic view of the rotation mechanism of the central panel, said rotation mechanism is positioned on the vertical frame of the rotating frame;

is a schematic view showing the central panel in two different views;

is a schematic view of the cart on which the box containing the solar receiver and the energy converter is positioned;

is a schematic view of the mechanism for fixing the mirrors to the beams and the mechanism for articulating the mirrors in two different views;

is a drawing illustrating the impact of the curvature of the solar collector and the distance of the solar receiver on the solar concentration surface;

is a detailed schematic view of the different components of the fixed system called the base of the energy production device and the rotation system of the mobile part;

is a schematic view of the energy production device with a thermal energy storage tank;

is a schematic view of the energy production device comprising mirrors at the central panel and photovoltaic solar panels at the side panels;

is a schematic view of the energy production device comprising only photovoltaic solar panels at the central panel and the side panels;

is a schematic view of the energy production device comprising only a central panel with mirrors;

In what follows, the embodiments described focus more particularly on an implementation of the device for producing energy from solar energy for a stationary application. However, any implementation in a different context, in particular for mobile applications, is also covered by the present invention.

The elements designated by the same numerical references in the different figures are identical.

• une direction avant-arrière x correspondant à une direction avant-arrière rectiligne et horizontale, la flèche représentant l’avant ;
• une direction latérale y perpendiculaire à la direction avant-arrière x, la flèche représentant la droite ;
• une direction verticale z perpendiculaire aux directions horizontale et latérale, la flèche représentant le haut ;

In reference to the , there is shown schematically a device for producing energy 1 from solar energy according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The energy production device 1 comprises a fixed frame 2 coupled to a rotating frame 3 through a rotation motor 12 (not visible), a central panel 4, side panels 4a and 4b, said side panels 4a and 4b are positioned on either side of the central panel 4, said central panel 4 and said side panels 4a and 4b comprise, in this first embodiment, mirrors 22, all of the mirrors 22 positioned on the central panel and on the side panels form the solar collector. The energy production device 1 also includes a box 5 positioned on a carriage 6 movable along the x axis (horizontal axis), said box contains a solar receiver 5a (not visible) and an energy converter inside boxing (not visible). There illustrates a reference point in the three axes of space, that is to say:

• a front-rear direction x corresponding to a rectilinear and horizontal front-rear direction, the arrow representing the front;
• a lateral direction y perpendicular to the front-rear direction x, the arrow representing the right;
• a vertical direction z perpendicular to the horizontal and lateral directions, the arrow representing the top;

Referring now to the , it is schematically represented the same device for producing energy from solar energy presented in , but from a different view. This figure shows the solar receiver (5a) at box 5 containing the energy converter (not visible). The solar energy received on the solar collector formed by all the mirrors 22 is converged on the surface of the solar receiver 5a.

Referring now to the , there is shown an exploded schematic view of the energy production device presented in and in . There reveals the different subsystems of said energy production device 1. Said energy production device 1 comprises a translation mechanism 7 of the central panel 4, positioned on the rotating chassis 3, said rotating chassis 3 comprises two beams 3a and 3b in the shape of a “U” allowing the translation mechanism 7 to move along the axis X'X presented on the mark of the . The X'X axis is parallel to the x axis of the coordinate system and represents the horizontal direction. The rotating frame 3 also includes four vertical beams 3'a, 3'b, 3'c and 3'd on which two horizontal beams 3c and 3d rest. All of these beams form the vertical chassis, said vertical chassis is integral with the rotating chassis 3. The movement of the translation mechanism 7 along the x axis is possible thanks to a translation motor 10a through a rod-type metal connection 11a, said translation motor 10a being able to be an electric motor or a hydraulic motor. The movement of the translation mechanism 7 on the mobile chassis 3 results in an axial movement of the central panel 4 at the level of the coupling mechanism 15 (presented on the ), which makes it possible to tilt the central panel 4 and to tilt the side panels 4a and 4b, which makes it possible to adjust the angle of the solar collector relative to the position of the sun in the sky, the elevation of the sun in the sky. The energy production device 1 also comprises a rotation mechanism 8, said rotation mechanism 8 is movable along the x axis. The movement of the rotation mechanism 8 along the x axis is possible thanks to a translation motor 10b, through a rod-type metal connection 11b, said translation motor 10b being able to be an electric motor or a hydraulic motor. The movement of the rotation mechanism 8 makes it possible to perform a rotation and tilting movement of the central panel 4 and the side panels 4a and 4b around the coupling mechanism 15 (illustrated in the ) which allows the solar collector formed by the mirrors 22 to converge the sun's rays on the solar receiver 5a. The energy production device 1 also includes a box 5 movable on a carriage 6 in the direction X'X. The movement of the carriage 6 along the x axis is possible thanks to a translation motor 10c through a metal rod type connection 11c, said translation motor 10c being able to be an electric motor or a hydraulic motor. Thus, the carriage 6 carrying the box 5 can move along the x axis, which makes it possible to bring the solar receiver 5a closer to or further from the central panel and the side panels. Likewise, the translation mechanism 7 allows the central panel 4 to move at the level of the rotating frame 3, which allows the central panel 4 and the side panels 4a and 4b to approach or move away from the solar receiver 5b. The movement of the translation mechanism 7 also allows the panel to tilt, the upper part being integral with the rotation mechanism 8. Thus the movement of the translation mechanism 7 allows the central panel to tilt to adapt the angle of incidence with the sun's rays. This inclination makes it possible to maximize the surface of the solar collector formed by the mirror assembly with the sun's rays. In addition, the movement of the rotation mechanism 8 along the x axis allows the central panel 4 to perform a rotation and tilting movement around the translation mechanism 7. This rotation makes it possible to direct the solar flux collected by the set of mirrors towards the solar receiver 5a. The combination of the three mechanisms allows the energy production device 1 to continuously follow the sun according to the elevation while maximizing the reception surface with the sun's rays and converging at any time, the solar energy on the 5a solar receiver. To be able to follow the sun along the horizontal axis, the azimuth, another rotation motor 12 allows the rotating frame 3 to perform a rotational movement, said rotation motor 12 is coupled on one side to the fixed frame 2 and on the other side to the rotating frame 3 through beams.

Referring now to the , the rotary chassis 3 is shown schematically. This rotary chassis 3 comprises two beams 3a and 3b in the shape of a “U” inclined at 90° to form a rail system allowing the carriage 6 and the translation mechanism 7 to move according to the x axis. This rotating frame 3 also includes a vertical frame composed, among other things, of four beams 3'a, 3'b, 3'c and 3'd. It also includes two “U”-shaped beams 3c and 3d inclined at 90° to form a rail system allowing the rotation mechanism 8 to move along the x axis. The “U”-shaped beam 3c inclined at 90° and positioned horizontally along the x axis is integral with the beams 3'a and 3'b. The 3d beam in the shape of a “U” inclined at 90° and positioned horizontally along the x axis is integral with the beams 3'c and 3'd. The rotating frame 3 also includes two other beams, 3'e and 3'f positioned horizontally along the y axis and secured to the beams 3'g and 3'h which are in turn secured to the vertical beams 3'a , 3'b, 3'c and 3'd. Thus the structure of the rotating frame 3 is integral with the vertical frame and a rotation of the beams 3a and 3b results in a rotation of the same angle of the beams 3c and 3d. The rotating frame 3 also includes three other beams 3''a, 3''b and 3''c. These three beams 3''a, 3''b and 3''c have a dual role. The first role is to form a chassis to respectively receive the translation motors 10a, 10b and 10c to respectively move the translation mechanism 7, the rotation mechanism 8 and the carriage 6. The second role is to stiffen the structure by coupling the different beams of the mobile chassis 3 between them.

Referring now to the , the translation mechanism 7 is shown schematically allowing the central panel to move along the x axis. This translation mechanism 7 comprises a chassis formed of beams 13, a fixing system 14a of the rod 11a of the translation motor 10a, a coupling mechanism 15 of the central panel 4, the translation mechanism 7 also comprises rollers 16 in contact with the beams 3a and 3b on each side and can be simple wheels or ball bearing type bearings, and allow the translation mechanism 7 to move along the x axis, thus ensuring movement of the central panel 4 according to the x axis (the X'X axis on the ) at the level of the coupling mechanism 15. The coupling mechanism 15 consists of two bearings 15a resting on supports 15b positioned on the beams 13 and making the connection with the central panel 4 through two links 15c, said links 15c are integral with the central panel 4. The movement of the translation mechanism 7 along the x axis allows the central panel 4 to tilt according to the position of the sun according to the elevation, which makes it possible to maximize the surface of the sun's rays with the solar collector (collected surface) and thus maximize the solar energy received at the solar collector (central panel + side panels). This allows the mirrors 22 and the photovoltaic solar panels (another variant) to collect more solar energy and therefore maximize the efficiency of the energy production device 1.

Referring now to the , it is shown schematically the rotation mechanism 8 allowing the central panel 4 to perform a rotational movement and a tilting around the coupling mechanism 15 located on the translation mechanism 7 at the level of the bearings 15a and the links 15c. This rotation mechanism 8 comprises a frame formed of beams 17, a fixing system 14b of the rod 11b of the translation motor 10b, one or more casters 18 located on both sides of the rotation mechanism 8, and two rollers 19, one of each side, said roller 9 is integrated between the beams 20 and 20a (presented on the ) of the central panel 4. The rollers 19 make it possible to transform the translation movement of the rotation mechanism 8 carried out by the translation motor 10b via the rod 11b through the fixing system 14b, into a rotation and tilting movement of the panel central 4 around the coupling mechanism 15 located on the translation mechanism 7. By moving the rotation mechanism 8, the rollers 19 move horizontally along the x axis, the beams 20 and 20a are pushed by the rollers 19 , said rollers 19 slide between the beams 20 and 20a, which allows the central panel 4 to perform a rotational movement around the coupling mechanism 15. Thus through this design, the central panel will be able to perform a rotational movement by activating the translation motor 10b located on the vertical chassis. This rotational movement of the central panel 4 around the coupling mechanism 15 located on the translation mechanism 7 makes it possible to direct the solar fluxes collected by the mirrors 22 towards the solar receiver 5a positioned on the box 5. Thus this rotation mechanism 8 allows to all of the mirrors 22 forming the solar collector to concentrate the solar fluxes on the reception surface of the solar receiver 5a.

Referring now to the , two different views of the central panel 4 are shown schematically. The central panel 4 is composed of a structure comprising beams 20, beams 20a parallel to the beams 20, said beams 20 and beams 20a are spaced so as to allow the rollers 19 to integrate with each other, said rollers 19 are integral with the rotation mechanism 8 coupled to the translation motor 10b and sliding between the beams 20 and 20a, which allows the central panel 4 to perform a rotation and tilting movement around the coupling mechanism 15 located on the translation mechanism 7. The two beams 20a also make it possible to stiffen the structure of the central panel 4. The central panel 4 also includes longitudinal beams 21 making it possible to fix the mechanism 25 carrying mirrors 22 or many photovoltaic solar panels (mechanism 25 not present in this figure). These longitudinal beams 21 also have a role of stiffening the structure of the central panel 4. The central panel 4 also includes at least two hinges 20b on each side, said hinges fixed on the beams 20 and 20a allow the side panels 4a and 4b to tilt around the central panel 4. This tilting thus makes it possible to close or open the side panels 4a and 4b, which makes it possible to reduce the width of the system in the event of transport for a mobile application but also in case of need for a stationary application. Thus, the energy production device 1 is characterized in that the side panels 4a and 4b can perform a rotational movement at the level of the hinges 20b, thus making it possible to reduce the width of the system and offering the possibility of having a system transportable on a mobile application such as a trailer or vehicle or other type of transport vehicle.

Referring now to the , the carriage 6 is shown schematically comprising a chassis 23 capable of receiving the box 5 (not shown), a fixing system 14c of the rod 11c of the translation motor 10c, and casters 24 in contact with the beams 3a and 3b, said casters 24 allow the carriage 6 to move along the x axis, thus allowing the solar receiver 5a to approach or move away from the central panel 4 and the side panels 4a and 4b. This functionality of being able to change the distance, offers the energy production device 1 the possibility of changing the concentration surface at the level of the solar receiver 5a, which makes it possible to adapt the device 1 to different types of converter technologies. 'energy. Positioning the box 5 containing the solar receiver 5a directly on the rotating chassis 3 also makes it possible to reduce the complexity of the system and above all to reduce its mass.

Referring now to the , the mechanism for fixing the mirrors 25 to the longitudinal beams 21 of the central panel 4 and the side panels 4a and 4b is shown schematically. This mirror fixing mechanism 25 comprises a hollow sheet metal 26 coupled to the longitudinal beam 21 through a hole housing a nut and a screw (not shown in the figure). The position along the y' axis is adjustable as a function of the position of the hole on the longitudinal beam 21. The position along the x' axis is also adjustable by tightening the screw to the desired level on the hollow section of the sheet 26. The fixing mechanism 25 also comprises a first triangular sheet 27, fixed to the hollow sheet 26 through a system formed by a screw and a nut 27a, said first triangular sheet 27 allows the mirror 22 coupled to the mechanism 25 at the level of the hole 29 to rotate in the plane x'y' which makes it possible to adjust the curvature of the solar collector formed by the mirrors 22. The first triangular sheet 27 is coupled in turn to a second triangular sheet 28, fixed on the first triangular sheet 27 to through a system formed by a screw and a nut 28a, said second triangular sheet 28 allows the mirror 22 coupled to the mechanism 25 at the level of the hole 29 to rotate in the plane x'z' which makes it possible to adjust the curvature of the solar collector formed by the mirrors 22. Advantageously, this device 25 is characterized by its capacity to adapt the curvature of the solar collector formed by all the mirrors according to the need and the technical specificities of the solar receiver and the energy converter used. Advantageously, this mechanism 25 thus makes it possible to modify the paraboloid shape of the solar collector. This adaptation of the curvature implies an adaptation of the convergence zone and is also done in parallel with the adaptation of the position of the solar receiver 5a on the x axis through the position of the carriage 6.

There , illustrates the importance of the mechanism for fixing the mirrors 25 and its role in defining the curvature of the solar collector forming all of the mirrors 22. The also illustrates the importance of the mirror attachment mechanism and its impact on the receiving surface and surface temperature of the solar receiver. This shows the position of the focus Fa, defined as the place of convergence of the sun's rays, of a first solar collector [a] (which could be formed by a single paraboloid mirror or by several mirrors 22) compared to the position of the focus Fb of a second solar collector [b] having a different curvature (the paraboloid shape of the solar collector [a] is different from the paraboloid shape of the solar collector [b]. The two solar collectors [a] and [b] of the have the same solar reception surface S, they thus receive the same quantity of solar energy. The solar collector [a] having a more convergent solar collector structure than the solar collector [b], the latter has a focal length Fa shorter than the focal length Fb of the solar collector [b]. Likewise, for three different solar receivers, R1, R2 and R3 positioned at a distance D1, D2 and D3 respectively with a distance D1 from the solar collector greater than D2 and a distance D2 from the solar collector greater than D3, the three receiving surfaces S1, S2 and S3 are different, with surface S3 being larger than surface S2 and surface S2 being larger than surface S1. Thus, for the same quantity of solar energy collected on the surface S, the temperature of the three solar receiving surfaces is different with a surface temperature at the solar receiver S1 higher than the surface temperature at the solar receiver S2 which is in turn higher than the surface temperature at the solar receiver S3. This thus illustrates the importance of being able to modify, on the invention described in this document, the curvature of the solar collector and the distance between the solar collector and the solar receiver in order to be able to propose a modular energy production device which adapts to different types of energy converters requiring different operating temperatures at the solar receiver.

Referring now to the , the fixed chassis 2 and the rotating chassis 3 are shown schematically. The fixed chassis is composed of two beams 30 which rest on the ground or on the structure receiving the energy production device 1. These two beams 30 are coupled to a fixed circular ring 31 secured to the fixed frame. This fixed circular ring 31 may be U-shaped on its interior or exterior part. The two beams 30 are connected together through a beam 32 on which a rotation motor 12 is fixed, said rotation motor 12 is coupled on the other side to two beams 33 which are secured to the rotating frame 3 through the beams 3a and 3b. The rotation motor 12 may be an electric motor or a hydraulic motor. The activation of this rotation motor 12 allows the rotary frame 3 to rotate, the fixed frame 2 formed by the beams 30, 32 and the circular ring 31, always being fixed. Advantageously, the two beams 33 are coupled to a second movable ring 34 secured to the rotating frame 3. This movable circular ring 34 may be U-shaped on its interior or exterior part. Casters or bearings can be installed between the two circular rings 31 and 34, or simply a slight contact between the two circular rings 31 and 34 makes it possible to stabilize the device in the event of vibrations due to the effect of the wind and to lower consequently the bending and/or torsional stresses at the level of the rotation motor 12.

Referring now to the , a second variant of the device for producing energy from solar energy is shown schematically. This energy production device 37 is identical to the first device 1 presented in the except that it has a thermal storage tank 38. The thermal energy recovered by the energy converter at the solar receiver makes it possible to produce electrical energy and thermal energy. The thermal energy is stored in the reservoir 38. Advantageously, the device 37 is compatible with an ORC type energy converter (Organic Rankine Cycle) or steam Rankine cycle using an organic fluid. Thermal energy can be stored in the reservoir using a fluid as a thermal store. Several fluids can be used, among them water and specific oils are the cheapest and most common. Advantageously, the thermal storage tank is integral with the fixed frame of the device. However, in a configuration, not shown, the thermal storage tank can be integral with the rotating frame 3, thus rotating with said rotating frame 3.

Referring now to the , a third variant of the energy production device 1 from solar energy is shown schematically. This energy production device 39 is identical to the first device presented in the except that it has photovoltaic solar panels 40 positioned on the side panels 4a and 4b. Thus, the energy production device is characterized by its ability to operate with mirrors 22 or photovoltaic solar panels 40. The photovoltaic solar panels 40 can be positioned on the central panel 4, or on the side panels 4a and 4b or both on the central panel 4 and the side panels 4a and 4b. In the case of the energy production device 39, the photovoltaic panels make it possible to directly produce electrical energy and the mirrors 22 make it possible to produce thermal energy at the level of the solar receiver 5a, said thermal energy produced is used to produce electricity through a thermodynamic energy converter or to produce only thermal energy.

Referring now to the , a fourth variant of the device for producing energy from solar energy is shown schematically. This energy production device 41 is identical to the first device presented in the except that it has photovoltaic solar panels 40 on the central panel 4 and on the side panels 4a and 4b. This energy production device 41 is thus characterized by its capacity to produce only electrical energy using photovoltaic solar panels 40.

Referring now to the , a fifth variant of the device for producing energy from solar energy is shown schematically. This energy production device 42 is identical to the first device presented in the except that it does not have side panels 4a and 4b. The energy production device 1 is characterized by its ability to be modular and having the possibility of coupling to one or more side panels on each side.

The embodiments present a device for producing energy from solar energy whose architecture is modular and makes it possible to adapt the curvature of the solar collector by acting on the mirror fixing mechanisms, but also to adapt the temperature of the solar receiver by adapting the position of the solar receiver depending on the type of energy converter technology. The device is characterized by its ability to receive, at the level of the central panel and the side panels, photovoltaic solar panels or mirrors or both a combination of photovoltaic solar panels and mirrors.

The devices according to the invention are particularly intended for the production of electrical and thermal energy from solar energy. The devices according to the invention are also intended for the storage of thermal energy. The devices are also intended for fixed applications such as houses, on the roofs of buildings, factories, but also for mobile applications such as energy production units on vehicles or trailers. These devices are made by several possible processes.

In known manner, the frames of the devices presented are made of metal alloys of iron or aluminum or steel type. Mirrors are made of glass and photovoltaic solar panels are made with specific materials. The power generation device is compatible with the sun's rays and solar energy and the materials used are compatible with the sun's rays and solar energy too.

The energy production device has variable dimensions depending on the target application and depending on the needs for electrical and thermal energy production. Said energy production device is compatible with several electrical and thermal energy production applications.

The invention makes it possible to propose a device for producing thermal and electrical energy from solar energy. The invention makes it possible to adapt the production of electrical energy and the production of thermal energy depending on the application, by having a modular design making it possible to accommodate several types of energy converters but also photovoltaic solar panels. . The proposed device has several degrees of freedom to control the solar flux at the solar receiver by varying the position of the solar receiver, but also the curvature of the solar collector with the mechanism for positioning the mirrors forming the solar collector.

The device for producing energy from solar energy is particularly intended for the production of electrical energy and the production of thermal energy.

Claims (10)

Device for producing electrical and thermal energy (1) from solar energy comprising a fixed frame (2), a rotating frame (3), a central panel (4) which can integrate mirrors (22) forming a collector solar or photovoltaic solar panels (40), a solar receiver (5a) integral with a box (5) containing a thermal – mechanical energy converter or a thermal – electrical energy converter or a thermal energy converter - thermal, said box (5) is movable on a carriage (6), said energy production device (1) is characterized in that it comprises a translation mechanism (7) integral with the central panel (4) and movable in translation on the beams (3a) and (3b) of the rotating chassis (3), said energy production device (1) also comprises a rotation mechanism (8) movable in translation on the beams (3c) and (3d ) and allowing the central panel (4) to perform a rotational and tilting movement around the coupling mechanism (15) located on the translation mechanism (7), said energy production device also comprises a rotation motor (12) allowing the rotating frame (3) to perform a rotational movement to follow the sun along the horizontal plane. Energy production device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the central panel (4) is coupled to a translation mechanism (7), said translation mechanism (7) is driven by a translation motor (10a) through a rod (11a) allowing it to move along the x axis which allows the central panel (4) to modify the angle of incidence with the sun's rays to adapt to the position of the sun according to the elevation in the sky, thus making it possible to maximize the solar reception surface and consequently maximize the solar energy collected. Energy production device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the central panel (4) is coupled to a rotation mechanism (8) movable in translation on the beams (3c) and (3d) of the chassis vertical coupled to the movable frame (3), said rotation mechanism (8) comprises rollers (19) sliding between the beams (20) and (20a) of the central panel (4) and allowing the central panel (4) to perform a rotation and tilting movement around the coupling mechanism (15) located on the translation mechanism (7), said rotation mechanism (8) thus makes it possible to converge the solar flux collected by all of the mirrors (22) on the solar receiver (5a), thus making it possible to heat the surface of the solar receiver (5a) and to provide the thermal energy necessary for a thermal energy requirement or for the operation of the energy converter integrated in the box (5). Energy production device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the central panel (4) can be coupled on both sides to two side panels (4a) and (4b) through a hinge system (20b) , said hinges (20b) allow the side panels (4a) and (4b) to tilt around the central panel (4) thus making it possible to close or open or adapt the position of the side panels (4a) and (4b) which allows adapt the width of the energy production device (1) if necessary for a stationary application or for transport for a mobile application, said side panels (4a) and (4b), coupled on either side to the central panel (4), thus perform the same axial movement and the same rotation made by the central panel (4) by acting on the translation mechanism (7) and the rotation mechanism (8). Energy production device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the central panel (4) and the side panels (4a) and (4b) comprise beams (21) which can receive photovoltaic solar panel systems (40) or else fixing mechanisms (25) of mirrors (22) making it possible to adapt the curvature of the solar collector, said central panel (4) and said side panels (4a) and (4b), are compatible with mirrors (22) forming a solar collector or photovoltaic solar panels (40) or both a combination of mirrors (22) and photovoltaic solar panels (40). Energy production device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the carriage (6) is movable along the horizontal axis x, thus making it possible to adapt the position of the solar receiver (5a) located on the box ( 5) to the position of the solar collector, which makes it possible to adapt, as necessary, the solar reception surface at the level of the solar receiver (5a) and to adapt accordingly and as necessary the temperature of the surface of the solar receiver ( 5a), which makes the device compatible with different types of energy converters. Energy production device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the central panel (4) and the side panels (4a) and (4b) can receive mirrors (22) to form a solar collector, said mirrors (22) are positioned on a mechanism (25) adjustable and adaptable in all directions of space and making it possible to adapt the curvature of the solar collector to adapt the solar reception surface which also makes it possible to adapt the temperature to the level of the solar receiver (5a). Energy production device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed frame (2) comprises a rotary motor (12) coupled on one side to fixed beams (32) and integral with other fixed beams (30) resting on the ground or on a horizontal surface or on a frame, said rotary motor is coupled on the other side to other beams (33) secured to the rotating frame (3), said fixed frame comprises a circular ring fixed (31), said beams (33) of the movable chassis (3) are integral with a movable circular ring (34), said fixed circular ring (31) and said movable circular ring (34) are in contact through rollers (35) or in light direct contact. Energy production device 1 according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a thermal storage system 38 making it possible to store thermal energy, said stored thermal energy is used in the form of thermal energy or transformed into energy electrical through an energy converter or used simultaneously in the form of thermal energy and electrical energy. Use of an energy device 1 according to claim 1, characterized in that said device 1 is used for stationary applications for the production of electrical and thermal energy or mobile applications for the production of electrical and thermal energy.