JPS5924346B2 - solar energy collection device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the harvesting of solar energy for thermally increasing the temperature of active substances.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,154,219 to Gupta discloses a multi-prismatic elongated parabolic reflector with a focally located central heat absorber.

In this case, a digital computer calculates the position of the sun, but the result of this calculation is simply fed as an input to drive a °C reflector along the ``actual position of the sun''; The position of the sun is determined by a pair of photodiodes significantly observing the sun.

Details of the electronic computer are omitted here, ie it is merely mentioned and not illustrated.

Garden U.S. Patent No. 4,158,354
No. 3 discloses a pair of circular parabolic reflectors, a block diagram (Figure 5 of the same patent), and a program for controlling the position of the reflectors (Figure 8 of the same patent). There is.

In this case, the control involves the formation of a pulse train with a pulse interval according to the state of the control parameters.

A pair of photovoltaic cells also provides information about the orientation of the reflector with respect to the sun.

US Pat. No. 4,137,897 to Moore discloses a large flat array of individual flat parabolic or Fresnel shaped collectors.

Each of these collectors has an equatorial mount and is arranged in groups on a side of the building that is inclined at 55° from the horizontal.

Also, a diagram with only one block does not mention anything other than revealing the existence of an electronic computer.

Moan U.S. Pat. No. 4,016,860
Discloses a device that utilizes air as an active substance, which active substance can be used in any amount in a total of a plurality of Thermos C,
Thermos) bottles are supported by interconnecting manifolds at their open ends.

The annular volume between the inner and outer glass tubular walls is evacuated by known techniques.

The active substance must enter through one side of the opening and exit through the other side of the same opening.

The present invention is a turret-shaped reflective concentrator, which has a support having a corresponding contour on the lower side of the concentrator, and a linear form energy receiver on the straight line form point of the concentrator. use.

A mechanical device maintains the concentrator pointing toward the Sun, under the dedicated control of a microcomputer that determines the pure geometric Sun-Earth relationship. It is program controlled to function in

A solar sensor is not used.

The thermal efficiency of the solar energy harvesting device is monitored to provide information regarding tracking accuracy and the effects of other factors, such as weather changes, component deterioration, etc.

The linear thermodynamic receiver has an externally surrounding transparent tube that is joined to the receiver by bellows so that it can be differentially expanded.

The volume between the receiver and the transparent tube is maintained under vacuum by a watertight seal.

Each reflector is glued to a number of lips, which are further rigidly attached to the corresponding contoured support.

This provides robustness for accurate positioning.

The adhesive has sufficient thickness and resiliency to prevent significant distortion of the optical surface due to differential thermal expansion of the reflector and support structure.

The present invention will be explained below by means of preferred embodiments thereof.

In FIG. 1, 8 generally indicates a turret-shaped reflective concentrator with a linear focal point.

The concentrator has a reflector 1 made of glass or other transparent material.

Since a known silver mirror reflecting surface is attached to the lower side surface 1', the concave side of the reflector (the upper side in this figure) is an effective mirror surface.

A known shield cover, such as an epoxy-type coating, is applied to this to protect the silver reflective surface from scratches and the atmosphere.

The cross-sectional profile of the reflective concentrator can be seen at the right edge of the structure.

This cross-sectional profile is usually a quasi-parabola rather than a true parabola.

This is because it takes into account the refraction of light rays passing through the glass into and out of the silver mirror reflective surface.

This cross-sectional profile is expressed by a cubic or higher order equation.

Also, this becomes a parabola when the glass thickness becomes zero.

The equation is Y=AX 10BX 0CX+D, where X and Y are in centimeters and 9
The values of the constants for an aperture width of 0 Crn and a glass thickness of o, 3ffi are:

A = 170.6553X 10-9 B = 17.12772 Examples of dimensions are length 2.5 cm, width 90 (?772), and depth 30 Crrl.

The elongate tubular support 2 is the main structural member of the concentrator assembly.

This support is typically a 2.5m long thin-walled steel tube with a diameter of approximately 15crn and a 0.9m x Z
For a 5m aperture concentrator, the wall thickness is 165#.

Both ends of the tubular support are connected to a sector plate 3 by 7 langes 4.
, 3' is bolted (pol) 5.5').

This 72 inch is coaxial with and welded to the tubular support 2 and also connects one concentrator 8 assembly to another concentrator m.
It serves to connect the end-to-end arrangement of the l-solid.

The dowels 6, 6' provide precise mechanical alignment between the flange by fitting into slotted holes in each flange.

Each concentrator assembly has ribs 7, 7', ? “711/etc.

These ribs are formed from sheet steel stampings and are provided with 7 langes on their edges for rigidity.

The material is approximately 1rIrIIL thick.

Typically, one rib is welded to the tubular support 2 at each end thereof, with the remaining ribs being equally spaced between the ribs at both ends.

In this way, a lightweight construction is provided, the weight of which is 6.5 Kgw per square meter of opening.

Nevertheless, the inherent robustness of tubular supports is great and angular deformations (also referred to as "roll-up") can be ignored when several assemblies are clamped together end-to-end.

FIG. 2 shows a portion of the rib 1 when the overall °C concentrator structure is viewed along its axial direction.

A portion of the reflector 101 is also shown, but this is in cross section.

There are 90 layers of adhesive between these two.

This adhesive facilitates accurate and economical assembly and, on the other hand, securely binds reflector 1 and rib 1 to each other and retains a certain degree of softness, thereby providing a bond between support and reflector. Adapt to the displacement to minimize distortion of the optical element.

Room temperature curing rubber (51 manufactured by General Electric Company)
A silicone type adhesive such as 1g1ases 2401) is used.

This adhesive is applied within the space between the reflector 1 and the ribs 7 while these components are held in their proper relative position by the assembly fixtures that grip them.

The adhesive is applied to the ribs 1 before the reflector 1 is placed in place.
or by injection into the gap between the reflector 1 and the rib 7 after the reflector 1 is in place.

An energy receiver 10 is placed at the focal point of the reflective concentrator 1 .

It is held in position by support brackets 21 between the vicinity of the concentrator assemblies (see FIG. 5A) and each end of the row of these assemblies.

Thermal energy receiver is "hardplum".
b) Jed, i.e. the receiver does not rotate or move in any wind.

The arrangement of the support bracket is such that it is fixed at one end to the thermal energy receiver and allows thermal expansion of the receiver relative to the fixed end.

The support bracket 21 is completely independent of the concentrator assembly, thus facilitating rotation of the concentrator assembly by the drive.

Installation and maintenance of the concentrator assembly is thereby simplified.

The thermal energy receiver preferably has a selectable coating, ie a high absorption and low emissivity coating.

Such a coating is black chrome. At 300° C., this coating has an absorption of 0.96 and an emissivity of only 0.15.

In FIG. 3, the thermal energy receiver 10 extends from the left to the right cut-out end.

Surrounding the thermal energy receiver is a collar 11 of a metal bellows 12.

The bellows is vacuum resistant and vacuum resistant bonded to the thermal energy receiver 10 by welding.

The second collar 14 is hermetically sealed in the transparent tube 15.

The collar is Pyrex type glass for the stainless steel bellows in view of the nominal operating temperature range including a maximum temperature of about 300°C.

This construction reduces manufacturing costs compared to bonded glass seals or seals that involve the use of Kovar metal.

Both the thermal energy receiver 10 and the transparent tube 15 extend 2.5 m or more beyond the right end in FIG. 3 and terminate in a second bellows assembly on the right.

The bellows 12 thus accommodate thermal differential expansion;
Also, the vacuum initially created between the receiver and the tube is maintained.

The vacuum surrounding the receiver 10 reduces total heat loss from the receiver to radiation only.

The vacuum is typically 10-3# of mercury or higher.

This increases the annual thermal efficiency by about a factor of 20 depending on the required operating temperature of the thermal energy receiver in degrees Celsius as part of the present solar energy harvesting device using weather or solar energy.

It is clear that an embodiment having a thermal energy receiver tube element surrounded by a sealed vacuum has operational advantages over the coupled pump suction vacuum embodiment.

The seal cut structure is only achieved by disposing a gas-absorbing getter material to thermally line the receiver 10, bellows 12 and transparent tube 15 during air venting and to maintain the vacuum thereafter. , completed with reliability.

The temperature of the thermal energy receiver can be varied up to 315°C or more by adjusting the flow of heat transfer liquid therethrough.

The large flow causes a decrease in the temperature of the receiver for any solar radiation (solar energy input) and other weather conditions.

The receiver assembly is "fired" at a temperature above the maximum operating temperature (eg, 370<0>C for an operating temperature of 315<0>C) during deairing.

This is accomplished in an elongated electric furnace.

The above-mentioned temperature is below the softening point of the transparent tube.

However, this temperature is high enough to expel gas from all of the surfaces forming the annular volume between the receiver and the transparent tube.

At operating temperatures below the "firing" temperature, no further gas is released by these surfaces.

A firing period of several hours is sufficient. In addition, a gentor ring 17 is located at one or both ends of the receiver assembly near the bellows, as shown in FIG.

Getter material 17a is evaporated by an external induction device at the end of the firing period.

This material immediately condenses on nearby surfaces into a thin deposit, which is often accompanied by mirror properties.

Tab 17b is welded to receiver 10 and supports genta ring 17.

This mirror phase is not involved in the function of the Genta ring or the receptor, but rather as a result.

However, the mirror surface on the inner wall of the transparent tube 15 would prevent the sunlight from hitting the thermal energy receiver 10, thus slightly reducing the efficiency of the present solar energy collector.

The illustrated arrangement of the Genta ring 11 along the rUJ-shaped cross-section of the open ring to retain the getter material minimizes this effect.

The open end of the "U" shape is placed towards the bellows.

In FIG. 4, the numeral 21 indicates a flange attached to the ground or another surface such as a roof, which flange supports each sector plate 3 on bearings 22 and 22'.

Bearings 23 and the shoulders on bearings 22 and 22' support thrust loads and are only for one sector in each row of concentrator assemblies shown in the solar energy collector of FIGS. 5 and 5A. Needed.

The drive rotates each concentrator assembly or row of concentrator assemblies as a unit bolted together to seven langes 4, while being controlled by a microcomputer.

The drive device includes a device that provides either axial or rotational force.

This device is connected to the actuator shaft 29 for translational movement of this shaft, thereby rotating each concentrator or row of concentrators by means of cables 32 and 32'.

One end of each cable is attached to the end of the sector plate 3 and the other end of the cable is attached to the actuator shaft 29.

One such drive is shown in FIG. 4 and includes a stepper motor 24, which is connected to a ball screw 25.
Rotate.

A torsionally resilient coupling feature is preferably included in the drive train adjacent stepper motor 24 to reduce step shock loads on the motor.

This is the coupling device 20.

The ball screw is supported by bearings 26 and 21, with bearing 2
1 is on the nearby bracket 21'.

The rotation of the ball screw 25 causes the ball nand 28 to run axially along the ball screw, and simultaneously bears the actuator push/pull member (shaft or tube) by the grip 30 between the ball nand 28 and the actuator shaft 29. 3L31', 3
1” translational movement.

The actuator shaft 29 is a piece of tubing, or multiple pieces attached to each other and extending through the row of concentrator assemblies as shown in FIG.

In each row, the cable configuration arrangement previously described connects the actuator axis to the fan plate and rotates this row to focus on the sun, or is determined and controlled by a microcomputer to allow other sent to a certain location.

The alternative drive system shown in FIG. 4A includes essentially the same components as described in connection with FIG.
The difference is that it is rotated by a tube 34 connected to 4'.

A step motor may be used, but motor 24' is a servo motor, which is a satisfactory alternative.

The ball screw 25 is thereby translated, so that the actuator shaft 29 is translated by the bracket 30a, which also connects the ends of the ball screw with the actuator shaft.

In this alternative configuration, the ball screw is translated from within the length of a connecting tube, which has a ball nut at its l end and is connected to the motor 24' at its other end.

The bearing 33 is a Teflon camp and facilitates the running of the ball screw within the tube 34.

This alternative configuration is advantageous when the rotational moment of inertia of the rotating ball screw is large relative to the rise time capability of the motor 24'.

The inertia of the rotating connection tube can be made relatively low by using lightweight thin-walled tubes such as aluminum alloys.

Additionally, another alternative drive arrangement is shown in FIG. 4B.

The device includes a hydraulic piston 52 and a cylinder 50.

The piston rod 51 is attached to the actuator shaft 29 by means of a mounting bracket 30a and causes it to move in translation.

The movement of the piston is controlled by a microcomputer through a known hydraulic pressure source 58 and through valving thereto, with precise feedback of the position of the actuator shaft 29 and the piston 52. is provided to the microcomputer by the piston logic 59.

This logic is position information provided by optical, acoustic or magnetic linear or rotational transducers.

An acoustic linear displacement transducer is shown in FIG. 4B.

This converter is manufactured by Temponinck (Tempo-
It is commercially available from 5onie Inc.).

A current pulse is generated from a pulser 53 on a magnetic wire 54, resulting in an acoustic pulse being delivered to a read head 55, which is attached to a piston 52.

This is due to the magnetostrictive interaction of the magnetic field in the read head and the current pulses in the ferrimagnetic wire.

Transducer 57 detects acoustic pulses within this line and also
the position of the piston 52 with associated piston logic 59;
Therefore, the position of the actuator shaft 29 is given accurately.

The solar engineering energy collection device shown in Figure 5 is a “crossover”
It includes a tube or vibro 0 and a pump 63 , the latter of which circulates heat transfer fluid through vibro 1 to the concentrator and through vibro 2 and thence to heat load 65 .

Three-way valve 64 facilitates bypassing the heat load to reach the desired operating temperature by circulating heat transfer fluid through the concentrator.

The control and analysis device includes a specially programmed microcomputer.

FIG. 6 shows a Bronk diagram of the entire control and analysis device.

Component equipment includes microcomputer elements, storage devices,
Interconnections between input devices and output devices are included.

The operating logic is via software instructions stored within the storage device.

The control and analysis device also includes an input keyboard and a six digit hexadecimal display.

Improvements have been made to interface audio cassette players for the purpose of loading and retrieving programs from storage devices.

An internal memory programmer is provided to program and control the erasable semi-permanent memory (CPROM).

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a microcomputer.

The numbers near the several lines between the blocks are
It represents the number of independent lines connected between these blocks in the detailed example.

Equations for concentrator steering and efficiency, as well as calculations for performance analysis, are provided in software to accommodate structural deflections in the drive.

These equations are solved in a microcomputer using basic step-pi-step operations,
That is, it is done by breaking it down into algebra such as multiplication, trigonometry such as finding the sine of an angle, and logic such as determining travel limits for a concentrator or unsafe conditions within a collection device.

The body of the fixed propellum is stored in semi-permanent storage.

Constants such as the slope of the ecliptic are also stored in semi-permanent storage.

Variable parts of the program, such as time of day, geographic coordinates, concentrator inclination and declination, etc., are stored in random access memory ([AM)].

If the power goes out, the data in the random access storage device will be lost, and when the power is restored, the lost data will need to be rewritten, so a back-up ground power source is preferably provided. protects solar energy harvesting equipment and also saves time in the event of mains power outage.

Typically, the time is updated in one second increments by a clock circuit (CTC).

Normally, the entire equation is reduced to 1 for the central processing unit (CPU).
There is enough time to update once every second.

The maneuver command that maintains the focus of the concentrator towards the sun is therefore updated as soon as the pointing error exceeds one step in the stepper motor or if this error exceeds a predetermined error angle in the concentrator. .

The equations defining the rotation of the earth at the latitude of installation and the related functions dependent thereon are stored as software in the memory of the microcomputer.

Initially, this is accomplished by using the keyboard 73 of FIG.

This can then be achieved by manipulating the cassette 97.

In cooperation with and under the control of a central processing unit (CPU) 81, an arithmetic processing circuit 80 calculates floating point trigonometric function values and arithmetic values every second according to the equations described below.

After installation, at first start-up, or later at sunrise, the time of day is entered into the central processing unit (CPU) and the reflective focuser moves to focus the sun's rays onto the thermal energy receiver 10.

When at rest, such as at night, the concentrator is usually positioned by the microcomputer at one extreme, ie in an orientation aligned with the horizontal optical axis.

This minimizes the collection of dirt, dew, and other foreign matter, as well as providing the lowest profile for both hail.

FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the microcomputer and the major peripherals and concentrator control power components and execution data inputs.

The microcomputer 70 has the following main elements:
It has a central processing unit (CPU) 81 (see FIG. 1).

This element is based on a type Z80 manufactured by S.D. Systems, Dallas, Texas 75228, USA.

Equivalent machines manufactured by other manufacturers may also be accepted.
Also available.

The essential control functions for constantly pointing the reflective concentrator toward the sun are programmed into the microcomputer's memory as described below.

In addition to this, several sensors associated with the solar energy harvesting device are utilized to perform calculations on what the device is doing.

These sensors are input to the microcomputer 70 shown in FIG. 6 as input devices, and more specifically, individually,
It is connected to interface element 71a in FIG.

Sensor inputs typically include fluid temperature within the thermal energy receiver, pressure in the receiver, fluid flow rate through the receiver, and ambient weather parameters including solar radiation.

Additionally, an input is provided from the power supply 12, which is used for basic synchronization.

This input is a known 60 Hg alternating current from the normal mains power supply.

If an emergency power source is included within the solar energy collector, a crystal controller is included as part of the collector to precisely control the frequency.

Using the keyboard 73, the operator transfers the data to the central processing unit (
It can be input to a microcomputer under the control of CPU) 81.

Display device 74 allows the operator to see which data he is working with.

This display device is a six-digit hexadecimal display and receives output from a central processing unit (CPU).

The second interface element 71b also has a central processing unit (CPU).
) 81 and to the driver isolation circuit 76 of FIG.

The latter is a type of connection between low power level elements, such as central processing units and their peripherals, and higher power level elements being controlled, such as step motors or equivalent equipment and their drives. Ru.

Circuit 76 is either an optical coupler with optics to route central processing unit (CPU) signals to the power supply elements, or a drive amplifier with no return path is used.

In this way, the low power elements are protected from interfering signals and surges emanating from the high power level elements.

In Fig. 6, the step motor drive device? 7(
The step actuator and power supply) receives drive pulses sent to the central processing unit (CPU) and transfers them to the step motor 2.
4 to the power level required to operate.

This drive device is manufactured by Spierer Electric (S
5LO-8YN translational drive manufactured by Superior Electric Co., Ltd.

This motor is a two-phase two-winding type motor with 5lo-8y
DC step motors are of suitable torque capacity: 6.9 cm with counterweight on the concentrator, KgW or without counterweight in an array of 48 concentrators. against l 10
．． 6Cr114j'w However, the size of each concentrator is 9m
x2.5m0 Limit switch 79 also supplies separation circuit 16 power.

The switch has a contact configured and arranged to close at the extreme end of the reflective trough concentrator 80 travel.

Furthermore, in FIG. 7, an arithmetic processing circuit 80 is connected to a central processing unit (CPU) 81 for bidirectional communication.

This circuit is necessary to extend the mathematical capabilities of the microcomputer as a whole, so that the necessary orientation data for the reflective concentrator can be provided in a timely manner.

Circuit 80 is located at 940 California, USA.
86, Advanced Micro Devices Co., Ltd., Sunnyval.

Type 9511 manufactured by Devices, Inc.).

In FIG. 7, the time-lapse device 82 is a central processing unit (CPU).
) 81 to operate the latter in a circular manner.

The timer typically generates a square wave, ie, 50 repetition period, clock signal at a period slightly less than 2 MHz.

Resetting element 83 is essentially a switch.

It is connected to the central processing unit (CPU) 81 and sets its counter to zero.

Reconfiguration is used to achieve initial operation of the microcomputer, and thereafter any time after a "major failure" of the microcomputer.

Central processing unit (CPU) 81 has four different types of connections.

The number of independent conductors (wires) in each group is given in FIG. 7 by the number near the type designation.

There are 16 address conductors here.

These are interconnected throughout the microcomputer.

These conductors originate from a 16-bit counter in the central processing unit (CPU) that is operated by the central processing unit (CPU) to access storage or interface elements.

There are 8 data conductors, giving 8 digital focuses.

These conductors carry data originating from a central processing unit (CPU) to either a storage device or an interface element.

These interface elements include input/output devices, counters,
Including keyboard, etc.

Data conductors are bidirectional, ie, data enters or leaves the central processing unit (CPU).

There are eight control conductors.

The specific configuration of a central processing unit (02 port) using these conductors depends on whether the data enters or exits the central processing unit (CPU) and which part of the central processing unit is receiving the data. The purpose is to determine which part is supplying data.

It has already been mentioned that the arithmetic processing circuit 80 functions to supply calculation results in a timely manner.

While this calculation is being done, the central processing unit (CPU)
) must inhibit any of the above actions.

Accordingly, a "pause" input is sent from circuit 80 to the central processing unit (CPU) over the conductor so designated in FIG.

A fourth type of yet another connection to the central processing unit (CPU), rPROJ, is an input from the internal storage programmer 84.

The programmer programs and controls erasable semi-persistent memory (FROM) when required.

The output from program 84 passes through inverting amplifier 85 and becomes one input to NAND gate 86 .

The other input to gate 86 is the 1 Pause output from arithmetic processing circuit 80.

When either of these inputs is '0' in this gate, the output of the gate is 'l'.

This signal is inverted "low" in gate 87, thereby causing central processing unit (CPU) 81 to enter a "pause" state until its calculations are completed.

Once the calculation is complete, the "pause" condition is removed and central processing unit (CPU) 81 resumes control.

A "pause" condition from program 84 is entered while the storage device is programming.

This is not done during normal operation of the concentrator 8.

The duration of a "pause" interval is a few milliseconds or less.

A storage decoder 88 is used to divide the storage into groups.

This decoder uses a central processing unit (C
PU) connects to the control conductor and address conductor from 81,
and a storage device for controlling the same.

Typically, storage groups are 2048 bytes long.

Grouping is merely a matter of convenience and depends on the particular storage element used.

For different storage devices, it may be advantageous to use groups of different sizes, such as byte lengths such as 4,096.8,192.

The memory decoder 88 is internally configured with a medium-sized integrated circuit such as 5N74L8138, and the arithmetic processing circuit 80
and generates a storage bank grouping signal.

The monitoring device 89 is a semi-permanent memory (PROM) into which software is installed during an initial setup period.

The monitoring device has one control input conductor from a memory decoder 88, eleven address conductors connected to a central processing unit (CPU) 81, and eight data conductors.

The monitoring device 89 is connected to the keyboard 13 by the connections shown.
and activates the display device 74.

That is, it energizes the device associated with the keyboard so that when a key is pressed, a logical operation occurs.

That is, this is the same as in the case of a display device.

Components 90 and 91 are also semi-permanent memories (FROM) and are designated as FROM1 and FROM2.

These are connected in series to a monitoring device 89, each having a corresponding one input conductor from a memory decoder 88, eleven addressing conductors connected to a central processing unit (CPU) 81, and eight data conductors.

These auxiliary components are employed to provide sufficient semi-permanent storage (CPROM) capacity for the control of the concentrator of the present invention.

When a program is left alone, it resides in FROMI and PROMZ.

Input/output decoder 92 is connected to central processing unit (CPU) 81 through six address conductors and receives address information from the latter.

The control conductors are also connected to the decoder 92, as is the input conductor from the keyboard 73.

Several conductors are connected from decoder 92 to display device 74 and to output elements described below.

The function of the decoder 920 is to input data to or output data from the central processing unit (CPU) 81 according to the resident program, commands from the keyboard 73, and associated addresses.

Internally, decoder 92 is constructed of medium-sized integrated circuits, such as those used for memory block decoding.

This is Texas Instruments
It may be of type 5N74L8138, manufactured by Instrument Corporation.

Random access memory (RAM) 93 is used to store program data after the initial setup of the microcomputer is complete.

Typically, this is the IK capacity and is
Type M2 manufactured by Tel Corp)
114 is fine.

The storage device expansion unit 93a optionally expands the capacity.

This random access storage device is a central processing unit (CP).
U) connected to 81 by 11 address conductors,
It is also connected by one input conductor to memory decoder 88 for appropriate control.

The eight control conductors are connected to the central processing unit (CPU) 81.
and the input/output interface element 71a.

The latter consists of commercially available special purpose circuitry suitable for interfacing data to a microprocessor.

This particular part is manufactured by Zerolag (CZlog).

It is a type 8O-PIO (programmable input/output device).

The input/output interface element 71a receives input from the decoder 92.
℃ through one conductor from central processing unit (CPU) 81
The receiver is taken through two conductors from the address output of the central processing unit (CPU) 81 and through five conductors from the control output of the central processing unit (CPU) 81.

Port A of input/output interface element 71a provides an input/output connection consisting of two conductors and eight other conductors.

Are these connections connected to a step motor drive (or equivalent device)? ? , limit switch 79, weather sensor operation sensor, and other required sensors.

For these, please refer to FIG. 6.

The interface 71b is a counter/timer (count
er-timer).

This circuit has one connection from decoder 92.

It also connects to two address conductors and five control conductors from central processing unit (CPU) 81.

A time interrupt input is input to the C/TO terminal of interface 71b via one conductor.

This input issues to power supply 72 and provides a 60Hz signal, which is used for timekeeping.

The Zco output from the interface element 71b is output via one conductor and sent to the central processing unit (CPU) 81.
The interrupt function is achieved within.

This interrupt results in a recalculation of the tracking equations and hence the concentrator 8
cause an incremental change in the orientation of.

The arithmetic processing circuit 80 was mentioned earlier.

The circuit receives input via a single conductor from the decoder 92, and the output 80 is then used to receive or transmit data, receive commands, or output the status of the circuit 80.
I would like to report that.

The arithmetic processing circuit 80 connects to the central processing unit (CP) on the data “has” of the microcomputer via eight conductors.
U) Receive data from and send data to 81.

Starting from the auxiliary single conductor, the input cover of line A, the address bus, and determining whether an instruction or state event is being performed.

Circuit 80 independently provides a significant output called "pause" which, as previously mentioned, is a NAND
Enter gate 86.

This output lasts for a few milliseconds or less, causing arbitrary processing to take place within the central processing unit (CPU) 81, and temporarily halting the coordinating operating elements closely related thereto, i.e. This stoppage continues until the output resulting from the processing within the arithmetic processing circuit 80 is requested by and supplied to the microcomputer.

Decoder 94 is necessary to properly address the information entering circuit 80.

The decoder 94 sends the control information to the central processing unit (CPU) 81.
The receiver is taken from through three conductors.

The decoder sends information regarding this address to the processing unit 80 via two conductors.

The decoder 94 is manufactured by Texas Instruments Co.
It is a type 74LS139 manufactured by AS Instrument Inc.

Single step logic 84 is useful for "fault finding".

This logic allows a skilled software engineer to step through the program one step at a time, thus verifying that the program data is working.

Logic 84 also allows for deletions, additions, or changes within the program.

The cassette interface 96, which is not used during regular solar tracking, is a peripheral device that is useful for storing programs originally placed in microcomputer storage.

The program is initially run manually using the keyboard 13.

While this is occurring, the program is also transferred to the cassette 97 through the cassette interface 96.

If the program is subsequently damaged or destroyed in the microcomputer for any reason, the program
Reloaded by simply hanging the cassette.

This cassette only needs to have audio frequency capability.

The interface transforms the microcomputer's parallel 8-bit format into a serial format;
This is to record data in the orbit of the data cuscent.

When playing the program from the cassette, interface 96 restores this data to eight parallel pinpoints.

Cassette interface 96 connects counter and time pulse supply circuits CTC to ZC1 of interface element 71b.
Receives output.

The latter receives the local oscillator signal from timer 82.

Interface 96 is capable of sending or receiving data or instructions when the instructions reside in element FROM 90.91.

Cassette 97 is connected to interface 9 by a pair of conductors.
6, this pair of conductors signals recording and reproducing capabilities.

Cassette interface 96 is connected to the central processing unit (CP).
U) provides an output to the data (DATA) bus leading to 81.

Equations are programmed into the microcomputer 70 according to the following: (1) Calculate essentially continuously the angle of rotation required to point the concentrator at the sun.

(2) Calculate essentially continuously the angle of incidence of the sun on the concentrator to measure the collection efficiency of the collection device.

The required inputs are year, day, hour, minute, second, zone, daylight saving time, latitude, longitude, inclination, declination.

These inputs are identified by abbreviations in the following discussion and are defined in detail as follows.

ROT=rotation angle of the concentrator 8 with respect to the solar direction.

This angle is positive when rotation follows clockwise from the horizontal when viewed from the south in a north-south orientation or from the west in an east-facing orientation.

INCIDENT - When the concentrators are correctly oriented toward the Sun, the center of the solar disk is contained within the plane of symmetry of the individual concentrator, in which case the line drawn from the Sun to the receiver 10 and the line in the plane of symmetry The angle between it and the normal to the receiver is the angle of incidence.

This angle is positive when the sun is south of the normal to the north-south alignment or west of the normal to the east-north alignment.

YR = 1st year of the Western calendar, for example 1980.

DAY = Day of the year, January 1st is dayl.

If it is February 1st, it is day 32 mag.

HR - The time of the day, starting at 12.00 midnight.

Noon is 12 hours. MIN - Exact minutes from the hour: O to 59 SEC - Exact minutes from 20 to 59 ZONE - The time zone of the location; Los Angeles, California. and zone 8.

DASVTM = daylight saving time.

If daylight savings time is in effect, DASvTM-
1. If not implemented, DASVTM=0°L
Express the latitude and degree of the AT general location, preferably to two decimal places.

LONG General longitude of the location, expressed in degrees, preferably up to two decimal places.

TILT The angle of the two concentrator axis from the horizontal, preferably to two decimal places.

5KEW - Direction of the concentrator axis from true north, expressed in degrees, preferably to two decimal places.

Yellow = multiplication sign DELYR = YR - 1980° This amount is 19
Indicates the number of years since 1980.

LEAP=DELYR/4, rounded to an integer.

The purpose is to determine the number of days added by a leap year in time calculations.

T=HR+(MIN+SEC/60)/60+ZON
E-DASVTM0 The purpose is to convert time to include any fractional part.

TIME=DELYR365+LEAP-10T/24
The purpose is to convert time into days with a fractional part.

There are some time corrections.

That is, 1) If DELYR,=LEAP 4,
TIME2IME-1 2) If DELYR/LEAP 4&DELYR
<0, TIME=TIME−1, THETA=2π”T
IME/365.25 This is the solar longitude.

A circular orbit is assumed.

G=-,031271-4,539631010Tl
THETA This is the average periapsis distance of Earth's orbit.

To determine the longitude of the sun, EL=4.900968+3.69474 1010T
l+(,033434-Z3"10-""TIME)" 5IN(G)+,000349 5IN(2G) 10TH
ETA EPS-,40914-6゜2149 10 TIM
EThis is the angle between the ecliptic plane and the equatorial plane of the celestial sphere.

DECL=SIN /5IN(EL) 5IN(E
PS) / This is the declination, that is, the angle between the trajectory of the equatorial plane of the celestial sphere and the trajectory of the ecliptic plane on the sun's hour-angle eye plane RA = TAN-1
/CO8(EPS)”5IN(EL)/CO8(EL
) / This is the right ascension, or the angle between the hour angle plane of the vernal equinox and the hour angle plane of the sun.

ST21.759335+2”π(TIME/365
．． 25-DELYR)+3.694 10-TIM
EThis is sidereal time at Greenwich.

5=ST-1(T"15-LONG)"2π/360
This is local sidereal time.

E=SIN"/5IN(LAT)"5IN(DECL)
10C08(LAT)CO8(DECL)CO8(PA
-8)/ This is the angle of elevation, that is, the angle between the horizontal plane and the direction of the sun.

A=SIN"-1/C08(DECL)"5IN(RA
-8)/C08(E)/ This is the azimuth angle, that is, the angle made in the horizontal plane with due north in the direction of the sun, with positive being east.

DELELS=158.1/TAN (E)-,07/
(TAN(E))+, 000349/ (TAN(E)) 5 homes 1/3600 This is a refraction correction for sunlight passing through the atmosphere.

Assume standard conditions. RCOR=PRESSURE I
NMILLIBAR8/1013 This converts the refraction correction to a given air pressure.

TCOR=AVE, AMBIENT TEMPDURI
NGCOLLECTION HOUR8 (273+'C
)/264 This converts the truncation correction to a given air temperature.

DELEL=DELEL PCORTCORThis is
Refractive correction for a given elevation value.

Ea=DELEL1E This is the actual elevation of the solar image at the collector.

5I=-8IN(TILT)"5INE(SKEW:layer Co5CEa)"5IN(A)+5IN(TILT)"
C08(SKEW)CO8(A)+C08(TILT)
”5IN(Ea) This is a parameter for calculation of ROT and INCIDENT angles.

Please see below. 5J=-CO8(SKEW)CO
8(Ea)SIN(A)-8IN(5KEW)”CO
8(Ea)”CO8(A) This is also ROT and IN
This is a parameter for calculating the CIDENT angle.

Please see below. f? , OT=-TAN-'
(S J/S I) This is used to maintain the solar focus on receiver 10.

INCIDENT=CO8”-1((SI)2+(SJ
)2)1/2 This concerns solar energy collection efficiency measurement.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a concentrator of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of the reflector assembly of the concentrator, and Fig. 3 is hermetically sealed with the surrounding transparent tube. FIG. 4 is an end view of an electro-mechanical drive for two concentrators; FIG. 4A is a side view of one end of a thermal energy receiver with tongue; FIG. 4B is an end view of the same alternative hydraulic drive; FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the relationship of the drive to the multiple concentrators and piping of the present invention; and FIG. 5A is the same (An elevation view, FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of the control and analysis microcomputer of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a detailed block diagram of the same microcomputer. 1: Reflector, 2 : Tubular support, 3.3' bisector plate, 4:
7 langes, 7, 7', 7"7///: ribs, 8: concentrator, 9: adhesive, 10: thermal energy receiver, 11゜1
4: Collar, 12: Bellows, 15: Transparent tube, 17: Gesota ring, 17a: Genta substance, 20: Coupling device, 21: 7 Lange, 22.22': Bearing, 23: Bearing, 24 Step motor, 24 ': Servo motor, 25: Ball screw,
26, 27: Bearing, 28 Ball Nand, 29: Actuator shaft, 34: Pipe, 502 hydraulic piston, 52 Niji cylinder, 5
3 Nipals, 54: Ferrimagnetic wire, 55: Reading head, 5T: Converter, 59 Nipiston logic, 60 Nipipe, 61.62: Tube, 63: Pump, 64 Two valves, 70:
Microcomputer, 71a, 71b: Interface element, T2: Power supply, 13: Keyboard, 74: Display device, 7
6: Driver separation circuit, 17: Ste 77" motor drive device, 79: Rimint switch, 80: Arithmetic processing circuit, 81
: central processing unit, 82: time elapsed device, 83: resetting element,
84: Built-in storage programmer, 88: Memory decoder, 8
92 Monitoring device, 90.91: Semi-persistent storage device, 92:
Input/output decoder, 93: Storage device for constant speed calls, 94: Decoder, 96 Two-channel interface, 97: Cassette.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1 (a) a transmissive-reflective trough-like integrated robust focuser 8 with a linear focus; (b) a sector plate 3 supporting said focuser in the center; an elongate tubular support 2 having a structure attached to the concentrator but optically removed from the concentrator;
(C) Hydraulic usage circuit 61 placed on the linear pointless
．． 62; (d) a rotation device 29.25 for rotating said concentrator about said energy receiver; and <e> a prime mover 24, 24' or 52; (f) a coupling device 30° 32 for coupling the prime mover to the sector plate 3 for rotating the concentrator; and (b) a coupling device 30 for coupling the prime mover to the sector plate 3 for rotating the concentrator; Program 2ROT=-TAN to exclusively control the prime mover that rotates the device
- a microcomputer device 70 configured and programmed for constant or variable parameters of spherical geometry regarding the rotation of the Earth according to "SJ/SI" (SJ/SI). 2. The solar energy collecting device according to claim 1, wherein: (a) the concentrator 8 has a cross section with a quasi-parabolic profile; and (b) the concentrator 8 is made of a transparent material having a uniform thickness. (c) the reflective surface 1 of the concentrator is on the concentrator surface remote from the energy receptor; (d) the quasi-parabolic profile cross section is 90 mm; deviating from an equivalent true parabola in order to correct the refraction of light transmitted through the transparent material with an angle of incidence smaller than an angle of incidence of .degree..3 Claims 3. In the solar energy harvesting device according to item 2, the reflective surface of the quasi-parabolic profile cross section is expressed by the cubic equation %, where for glass with a 90 m wide concave and 0.3 crn thickness The constant is A''-170,6553 solar energy harvesting device. 4. In the solar energy collection device according to claim 1, the configuration of the concentrator 8 and the tubular support 2 is as follows:
(a) a plurality of ribs 1°7/, 7/I rigidly attached to and extending from said support;
) A resilient adhesive material 9 between the plurality of ribs and the integrated robust concentrator. 5: (a) a transmissive-reflective oar-shaped integrated rigid concentrator 8 with a linear focal point; (b) an elongated tubular support 2 with a sector plate 3 supporting said concentrator in the center; the support being attached to the concentrator but optically removed from the concentrator;
(C) a geometrically fixed linear energy receiver 10 placed on the linear form point; and (d) a length of approximately 100 to 2 or more surrounding the linear energy receiver. (e) a hermetic seal sealing between the transparent tube and the energy receptor in the form of a longitudinally expandable bellows 12 at each end of the transparent tube; 11.14, said hermetic seal attached to said transparent tube at one end of said bellows and attached to said energy receiver at the other end of said bellows; (f) said transparent tube and said energy receiver; a vacuum created in the annular volume between the receiver; (g) a hydraulic use circuit 61, 62; and (h) a rotation device 29 for rotating the concentrator around the energy receiver.
．． 25, (i) prime mover 24°24' or 52, (j
) a coupling device 30.32 coupling the prime mover to the sector plate 3 for rotating the concentrator; and a coupling device 30.32 for rotating the concentrator so as to maintain the solar image on the energy receiver. a microcomputer device 70 configured and programmed for constant or variable parameters on the spherical geometry for the rotation of the programmed % formula % for exclusive control of the solar system 4. lugie collection device. 6. The solar energy harvesting device of claim 1, wherein the prime mover includes a step motor 24 in an open loop circuit from the microcomputer device 70. 7. In the solar energy collecting device according to claim 1, the prime mover includes (a) a servo motor 2 in a closed loop circuit including the microcomputer device 10.
4' and (b) a position feedback sensor 24''. 8. The solar energy collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the prime mover includes (a) a linear drive 51 and (b) a position feedback sensor 51. 9. In the solar energy collecting device according to claim 1, the coupling device includes: (a) the prime mover 24; ，
24', 52 connected to parallel actuator 25゜51, (b
) a push/pull member 29 connected to the translation actuator;
C) a flexible cable-like element 32 connected to the push-pull member for translational movement by the push-pull member and also connected to the sector plate 3 for rotating the concentrator 8; A solar energy collection device featuring: 10 In the solar energy collecting device according to claim 1, the coupling device includes: (a) the prime mover 24;
．． (b) ball nut means 28 movable in translation along said ball screw means; and (c) ball nut means 28 connected to said ball nut means for translational movement by said ball nand means. and a flexible cable 32 connected to the sector plate 3 for rotating the concentrator 8. 11. In the solar energy collection device according to claim 1, the coupling device includes: (a) the prime mover 24;
．． (b) ball nut means 28 connected to 24';
(C) ball screw C means 25 movable in translation through said ball nand means; (C) said sector plate connected to said ball screw means for translational movement by said ball screw means and also for rotating said concentrator 8; a flexible cable 32 connected to the solar energy collector 3. 12. In the solar energy collecting device according to claim 1, the prime mover 52 includes: (a) a hydraulic actuator 5;
0.52; and (b) a bistograph 51 connected to the coupling device. 13. In the solar energy collection device according to claim 1, the microcomputer device (
a) a storage device 93 containing geographic position and orientation data of the solar energy harvesting device; and (b) software resident in the storage device 93 for maintaining solar images exclusively on the energy receiver 10. A solar energy collecting device comprising: 14. In the solar energy collection device according to claim 1, the microcomputer device (
a) A solar energy collecting device characterized in that it comprises at least a memory device 89, 90, 91 resident storage device for calculating and displaying the thermal efficiency selected by the operator. 15. In the solar energy collection device according to claim 1, the microcomputer device (
a) A device for collecting solar energy, characterized in that it comprises a memory device 89, 90, 91 resident software for calculating the proper position of the concentrator 8 in accordance with periodic time requirements. 16. In the solar energy collection device according to claim 1, the microcomputer device (
(a) a central processing unit CPU81; (b) a timing device 82 connected to the central processing unit for operating the central processing unit; and (C) an input/output data interface 71 having a counter and timer. said input/output data interface connected to said central processing unit;
) an arithmetic processing circuit 80 connected to the central processing unit;
(e) a fixed storage device 89, 90° 91 connected to said central processing unit; and (f) a random access storage device connected to said central processing unit and also connected to said input/output data interface. 93, (g) an input keyboard 73 connected to the central processing unit, and Ql)
an output display device 74 connected to the central processing unit. 17: (a) a transmissive-reflective turret-like integrated rigid concentrator 8 with a linear focal point; (b) an elongated tubular support 2 with a sector plate 3 supporting said concentrator in the center; (C) said support mounted on said concentrator but optically removed from said concentrator; and (C) a hydraulic use circuit 6 placed on said linear point.
1.62; (d) a rotation device 29.25 for rotating the concentrator about the A-G receiver; and (e) a prime mover. 24, 24' or 52; (f) a coupling device 30° 32 for coupling the prime mover to the sector plate 3 for rotating the concentrator; Programmable ROT=-T to exclusively control the prime mover to rotate the concentrator to maintain
A microcomputer device 70 configured and programmed for constant or variable parameters of spherical geometry relating to the rotation of the earth in accordance with AN-1 (SJ/SI), comprising (a) a central processing unit CPU81; and (b) e) an input/output data interface 11 having a counter and timer and connected to the central processing unit; an output data interface; (i) an arithmetic processing circuit 80 connected to the central processing unit; (e) fixed storage devices 89, 90, 91 connected to the central processing unit; and (f) the central processing unit. a dual access storage device 93 connected to the device and also connected to the input/output data interface;
an input keyboard 73 connected to the central processing unit;
e) Output display device 7 connected to the central processing unit
4, and (h) the microcomputer device comprising:
a tape cassette player 97 having a cassette containing software information; and (i) a cassette interface 96 connected to the tape cassette player and to the central processing unit. Solar energy harvesting device. 18 (a) a transmissive-reflective oar-like integrated rigid concentrator 8 with a linear focus; (b) an elongated tubular support 2 with a sector plate 3 supporting said concentrator in the center; (c) said support mounted on said concentrator but optically removed from said concentrator; and (c) a hydraulic use circuit 6 placed on said linear point.
1.62; (d) a rotation device 29.25 for rotating the concentrator around the energy receiver; and (e) a prime mover 24,24. (f) a coupling device 30° 32 for coupling the prime mover to the sector plate 3 for rotating the concentrator; and (g) a coupling device 30 for maintaining the solar image on the energy receiver. Programmable ROT=-TAN- to exclusively control the prime mover that rotates the concentrator.
1 (SJ/SI) and is configured and program-controlled for constant or variable parameters of spherical geometry regarding the rotation of the earth, comprising: (a) a central processing unit CPU81; e) an input/output data interface 71 having a counter and timer circuit connected to the central processing unit for operating the processing unit; (f) a fixed storage device 89, 90, 91 connected to the central processing unit; a random access storage device 93 connected to the central processing unit and also connected to the input/output data interface;
an input keyboard 73 connected to the central processing unit;
b) Output display device 7 connected to the central processing unit
4, and (h) the microcomputer device comprising:
a tape cassette recorder 97 comprising a cassette, the tape cassette recorder and the cassette being adapted to receive and receive software information; and (i) receiving software information from the central processing unit. a cassette interface 96 having a recording capability to send the software information to the cassette for recording on the cassette.