US20140116419A1 - Variable geometry system for capturing thermosolar energy - Google Patents
Variable geometry system for capturing thermosolar energy Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140116419A1 US20140116419A1 US14/110,696 US201114110696A US2014116419A1 US 20140116419 A1 US20140116419 A1 US 20140116419A1 US 201114110696 A US201114110696 A US 201114110696A US 2014116419 A1 US2014116419 A1 US 2014116419A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- tower
- shaft section
- receiver
- heliostat
- section
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G6/00—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy
- F03G6/06—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy with solar energy concentrating means
-
- F24J2/38—
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S50/00—Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors
- F24S50/20—Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors for tracking
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G6/00—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy
- F03G6/06—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy with solar energy concentrating means
- F03G6/063—Tower concentrators
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- F24J2/40—
-
- F24J2/54—
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S20/00—Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
- F24S20/20—Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
- F24S30/40—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S50/00—Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S20/00—Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
- F24S20/20—Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
- F24S2020/23—Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants movable or adjustable
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
- F24S23/70—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/46—Conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling or solar thermal engines
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a tower-type concentrating solar thermal energy capture system wherein an array of individual concentrators or heliostats directs the solar radiation towards the receiver.
- a solar thermal energy capture system is known in the state of the art, namely a central tower system comprising a plurality of heliostats making up a reflector device having two degrees of freedom that enables orientation thereof in any direction in space which, properly oriented individually by an aiming system based on light sensors or solar equations, allow concentration of the radiation received from the sun by the heliostat array onto a receiver, generally disposed on a tower at a certain height for such purpose, thereby achieving high energy density in said receiver and enabling use thereof to generate electricity, by means of a classic steam cycle, or for developing highly endothermic reactions.
- a fixed receiver disposed on a tower receives radiation flux from a plurality of heliostats also fixed, although having two rotational degrees of freedom, generally azimuthally mounted, although they can also, theoretically, equatorially mounted.
- the actuation of the heliostats is aimed at ensuring that the optical axis of their mirrors constantly points in the direction of the bisector of the angle formed between the sun, the heliostat and the tower-top receiver, which requires considerable precision in the construction and control thereof.
- each heliostat Since during one day the sun moves along an apparent path, which is in fact due to the Earth's rotation, which starts approximately in the east and ends approximately in the west, reaching its highest point on crossing the local meridian, the sun's location coordinates being variable in accordance with local latitude, the time of day or hour angle and the season or declination angle, the actuation path of each heliostat must start in the direction of the bisector of the angle formed by the sun at sunrise, the heliostat and the receiver, and end in the direction of the bisector of the angle formed by the sun at sunset, the heliostat and the receiver, accordingly crossing the direction of the bisector of the angle formed by the sun crossing the meridian, the heliostat and the receiver.
- FIG. 3 shows the angle ⁇ formed between the normal to the optical plane of the heliostat and the incident ray from the sun. This implies that the energy leveraged in each position is equal to the product of the energy flow multiplied by the area of the heliostat and by the cosine of ⁇ , being reflection efficiencies also needed to be considered.
- the present invention seeks to overcome one or more of the previously expounded drawbacks by means of a variable-geometry solar thermal energy capture system such as that claimed in the claims.
- An object of the concentrating solar thermal system is to provide a variable geometry to a tower of the solar thermal system where the tower is adapted to be moved along a vertical axis of the tower and rotated with respect to the vertical axis (also called rotation axis) of the tower, in such a manner that the receiver disposed on the upper distal end of a tower absorbs the incident solar radiation redirected towards it by an array of fixed and/or mobile heliostats.
- the maximum use of the energy captured by it is ensured, for example by aligning the receiver axis with the nacelle's rotation axis, thereby totally preventing the risk of blur during the movements of the system composed of heliostats and mobile towers, thereby achieving the maximum possible energy capture.
- Another object of the concentrating solar thermal system is to provide heliostats mounted on a mobile frame that moves the heliostat horizontally to prevent the appearance of shadows produced by other heliostats or by the tower itself, and seeks the best possible orientation angle thereof, thereby improving energy capture.
- the heliostats are movable at will in accordance with the position of the sun at any given time of day. so as to always have an advantageous orientation, thereby increasing the output of the concentrating solar thermal system and improving energy capture.
- Another object of the concentrating system is to maximise solar energy capture by also varying tower geometry in accordance with the time of day and position of the heliostats.
- a further object of the variable-geometry concentrating solar thermal system is to allow variation in the height of the tower receiver in relation to the ground, provided through a relative movement between a fixed section and a mobile section of the tower. Therefore, the centre of the receiver moves within a maximum and a minimum height with the respect to the ground, allowing optimisation of the relative heliostat-receiver position for any given day and time to increase radiant energy capture.
- FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a tower-type concentrating solar thermal energy capture system in accordance with the state of the art
- FIGS. 2 to 4 show the manner in which a heliostat reflects the solar radiation towards the tower of the tower-type concentrating solar thermal energy capture system in accordance with the state of the art
- FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a variable-geometry tower-type concentrating solar thermal energy capture system
- FIG. 6 shows a diagram of a detail of a rolling system of a carriage whereon a heliostat is installed
- FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the variable-geometry concentrating solar thermal energy capture system
- FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the tower with its shaft deployed and retracted.
- a variable-geometry solar thermal energy capture system comprises a plurality of heliostats ( 12 ), which are movable at will in accordance with the position of the sun at any given time of day; said heliostats ( 12 ) receiving solar energy from the sun for reflecting it towards the upper distal end ( 51 ) of a tower ( 13 ), the tower ( 13 ) housing, in said upper distal end ( 51 ), a receiver for receiving the radiation reflected by the heliostats ( 12 ) the reflected solar energy received being transformed into thermal energy which, in turn, is transformed into electrical or chemical energy, for example, hydrogen.
- the heliostat ( 12 ) is disposed on a motorised carriage or mobile platform ( 53 ) that includes a displacement unit, namely a displacer that is horizontally displaceable in the heliostat field; a tracking unit, namely a solar tracker enabling azimuthal and zenithal rotation of the heliostat ( 12 ), and sends control signals to the displacer to position the heliostat ( 12 ) in such a manner that it reflects the maximum solar radiation incident thereupon to the receiver disposed on the upper distal end ( 51 ) of the tower ( 11 ), regardless of the sun's position throughout the day and year.
- a displacement unit namely a displacer that is horizontally displaceable in the heliostat field
- a tracking unit namely a solar tracker enabling azimuthal and zenithal rotation of the heliostat ( 12 ), and sends control signals to the displacer to position the heliostat ( 12 ) in such a manner that it reflects the maximum solar
- the heliostats ( 12 ) can move either along predefined paths or freely and autonomously over the surface of the heliostat field of the solar thermal system ( 11 ). The movement of the heliostats ( 12 ) along a predefined path facilitates both the supply of energy for the movements of the heliostat ( 12 ) and control thereof.
- a smaller angle ⁇ implies a greater surface normal to the incident ray, thereby improving energy capture and offering the possibility of preventing the appearance of shadows produced by other heliostats ( 12 ) or by the tower ( 13 ) of the solar thermal system ( 11 ) itself.
- the carriage ( 53 ) is equipped with a motorisation system, either autonomous or centralised, which allows it to move the heliostats from one position to another.
- the carriage ( 53 ) includes a rolling system of the type of solid or pneumatic wheels adapted to roll over prepared or unprepared ground, wheel and rail systems, air bag systems or even water floating platform systems, wherein the traction devices may be electromechanical as well as mechanically cable-pulled.
- the carriage ( 53 ) is adapted to move along a track ( 54 ) formed by two rails disposed parallel and concentric with respect to the tower ( 12 ), wherein other layouts of the rails other than a circular layout are also possible; whereon a plurality of carnages ( 53 ) circulate, each of which bearing a heliostat ( 12 ).
- a supply and control carriage ( 61 ) runs parallel to the carriages ( 54 ) adapted to supply electricity to the heliostats ( 12 ) and to send commands from a central control system to the heliostats ( 12 ).
- each heliostat ( 12 ) follows an individual path of horizontal translational movement and orientation throughout the day and year.
- the heliostats ( 12 ) may move to a defensive position which is a configuration corresponding to a minimum exposure of surface area to the wind to guarantee their stability and integrity in the event of adverse weather phenomena such as strong winds.
- the carriage ( 53 ) comprises a wheel set-type stress absorber, namely hydraulically or electromechanically actuated claws disposed underneath the support rail ( 54 ) to materialise the emergency anchoring of the heliostats ( 12 ) to the support rail ( 54 ), therefore being capable of absorbing vertical traction stress.
- the stress absorber may be necessary even when the heliostats ( 12 ) have been moved to the defensive position.
- the tracker governs the azimuthal rotation and zenithal rotation of the heliostat ( 12 ) and, also, the horizontal movement of the mobile frame ( 53 ) on the ground.
- the tower ( 13 ) comprises, from the foundations thereof, a fixed shaft section ( 81 ) that rises substantially vertically from the foundations; a mobile shaft section ( 82 ), namely a telescopically assembled shaft section which allows the telescopic shaft section ( 82 ) to move upwards or downwards along a vertical AA′ axis of the tower ( 13 ); and a rotating section ( 83 ) in the form of a rotating nacelle, comprising a cavity ( 52 ) where the tower ( 13 ) receiver is housed.
- the reflected rays rotate simultaneously towards the tower ( 13 ) receiver and, in order to ensure the maximum use of the captured energy, the azimuthal orientation of the receiver is performed simultaneously or successively to the translational movement of the heliostats ( 12 ).
- the rotating nacelle ( 83 ) allows the receiver to rotate with respect to a vertical AA′ axis of the tower ( 13 ), in such a manner that the rotating nacelle ( 83 ) moves along an arc of a circle in both directions of rotation, i.e. west-east and vice versa.
- the receiver is disposed in the cavity ( 52 ) of the upper distal end ( 51 ) of the tower ( 13 ) and joined mechanically to the rotating nacelle ( 83 ), in such a manner that the receiver axis is aligned with the rotation axis of the nacelle ( 83 ), totally preventing the risk of blur occurring during the movements of the system, thereby achieving maximum energy capture in the centre of the receiver plane.
- the telescopic shaft section ( 82 ) is joined by its upper or distal part to the lower (also called proximal part) of the rotating nacelle ( 83 ) by a rotary mechanical joining device which allows the rotating nacelle ( 83 ) to rotate with respect to the telescopic shaft section ( 82 ).
- the rotary mechanical joining device is of the toothed bearing type which enables the rotation of the rotating nacelle ( 83 ) and, therefore, of the receiver itself.
- the telescopic shaft section ( 82 ) is joined by its proximal or lower part to the upper part of the fixed shaft section ( 81 ) by a lifting and lowering mechanical joining device that enables upward and downward vertical translational movement of the telescopic shaft section ( 82 ) with respect to the fixed shaft section ( 81 ) around the vertical axis AA′.
- the lifting device is of the self-climbing type, comprising a telescopic and guidance mechanism which, in turn, includes an assembly of mechanical cylinders and claws, in such a manner that the telescopic shaft section ( 82 ) performs an upward or downward movement as a result of the successive extension and compression movements of the cylinder assembly,
- the lifting device may be of different types: rack and pinion, cylinder with pulley assembly, etc.
- the rotating nacelle ( 83 ) and the mobile shaft section ( 82 ) comprise protection elements to prevent damages caused by the concentrated solar radiation incident upon parts of the rotating nacelle ( 83 ) external to the tower receiver ( 11 ).
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Mounting And Adjusting Of Optical Elements (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a tower-type concentrating solar thermal energy capture system wherein an array of individual concentrators or heliostats directs the solar radiation towards the receiver.
- In relation to
FIG. 1 , a solar thermal energy capture system is known in the state of the art, namely a central tower system comprising a plurality of heliostats making up a reflector device having two degrees of freedom that enables orientation thereof in any direction in space which, properly oriented individually by an aiming system based on light sensors or solar equations, allow concentration of the radiation received from the sun by the heliostat array onto a receiver, generally disposed on a tower at a certain height for such purpose, thereby achieving high energy density in said receiver and enabling use thereof to generate electricity, by means of a classic steam cycle, or for developing highly endothermic reactions. - In summary, a fixed receiver disposed on a tower receives radiation flux from a plurality of heliostats also fixed, although having two rotational degrees of freedom, generally azimuthally mounted, although they can also, theoretically, equatorially mounted.
- In relation to
FIGS. 2 to 4 , given that the angle formed between the incident ray and the normal is equal to that formed between the reflected ray and the normal, the actuation of the heliostats is aimed at ensuring that the optical axis of their mirrors constantly points in the direction of the bisector of the angle formed between the sun, the heliostat and the tower-top receiver, which requires considerable precision in the construction and control thereof. Since during one day the sun moves along an apparent path, which is in fact due to the Earth's rotation, which starts approximately in the east and ends approximately in the west, reaching its highest point on crossing the local meridian, the sun's location coordinates being variable in accordance with local latitude, the time of day or hour angle and the season or declination angle, the actuation path of each heliostat must start in the direction of the bisector of the angle formed by the sun at sunrise, the heliostat and the receiver, and end in the direction of the bisector of the angle formed by the sun at sunset, the heliostat and the receiver, accordingly crossing the direction of the bisector of the angle formed by the sun crossing the meridian, the heliostat and the receiver. -
FIG. 3 shows the angle α formed between the normal to the optical plane of the heliostat and the incident ray from the sun. This implies that the energy leveraged in each position is equal to the product of the energy flow multiplied by the area of the heliostat and by the cosine of α, being reflection efficiencies also needed to be considered. - A disadvantage of the aforementioned system is that the greater the angle α, the smaller its cosine, thereby reducing energy capture for purely geometric reasons, which is known as the “cosine effect”.
- The amplitude of the angle α at certain times of day and days of the year causes a loss in the potential energy capture capacity of the tower solar power plants, which until now has been assumed as an intrinsic limitation of the system.
- In heliotrope technology in general and photovoltaic solar collector technology in particular, there are a number of examples of configurations having one and two degrees of freedom aimed at minimising the cosine effect by means providing the heliostats with the most favourable and direct possible orientation towards the sun. However, these devices, due to their very nature, only capture the flow corresponding to their own surface, dispensing with the reflection effect and concentration of energy associated with the heliostat fields.
- The present invention seeks to overcome one or more of the previously expounded drawbacks by means of a variable-geometry solar thermal energy capture system such as that claimed in the claims.
- An object of the concentrating solar thermal system is to provide a variable geometry to a tower of the solar thermal system where the tower is adapted to be moved along a vertical axis of the tower and rotated with respect to the vertical axis (also called rotation axis) of the tower, in such a manner that the receiver disposed on the upper distal end of a tower absorbs the incident solar radiation redirected towards it by an array of fixed and/or mobile heliostats.
- On equipping the tower with a rotating nacelle, the maximum use of the energy captured by it is ensured, for example by aligning the receiver axis with the nacelle's rotation axis, thereby totally preventing the risk of blur during the movements of the system composed of heliostats and mobile towers, thereby achieving the maximum possible energy capture.
- Another object of the concentrating solar thermal system is to provide heliostats mounted on a mobile frame that moves the heliostat horizontally to prevent the appearance of shadows produced by other heliostats or by the tower itself, and seeks the best possible orientation angle thereof, thereby improving energy capture.
- The heliostats are movable at will in accordance with the position of the sun at any given time of day. so as to always have an advantageous orientation, thereby increasing the output of the concentrating solar thermal system and improving energy capture.
- Another object of the concentrating system is to maximise solar energy capture by also varying tower geometry in accordance with the time of day and position of the heliostats.
- A further object of the variable-geometry concentrating solar thermal system is to allow variation in the height of the tower receiver in relation to the ground, provided through a relative movement between a fixed section and a mobile section of the tower. Therefore, the centre of the receiver moves within a maximum and a minimum height with the respect to the ground, allowing optimisation of the relative heliostat-receiver position for any given day and time to increase radiant energy capture.
- A more detailed explanation of the invention is provided in the following description based on the following figures:
-
FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a tower-type concentrating solar thermal energy capture system in accordance with the state of the art; -
FIGS. 2 to 4 show the manner in which a heliostat reflects the solar radiation towards the tower of the tower-type concentrating solar thermal energy capture system in accordance with the state of the art; -
FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a variable-geometry tower-type concentrating solar thermal energy capture system; -
FIG. 6 shows a diagram of a detail of a rolling system of a carriage whereon a heliostat is installed; -
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the variable-geometry concentrating solar thermal energy capture system; and -
FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the tower with its shaft deployed and retracted. - In relation to
FIG. 5 , a variable-geometry solar thermal energy capture system (11) comprises a plurality of heliostats (12), which are movable at will in accordance with the position of the sun at any given time of day; said heliostats (12) receiving solar energy from the sun for reflecting it towards the upper distal end (51) of a tower (13), the tower (13) housing, in said upper distal end (51), a receiver for receiving the radiation reflected by the heliostats (12) the reflected solar energy received being transformed into thermal energy which, in turn, is transformed into electrical or chemical energy, for example, hydrogen. - The heliostat (12) is disposed on a motorised carriage or mobile platform (53) that includes a displacement unit, namely a displacer that is horizontally displaceable in the heliostat field; a tracking unit, namely a solar tracker enabling azimuthal and zenithal rotation of the heliostat (12), and sends control signals to the displacer to position the heliostat (12) in such a manner that it reflects the maximum solar radiation incident thereupon to the receiver disposed on the upper distal end (51) of the tower (11), regardless of the sun's position throughout the day and year.
- The heliostats (12) can move either along predefined paths or freely and autonomously over the surface of the heliostat field of the solar thermal system (11). The movement of the heliostats (12) along a predefined path facilitates both the supply of energy for the movements of the heliostat (12) and control thereof.
- As the heliostat (12) can be moved from one position to another much more advantageous position from the viewpoint of the cosine effect, a smaller angle α implies a greater surface normal to the incident ray, thereby improving energy capture and offering the possibility of preventing the appearance of shadows produced by other heliostats (12) or by the tower (13) of the solar thermal system (11) itself.
- The carriage (53) is equipped with a motorisation system, either autonomous or centralised, which allows it to move the heliostats from one position to another.
- In relation to
FIG. 6 , the carriage (53) includes a rolling system of the type of solid or pneumatic wheels adapted to roll over prepared or unprepared ground, wheel and rail systems, air bag systems or even water floating platform systems, wherein the traction devices may be electromechanical as well as mechanically cable-pulled. - In relation to
FIGS. 5 and 6 , the carriage (53) is adapted to move along a track (54) formed by two rails disposed parallel and concentric with respect to the tower (12), wherein other layouts of the rails other than a circular layout are also possible; whereon a plurality of carnages (53) circulate, each of which bearing a heliostat (12). A supply and control carriage (61) runs parallel to the carriages (54) adapted to supply electricity to the heliostats (12) and to send commands from a central control system to the heliostats (12). - The translational movement of the various heliostats (12) can be simultaneous or successive. Therefore, each heliostat (12) follows an individual path of horizontal translational movement and orientation throughout the day and year.
- The heliostats (12) may move to a defensive position which is a configuration corresponding to a minimum exposure of surface area to the wind to guarantee their stability and integrity in the event of adverse weather phenomena such as strong winds.
- However, it may occur that the sudden appearance of the weather phenomenon may prevent the completion of the defensive positioning manoeuvre of the heliostat (12). Therefore, the carriage (53) comprises a wheel set-type stress absorber, namely hydraulically or electromechanically actuated claws disposed underneath the support rail (54) to materialise the emergency anchoring of the heliostats (12) to the support rail (54), therefore being capable of absorbing vertical traction stress. The stress absorber may be necessary even when the heliostats (12) have been moved to the defensive position.
- The tracker governs the azimuthal rotation and zenithal rotation of the heliostat (12) and, also, the horizontal movement of the mobile frame (53) on the ground.
- In relation to
FIGS. 7 and 8 , the tower (13) comprises, from the foundations thereof, a fixed shaft section (81) that rises substantially vertically from the foundations; a mobile shaft section (82), namely a telescopically assembled shaft section which allows the telescopic shaft section (82) to move upwards or downwards along a vertical AA′ axis of the tower (13); and a rotating section (83) in the form of a rotating nacelle, comprising a cavity (52) where the tower (13) receiver is housed. - As the heliostats (12) execute their translational movement around the tower (13), the reflected rays rotate simultaneously towards the tower (13) receiver and, in order to ensure the maximum use of the captured energy, the azimuthal orientation of the receiver is performed simultaneously or successively to the translational movement of the heliostats (12).
- The rotating nacelle (83) allows the receiver to rotate with respect to a vertical AA′ axis of the tower (13), in such a manner that the rotating nacelle (83) moves along an arc of a circle in both directions of rotation, i.e. west-east and vice versa.
- The receiver is disposed in the cavity (52) of the upper distal end (51) of the tower (13) and joined mechanically to the rotating nacelle (83), in such a manner that the receiver axis is aligned with the rotation axis of the nacelle (83), totally preventing the risk of blur occurring during the movements of the system, thereby achieving maximum energy capture in the centre of the receiver plane.
- The telescopic shaft section (82) is joined by its upper or distal part to the lower (also called proximal part) of the rotating nacelle (83) by a rotary mechanical joining device which allows the rotating nacelle (83) to rotate with respect to the telescopic shaft section (82).
- The rotary mechanical joining device is of the toothed bearing type which enables the rotation of the rotating nacelle (83) and, therefore, of the receiver itself.
- The telescopic shaft section (82) is joined by its proximal or lower part to the upper part of the fixed shaft section (81) by a lifting and lowering mechanical joining device that enables upward and downward vertical translational movement of the telescopic shaft section (82) with respect to the fixed shaft section (81) around the vertical axis AA′.
- The lifting device is of the self-climbing type, comprising a telescopic and guidance mechanism which, in turn, includes an assembly of mechanical cylinders and claws, in such a manner that the telescopic shaft section (82) performs an upward or downward movement as a result of the successive extension and compression movements of the cylinder assembly,
- The lifting device may be of different types: rack and pinion, cylinder with pulley assembly, etc.
- The rotating nacelle (83) and the mobile shaft section (82) comprise protection elements to prevent damages caused by the concentrated solar radiation incident upon parts of the rotating nacelle (83) external to the tower receiver (11).
Claims (12)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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PCT/ES2011/070252 WO2012140281A1 (en) | 2011-04-13 | 2011-04-13 | Variable geometry system for capturing thermosolar energy |
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US20140116419A1 true US20140116419A1 (en) | 2014-05-01 |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US14/110,696 Abandoned US20140116419A1 (en) | 2011-04-13 | 2011-04-13 | Variable geometry system for capturing thermosolar energy |
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US (1) | US20140116419A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2698536A4 (en) |
MA (1) | MA35046B1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2013011946A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012140281A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA201307587B (en) |
Cited By (14)
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US20120187276A1 (en) * | 2009-10-07 | 2012-07-26 | Robert Orsello | Method And System For Concentration Of Solar Thermal Energy |
US20150027119A1 (en) * | 2012-02-29 | 2015-01-29 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. | Optical condenser, rotational axis setting method therefor, and heat collection apparatus and solar power generation apparatus equipped with optical condenser |
ES2575743A1 (en) * | 2014-12-30 | 2016-06-30 | Egbert Daniel RODRÍGUEZ MESSMER | Solar collector equipment (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
WO2017024038A1 (en) * | 2015-08-03 | 2017-02-09 | The Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of The University Of Arizona | Solar concentrator for a tower-mounted central receiver |
US9746127B2 (en) | 2013-10-22 | 2017-08-29 | The Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of The University Of Arizona | Frame with compression and tension members to rotate equipment about an axis |
US9897076B1 (en) * | 2013-05-31 | 2018-02-20 | Raymond Johnson, Jr. | Solar power tower with spray nozzle and rotating receiver |
CN108266906A (en) * | 2018-03-17 | 2018-07-10 | 郭其秀 | A kind of tower type solar optically focused platform waterborne |
US10050583B2 (en) | 2012-11-30 | 2018-08-14 | Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of University Of Arizona | Solar generator with large reflector dishes and concentrator photovoltaic cells in flat arrays |
DE102018203030A1 (en) * | 2018-02-28 | 2019-08-29 | Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. | Solar device, method for operating a solar device, solar power plant and method for operating a solar power plant |
US10505059B2 (en) | 2015-01-16 | 2019-12-10 | The Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of The University Of Arizona | Micro-scale concentrated photovoltaic module |
US10538451B2 (en) | 2015-03-02 | 2020-01-21 | The Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of The University Of Arizona | Glass or metal forming mold of adjustable shape |
US10686400B2 (en) | 2015-06-12 | 2020-06-16 | THE ARIZONA BOARD OR REGENTS on behalf of THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA | Tandem photovoltaic module with diffractive spectral separation |
US11262103B1 (en) * | 2018-06-29 | 2022-03-01 | Heliogen, Inc. | Heliostat localization in camera field-of-view with induced motion |
DE102020125045A1 (en) | 2020-09-25 | 2022-03-31 | Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. | Heliostat for solar power plants or solar concentrators, as well as solar systems |
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CN104422153A (en) * | 2013-09-06 | 2015-03-18 | 中广核太阳能开发有限公司 | Tower-type solar condensation system and condensation method |
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- 2011-04-13 EP EP11863493.0A patent/EP2698536A4/en not_active Withdrawn
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US5787878A (en) * | 1996-09-23 | 1998-08-04 | Ratliff, Jr.; George D. | Solar concentrator |
US20030101565A1 (en) * | 2001-11-30 | 2003-06-05 | Butler Barry L. | Pedestal jacking device and advanced drive for solar collector system |
US20050218657A1 (en) * | 2004-03-31 | 2005-10-06 | General Electric Company | Mobile renewable energy generator |
US20090178668A1 (en) * | 2007-11-14 | 2009-07-16 | Deepak Boggavarapu | Central Receiver Solar Power Systems: Architecture And Controls Methods |
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US9029747B2 (en) * | 2009-10-07 | 2015-05-12 | Robert Orsello | Method and system for concentration of solar thermal energy |
US20120187276A1 (en) * | 2009-10-07 | 2012-07-26 | Robert Orsello | Method And System For Concentration Of Solar Thermal Energy |
US20150027119A1 (en) * | 2012-02-29 | 2015-01-29 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. | Optical condenser, rotational axis setting method therefor, and heat collection apparatus and solar power generation apparatus equipped with optical condenser |
US9441616B2 (en) * | 2012-02-29 | 2016-09-13 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. | Optical condenser, rotational axis setting method therefor, and heat collection apparatus and solar power generation apparatus equipped with optical condenser |
US10050583B2 (en) | 2012-11-30 | 2018-08-14 | Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of University Of Arizona | Solar generator with large reflector dishes and concentrator photovoltaic cells in flat arrays |
US9897076B1 (en) * | 2013-05-31 | 2018-02-20 | Raymond Johnson, Jr. | Solar power tower with spray nozzle and rotating receiver |
US9746127B2 (en) | 2013-10-22 | 2017-08-29 | The Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of The University Of Arizona | Frame with compression and tension members to rotate equipment about an axis |
ES2575743B1 (en) * | 2014-12-30 | 2017-04-18 | Egbert Daniel RODRÍGUEZ MESSMER | Solar collector equipment |
ES2575743A1 (en) * | 2014-12-30 | 2016-06-30 | Egbert Daniel RODRÍGUEZ MESSMER | Solar collector equipment (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
US11056599B2 (en) | 2015-01-16 | 2021-07-06 | The Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of The University Of Arizona | Micro-scale concentrated photovoltaic module |
US11456394B2 (en) | 2015-01-16 | 2022-09-27 | The Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of The University Of Arizona | Micro-scale concentrated photovoltaic module |
US10505059B2 (en) | 2015-01-16 | 2019-12-10 | The Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of The University Of Arizona | Micro-scale concentrated photovoltaic module |
US10538451B2 (en) | 2015-03-02 | 2020-01-21 | The Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of The University Of Arizona | Glass or metal forming mold of adjustable shape |
US10686400B2 (en) | 2015-06-12 | 2020-06-16 | THE ARIZONA BOARD OR REGENTS on behalf of THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA | Tandem photovoltaic module with diffractive spectral separation |
US10551089B2 (en) | 2015-08-03 | 2020-02-04 | The Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of The University Of Arizona | Solar concentrator for a tower-mounted central receiver |
WO2017024038A1 (en) * | 2015-08-03 | 2017-02-09 | The Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of The University Of Arizona | Solar concentrator for a tower-mounted central receiver |
DE102018203030A1 (en) * | 2018-02-28 | 2019-08-29 | Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. | Solar device, method for operating a solar device, solar power plant and method for operating a solar power plant |
CN108266906A (en) * | 2018-03-17 | 2018-07-10 | 郭其秀 | A kind of tower type solar optically focused platform waterborne |
US11262103B1 (en) * | 2018-06-29 | 2022-03-01 | Heliogen, Inc. | Heliostat localization in camera field-of-view with induced motion |
DE102020125045A1 (en) | 2020-09-25 | 2022-03-31 | Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. | Heliostat for solar power plants or solar concentrators, as well as solar systems |
DE102020125045B4 (en) | 2020-09-25 | 2022-04-28 | Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. | Heliostat for solar power plants or solar concentrators, as well as solar systems |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2698536A1 (en) | 2014-02-19 |
MX2013011946A (en) | 2014-04-14 |
MA35046B1 (en) | 2014-04-03 |
ZA201307587B (en) | 2014-07-30 |
WO2012140281A1 (en) | 2012-10-18 |
EP2698536A4 (en) | 2014-11-26 |
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