WO2008067643A1 - Solar energy collecting apparatus - Google Patents

Solar energy collecting apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008067643A1
WO2008067643A1 PCT/CA2007/002154 CA2007002154W WO2008067643A1 WO 2008067643 A1 WO2008067643 A1 WO 2008067643A1 CA 2007002154 W CA2007002154 W CA 2007002154W WO 2008067643 A1 WO2008067643 A1 WO 2008067643A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
focusing means
conduit
framework
solar energy
mirrors
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2007/002154
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Daniel Gill
Original Assignee
Daniel Gill
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Daniel Gill filed Critical Daniel Gill
Publication of WO2008067643A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008067643A1/en

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Classifications

    • 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
    • F03G6/068—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy with solar energy concentrating means having other power cycles, e.g. Stirling or transcritical, supercritical cycles; combined with other power sources, e.g. wind, gas or nuclear
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S10/00—Solar heat collectors using working fluids
    • F24S10/70—Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed through tubular absorbing conduits
    • 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
    • F24S23/30—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with lenses
    • F24S23/31—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with lenses having discontinuous faces, e.g. Fresnel lenses
    • 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
    • F24S23/77—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors with flat reflective plates
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • 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
    • F24S30/45—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with two rotation axes
    • F24S30/452—Vertical primary axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02G2254/00—Heat inputs
    • F02G2254/30—Heat inputs using solar radiation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02G2290/00—Engines characterised by the use of a particular power transfer medium, e.g. Helium
    • 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
    • F24S2030/10—Special components
    • F24S2030/17—Spherical joints
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/10—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules extending in directions away from a supporting surface
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/10—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules extending in directions away from a supporting surface
    • F24S25/13—Profile arrangements, e.g. trusses
    • 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
    • Y02E10/44—Heat exchange systems
    • 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
    • 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
    • Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Definitions

  • This invention relates to apparatus for collecting solar energy and more particularly to an apparatus which includes a number of lenses and mirrors for concentrating the sun's rays onto a number of focal points and for converting the energy at the focal points into thermal and mechanical energy.
  • Devices are well known for collecting solar energy and converting the energy into other forms such as mechanical and thermal energy.
  • a lens is commonly employed to focus the sun's rays on a solar energy absorber such as a fluid which flows to a heat exchanger. Examples of such devices are described in U.S. patents no. 4,297,521 and 4,284,839 both to Steven A. Johnson.
  • Known apparatus for collecting solar energy have a number of disadvantages.
  • Relatively large lenses are required to generate sufficient solar energy to make the apparatus economically viable.
  • Such lenses have a significantly longer focal length than smaller lenses and require significantly larger housings to accommodate them than do smaller lenses.
  • the subject solar collector employs a number of smaller lenses which collect substantially similar quantities of solar energy than a single large lens yet which occupy a housing which is significantly more compact than that necessary to accommodate a larger lens.
  • the solar collector of the subject invention is relatively simple of construction with resulting ease of mobility and relatively low cost.
  • the solar collector comprises: a framework; a conduit through which fluid flows and at least four separate focusing means each mounted to the framework and immovable relative to each other.
  • the focusing means is arranged such that when any one of the focusing means receives solar energy, the remaining focusing means likewise receive such energy.
  • the collector also includes at least four mirrors mounted to the framework and arranged to surround the conduit. Each mirror is arranged to reflect solar energy from a separate focusing means onto the conduit for raising the temperature of the fluid therein.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of the solar collector from the front
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the solar collector from the rear
  • Figure 3 is an elevation of the solar collector from the rear
  • Figure 4 is an elevation of the solar collector and a schematic representation of apparatus for converting the solar energy
  • Figure 5 is an elevation of the mirrors and mounts for the mirrors
  • Figure 6 illustrates schematically the direction of reflection of the solar rays from the mirrors to the central energy collector
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of the mount for a mirror
  • Figure 8 is an elevation of the mirror mount
  • Figure 9 is an elevation of a second embodiment of the central energy collector together with a schematic representation of a pump and a heat exchanger.
  • the solar collector of the invention has a framework, generally 12 in the shape of a truncated pyramid having a base 14 and side bars 16 which extend forward from the base.
  • the base comprises outer bars 14a which combine to form a complete rectangle and a pair of diagonal bars 14b which extend between the corners of the rectangle.
  • the side bars commence at the four corners of the rectangle, diverge from each other and terminate at a rectangular forward case or frame 18.
  • the components of the framework are composed of box or rectangular tubing.
  • a hollow conduit 22 runs parallel to the base and extends through the framework and terminates at brackets 24 at either end of the framework. Each end of the conduit is mounted in bearings 26. The interior of the conduit opens into second and third conduits 28, 30.
  • the framework is accordingly rotatable about conduit 22.
  • Second and third conduits 28, 30 are mounted on the upwardly extending flanges of a U- shaped support 34.
  • the web 36 of the support is mounted for rotation on a pedestal 38.
  • An internal mirror-supporting bar 40 extends between each side bar 16 and the diagonal bars 14b. Mounted to each bar 40 is a mirror 42. Each mirror receives a light beam from a separate lens and reflects the beam onto a central energy collector, generally 44, described below.
  • the focusing means may, for example, be conventional circular lenses or mirrors in which case the mirrors are oriented such that they reflect the light beams directly onto the central energy collector.
  • Mirrors 42 may be dispensed with altogether where mirrors replace the lenses.
  • the central energy collector serves to convert solar energy into thermal energy.
  • the collector has a central conduit 46 which is mounted equidistantly from the four mirrors and which carries a fluid heated by the solar rays.
  • the fluid includes water, antifreeze or motor oil.
  • the fluid enters the tube through an input conduit 48 and exits through a second output conduit 50.
  • the two conduits are in liquid flow communication with branches of a closed network, generally 52 of conduits containing a pump 54 and a heat exchanger 56.
  • the fluid passes through the pump, heat exchanger, input conduit 48, the central conduit 46 and the output conduit 50 successively.
  • Plugs 58, 60 prevent the fluid from flowing between the point of entry of fluid into input conduit 48 and the point of discharge of the fluid from output conduit 50.
  • Pump 54 causes the fluid to flow through the network while a probe 62 monitors the temperature within the central conduit and controls the operation of the pump so that the temperature within the central conduit remains within a predetermined range.
  • Heat exchanger 56 is conventional for the production of mechanical or electrical energy.
  • the means for producing such energy may be a conventional Sterling engine in which case the heating fluid which circulates through network 52 is gaseous hydrogen.
  • the hydrogen is heated and caused to expand by the solar energy collected in the central conduit.
  • the heated and expanded hydrogen drives pistons and the pistons in turn drive crankshafts which activate a generator.
  • Central conduit 46 is composed of clear glass which is surrounded by an insulating sheath except for four small areas or points 64. The points are spaced an equal distance apart around the circumference of the tube and serve as the focal points for the four beams of light reflected off the mirrors.
  • the rays can be focused on four photovoltaic cells located where points 64 are located. In such case, electrical
  • each mirror 42 may be altered by means of adjustment screws 66 which pass through threaded openings in plates 68 a,b which are welded to mirror-supporting bar 40.
  • the forward ends of the adjustment screws are flattened and contact the rear surface of the mirror.
  • the mirror is attached to bar 40 by means of a central screw 70 which extends through the bar 40.
  • a central screw 70 which extends through the bar 40.
  • a ball which fits into a socket formed in a supporting plate 72.
  • the latter plate is welded to the rear surface of the mirror.
  • the mirror is accordingly attached to the central screw but is pivotal relative to it so that the central screw does not impede the adjustment of the angle of the mirror by means of the adjustment screws.
  • the framework may mounted to an apparatus for tracking the movement of the sun such that each lens remains focused on the sun as the sun moves across the sky.
  • the tracking apparatus is conventional and is not described in this application.
  • fluid flows through a tube 80 located within central conduit 82.
  • Four apertures 84 are formed in the central conduit to allow the sun's rays to travel to the tube for heating the fluid.
  • the tube is formed of glass which is coated with aluminum nitride except for the four apertures.
  • the temperature within the central conduit is measured by probe 86.

Abstract

The solar collector includes a conduit through which fluid flows and four separate lenses each mounted to the framework of the solar collector and each being immovable relative to each other. The lenses are arranged such that when any one of them receives solar energy, so too do the remaining lenses. Four mirrors are also mounted to the framework and are arranged to surround the conduit. Each mirror is arranged to reflect solar energy from a separate lens onto the conduit for raising the temperature of the fluid within the conduit. Photovoltaic cells may be substituted for the conduit.

Description

Title of the invention SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTING APPARATUS
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to apparatus for collecting solar energy and more particularly to an apparatus which includes a number of lenses and mirrors for concentrating the sun's rays onto a number of focal points and for converting the energy at the focal points into thermal and mechanical energy.
Background of the Invention
Devices are well known for collecting solar energy and converting the energy into other forms such as mechanical and thermal energy. A lens is commonly employed to focus the sun's rays on a solar energy absorber such as a fluid which flows to a heat exchanger. Examples of such devices are described in U.S. patents no. 4,297,521 and 4,284,839 both to Steven A. Johnson.
Known apparatus for collecting solar energy have a number of disadvantages. Relatively large lenses are required to generate sufficient solar energy to make the apparatus economically viable. The larger the lenses, however, the larger and heavier the apparatus must be for housing them not only because of the size and weight of the lenses but because of the focal lengths of large lenses. Such lenses have a significantly longer focal length than smaller lenses and require significantly larger housings to accommodate them than do smaller lenses. The subject solar collector employs a number of smaller lenses which collect substantially similar quantities of solar energy than a single large lens yet which occupy a housing which is significantly more compact than that necessary to accommodate a larger lens. The solar collector of the subject invention is relatively simple of construction with resulting ease of mobility and relatively low cost. Briefly the solar collector comprises: a framework; a conduit through which fluid flows and at least four separate focusing means each mounted to the framework and immovable relative to each other. The focusing means is arranged such that when any one of the focusing means receives solar energy, the remaining focusing means likewise receive such energy. The collector also includes at least four mirrors mounted to the framework and arranged to surround the conduit. Each mirror is arranged to reflect solar energy from a separate focusing means onto the conduit for raising the temperature of the fluid therein.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The solar collector of the invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the solar collector from the front;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the solar collector from the rear;
Figure 3 is an elevation of the solar collector from the rear;
Figure 4 is an elevation of the solar collector and a schematic representation of apparatus for converting the solar energy; Figure 5 is an elevation of the mirrors and mounts for the mirrors;
Figure 6 illustrates schematically the direction of reflection of the solar rays from the mirrors to the central energy collector;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the mount for a mirror;
Figure 8 is an elevation of the mirror mount; and
Figure 9 is an elevation of a second embodiment of the central energy collector together with a schematic representation of a pump and a heat exchanger.
Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the description of the drawings. Description of Preferred Embodiments
With reference to Figures 1 - 3, the solar collector of the invention, generally 10, has a framework, generally 12 in the shape of a truncated pyramid having a base 14 and side bars 16 which extend forward from the base. The base comprises outer bars 14a which combine to form a complete rectangle and a pair of diagonal bars 14b which extend between the corners of the rectangle. The side bars commence at the four corners of the rectangle, diverge from each other and terminate at a rectangular forward case or frame 18. The components of the framework are composed of box or rectangular tubing.
Mounted within the frame are four focusing means in the form of square fresnel lenses 20. The lenses together define the entire surface within the frame. Preferably, the outer surfaces of the lenses all lie in the same plane. A hollow conduit 22 runs parallel to the base and extends through the framework and terminates at brackets 24 at either end of the framework. Each end of the conduit is mounted in bearings 26. The interior of the conduit opens into second and third conduits 28, 30. The framework is accordingly rotatable about conduit 22.
Second and third conduits 28, 30 are mounted on the upwardly extending flanges of a U- shaped support 34. The web 36 of the support is mounted for rotation on a pedestal 38.
An internal mirror-supporting bar 40 extends between each side bar 16 and the diagonal bars 14b. Mounted to each bar 40 is a mirror 42. Each mirror receives a light beam from a separate lens and reflects the beam onto a central energy collector, generally 44, described below.
Other means may be used for focusing the light beam onto the central energy connector. The focusing means may, for example, be conventional circular lenses or mirrors in which case the mirrors are oriented such that they reflect the light beams directly onto the central energy collector. Mirrors 42 may be dispensed with altogether where mirrors replace the lenses.
With reference to Figure 4, the central energy collector serves to convert solar energy into thermal energy. The collector has a central conduit 46 which is mounted equidistantly from the four mirrors and which carries a fluid heated by the solar rays. The fluid includes water, antifreeze or motor oil. The fluid enters the tube through an input conduit 48 and exits through a second output conduit 50. The two conduits are in liquid flow communication with branches of a closed network, generally 52 of conduits containing a pump 54 and a heat exchanger 56. The fluid passes through the pump, heat exchanger, input conduit 48, the central conduit 46 and the output conduit 50 successively. Plugs 58, 60 prevent the fluid from flowing between the point of entry of fluid into input conduit 48 and the point of discharge of the fluid from output conduit 50.
Pump 54 causes the fluid to flow through the network while a probe 62 monitors the temperature within the central conduit and controls the operation of the pump so that the temperature within the central conduit remains within a predetermined range.
Heat exchanger 56 is conventional for the production of mechanical or electrical energy. The means for producing such energy may be a conventional Sterling engine in which case the heating fluid which circulates through network 52 is gaseous hydrogen. The hydrogen is heated and caused to expand by the solar energy collected in the central conduit. The heated and expanded hydrogen drives pistons and the pistons in turn drive crankshafts which activate a generator.
Central conduit 46 is composed of clear glass which is surrounded by an insulating sheath except for four small areas or points 64. The points are spaced an equal distance apart around the circumference of the tube and serve as the focal points for the four beams of light reflected off the mirrors.
Instead of focusing the solar rays on fluid within central conduit 46, the rays can be focused on four photovoltaic cells located where points 64 are located. In such case, electrical
energy is generated by the apparatus described above.
With reference to Figures 5, 7 and 8, the angle of each mirror 42 may be altered by means of adjustment screws 66 which pass through threaded openings in plates 68 a,b which are welded to mirror-supporting bar 40. The forward ends of the adjustment screws are flattened and contact the rear surface of the mirror.
The mirror is attached to bar 40 by means of a central screw 70 which extends through the bar 40. At the forward end of the central screw is a ball which fits into a socket formed in a supporting plate 72. The latter plate is welded to the rear surface of the mirror. The mirror is accordingly attached to the central screw but is pivotal relative to it so that the central screw does not impede the adjustment of the angle of the mirror by means of the adjustment screws.
The framework may mounted to an apparatus for tracking the movement of the sun such that each lens remains focused on the sun as the sun moves across the sky. The tracking apparatus is conventional and is not described in this application.
With reference to Figures 5 and 9, fluid flows through a tube 80 located within central conduit 82. Four apertures 84 are formed in the central conduit to allow the sun's rays to travel to the tube for heating the fluid. The tube is formed of glass which is coated with aluminum nitride except for the four apertures. The temperature within the central conduit is measured by probe 86.
It will be understood, of course, that modifications can be made in the apparatus described above without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed in the claims which follow.

Claims

I claim:
1. A solar collector comprising: a framework; a conduit through which fluid flows; at least four separate focusing means each mounted to said framework and immovable relative to each other, said focusing means being arranged such that when any one of said focusing means receives solar energy, the remaining said focusing means likewise receive such energy; and at least four mirrors mounted to said framework and arranged to surround said conduit, each said mirror further arranged to reflect solar energy from a separate said focusing means onto said conduit for raising the temperature of said fluid therein.
2. A solar collector comprising: a framework; a conduit through which fluid flows; at least four separate mirrors each mounted to said framework and immovable relative to each other, said mirrors being arranged such that when any one of said mirrors receives solar energy, the remaining said mirrors likewise receive such energy, each said mirror mounted to reflect solar energy onto said conduit for raising the temperature of said fluid therein.
3. A solar collector comprising: a framework; at least four photovoltaic cells; at least four separate focusing means each mounted to said framework and immovable relative to each other, said focusing means being arranged such that when any one of said focusing means receives solar energy, the remaining said focusing means likewise receive solar energy; and at least four mirrors mounted to said framework and arranged to surround said photovoltaic cells, each said mirror further arranged to reflect solar energy from a separate said focusing means onto a separate said photovoltaic cell for the production of electric current.
4. The solar collector of claim 1 wherein each said focusing means is a lens.
5. The solar collector of claim 4 wherein said lens is a fresnel lens.
6. The solar collector of claim 1 wherein said frameeotk includes a rectangular frame within which said focusing means are mounted, each said focusing means being a square fresnel lens.
7. The solar collector of claim 1 further including adjustment means associated with each said mirror for adjusting the angle of said mirror to reflect said solar energy onto said conduit.
8. The solar collector of claim 1 further including means for tracking the movement of the sun such that said focusing means remains focused on the sun as the sun moves across the sky.
9. The solar collector of claim 1 further including a Sterling engine activated by the heat from said fluid.
PCT/CA2007/002154 2006-12-05 2007-12-04 Solar energy collecting apparatus WO2008067643A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002569981A CA2569981A1 (en) 2006-12-05 2006-12-05 Solar energy collecting apparatus
CA2,569,981 2006-12-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008067643A1 true WO2008067643A1 (en) 2008-06-12

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WO (1) WO2008067643A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITAN20130094A1 (en) * 2013-05-15 2014-11-16 Iside S R L SOLAR TRACKING DEVICE AND CONCENTRATION FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
WO2021019198A1 (en) * 2019-08-01 2021-02-04 Larkfleet Limited Solar heating system

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1683266A (en) * 1925-08-05 1928-09-04 Lewis H Shipman Solar heating apparatus
US2902028A (en) * 1958-07-29 1959-09-01 Arthur H Manly Evaporation apparatus
US3869199A (en) * 1973-12-13 1975-03-04 Itek Corp Solar energy absorber
US3982527A (en) * 1974-01-02 1976-09-28 Cheng Chen Yen Method and apparatus for concentrating, harvesting and storing of solar energy
US4057048A (en) * 1975-11-12 1977-11-08 Maineline Sales Co., Inc. Solar heat collector
US4188941A (en) * 1978-07-14 1980-02-19 Hopkins James R Solar heating system
US4284839A (en) * 1978-12-18 1981-08-18 Johnson Steven A Internal refractor focusing solar energy collector apparatus and method
US4297521A (en) * 1978-12-18 1981-10-27 Johnson Steven A Focusing cover solar energy collector apparatus
US4303057A (en) * 1979-08-16 1981-12-01 Crandon Reba L Swimming pool solar heater

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1683266A (en) * 1925-08-05 1928-09-04 Lewis H Shipman Solar heating apparatus
US2902028A (en) * 1958-07-29 1959-09-01 Arthur H Manly Evaporation apparatus
US3869199A (en) * 1973-12-13 1975-03-04 Itek Corp Solar energy absorber
US3982527A (en) * 1974-01-02 1976-09-28 Cheng Chen Yen Method and apparatus for concentrating, harvesting and storing of solar energy
US4057048A (en) * 1975-11-12 1977-11-08 Maineline Sales Co., Inc. Solar heat collector
US4188941A (en) * 1978-07-14 1980-02-19 Hopkins James R Solar heating system
US4284839A (en) * 1978-12-18 1981-08-18 Johnson Steven A Internal refractor focusing solar energy collector apparatus and method
US4297521A (en) * 1978-12-18 1981-10-27 Johnson Steven A Focusing cover solar energy collector apparatus
US4303057A (en) * 1979-08-16 1981-12-01 Crandon Reba L Swimming pool solar heater

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITAN20130094A1 (en) * 2013-05-15 2014-11-16 Iside S R L SOLAR TRACKING DEVICE AND CONCENTRATION FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
WO2021019198A1 (en) * 2019-08-01 2021-02-04 Larkfleet Limited Solar heating system

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