WO2010024830A1 - Système de collecte d’énergie solaire linéaire - Google Patents

Système de collecte d’énergie solaire linéaire Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010024830A1
WO2010024830A1 PCT/US2008/078520 US2008078520W WO2010024830A1 WO 2010024830 A1 WO2010024830 A1 WO 2010024830A1 US 2008078520 W US2008078520 W US 2008078520W WO 2010024830 A1 WO2010024830 A1 WO 2010024830A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
frame
solar panels
receiver tube
section
opposed
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2008/078520
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Danny F. Ammar
Original Assignee
Arxiel Clean Tech, Llc
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 Arxiel Clean Tech, Llc filed Critical Arxiel Clean Tech, Llc
Publication of WO2010024830A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010024830A1/fr

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Classifications

    • 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
    • F24S23/82—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors characterised by the material or the construction of the reflector
    • 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
    • F24S10/40—Solar heat collectors using working fluids in absorbing elements surrounded by transparent enclosures, e.g. evacuated solar collectors
    • F24S10/45—Solar heat collectors using working fluids in absorbing elements surrounded by transparent enclosures, e.g. evacuated solar collectors the enclosure being cylindrical
    • 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
    • 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
    • F24S23/74—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors with trough-shaped or cylindro-parabolic reflective surfaces
    • 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
    • F24S23/79—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors with spaced and opposed interacting reflective surfaces
    • 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
    • F24S30/42—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with only one rotation axis
    • F24S30/425—Horizontal axis
    • 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
    • F24S30/455—Horizontal primary axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S40/00—Safety or protection arrangements of solar heat collectors; Preventing malfunction of solar heat collectors
    • 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
    • F24S2023/87—Reflectors layout
    • 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
    • F24S2023/87—Reflectors layout
    • F24S2023/872—Assemblies of spaced reflective elements on common support, e.g. Fresnel reflectors
    • 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
    • F24S2025/01—Special support components; Methods of use
    • F24S2025/017—Tensioning means
    • 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
    • F24S2030/13—Transmissions
    • F24S2030/133—Transmissions in the form of flexible elements, e.g. belts, chains, ropes
    • 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
    • F24S2030/13—Transmissions
    • F24S2030/135—Transmissions in the form of threaded elements
    • 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
    • F24S2030/15—Bearings
    • 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
    • Y02E10/44—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
    • Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the generation of electrical energy through solar thermal power collection, and, more particularly, to a linear solar energy collection system that employs a secondary reflector, light-weight solar panels and a fixed linear receiver tube in which a heat transfer fluid is circulated.
  • a generally parabolic-shaped trough 10 is provided having a curved, reflective surface 12 that is typically formed of a number of mirrors.
  • the reflective surface 12 is effective to concentrate and reflect incident sunlight 13 at 30 to 80 times its normal intensity along a focal line that is coincident with a receiver tube 14 mounted by holding bars 16 in a position above the reflective surface 12.
  • the mirrors are carried by a support structure 18 which, in turn, is connected at each end to pylons 20 secured in the ground on a concrete foundation or the like.
  • a motor 22 is drivingly connected to the support structure 12 to pivot it thus allowing the reflective surface 12 to track the progress of the sun across the sky.
  • a local controller 24 may be provided to control the operation of the motor 22 as it pivots the support structure 18 and surface 12 throughout a day, and to monitor certain alarm conditions.
  • a heat transfer fluid is circulated through the receiver tube 14 which is heated by the sunlight reflected from surface 12. This fluid is used to generate steam which powers a turbine that drives an electric generator.
  • a flexible hose 26 is coupled to the receiver tube 14, typically via ball joints 28, and moves with it as the support structure 18 is pivoted.
  • the flexible hose 26 may be connected to a header pipe (not shown), which then connects to the steam generator.
  • the mirrors forming the reflective surface 12 typically comprise 4mm low-iron float glass mirrors thermally sagged during manufacturing into a parabolic shape. These mirrors are very heavy, and are available from only a few manufacturers. They are difficult to install and require robust mounting structure to support in order to provide for accurate positioning of the reflective surface 12 and to resist wind loads. While thinner glass mirrors have been suggested as an alternative, they are more fragile resulting in increased handling costs and breakage losses. Most support structures 18 for the mirrors are formed of galvanized steel which is also heavy, requires precise manufacturing and is expensive to build.
  • Bridge trusses have been employed in more recent designs for the support structures 18, but have proven to be nearly equally expensive to manufacture and often are lacking in torsional stiffness.
  • the flexible hoses 26 and ball joints 28 employed to transfer heated fluid from the receiver tube 14 have high thermal losses, and exhibit high failure rates and leaks since they must move with the support structure 18 and reflective surface 12 as they pivot.
  • This invention is directed to a linear solar energy collection system that improves solar field efficiency, lowers operational and maintenance costs, and therefore reduces the overall cost of generating electricity per kilowatt- hour.
  • each reflector unit includes a lightweight, generally planar aluminum frame that mounts a number of solar panels in a fixed position at angles progressively increasing from the frame centerline outwardly to its perimeter so as to collectively form a surface having a shape approximating that of a parabola.
  • the focal line of such parabola is coincident with a secondary reflector which receives sunlight incident on the solar panels and reflects such light onto a receiver tube mounted in a fixed position substantially concentric to the centerline of the frame.
  • the frame is supported by truss elements to add rigidity, and is connected to a drive mechanism operative to pivot the frame and truss elements in order to track the position of the sun during the course of a day.
  • a number of individual reflector units may be arranged side-by-side to form a solar energy collection system having a collection field of desired size.
  • each solar panel comprises a honeycomb aluminum section and a highly reflective silver-metallized surface connected together by an adhesive layer.
  • the solar panels are strong, durable, light-weight and efficiently reflect incident sunlight many times its normal intensity onto the secondary reflector.
  • the reflective surface of such panels may be washed to maintain cleanliness, which, in one presently preferred embodiment of this invention, is accomplished by the provision of an in-ground washing system operative to direct cleansing water against such surfaces.
  • a heat transfer fluid is circulated through the receiver tube for heating by the sunlight directed thereto from the secondary reflector. Because the receiver tube is fixed relative to the pivoting frame, it may be connected to a fixed transfer conduit that communicates with a steam generator and turbine. Since both the receiver tube and transfer conduit are mounted in a fixed position, heat losses resulting from the transfer of fluid out of the receiver tube are minimized and maintenance problems with the moving connections between the receiver tube and transfer conduit that were required in prior art systems, as described above, are substantially eliminated.
  • a reflector unit includes solar panels formed in smaller segments mounted to a number of shafts, which, in turn, are pivotally connected to the frame.
  • the solar panels collectively form a generally parabolic surface as in the previously described embodiment, but may also be tilted by rotation of the shafts in a generally northerly and southerly direction to more directly face the sun as its incidence angle varies with the changing of the seasons.
  • FIG. 1 is perspective view of a prior art solar energy collection system
  • FIG. 2 is an end view of the system shown in Fig. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a reflector unit for the solar energy collection system of this invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a solar panel of this invention.
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of Fig. 4 showing the solar panel partially disassembled
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the receiver tube employed herein;
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic, end view of the solar panels and secondary reflector of the unit depicted in Fig. 3, illustrating the orientation of the solar panels from the centerline of the frame outwardly;
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the relationship between the solar panels and secondary reflector of the unit of Fig. 3 ;
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic view depicting how the unit herein tracks the position of the sun during the course of a day
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism for pivoting the frame and solar panels
  • FIG. 11 is an end view of the drive mechanism illustrated in Fig. 10;
  • FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a solar collection system according to this invention in which a number of reflector units shown in Fig. 3 are oriented side-by-side;
  • FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the sprinkler system of this invention operating with the solar panels and secondary reflector in a first position before sunrise and a second position after sunset;
  • Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the frame and solar panel portion of an alternative embodiment of a solar energy collection system according to this invention;
  • FIG. 15 is an enlarged, side view of a portion of Fig. 14 illustrating the manner in which the solar panels are mounted for tilting movement relative to the frame;
  • FIG. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15 showing the solar panels tilted after rotation of the mounting shaft.
  • a solar energy collection system may comprise several individual reflector units 30 oriented side-by-side, as discussed below with reference to Fig. 12.
  • the reflector unit 30 is initially generally described, followed by a discussion of individual aspects of the design.
  • the reflector unit 30 includes a frame 32 having opposed side walls 34, 36, and opposed end walls 38, 40 connected together in a generally rectangular shape as depicted in Fig. 3.
  • the walls 34-40 are preferably formed of aluminum or other light-weight, weather resistant and durable material.
  • the frame 32 is reinforced by a truss structure 42, a portion of which is shown in
  • Figs. 3 and 12 which is also preferably formed of aluminum or similar material.
  • the trass structure 42 and frame 32 may be supported above ground level by pylons 44 secured on a foundation such as concrete footers (not shown) that can support the weight of the unit 30 and wind loading applied to it.
  • the frame 32 and truss structure 42 are pivotally mounted to the pylons 44 and may be tilted by operation of a drive mechanism 46 including a drive motor 48.
  • the frame 32 mounts a number of solar panels 50 and a secondary reflector 52 which collectively form the structure for receiving incident sunlight 53 from the sun 55 and reflecting it onto a receiver tube 54 located in a fixed position at the centerline 56 (See Fig. 7) of the frame 32.
  • the solar panels 50 extend between the end walls 38, 40 and are spaced from one another on either side of the receiver tube 54 in a direction toward the side walls 34, 36.
  • the secondary reflector 52 is located above the solar panels 50, as discussed below, and is supported in that position at each end by rods 58 and tension wires 60 extending from the frame 32.
  • Each solar panel 50 is generally rectangular in shape having opposed side edges 62, 64 and opposed end edges 66, 68.
  • the panels 50 have a slight concave curvature in a direction from one side edge 62 to the other side edge 64, which may be slightly different from one panel 50 to another as described below.
  • Each panel 50 comprises a base section 70, a top section 72 and an intermediate section 74 sandwiched between the sections 70, 72.
  • the base section 70 is preferably formed of a honeycomb aluminum, or similar light-weight, weather resistant and durable material that may be bent in the slight curvature noted above and shown in Fig. 4.
  • the top section 72 is preferably a highly-reflective, silver-metallized film comprising multiple layers of polymer film with an inner layer of pure silver to provide a reflective surface 76 having high specular reflectance.
  • One suitable material for top section 72 is commercially available from ReflecTech, Inc. of Wheat Ridge, Colorado under the trademark "RefiecTech” solar film.
  • the intermediate layer 74 is preferably a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive. Layer 74 may be affixed on one side to the top section 72 and provided with a peel- off backing (not shown) which is removed prior to attachment to the base section 70.
  • the receiver tube 54 is a component employed in prior art solar collection systems and is readily commercially available. As shown in Fig. 6, it comprises a hollow, stainless steel housing 78 having a solar-selective absorber surface surrounded by an anti-reflective, evacuated glass sleeve 80. Typically, the housing 78 has a length of 4 meters and a diameter of 70mm, and the glass sleeve is 115 mm in diameter. A heat transfer fluid such as oil or water is circulated through the housing 78 where it is heated by reflected sunlight, as discussed below.
  • the receiver tube 54 has glass-to-metal seals and metal bellows (not shown) to accommodate differing rates of thermal expansion between the stainless steel housing 78 and glass sleeve 80, and to help maintain the vacuum-tight enclosure. This reduces heat losses at high operating temperatures and protects the solar-select absorber surface of the housing 78 from oxidation.
  • the solar panels 50 and secondary reflector 52 collectively- function to direct incident sunlight 53 onto the receiver tube 54 to elevate the temperature of heat transfer fluid circulating within the receiver tube 54 to a level sufficient to operate a steam generator (not shown) for the production of electricity.
  • the positioning of the solar panels 50 with respect to the secondary reflector 52, and the configuration of the secondary reflector 52, are both important in maximizing the efficiency of the reflector unit 30.
  • a parabola is a geometric shape defined by the locus of points that are equidistant from a point (the focus) and a focal line (directrix) that lie in the same plane. Reflective surfaces having the shape of a parabola have been commonly used in solar power collection systems because incident sunlight may be reflected to collection device located at the focus or directrix of the parabola.
  • the unit 30 of the present invention is designed to take advantage of this property of a parabola, but in a much more efficient, less expensive and practical manner than taught in the prior art.
  • FIG. 7 an end view of the frame 32 and its end wall 40 is shown with the receiver tube 54 depicted within an opening 82 formed in the frame end wall 40, substantially concentric to the frame centerline 56, and the secondary reflector 52 located at a position spaced from the receiver tube 54.
  • a first array 84 of solar panels 50 extends from the receiver tube 54 to the side wall 34 of frame 32, and a second array 86 of solar panels 50 is mounted between the receiver tube 54 and side wall 36.
  • the end edges 66 and 68 of each panel 50 are secured in a fixed position to an end wall 38 and 40, respectively, of the frame 32 by fasteners or other suitable means such as the provision of recesses in the end walls 38, 40 (not shown).
  • the solar panels 50 in each array 84, 86 are oriented at an angle with respect to the secondary reflector 52 so as to direct incident sunlight 53 to a focal line or directrix that is coincident with the surface 96 of secondary reflector 52.
  • the angle of the solar panels 50 increases from the centerline 56 of frame 32 outwardly to its side walls 34, 36.
  • the angle of each panel 50 relative to the secondary reflector 52 is chosen to closely approximate the orientation of each of a number of discrete segments 90 "sliced" from a continuous parabola 92, as schematically depicted in Fig. 8.
  • the solar panels 50 in each array 84, 86 comprise segments of the parabola 92 which are separated from one another, and then individually affixed to the frame 32. Consequently, the solar panels 50 collectively form a reflective, substantially parabolic-shaped surface 94 whose focus and directrix 95 are substantially coincident with the secondary reflector 52.
  • each panel 50 which differs from one panel 50 to another depending on its angulation relative to the secondary reflector 52, in order to ensure that the individual focal point of each panel 50 is substantially the same.
  • the secondary reflector 52 is located along the directrix or focal line of surface 94 and is constructed to reflect the light from surface 94 onto the receiver tube 54 to elevate the temperature of heat transfer fluid circulating therein.
  • the secondary reflector 52 is approximately 200mm to 250mm in width with a reflective surface 96 in the shape of a hyperbola.
  • the exact geometry of the reflective surface 96 is derived from the Cassegrain Equations for a primary parabolic-shaped reflective surface, which, in this instance, is the parabolic surface 94 collectively formed by the solar panels 50, and a secondary hyperboloid reflective surface.
  • the secondary reflector 52 may be constructed of a honeycomb panel having the appropriate shape noted above connected by an adhesive layer to the same material that forms the top section 74 of solar panels 50.
  • Figs. 9-11 it is advantageous for the solar panels 50 to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the position of the sun 55 throughout the course of a day in order to maximize the efficiency with which the sunlight is reflected to the secondary reflector 52, and, in turn, to the receiver tube 54.
  • Fig. 9 illustrates this pivotal movement of frame 32, and, in turn, the solar panels 50 and secondary reflector 52, during daylight hours. Such pivotal movement is about an axis which is generally coincident with the centerline 56 of the frame 32.
  • the frame 32 is pivoted by a drive mechanism 46 including a motor 48.
  • a support frame 98 is connected to a pylon 44 which rotatably mounts three rollers 100, 102 and 104 spaced approximately 120° apart. These rollers 100-104 receive and support a drive wheel 106 which is connected by a link chain 108, or other suitable drive means such as a belt, to the output shaft of motor 48.
  • the drive wheel 106 is connected by a plate 110 to the rods 58 which support the secondary reflector 52 at one end, and connect to the frame 32 at the opposite end.
  • the drive wheel 106 rotates with respect to the rollers 100-104.
  • the rods 58 and frame 32 rotate with the drive wheel 106, thus pivoting relative to the pylons 44 to assume the positions shown in Fig. 9.
  • the receiver tube 54 remains in a fixed position with respect to the frame 32 and drive wheel 106 throughout the pivotal motion of the frame 32.
  • the receiver tube 54 extends through an opening 82 formed in each end wall 38, 40 of frame 32.
  • receiver tube 54 enters a bore 111 formed in the plate 110, and a central bore 112 formed in the drive wheel 106 where it is received and supported by a bearing 114 that allows the receiver tube 54 to remain in a fixed position during rotation of the drive wheel 106.
  • This construction has the advantage of allowing the receiver tube 54 to be connected to a fixed transfer conduit 114, shown in Fig. 3, coupled to a steam generator
  • the solar energy collection system of this invention is modular in construction. As shown in Fig. 12, a number of individual reflector units 30 depicted in Fig. 3 and described above may be located side-by-side to increase capacity and overall efficiency of the solar field. In such arrangements, a drive mechanism 46 may be located in between adjacent units 30 such that each end of the output shaft of motor 48 may be coupled to the drive wheel 106 of one of the units 30 in the manner described above in connection with a discussion of
  • receiver tube 54 of one unit 30 may be coupled to the receiver tube 54 of an adjacent unit 30 to transmit heat transfer fluid to one or more conduits (not shown) for the combined collection system.
  • an in-ground sprinkler system 116 is provided to help clean the reflective surface 94 of the solar panels 50 and the surface 96 of the secondary reflector 52.
  • one or more first sprinkler heads 118 connected to a source of water are positioned to direct streams 119 of water onto the first array 84 of solar panels 50 and a portion of the secondary reflector 52 with the unit 30 in position prior to sunrise, and one or more second sprinkler heads 120 direct streams 121 of water onto the second array 86 of solar panels 50 and the remainder of the secondary reflector 52 when the reflector unit 30 moves to its position at the end of a day. Maintaining the collective reflective surface 94 of the solar panels 50, and the surface 96 of the secondary reflector 52, clean significantly increases the overall efficiency of the reflector unit 30.
  • FIG. 14-17 An alternative embodiment of a solar energy collection system having one or more reflector units 122 according to this invention is illustrated in Figs. 14-17.
  • the reflector unit 122 is similar to reflector unit 30 in many respects except for the addition of structure that permits adjustment of the position of solar panels about a second axis.
  • the frame 32 and solar panels 50 of the unit 30 are pivoted as illustrated in Fig. 9 about an axis generally coincident with the centerline 56 of the frame 32. Such motion is in an easterly to westerly direction consistent with the apparent movement of the sun 55 across the sky during the daylight hours.
  • the unit 122 of this embodiment of the present invention is designed to not only track the sun's daily path but its annual inclination.
  • the same frame 32 described above is employed in unit 122, but instead of elongated solar panels 50 extending between the frame side walls 34, 36, a plurality of shorter, segmented solar panels 124 are provided.
  • the solar panels 124 are divided into groups, and each group of panels 124 essentially takes the place of a single solar panel 50 in the embodiment of Figs. 3-13.
  • one group of several panels 124 is mounted within each of a number of sub-frames 126, e.g. a generally rectangular-shaped structure having opposed ends and opposed sides. These sub-frames 126 are secured in the same fixed positions to the side walls 34 and 36. of frame 32, and at the same angles, as solar panels 50 described above.
  • the panels 124 within each group may be coupled to a threaded shaft 128, which, in turn, is rotatably mounted to the end walls of a sub-frame 126.
  • a lever arm 130 may extend from each panel 124 and connect to an internally threaded sleeve 132 which threads onto the shaft 128.
  • the sleeves 132 move axially along the shafts 128 causing the panels 124 to tilt. See Figs. 15 and 16.
  • the direction of rotation of the shaft 128 determines the direction of tilting of the panels 124.
  • the panels 124 may be tilted in a northerly direction or in a southerly direction according the angle of inclination of the sun 55.
  • the remainder of the structure and operation of the system 122 is essentially the same as that described above in connection with a discussion of reflector unit 30.
  • the receiver tube 54 is depicted in Figs. 7, 9, 13 and 14 as being positioned at the center of frame 32 and substantially concentric to its centerline 56. As shown in Figs. 3, 10 and 12, the receiver tube 54 may also be located slightly above the center of frame 32. In both instances, the receiver tube 54 is located at substantially the center of rotation of the frame 32 and generally at the center of gravity of the reflector unit 30. [0047] Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. What is claimed is:

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Optical Elements Other Than Lenses (AREA)
  • Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système de collecte d’énergie solaire linéaire modulaire comprenant une ou plusieurs unités réfléchissantes (30) ayant chacune un cadre en aluminium (32) général plan léger qui fixe un certain nombre de panneaux solaires (50) dans une position fixe à des angles qui augmentent progressivement en partant de la ligne centrale du cadre (32) vers l’extérieur, vers son périmètre, de façon à former collectivement une surface ayant une forme approximativement parabolique. La ligne focale d’une telle parabole coïncide avec un réflecteur secondaire (52) qui reçoit la lumière incidente du soleil sur les panneaux solaires (50) et réfléchit une telle lumière sur un tube récepteur (54) fixé dans une position fixe concentrique avec la ligne centrale du cadre (32). Le cadre (32) est relié à un mécanisme d’entraînement (46) fonctionnant pour faire pivoter le cadre (32) et les panneaux solaires (50) afin de suivre la position du soleil tout au long de la journée.
PCT/US2008/078520 2008-08-26 2008-10-02 Système de collecte d’énergie solaire linéaire WO2010024830A1 (fr)

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US12/198,219 US20100051015A1 (en) 2008-08-26 2008-08-26 Linear solar energy collection system

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EP2565553A1 (fr) * 2011-09-05 2013-03-06 Areva Solar, Inc Collecteur d'énergie solaire comprenant un système de lavage et une méthode de lavage
ITRM20110635A1 (it) * 2011-11-30 2013-05-31 Shap Technology Corp Ltd Eliostato a focalizzazione ottimizzata
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WO2010078902A3 (fr) * 2008-12-18 2010-10-21 Feranova Gmbh Module solaire et installation solaire
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