A solar radiation concentrating system (1) comprises at least two reflectors (12, 16) successively arranged along an optical path (4) of the system (1) so that a first (12) of the two reflectors (12, 16) reflects the radiation towards a second (16) of the two reflectors (12, 16). The reflectors (12, 16) have such spectral characteristics as to be capable of highly reflecting the radiation in a reflection range of wavelengths and absorbing the radiation in an absorption range of wavelengths, wherein the absorption range of wavelengths of the first reflector (12) substantially includes the absorption range of wavelengths of the second reflector (16).

Solar energy plant

The solar tracking mechanism is utilized in connection with a solar energy collection system. The collection system includes a light reflective shell shaped to focus solar radiation on a radiation absorbing segment of a tube which carries a heat transfer fluid. The shell is pivotally mounted on a support frame. An actuator mounted between the support frame and the shell rotatably the shell. A solar sensor is mounted deep within a sighting tube which is fixed to the shell such that a line of sight through the sighting tube is at least parallel to the optical axis of the shell. The solar sensor generates a sensor signal which is used as a control input to an actuator control system. End limit switches generate a limit stop signals when the shell reaches maximum angular positions. The actuator control system generates fluid flows to the actuator based the solar sensor signal and the limit stop signals. The method of tracking the sun includes providing a solar cell array, activating the solar collection system when solar radiation illuminating the array exceeds a predetermined threshold, providing a solar sensor shielded from the solar radiation except for direct, aligned radiation, pivotally rotating the shell westward based upon the solar sensor signal, stopping the shell at a maximum angular positions, and rotating the shell westward if the shell does not reach the maximum westward angular orientation during a predetermined daylight time period. The solar energy collection system may be further configured to include a bisected shell, which are hinged together. The shell halves can be collapsed onto each other thereby protecting the light reflective surface and the radiation absorbing segment of the tube carrying heat transfer fluid.

Solar collection system

The present invention is primarily directed to cost-effective systems for using large reflective elements that track the sun on two axes to concentrate solar energy onto a receiver that can convert the sun's optical energy to a form usable for extensive displacement of combustion of fossil fuels. The structures of the tracker frame, tracking mechanism and tracker supports are co-optimized with the optical elements and the receiver for high efficiency, low cost, and ease of assembly, making moderate and large-scale implementations cost-competitive with fossil fuels for peak power, and. with suitable storage, for base-load power and dispatchable peaking power in sunny locations. Improvement to small-tracker two-axis systems and one-axis tracking systems that focus in two dimensions are also included, as are improvements in systems for space-based solar power.

Systems for cost-effective concentration and utilization of solar energy

A solar energy collector system which includes n groups (13, 14) of arrayed reflectors (15) and n + 1 target receiver systems (10, 11, 12) which present absorbing surfaces to solar radiation that is reflected by the reflectors (15). The receiver systems (10, 11, 12) are elevated relative to the reflectors (15) and the reflectors are pivotably mounted to support structures (19) in a manner such that they may be positioned angularly to reflect incident radiation (I1, I2) toward one or the other of the receiver systems (10, 11, 12). The collector system is characterised in that a majority at least of the reflectors (15) within each group (13, 14) are arranged to be driven simultaneously to pivot through the same angle (ζ), in that the reflectors (15) within each group (13, 14) are arrayed in two sub-groups (21 and 22), and in that a majority at least of the reflectors (15) within the respective sub-group (21 and 22) are orientated permanently toward respective ones of the receiver systems (10, 11, 12).

Solar energy collector system

A double reflecting solar concentrator 120 utilizing a primary reflective surface 122b which reflects incident light toward a secondary surface124b. The incident light reflects off the secondary surface 124b away from the primary surface's 122b natural focus point toward a secondary focal point 126 positioned on or substantially near the surface of the primary reflective surface 122b.

Double reflecting solar concentrator

A radiant energy collecting apparatus (11) for collecting and concentrating solar energy having a primary parabolic reflector (16) which focuses the sun's rays on a focal line (18) and has a principle axis (17) passing through the focal line (18) and a secondary concentrating assembly (20) located adjacent the focal line (17) of the primary reflector (16). The secondary concentrating assembly (20) includes a pair of planar reflectors (26) arranged on opposite sides of the principle axis (17) of the primary reflector (16) and a series of secondary parabolic reflectors (28) between the planar reflectors (26), the secondary parabolic reflectors (28) having focal lines (29) which extend normal to the planar reflectors (26) and to the principle axis (17) of the primary reflector (16). The secondary reflectors (28) are mounted for rotation about their focal lines (29) and concentrate energy on targets (42) extending along their focal lines (29).

Allan James Yeomans

Papers

Radiant energy collecting apparatus.