Foldable parabolic solar collector

A foldable parabolic solar collector, comprising:

• a first panel having a semi-parabolic shape and a first reflective inner surface;
• a central tube, the first panel being fixed to the central tube;
• a second panel having a semi-parabolic shape and a second reflective inner surface, the second panel being pivotably mounted to the central tube with the second reflective inner surface of the second panel facing the first reflective inner surface of the first panel;
• a hollow receiver tube disposed between the first panel and the second panel, the hollow receiver tube being pivotably mounted to the central tube and configured for carrying a heat transfer fluid;
• a tracking motor coupled to the central tube, the tracking motor configured to rotate the central tube;
• a torque sensor positioned between the tracking motor and the central tube, the torque sensor configured to measure a torque between the tracking motor and the central tube;
• a servomotor connected to the central tube and the second panel, the servomotor configured to pivot the second panel about the central tube;
• a controller having processing circuitry, configured to
• control the tracking motor to direct an axis of symmetry passing through the central tube and the hollow receiver tube toward a position of the sun,
• receive torque data from the torque sensor and determine a torque between the tracking motor and the central tube, and
• control the servomotor to cause the second panel to pivot between an open position, in which the first panel and the second panel form a substantially parabolic shape with the hollow receiver tube disposed along a focal line of the parabolic shape, and a closed position, in which the second panel and the first panel substantially enclose the hollow receiver tube, when it is determined by the controller that the torque between the tracking motor and the central tube exceeds a predetermined torque threshold;
• a first temperature sensor disposed at a first end of the hollow receiver tube, the first temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature corresponding to an outlet temperature of the heat transfer fluid;
• and
• a second temperature sensor disposed at a second end of the hollow receiver tube, the second temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature corresponding to an inlet temperature of the heat transfer fluid,
• wherein the controller is further configured to
• receive first temperature data from the first temperature sensor,
• determine the outlet temperature of the heat transfer fluid from the first temperature data,
• control the servomotor to cause the second panel to pivot from the open position to the closed position when the outlet temperature of the heat transfer fluid exceeds a predetermined outlet temperature threshold,
• receive second temperature data from the second temperature sensor,
• determine the inlet temperature of the heat transfer fluid from the second temperature data, and
• control the servomotor to cause the second panel to pivot from the open position to the closed position when a difference between the outlet temperature and the inlet temperature of the heat transfer fluid is below a predetermined temperature difference.