# US 11,079,142 B2 · Mirror for a solar reflector, method of mirror assembly and management system in a solar field > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,079,142 B2 - Document ID: US11079142B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/340,882 - Filed: 2017-10-10 - Published: 2019-08-29 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2016-10-10 - Assignees: FundacióN Cener-Ciemat; Fundacion Tekniker - Applicants: FundacióN Cener-Ciemat; FundacióN Tekniker - Inventors: Michael Burisch; Marcelino Sánchez; Cristóbal Villasante Corredoira; Estíbaliz Aranzabe Basterrechea - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11079142B2 ## CPC - F24S 50/00: Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors - F24S 23/70: with reflectors - F24S 23/82: {characterised by the material or the construction of the reflector} - G02B 17/06: using mirrors only {, i.e. having only one curved mirror (used in non-imaging applications G02B19/00)} - Y02E 10/40: Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers - Y02E 10/52: PV systems with concentrators - F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A mirror for a solar reflector has at least one sensor integrated in the body of the mirror itself, the body of the mirror being all the layers of the mirror. At least one processor is integrated in the body of the mirror, associated with the sensor, thus generating an intelligent device and an intelligent mirror or smart mirror. A method of assembling the mirror itself and a management system for mirrors that make up a solar field is provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A mirror for a solar reflector, comprising a body with: a reflecting layer having a top and a bottom, a first transparent protective layer covering the top of the reflecting layer, and at least one second protective layer covering the bottom of the reflecting layer, wherein the mirror comprises: at least one sensor integrated in the body of the mirror, a connection for transferring data, and a sensor power supply wherein: the at least one sensor integrated in the body of the mirror, is arranged in and/or between the layers of the mirror, and is an element or device for identifying the mirror for monitoring and control thereof, and the mirror comprises a processor integrated in the body of the mirror, arranged in and/or between the layers of the mirror, for processing the available data and sending the data processing results through the means of connection. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The mirror according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is an active or passive element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The mirror according to claim 2, wherein when the at least one sensor is an active element, such active element emits acoustic signals, light signals and/or vibratory signals. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The mirror according to claim 2, wherein when the at least one sensor is a passive element that enables geometrical verification operations, and/or the calibration of vision devices, such passive element being encoded targets and/or geometrical patterns. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The mirror according to claim 1, wherein the mirror is configured to: interact with the surroundings thereof, characterize its own status, identify and characterize the status of elements in its surroundings, facilitate third parties with the identification and/or characterization of the mirror itself, and/or facilitate operations to other elements of the surroundings thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The mirror according to claim 1, wherein the means of connection are integrated in the body of the mirror. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The mirror according to claim 1, wherein the power supply means are integrated in the body of the mirror. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The mirror according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a processor for processing the acquired data and sending the results of the processing through the means of connection to a control unit. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The mirror according to claim 1, wherein the means of connection are wireless means. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The mirror according to claim 1, wherein the power supply means are wireless means. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The mirror according to claim 1, wherein the power supply consist of a battery or another power storage device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The mirror according to claim 1, wherein the power supply means consist of a photovoltaic cell integrated in the body of the mirror. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The mirror according to claim 1, wherein at least one sensor can be selected from among a camera or artificial vision device, and/or those that detect mirror breakage by means of an integrated wire or cable, and/or measure the level of dirt on the mirror, and/or measure the tilt of the mirror, and/or measure the orientation of the mirror, and/or measure atmospheric or meteorological conditions, and/or detect the position of the sun, and/or measure the geometrical quality of the mirror, and/or identify the mirror, and/or measure the temperature, and/or measure the position of the mirror, and/or measure vibration levels, and/or carry out safety and surveillance operations, and/or identify the mirror for monitoring and control thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The mirror according to claim 1, wherein a sensor is integrated, at least partially, in at least one of the layers, either the reflecting or the protective layer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The mirror according to claim 1, wherein the body of the mirror comprises the first protective layer located above the reflecting layer, with a sensor arranged between said first protective layer and the reflecting layer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The mirror according to claim 1, wherein the body of the mirror comprises the second protective layer located below the reflecting layer with a sensor arranged between said second layer and the reflecting layer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The mirror according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting layer comprises a discontinuity in a determined area so that the sensor faces the first protective layer, when the sensor is located behind said reflecting layer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The mirror according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is fully integrated in said layers. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The mirror according to claim 1, wherein the layer in which a sensor is integrated, surrounds said sensor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A solar reflector, comprising at least one mirror according to claim 1. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) A smart mirror interaction and management system for solar reflectors comprising at least one mirror according to claim 1, located in a solar reflector and at least one processor external to said mirror, said mirror being connected with the at least one external processor by means of connection for transmitting and/or exchanging data and information between the mirror and the external processor and/or between the external processor and the mirror. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The system according to claim 21, wherein the external processor is integrated in a mirror, and wherein the at least one sensor is an active or passive element. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The system according to claim 21, wherein the external processor is the processor of a smart device of an operator and/or a central control unit of the solar plant and/or a control unit of a second reflector. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The system according to claim 21, wherein it is configured to: generate information of interest including signals for other components of the solar plant including other mirrors, collect information on itself and on the surroundings thereof, exchange the collected information among the processors, analyze the available information, generate information based on the available information, transmit the new available information, generate instructions for itself or for other components. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) A smart solar field, comprising: at least one mirror according to claim 1, located in a first solar reflector, and at least one processor external to said first reflector, said mirror being connected directly or indirectly with at least said external processor. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The solar field according to claim 25, wherein the mirror is indirectly connected with the external processor through a processor located in the solar reflector. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The solar field according to claim 26, wherein processor in the solar reflector is the control unit of the reflector. ### Claim 28 A method for manufacturing a mirror for a solar reflector, the mirror comprising a body with: at least one reflecting layer having a top and a bottom, a first transparent protective layer covering the top of the reflecting layer, and at least one second protective layer covering the bottom of the reflecting layer, the method comprising: integrating a sensor in the body of the mirror by arranging the sensor in and/or between at least one of the layers of said mirror, supplying the mirror for installation thereof in the reflector. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The method according to claim 28, comprising: the integration stage in which at least one sensor is located in contact with at least one of the three layers that will make up the mirror after the assembly process, and a subsequent stage in which said at least one sensor is covered with at least one of the protective layers, the sensor being integrated between said protective layers. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The method according to claim 28, wherein at least one sensor is located above and/or below and/or passing through the reflecting layer in the integration stage. ### Claim 31 (depends on 28) The method according to claim 28, wherein, in the integration stage, a housing is created in the first transparent protective layer and the sensor is located in said housing, and in a subsequent stage, the reflecting layer is applied below said first protective layer and thereafter a second protective layer is arranged below the reflecting layer, or alternatively the reflecting layer is applied on the second protective layer and subsequently these are joined with the first protective layer. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The method according to claim 31, wherein a discontinuity is carried out in an area of the reflecting layer in order to allow the sensor to face the first transparent protective layer. ### Claim 33 (depends on 28) The method according to claim 28, wherein, in the integration stage, a housing is created in the second protective layer and the sensor is located in said housing, and in a subsequent stage, the reflecting layer is applied on said second protective layer and thereafter the first protective layer is arranged on the reflecting layer, or alternatively the reflecting layer is applied on the first protective layer prior to joining these with the second protective layer. ### Claim 34 (depends on 28) The method according to claim 28, wherein, in the integration stage, a housing is created in a second ulterior protective layer and the sensor is located in said housing, and then a mirror, comprising three layers thereof, i.e., the second protective layer thereof with the reflecting layer and the first protective layer, is arranged on said second ulterior protective layer. ### Claim 35 (depends on 28) The method according to claim 28, wherein means of connection for transferring data between the sensor and the solar reflector control unit, and/or sensor power supply means, are positioned at the same time as the sensor. ### Claim 36 (depends on 28) The method according to claim 28, comprising: integrating a processor in the body of the mirror by arranging the processor in and/or between one of the layers of said mirror, and supplying the mirror for installation thereof in the reflector.