Multi-focal point solar refraction heating
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMichael R. Zolnowski, David P. Heck
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Examples are provided herein that relate to solar heating with a solar refraction device. One example provides a solar heating system, comprising a container configured to enclose contents within the container in a closed configuration, and a solar refraction device comprising a lens array assembly having a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies, the lens array assembly configured to refract solar energy impinging on the lens array assembly to focus refracted solar energy at a plurality of focal points positioned to heat the contents enclosed within the container, each focal point corresponding to a corresponding lens array sub-assembly of the plurality of lens array sub-assemblies.
Claims20
A solar heating system, comprising:
- a container configured to enclose contents within the container in a closed configuration;
- and
- a solar refraction device comprising a lens array assembly having a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies, the lens array assembly configured to refract solar energy impinging on the lens array assembly to focus refracted solar energy at a plurality of focal points positioned to heat the contents enclosed within the container in the closed configuration, each of the plurality of focal points corresponding to a corresponding lens array sub-assembly of the plurality of lens array sub-assemblies, and wherein the solar refraction device forms a canopy having a curved shape;
- the solar heating system further comprising one or more reflectors positioned to reflect at least a portion of the refracted solar energy toward the container;
- wherein the solar heating system is configured to heat or melt materials inside the container;
- wherein the container includes an elongated pipe segment with a round cross section;
- wherein the lens array assembly is contoured to a shape of the elongated pipe segment such that the plurality of focal points are positioned within the elongated pipe segment along a length of the elongated pipe segment;
- and
- wherein a plurality of support structures connect and support the lens array assembly relative to the elongated pipe segment along the length of the elongated pipe segment.
A solar heating system, comprising:
- an enclosed pipe enclosing contents therein in a closed configuration;
- and
- a solar refraction device comprising a lens array assembly having a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies, the lens array assembly configured to refract solar energy impinging on the lens array assembly to focus refracted solar energy at a plurality of focal points to heat a fluid enclosed in the pipe, each focal point of the plurality of focal points corresponding to a corresponding lens array sub-assembly of the plurality of lens array sub-assemblies, and wherein the solar refraction device forms a canopy having a curved shape;
- the solar heating system further comprising one or more reflectors positioned to reflect at least a portion of the refracted solar energy toward the enclosed pipe;
- wherein the solar heating system is configured to heat or melt materials inside the enclosed pipe;
- wherein the container includes an elongated pipe segment with a round cross section;
- wherein the lens array assembly is contoured to a shape of the elongated pipe segment such that the plurality of focal points are positioned within the elongated pipe segment along a length of the elongated pipe segment;
- and
- wherein a plurality of support structures connect and support the lens array assembly relative to the elongated pipe segment along the length of the elongated pipe segment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.