Solar collector assembly
AssigneeInnovative Motion GmbH
InventorTHOMAS LEBERER
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solar collector assembly (10) comprising a pipe (18) exposed to solar energy adapted to accommodate a fluid flow in such a way that the solar energy is transferred to the fluid, a heat pipe or any other energy guiding system or absorber; a reflector assembly (12) with a curved reflector (14) for focusing solar radiation in the range of the pipe (18), and an actuator (90,64, 80) for moving the reflector assembly (12) in a way that the solar radiation is reflected in the direction of the pipe (12), is characterized in that means (30, 32) are provided for releasably fixing the reflector assembly (12) to the pipe (18), and the actuator (90, 64, 80) is fixed at the reflector assembly (12) or in the reflector assembly (12).
Claims18
A solar collector assembly exposed to solar radiation having solar energy comprising:
- a pipe exposed to said solar energy and adapted to accommodate a fluid flow in such a way that said solar energy is transferred to said fluid, a heat pipe or any other energy guiding system or absorber;
- a reflector assembly with a curved reflector for focusing said solar radiation in the range of said pipe;
- and
- an actuator for moving said reflector assembly in a way that said solar radiation is reflected in the direction of said pipe, and wherein means are provided for releasably fixing said reflector assembly to said pipe, and said actuator is fixed to said reflector assembly.
A method for operating a solar collector assembly exposed to solar radiation having solar energy, comprising the steps of:
- (a) determining a position of the sun;
- (b) adjusting a reflector assembly with a curved reflector for focusing said solar radiation in a range of a pipe exposed to said solar energy and adapted to accommodate a fluid flow in such a way that said solar energy is transferred to said fluid, a heat pipe or any other energy guiding system or absorber;
- and
- (c) flowing a fluid through said pipe for absorption of solar energy;
- and wherein
- (d) the temperature in the range of said pipe is determined;
- and
- (e) said reflector assembly is adjusted in such a way that the determined temperature is lower than a selected threshold.
A method for operating a solar collector assembly exposed to solar radiation having solar energy, comprising the steps of:
- (a) determining a position of the sun;
- (b) adjusting a reflector assembly with a curved reflector for focusing said solar radiation in a range of a pipe exposed to said solar energy and adapted to accommodate a fluid flow in such a way that said solar energy is transferred to said fluid, a heat pipe or any other energy guiding system or absorber;
- and
- (c) flowing a fluid through said pipe for absorption of solar energy;
- and wherein
- (d) said reflector assembly is moved,
- (e) the inertia of said reflector assembly is determined during such movement, and
- (f) said reflector assembly is moved into a position where the forces acting on said reflector assembly are a minimum if the inertia exceeds a selected threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.