Tensioned reflector support system
AssigneeGeneral Atomic Company
InventorsJohn L. Russell, Jr., Robert Edward Potthoff
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for supporting a plurality of reflective surfaces in an arrangement for reflecting the rays emitted from a source of energy and converging the reflected rays to concentrate the heating effect thereof at a receptor, whereby a plurality of pairs of long tension members extend under tension between firmly anchored support members. Reflecting elements are supported by the pairs of tension members and each of the pairs is disposed to reflect the radiation from substantially all of the reflecting elements to the receptor.
Claims24
A reflector system for concentrating radiation from a source on an elongated receptor, said system comprising:
- a plurality of pairs of long, thin flexible tension members;
- support means supporting said pairs in spaced relation in a cylindrical array, with the tension members of each pair extending in the axial direction of the array and spaced substantially equidistantly apart;
- tensioning means maintaining said tension members taut, with each of said pairs of tension members generally defining a respective plane;
- and
- a plurality of thin reflecting elements each having a substantially planar surface reflective of radiation from the source, said reflecting elements being mounted on respective pairs of tension members with said planar surfaces substantially parallel to respective ones of said planes, the tension members of each respective pair being relatively disposed to reflect the radiation from substantially all of said planar surfaces to the receptor.
A reflector system for concentrating the heating effect of solar rays on an elongated receptor movable over a receptor path, said system comprising;
- a plurality of pairs of long, thin flexible tension members;
- support means supporting said pairs in fixed spaced relation in a circularly cylindrical array, with the tension members of each pair extending in the axial direction of the array and spaced substantially equidistantly apart;
- tensioning means maintaining said tension members taut, with each of said pairs of tension members generally defining a respective plane;
- and
- a plurality of thin reflecting elements each having a substantially planar surface reflective of solar rays, said reflecting elements being mounted on respective pairs of tension members with said planar surfaces substantially parallel to respective ones of said planes, the tension members of each respective pair being relatively disposed to reflect solar rays from substantially all of said planar surfaces to substantially the same respective portion of the receptor path at each respective relative position of the sun.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.