US 4,281,900 A · Frontal reflector bracing

Abstract

This specification discloses a frontal reflector bracing wherein at least a portion of the support for a reflecting surface is positioned on the front side of the surface and the rearward most support is adjacent the reflecting surface. A natural structural rigidity minimizing weight can be achieved with a frontal truss arrangement including radial components.

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Claims10

Dependent claims

A reflector system having a generally dish-shaped concave reflective surface and further comprising a frontal bracing system with front members extending between points positioned generally in a plane covering the opening of said dish shaped concave reflective surface, and back radial members, positioned adjacent said reflective surface on the convex side thereof, having an orientation generally following the curvature of said reflective surface of said reflector system, a plurality of rigid bracing truss members connecting said front members and said back radial members so that a portion of said frontal bracing system is positioned on the energy receiving and transmitting side of said reflector and provides a structural support for said reflective surface;

wherein each of said back radial members extends across substantially the entire diameter of said reflective surface.

A reflector system having a paraboloidal concave reflective surface and a frontal bracing system with front members extending substantially directly from one point to another point on the rim of said reflective surface thus providing substantially direct load paths for rim support, back members generally positioned adjacent said reflective surface and oriented to generally follow the curvature of said reflective surface and truss members extending generally between said front members and said back members,

said front members including radial front members extending generally radially across the opening of said reflective surface;
said truss members oriented to lie underneath said front members with respect to incoming energy along a direction parallel to the central axis of said reflective surface so as to minimize energy blockage;
said front members including circumferential front members in the plane of said radial members;
said back members being positioned on the convex side of said reflective surface;
said reflective surface including gaps generally aligned with said front members along lines parallel to the central axis of said reflective surface to minimize the loss in energy gathering capability of said reflective surface and yet reduce the weight of said reflective surface;
and
said truss members having at least alternate sequential members which are angled with respect to the central axis of said paraboloidal reflective surface.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Abstract

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Drawings

Claims10

Dependent claims

wherein each of said back radial members extends across substantially the entire diameter of said reflective surface.

said front members including radial front members extending generally radially across the opening of said reflective surface;
said truss members oriented to lie underneath said front members with respect to incoming energy along a direction parallel to the central axis of said reflective surface so as to minimize energy blockage;
said front members including circumferential front members in the plane of said radial members;
said back members being positioned on the convex side of said reflective surface;
said reflective surface including gaps generally aligned with said front members along lines parallel to the central axis of said reflective surface to minimize the loss in energy gathering capability of said reflective surface and yet reduce the weight of said reflective surface;
and
said truss members having at least alternate sequential members which are angled with respect to the central axis of said paraboloidal reflective surface.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description3,260 words

Summary877 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to reflectors for energy collectors, such as microwave antennas and solar concentrators; and, more particularly, to support systems for the reflector.

#2. Prior Art

Brief description of the drawings9 figures

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frontal bracing system in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;

#FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a prior art reflector using bracing positioned behind the reflective surface.

#FIG. 3 is a sectional view through the center of a reflector with bracing in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;

Detailed description2,147 words

#Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a reflector system 10 includes a frontal bracing 20 which provides a frontal, rim to rim support for a symmetrical paraboloidal reflector surface 11. A support 12 is connected to reflector system 10 at a pivot joint 13 so that pivot joint 13 is directly adjacent reflective surface 11.

#Referring to FIG. 2, a prior art reflector system 30 includes a reflector surface 31 and a rear bracing 32. Rear bracing 32 is coupled to a support 33 at a pivot joint 34. Reflector surface 31 is spaced from pivot joint 34 by the rear bracing 32 thus adding to the moment arm extending from pivot joint 34 to the center of gravity of rear bracing 32 and reflector surface 31.

#Referring to FIG. 4, radial front members 21 extend as diameters across the front of reflector surface 11 and circumferential front members 22 are generally straight components extending between corresponding positions on radial front members 21. FIGS. 3 and 5 show truss members 23 extending between radial front members 21 and radial back members 24. Typically, reflective surface 11 includes a plurality of reflector surface panels 16 supported by a dish shaped grid of radial back members 24 and circumferential back members 26, wherein circumferential back members 26 are generally straight components extending between corresponding positions on radial back members 24. Extending outwardly from radial front members 21 are structural members 14 for supporting a component 15 at the focal point of reflector surface 11. For example, component 15 can be a solar receiver when reflector surface 11 is used to gather incoming sunlight.

Frontal reflector bracing

Life of this patent

Abstract

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Claims10

Frontal reflector bracing

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims10

Description3,260 words

Drawings

Classification10 codes

Life of this patent

Description3,260 words