Parabolic trough solar collector
AssigneeSolar Kinetics, Inc.
InventorJoseph A. Hutchison
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved monocoque parabolic solar collector which can be machine welded or fastened with rivets, bolts or other mechanical fasteners without the need for any blind fastening systems.
Claims14
A parabolic solar collector comprising at least one monocoque stressed-skin module further comprising a plurality of stressed-parabolic channels fastened to and supported by a plurality of parallel parabolic bows, said stressed parabolic channels further comprising at least one interior parabolic mirror channel and at least one exterior parabolic channel, at least one of said stressed parabolic channels further comprising a central parabolic surface having a channel return edge disposed in perpendicular relation to each curved edge of said parabolic surface, each said channel return edge being in facing contact with and connected to a parabolic bow.
The parabolic solar collector of claim wherein said parabolic mirror channel comprises at least one reflective panel attached thereto.
A monocoque stressed-skin focusing reflector structure for solar energy collector comprising:
- a plurality of sheet-like stressed interior channel members having a generally concave reflective front surface and rearwardly extending channel return edges along the opposite curved edges thereof, a plurality of bow members, one disposed between each adjacent pair of said interior channel members with said return edges in surface contact with the major faces of said bows and the forward edges of said bows being contoured to lie along and follow the front surfaces of said interior channel members, said bows being attached to said return edges by connector means other than blind fastening systems, and a plurality of sheet-like stressed exterior channel members disposed between said bows rearwardly of said interior channel members, said exterior channel members having rearwardly-extending channel return edge member along their sides adjacent said bows with said edge members in surface contact with a major face of the adjacent bow, said edge members being attached to said bows by connective means other than blind fastening system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.