Tension solar mirror

Abstract

A tension solar mirror for a solar collector having a central collector tower is formed from a thin, concave-shaped sheet of fabric, or other flexible material, having a reflective surface on the concave side thereof. The sheet is supported by a plurality of cables attached to a like number of tension towers concentrically positioned the central receiver tower. Due to the action of gravity, the cables assume a natural concave shape that matches the concave shape of the reflective sheet. Further support for the sheet is provided by a small inner ring disposed about the central receiver tower and a larger outer ring near the tension towers. The inner ring is also used as a tie point for cable sections secured to the earth directly adjacent the base of the central tower. Both the cable sections tied to the inner ring and the cables attached to the tension towers are provided with winches, which are used both to raise and lower the tension solar mirror for installation or removal and to change the shape of the mirror.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.