US 6,818,818 B2 · Concentrating solar energy receiver

Abstract

There is disclosed herein a concentrating solar energy receiver comprising a primary parabolic reflector having a center and a high reflectivity surface on a concave side of the reflector and having a focal axis extending from the concave side of the reflector and passing through a focal point of the primary parabolic reflector; and a conversion module having a reception surface wherein the reception surface is spaced from the focal point by a predetermined distance and disposed to receive a predetermined cross section of radiant solar energy reflected from the concave side of the primary parabolic reflector for conversion to electrical energy in the conversion module. In one aspect, the conversion module includes a reception surface comprising a planar array of at least one photovoltaic solar cell. In another aspect, the conversion module includes a reception surface coupled to a thermal cycle engine. The mechanical output of the thermal cycle engine drives an electric generator.

Claims65

Dependent claims

A concentrating solar energy receiver, comprising:

a primary parabolic reflector having a principal axis and a center and a high reflectivity surface on a concave side of said reflector and having a focal axis extending from said center of said concave side of said reflector and passing through a focal point of said primary parabolic reflector, said high reflectivity surface having a restricted reflectivity over frequency such that light at wavelengths less than a minimum wavelength and greater than a maximum wavelength is attenuated to reflect light over a selected portion of the solar energy spectrum;
and
a conversion module having a reception surface wherein said reception surface is spaced from said focal point by a distance and disposed to receive a cross-section of radiant solar energy at the restricted reflectivity reflected from said concave side of said primary parabolic reflector such that said conversion module is only subjected to such restricted reflectivity said frequency.

A concentrating solar energy receiver, comprising:

a primary parabolic reflector having a principle axis and a center and a high reflectivity surface on a concave side of said reflector and having a first focal axis extending from said center of said concave side of said reflector and passing through a focal point of said primary parabolic reflector;
a secondary parabolic reflector having a second focal axis aligned along said first focal axis, and disposed with a convex side having a high reflectivity surface facing said concave side of said primary parabolic reflector and spaced from said focal point along said first focal axis by a distance, for reflecting radiant solar energy reflected from said primary parabolic reflector, in parallel rays toward a central portion of said primary parabolic reflector;
said high reflectivity of at least one of said primary and secondary parabolic reflectors has a restricted reflectivity over frequency such that light at wavelength less than a minimum wavelength and greater than a maximum wavelength is attenuated to reflect light over a selected portion of the solar energy spectrum;
and
a conversion module having a reception surface wherein said reception surface is positioned along said first focal axis within said central portion of said primary parabolic reflector and disposed to receive said radiant solar energy reflected from said secondary parabolic reflector.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Concentrating solar energy receiver

Life of this patent

Concentrating solar energy receiver

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims65