Solar concentrator array with grouped adjustable elements
AssigneeEnergy Innovations, Inc.
InventorsWilliam Gross, Gregg Luconi, Denes Zsolnay
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A ground-based tracking heliostat array comprises a first plurality of elongate row mounts. The elongate row mounts are positioned at least partially between, and are supported by, a first side bracket and a second side bracket. The row mounts are rotatable in a first axis. The array further comprises a plurality of optical elements that are mounted to one or more of the elongate row mounts. The array further comprises a linkage that is mechanically coupled to a first plurality of elongate row mounts. Movement of the linkage causes the first plurality of elongate row mounts to simultaneously rotate in the first axis. The array further comprises a motor configured to move the linkage.
Claims41
A tracking heliostat array comprising:
- a first plurality of elongate row mounts positioned at least partially between, and supported by, a first side bracket and a second side bracket, wherein the row mounts are rotatable in a first axis;
- a plurality of optical elements that are mounted to one or more of the elongate row mounts;
- a linkage that is mechanically coupled to a first plurality of elongate row mounts, such that movement of the linkage causes the first plurality of elongate row mounts to simultaneously rotate in the first axis;
- and
- a motor configured to move the linkage;
- and
- a collector positioned to receive solar energy reflected from at least one of the optical elements, wherein the collector is movable with respect to the first and second side brackets and the collector is configured to pivot downward to a position above the plurality of optical elements.
A tracking heliostat array comprising:
- a first plurality of elongate row mounts positioned at least partially between, and supported by, a first side bracket and a second side bracket, wherein the row mounts are rotatable in a first axis;
- a plurality of optical elements that are mounted to one or more of the elongate row mounts;
- a linkage that is mechanically coupled to a first plurality of elongate row mounts, such that movement of the linkage causes the first plurality of elongate row mounts to simultaneously rotate in the first axis;
- a motor configured to move the linkage;
- a collector positioned to receive solar energy reflected from at least one of the optical elements, wherein the collector is supported by a support arm that is pivotable with respect to the first and second side brackets and the collector is configured to pivot downward to a position over the plurality of optical elements where the support arm is substantially parallel to the first side bracket and second side bracket;
- and
- a secondary motor configured to pivot the support arm with respect to the first and second side brackets.
A tracking heliostat array comprising:
- a first plurality of elongate row mounts positioned at least partially between, and supported by, a first side bracket and a second side bracket, wherein the row mounts are rotatable in a first axis;
- a plurality of optical elements that are mounted to one or more of the elongate row mounts;
- a linkage that is mechanically coupled to a first plurality of elongate row mounts, such that movement of the linkage causes the first plurality of elongate row mounts to simultaneously rotate in the first axis;
- a motor configured to move the linkage;
- a collector positioned to receive solar energy reflected from at least one of the optical elements, wherein the collector is supported by a support arm mounted to the first and second side brackets and the collector is configured to pivot downward to a position over the plurality of optical elements where the support arm is substantially parallel to the first side bracket and second side bracket;
- and
- a heat sink in thermal communication with the collector.
A concentrator apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of spaced apart optical elements positionable to concentrate light;
- a support frame, wherein at least one of the optical elements has an adjustable orientation with respect to the support frame;
- an elongate row mount supporting a subgroup of the optical elements, wherein the subgroup of optical elements has a fixed orientation with respect to the elongate row mount;
- a motor configured to rotate the elongate row mount, wherein there are fewer motors than optical elements;
- and
- a support arm that is pivotable with respect to the support frame, wherein the support arm supports a collector that is positioned to receive light reflected from the optical elements, wherein the collector and support arm are configured to Pivot downward to a position over the plurality of optical elements with the support arm substantially parallel to the first side bracket and second side bracket.
A method of concentrating solar radiation on a collector using a plurality of reflectors, the method comprising using a motor to move a linkage, thereby simultaneously rotating (a) a first subgroup of the plurality of reflectors around a first axis, and (b) a second subgroup of the plurality of reflectors around a second axis that is parallel to the first axis, wherein the first subgroup of reflectors is fixedly mounted to a first rotating elongate row mount and the second group of reflectors is fixedly mounted to a second rotating elongate row mount;
- and using a second motor to move the collector downward with respect to the plurality of reflectors to a position above the plurality of optical elements.
A method of concentrating optical energy onto a collector, the method comprising:
- rotating a first elongate row mount around a first axis using a motor, the first elongate row mount having mounted thereto a first plurality of optical elements, wherein the first plurality optical elements have a fixed orientation with respect to the first elongate row mount;
- rotating a second elongate row mount around a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis using the same motor used to rotate the first elongate row mount around the first axis, the second elongate row mount having mounted thereto a second plurality of optical elements;
- receiving optical energy reflected from the first and second pluralities of optical elements at a collector;
- and
- changing a distance between the collector and the first and second elongate row mounts, wherein the collector is moved downward to a position above the plurality of optical elements.
A concentrator system comprising:
- a first plurality of optical elements tiltable with respect to an array plane via a manipulation linkage;
- a second plurality of optical elements tiltable with respect to the array plane via the manipulation linkage;
- a motor configured to actuate the manipulation linkage, thereby allowing the first and second pluralities of optical elements to be simultaneously reoriented;
- a collector positioned to receive solar energy reflected from the first and second pluralities of optical elements;
- and
- control circuitry configured to operate the motor to increase a quantity of solar energy received by the collector;
- wherein a distance between the collector and the first and second pluralities of optical elements is adjustable
- wherein the collector is configured to move downward to a position above the plurality of optical elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.