Abstract

A mounting system for a heliostat is provided that allows the heliostat to move with respect to two orthogonal axes to track the sun. The mounting system has features that allow the heliostat to precisely and accurately move about these axes even as various components degrade during operation in harsh environments and over long time periods. Embodiments of the mounting system can have a frame that supports multiple mirrors and translates forces from the mirrors to multiple hubs that move about a circular track. One of the hubs can include a fewer number of contact points to accommodate a circular track that is out of round. In addition, an actuator that moves the hubs around the circular track can be biased into the track to also accommodate a circular track that is out of round.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24S 30/452 - Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with two rotation axes with vertical primary axis
• F24S 23/70 - Arrangements for concentrating solar rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors

Abstract

Structures and techniques for solar collectors are described. In accordance with the described techniques, a structural assembly of a solar collector may include various members that are configured to carry torsional and bending loads with relatively low deflections between a reflector and a receiver. In some examples, the described structural assemblies may include a set of edge-sharing tetrahedra or tetrahedral volumes aligned along an axis, which may be supported by chord members that are parallel to the axis. In some examples, the described structural assemblies may include sets of co-rotating and counter-rotating helical structural paths, which may be connected or supported by structural members that are perpendicular to an axis of the helical structural paths, or members that are parallel to an axis of the helical structural paths, or various combinations thereof.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24S 23/74 - Arrangements for concentrating solar rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors with trough-shaped or cylindro-parabolic reflective surfaces
• F24S 25/13 - Profile arrangements, e.g. trusses
• F24S 25/65 - Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules for coupling adjacent supporting elements, e.g. for connecting profiles together
• F24S 30/425 - Horizontal axis
• H02S 20/10 - Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground
• H02S 20/32 - Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment specially adapted for solar tracking

Abstract

A mounting system for a heliostat is provided that allows the heliostat to move with respect to two orthogonal axes to track the sun. The mounting system has features that allow the heliostat to precisely and accurately move about these axes even as various components degrade during operation in harsh environments and over long time periods. Embodiments of the mounting system can have a frame that supports multiple mirrors and translates forces from the mirrors to multiple hubs that move about a circular track. One of the hubs can include a fewer number of contact points to accommodate a circular track that is out of round. In addition, an actuator that moves the hubs around the circular track can be biased into the track to also accommodate a circular track that is out of round.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24S 30/452 - Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with two rotation axes with vertical primary axis
• F24S 30/422 - Vertical axis
• F24S 30/40 - Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement
• H02S 20/32 - Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment specially adapted for solar tracking
• H02S 20/30 - Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment

Abstract

Structures and techniques for solar collectors are described. In accordance with the described techniques, a structural assembly of a solar collector may include various members that are configured to carry torsional and bending loads with relatively low deflections between a reflector and a receiver. In some examples, the described structural assemblies may include a set of edge-sharing tetrahedra or tetrahedral volumes aligned along an axis, which may be supported by chord members that are parallel to the axis. In some examples, the described structural assemblies may include sets of co-rotating and counter-rotating helical structural paths, which may be connected or supported by structural members that are perpendicular to an axis of the helical structural paths, or members that are parallel to an axis of the helical structural paths, or various combinations thereof.

IPC Classes  ?

• E04B 1/19 - Three-dimensional framework structures
• B21D 53/02 - Making other particular articles heat exchangers, e.g. radiators, condensers
• F24J 2/06 - having concentrating elements (optical elements or systems per seG02B)
• F24J 2/12 - parabolic
• F24J 2/14 - semi-cylindrical or cylindro-parabolic
• F24J 2/52 - Arrangement of mountings or supports
• F24J 2/54 - specially adapted for rotary movement