Solar energy collection and storage

• US 10,119,728 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2012
• Issued: 11/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Khadiyjah Ahmed Mohamed Perryman
• Original Assignee: Jr., Virgil Dewitt Perryman
• Inventors: Perryman, Jr., Virgil Dewitt
• Primary Examiner(s): Shirsat, Vivek
• Application Number:
  US13/417,133
• Publication Number:
  US 20130233300A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,433 Days
• Field of Search: 126640, 126676, 126684
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 20/20 Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2023/88 Multi reflective traps
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/71 with parabolic reflective surfaces with cylindro-parabolic reflective surfaces F24S23/74
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/74 with trough-shaped or cylindro-parabolic reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 60/00 Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors working fluids forming pools or ponds F24S10/10
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 70/225 for spectrally selective absorption
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers

Abstract

A solar energy collection system includes a reflector configured to reflect and focus a majority of solar energy from visible light and infrared spectra. The solar energy collection system also includes a light trap configured to receive concentrated solar energy from the reflector. The light trap includes a black body that is configured to absorb a majority of the concentrated visible light and infrared energy and convert the absorbed energy into thermal energy.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a reflector configured to reflect and focus a majority of solar energy from visible light and infrared spectra, the reflector coated with a film comprising gold and at least one other metal, the at least one other metal reflects a majority of visible light, the reflector having a reflectance across the infrared spectrum of greater than 98%; and

a light trap configured to receive concentrated solar energy from the reflector, wherein

the light trap comprises a solid black body that is configured to absorb a majority of the concentrated visible light and infrared energy and convert the absorbed energy into thermal energy.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a solid state thermal transfer medium configured to receive thermal energy from the black body either directly or via a proximity heat exchanger and transfer the thermal energy away from the light trap.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a thermal storage unit configured to receive and store thermal energy from the thermal transfer medium either directly or via a proximity heat exchanger.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a secondary mirror configured to receive the concentrated light from the reflector and direct the concentrated light into the light trap.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light trap comprises an opening configured to receive solar energy based on a path of the Sun throughout the day.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises a trough, a parabolic reflector, an elliptical reflector, or a square elliptical reflector.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the black body comprises at least one of zirconium diboride (ZrB₂), pure ZrB₂ coated with a thin coating of cubic boron nitride (BN), and stabilized zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂).

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a second reflector configured to reflect and focus a majority of solar energy from visible light and infrared spectra, wherein

the reflector and the second reflector are in a shape of opposing flattened ellipses, and

the reflector and second reflector are configured to direct a majority of light entering the light trap onto the solid black body.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a transfer tower comprising a thermal transfer medium, wherein

the solid black body contacts the thermal transfer medium of the transfer tower, and

the light trap comprises an opening that receives solar energy reflected by the reflector, the opening shaped in a same arc to follow movement of the Sun from after sunrise to before sunset.