Lightweight, Low-Cost Heliostat Mirror for Concentrating Solar Power

• US 20190041618A1
• Filed: 07/27/2018
• Published: 02/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L'Garde, Inc.
• Original Assignee: L'Garde, Inc.
• Inventors: Greschik, Gyula, Palisoc, Arthur L.
• Granted Patent: US 10,642,011 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/80 Special profiles
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/803 having a central web, e.g. I-shaped, inverted T- shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/804 U-, C- or O-shaped; Hat profiles
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2080/013 Foams
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/77 with flat reflective plates
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/82 characterised by the material or the construction of the reflector
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/00 Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/65 for coupling adjacent supporting elements, e.g. for connecting profiles together
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0019 having reflective surfaces only (e.g. louvre systems, systems with multiple planar reflectors)
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0042 for use with direct solar radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0808 having a single reflecting layer G02B5/0883, G02B5/0891 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/09 Multifaceted or polygonal mirrors , e.g. polygonal scanning mirrors; Fresnel mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/183 specially adapted for very large mirrors, e.g. for astronomy, or solar concentrators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking

Abstract

Systems and methods are described herein that may be used to form a heliostat. Various reflective surfaces and support structures are described that permit lightweight construction of configurable heliostats.

Claims

1. A heliostat, comprising:

a plurality of panels comprising a reflective surface; and

a support structure for orienting the plurality of panels in a desired configuration relative to each other.

2. The heliostat of claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels comprise:

a lightweight base support having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;

a metal sheet covering at least a portion of the first surface;

a reflective surface on the metal sheet.

3. The heliostat of claim 2, wherein the lightweight base support comprises a rigid foam.

4. The heliostat of claim 3, wherein the reflective surface is a surface of the metal sheet.

5. The heliostat of claim 3, wherein the reflective surface comprises a film on the metal sheet.

6. The heliostat of claim 5, wherein the film comprises a thin polymeric material coated on an outer surface of the metal sheet with a thin layer of reflective material comprising metal.

7. The heliostat of claim 3, further comprising a moisture barrier around at least a portion of the panel.

8. The heliostat of claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels comprises at least three panels including two wing panels and a centerpiece panel.

9. The heliostat of claim 8, wherein the wing panels are mirror opposites on opposing sides of the centerpiece panel.

10. The heliostat of claim 9, wherein the centerpiece panel is shaped to impose a desired orientation of the wing panels relative to the centerpiece panel.

11. The heliostat of claim 10, wherein a width of the centerpiece panel is tapered such that when adjacent edges of the wing panels rest against edges of the centerpiece panel, a front face of the wing panel is angled greater than 0 degrees relative to a front face of the centerpiece.

12. The heliostat of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a primary support having a first direction and a plurality of secondary supports having a second direction different from the first direction.

13. The heliostat of claim 12, wherein the plurality of secondary supports comprises a plurality of rails, adjacent rails configured to support at least one panel therebetween.

14. The heliostat of claim 13, wherein the plurality of secondary supports comprises parallel rails, wherein each rail comprises a flange, wherein the rails are configured to retain a panel in two dimensions, such that a panel is permitted to slide in one direction along the rails.

15. The heliostat of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises removable struts such that the support structure may be collapsed and expanded.

16. The heliostat of claim 15, wherein the support structure comprises a cable.