Solar energy collection

• US 4,249,516 A
• Filed: 01/24/1979
• Issued: 02/10/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: North American Utility Construction Corporation
• Original Assignee: North American Utility Construction Corporation
• Inventors: Stark, Virgil
• Primary Examiner(s): Yeung, James C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jones, Larry
• Application Number:
  US06/006,165
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 126/270, 126/271, 126/438, 126/439, 126/440, 126/452, 126/450, 126/443, 126/417, 350/294, 350/179, 136/89 PC
• US Class Current: 126/601
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/12 Light guides
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/30 with lenses
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/31 having discontinuous faces, e.g. Fresnel lenses
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/79 with spaced and opposed interacting reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for concentrating and collecting solar energy and for lowering the cost and increasing the efficiency of solar energy systems are disclosed. Solar energy is concentrated by economical refringent lenses or lens systems including fluid lenses and/or Fresnel-type lenses. The lenses concentrate the solar energy preferably along lines in continuous linear foci or in discrete foci at an elongated collector comprising one or more fluid-carrying conduits and one or more fluids therein. According to one aspect of the invention, lower reflectors are disposed below a central reflector and positioned to reflect and preferably concentrate solar energy towards the central reflector. The central reflector reflects and preferably concentrates the solar energy from the reflectors towards the collector means, also disposed below the central reflector. A lens, preferably a fluid lens, is disposed in the path of reflected solar energy between the lower reflectors and the collector. The lens(es) is positioned in the path between the lower reflectors and the central reflector and/or in the path between the central reflector and the collector, the reflected solar energy being focused in or on the collector by the lens or central reflector. The central reflector, the lower reflectors, the lens and the collector may be movable to track the sun seasonally and preferably also daily (hourly).

Claims

1. Apparatus for collecting solar energy comprising:

an elongated collector which includes at least one conduit therein adapted to pass at least one fluid therethrough, said collector, conduit and fluid being adapted to convert solar energy to heat energy said fluid,

a first elongated reflector disposed above the elongated collector,

a second elongated reflector disposed adjacent one side of the elongated collector,

a third elongated reflector disposed adjacent the other side of the elongated collector,

elongated Fresnel lens means for concentrating solar energy in an elongated focus, the Fresnel lens means being disposed between the first reflector and the collector,

the longitudinal axes of the first, second and third reflectors, the collector and the Fresnel lens means extending generally parallel,

the first, second and third elongated reflectors being concentrating reflectors each having an elongated focus,

the first, second and third reflectors being configured and positioned so that substantially all of the solar energy impinging on the second and third reflectors is reflected to the first reflector, and the Fresnel lens means being positioned to receive the reflected solar energy from the first reflector and concentrate it in the elongated focus along the elongated collector,

means for interconnecting said reflectors, lens means and collector and pivoting them as a unit aboutone of the longitudinal axes of said first reflector, said lens means and said collector, whereby the sun may be tracked.

2. Apparatus for collecting solar energy comprising:

an elongated collector which includes at least one conduit therein adapted to pass at least one fluid therethrough,

a plurality of photovoltaic cells disposed in said conduit, said collector and cells being operative to convert solar energy to electricity in said cells,

a first elongated reflector disposed above the elongated collector,

a second elongated reflector disposed adjacent one side of the elongated collector,

a third elongated reflector disposed adjacent the other side of the elongated collector,

elongated fluid lens means for concentrating solar energy in an elongated focus, the fluid lens means being disposed above the collector between the first reflector and the collector,

the longitudinal axes of the first, second and third reflectors, the collector and the fluid lens means extending generally parallel,

the first, second and third elongated reflectors being concentrating reflectors each having an elongated focus,

the first, second and third reflectors being configured and positioned so that substantially all of the solar energy impinging on the second and third reflectors is reflected to the first reflector, and the fluid lens means being positioned to receive the reflected solar energy from the first reflector and concentrate it in the elongated focus extending along the elongated collector,

means for interconnecting said reflectors, lens means and collector and pivoting them as a unit about one of the longitudinal axes of said first reflector, said lens means and said collector, whereby the sun may be tracked,

said fluid lens means including a fluid characterized by substantially undiminished transmission therethrough of luminous rays and high absorption of infrared rays and including opposed plates enclosing said fluid, whereby conversion of solar energy to heat energy proximate the photovoltaic means is reduced and the efficiency of the production of electricity by the photovoltaic means is increased.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 and further comprising heat exchanger means and means communicating said fluid in said lens means thereto, whereby heat may be removed from said fluid.

4. Apparatus for collecting solar energy comprising:

an elongated collector which includes at least one conduit therein adapted to pass at least one fluid therethrough, said collector, conduit and fluid being adapted to convert solar energy to heat energy to heat said fluid,

a first elongated reflector disposed above the elongated collector,

a second elongated reflector disposed adjacent one side of the elongated collector,

a third elongated reflector disposed adjacent the other side of the elongated collector,

elongated fluid lens means for concentrating solar energy in an elongated focus, the fluid lens means being disposed between the first reflector and the collector,

the longitudinal axes of the first, second and third reflectors, the collector and the fluid lens means extending generally parallel,

the first, second and third elongated reflectors being cncentrating reflectors each having an elongated focus,

the first, second and third reflectors being configured and positioned so that substantially all of the solar energy impinging on the second and third reflectors is reflected to the first reflector, and the fluid lens means being positioned to receive the reflected solar energy from the first reflector and concentrate it in the elongated focus along the elongated collector,

means for interconnecting said reflectors, lens means and collector and pivoting them as a unit about one of the longitudinal axes of said first reflector, said lens means and said collector, whereby the sun may be tracked.