Method of manufacturing parabolic trough solar collector

• US 4,372,027 A
• Filed: 06/26/1981
• Issued: 02/08/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Solar Kinetics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Solar Kinetics, Inc.
• Inventors: Hutchison, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moon, Charlie T.
• Application Number:
  US06/277,915
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 29/448, 29/449, 29/455 R, 29/526 R, 29/455 LM, 126/438, 228/182, 350/293, 350/292, 350/294, 350/298, 350/309, 350/310, 350/320
• US Class Current: 29/448
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/74 with trough-shaped or cylindro-parabolic reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/90 Methods
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49355 Solar energy device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49867 of skin on frame member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49956 Riveting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49963 Threaded fastener

Abstract

An improved monocoque parabolic solar collector which can be machine welded or fastened with rivets, bolts or other mechanical fasteners without the need for any blind fastening systems.

Claims

1. A method for assembling monocoque stressed parabolic solar collectors comprising the steps of:

(a) form fitting by stretching a plurality of interior parabolic mirror channels to the surface of a male mold fixture with sides of the channels extending upwardly;

(b) positioning a parabolic bow at each side of each interior parabolic mirror channel and fastening said bows to said sides of said stretched channels to form an integral unit;

(c) stretching and positioning an exterior parabolic channel spaced above each of said interior parabolic mirror channels and between each pair of parabolic bows;

(d) attaching said stretched exterior parabolic channels to said parabolic bows to form a stressed module;

(e) attaching edge channels to the longitudinal edges of said module by attaching said edge channels to the ends of each parabolic bow abutting said edge channels.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein said parabolic bows are fastened to said interior parabolic mirror channels and said exterior parabolic channels by an automated fastening means.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein said automated fastening means is a machine operated welder.

4. The process of claim 2 wherein said automated fastening means employs mechanical fasteners selected from the group consisting of screws, bolts, and rivets.