Advanced micro-optics solar energy collection system
First Claim
1. A reflecting micro-optics solar concentrator system which reflects the sun onto a solar energy receiver, comprising:
- a) a solar concentrator with anisotropic rotatable specular reflection miniature mirrors embedded in balls disposed in a surrounding medium of an optically transmissive lubricating fluid disposed behind an optically transmissive surface;
b) electric coupling means for aligning the anisotropic rotatable miniature specular reflection mirrors;
c) electrical means for tracking the sun with said mirrors;
d) means for focusing said reflecting system unto said solar energy receiver; and
e) means for supporting said solar energy receiver above said concentrator in a pyramidal configuration.
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Abstract
Due to an ever growing shortage of conventional energy sources, there is an increasingly intense interest in harnessing solar energy. Broadly this invention deals with the general concept of method, apparatus, and consequences of focussing light. Specifically the Coherent-Micro-Macro-Collector of this invention is the unique total solar collector system consisting of concentrator and receiver. Method and apparatus are detailed for systems with: 1. Passive or non-tracking. 2. Semi-Passive tracking 2. Single-axis tracking. 3. Two-axis tracking. Also detailed are means for operating the collector system of micro-optics and receiver on the ground and protection means. A particularly important object of the CMMC is the focussing of sunlight for solar power conversion and production.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A reflecting micro-optics solar concentrator system which reflects the sun onto a solar energy receiver, comprising:
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a) a solar concentrator with anisotropic rotatable specular reflection miniature mirrors embedded in balls disposed in a surrounding medium of an optically transmissive lubricating fluid disposed behind an optically transmissive surface;
b) electric coupling means for aligning the anisotropic rotatable miniature specular reflection mirrors;
c) electrical means for tracking the sun with said mirrors;
d) means for focusing said reflecting system unto said solar energy receiver; and
e) means for supporting said solar energy receiver above said concentrator in a pyramidal configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of concentrating and receiving energy from the sun provided by a solar energy receiver and solar concentrator with miniature mirror reflectors embedded in balls comprising the steps of:
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a) aligning said miniature mirror reflectors;
b) tracking the sun with said mirrors;
c) focusing the miniature mirrors unto said solar energy receiver; and
d) supporting said solar energy receiver above said solar concentrator in a pyramidal configuration. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for improving the alignment operability of rotatable miniature reflectors of a micro-optics solar concentrator system for concentrating reflected sunlight disposed in a surrounding medium of an optically transmissive lubricating fluid retained between upper and lower sheets, the lubricating fluid disposed behind an optically transmissive surface, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) heating the solar concentrator of the micro-optics solar concentrator system for no more than four hours; and
b) agitating the rotatable miniature reflectors relative to the surrounding media during heating. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification