Multi-element concentrator system

• US 7,834,303 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2008
• Issued: 11/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ahura Energy Concentrating Systems
• Original Assignee: Ahura Energy Concentrating Systems
• Inventors: Fatehi, Mohammad Taghi, Sepehry-Fard, Fareed
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; John R
• Application Number:
  US12/135,655
• Publication Number:
  US 20090302199A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 250/203.4, 136/246, 126/573, 126/578, 126/600, 126/684
• US Class Current: 250/203.4
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2023/87 Reflectors layout
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 30/45 with two rotation axes
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 50/20 for tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/7861 Solar tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0547 comprising light concentrating means of the reflecting type, e.g. parabolic mirrors, concentrators using total internal reflection
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/32 specially adapted for solar tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/52 PV systems with concentrators

Abstract

A novel concentrator system is described, which increases the efficiency of collecting sunlight energy and concentrates it on a target. This method uses an array of small movable reflective or refractive concentrator components that can move via a feedback mechanism which tracks the sun and concentrates the suns energy on to a second array of energy converting elements. In order to improve the effective collected energy, the array of concentrator elements is placed on a moving or tiltable flat slab (or dish, substrate, plane, plate, holder, tablet, or similar flat or non-flat surface) that tracks the sun. An alternative method uses an array of target elements or linear elements and a second array of concentrator elements in harmony such that and suns energy is efficiently redistributed by the reflective/reactive array on to the energy converting array as the sun'"'"'s position in the sky (elevation and azimuth) changes. The elements of the reflective/refractive array are tilted by novel actuation mechanisms describe herein.

Claims

1. A system for concentrating sunlight for energy recovery, storage, or production, said system comprising:

an array of reflective elements;

at least two photodetectors;

a differential tracker;

a tracking and control processor;

an X-direction control processor;

a Y-direction control processor; and

a target;

wherein each of said array of reflective elements comprises;

a rigid slab;

a tilt mechanism;

wherein said tilt mechanism comprises;

an X-direction actuation mechanism;

a Y-direction actuation mechanism;

wherein said two photodetectors are located at a distance from each other;

wherein said target converts sunlight to other forms of energy;

wherein said rigid slab comprises a conductive material that has a reflective top surface;

wherein said tilt mechanism tilts said rigid slab;

wherein said two photodetectors are connected to said differential tracker;

wherein said differential tracker generates a differential signal or adjustment signal related to or proportional to the signals from said two photodetectors;

wherein said differential signal is fed to said tracking and control processor;

wherein said tracking and control processor generates an X-signal and a Y-signal that is fed to said X-direction control processor and said Y-direction control processor, respectively;

wherein said X-direction control processor generates −

X and +X signals;

wherein said Y-direction control processor generates −

Y and +Y signals;

wherein said −

X and +X signals are fed to said X-direction actuation mechanism;

wherein said −

Y and +Y signals are fed to said Y-direction actuation mechanism; and

wherein said rigid slab is tilted by said X-direction actuation mechanism and said Y-direction actuation mechanism.

2. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said array of reflective elements are mounted on a flat slab;

wherein said flat slab comprises;

a sun tracking system;

wherein said sun tracking system gets its signal from said differential tracker;

wherein said sun tracking system moves said slab to track the sun.

3. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said target comprises:

an array of point targets;

wherein said array of point targets is one or two dimensional;

wherein said array of point targets is located at a predetermined distance above said array of reflective elements;

wherein each of said reflective elements reflects the sunlight on one or more elements of said array of point targets, at any given instant of time.

4. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said target comprises:

an array of linear targets;

where is said array of linear targets is one or two dimensional;

wherein said array of linear targets is located at a predetermined distance above said array of reflective elements;

wherein each of said reflective elements reflects the sunlight on some part of said array of linear targets.

5. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said tilt mechanism is an electrostatic mechanism that generates electrostatic forces when it receives electrical voltage;

wherein said rigid slab is made of a conductive material;

wherein said rigid slab is tilted by motors, and

each of said array of reflective elements is tilted by said electrostatic field.

6. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said tilt mechanism is an electromagnetic mechanism that generates magnetic force when it receives electrical current;

wherein said rigid slab, its component, or its core is made of ferromagnetic material;

wherein said rigid slab is tilted by said magnetic field.

7. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said tilt mechanism is a servo mechanism that moves said rigid slab by an electric motor.

8. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said tilt mechanism is a hydraulic mechanism.

9. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said tilt mechanism is a servo mechanism that moves said rigid slab by a step motor.

10. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said tilt mechanism is based on a Shape Memory Alloy that changes shape due to heat, current or other excitations.

11. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said tilt mechanism uses a feedback mechanism to align said reflective element toward the sun.

12. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said target is a solar cell.

13. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said target is a fuel cell reactor.

14. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said target is a photosynthesis element.

15. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said target is a fluid heating reservoir or pipe filled with running fluid.

16. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said target is a water heating reservoir or pipe filled with running water.

17. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said target is an oil heating reservoir or pipe filled with running oil.

18. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said target is a water heating reservoir or pipe filled with running steam.

19. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system comprises of an array of or two or more inverters.

20. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system is airborne, space-borne, or floating in the air or space.

41. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system comprises a rough alignment and a fine alignment mechanism.

42. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system comprises a multiple-step alignment mechanism.

43. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system comprises a multiple-feedback alignment mechanism.

44. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system uses a database or table information to align said reflective element toward the sun.

45. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system uses a training data or history or prior information to align said reflective element toward the sun.

46. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system uses z axis, moving in a third dimension, to move up and down.

47. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system uses time as a variable or parameter in the aligning or optimization of said system.

48. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system transfers energy, regulates energy, switches, stores, or manages energy.

49. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system uses wireless or laser technology to transfer energy.

50. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system uses steam to store energy.

51. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system uses compressed gasses to store energy.

52. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system uses error correction codes or algorithms to steer, optimize, or align the elements.

53. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system uses an intelligent element controller, for tilting and moving, based on neural networks, feedback, or history.

54. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system uses a structure in a shape of a polygon for elements, to absorb and convert energy.

55. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system uses pipes in a zigzag shape, for heating devices.

56. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system uses multiple layers for heating devices.

57. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system uses multiple gasses, fluids, or liquids, or their mixtures, circulating, for heating devices.

58. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system uses the absorption parameters or electrical activity, to find problems, pinpoint locations, and fix the problems, for heating devices.

59. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system uses the absorption parameters or electrical activity, to find problems, pinpoint locations, and fix the problems, for elements, to absorb and convert energy.

60. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system uses moon light or other sources of light, at night or other times, to absorb energy, for storage, usage, or transmission.

21. A system for concentrating sunlight for energy recovery, storage, or production, said system comprising:

an array of refractive elements;

at least two photodetectors;

a differential tracker;

a tracking and control processor;

an X-direction control processor;

and a Y-direction control processor;

a target;

wherein each of said array of refractive elements comprises;

a rigid slab;

a tilt mechanism;

wherein said rigid slab has a hole that holds the refractive element in the middle;

wherein said tilt mechanism comprises;

an X-direction actuation mechanism;

a Y-direction actuation mechanism;

wherein said at least two photodetectors are located at a distance from each other;

wherein said target converts sunlight to other forms of energy;

wherein said tilt mechanism tilts said rigid slab;

wherein said two photodetectors are connected to said differential tracker;

wherein said differential tracker generates a differential signal proportional to or related to the difference of the angle of sun rays to said two photodetectors, or to the relative position of said two photodetectors;

wherein said differential signal is fed to said tracking and control processor;

wherein said tracking and control processor generates an X-signal and a Y-signal that is fed to said X-direction control processor and said Y-direction control processor, respectively;

wherein said X-direction control processor generates −

X and +X signals;

wherein said Y-direction control processor generates −

Y and +Y signals;

wherein said −

X and +X signals are fed to said X-direction actuation mechanism;

wherein said −

Y and +Y signals are fed to said Y-direction actuation mechanism; and

wherein said rigid slab is tilted by said X-direction actuation mechanism and said Y-direction actuation mechanism.

22. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said array of refractive elements are mounted on a flat slab;

wherein said flat slab comprises;

a sun tracking system;

wherein said sun tracking system gets its signal from said differential tracker;

wherein said sun tracking system moves said slab to track the sun.

23. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said target comprises:

an array of point targets;

wherein said array of point targets is one or two dimensional;

wherein said array of point targets is located at a predetermined distance below said array of refractive elements;

wherein each of said refractive elements concentrate the sunlight on one or more elements of said array of point targets, at any given instant of time.

24. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said target comprises:

an array of linear targets;

where is said array of linear targets is one or two dimensional;

wherein said array of linear targets is located at a predetermined distance above said array of refractive elements;

wherein each of said refractive elements reflects the sunlight on some part of said array of linear targets.

25. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said tilt mechanism is an electrostatic mechanism that generates electrostatic forces when it receives electrical voltage;

wherein said rigid slab is made of a conductive material;

wherein said rigid slab is tilted by motors, and each of said array of reflective elements is tilted by said electrostatic field.

26. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said tilt mechanism is an electromagnetic mechanism that generates magnetic field when it receives electrical voltage, or is based on a permanent magnet;

wherein said rigid slab or its component is made of a ferromagnetic material;

wherein said rigid slab is tilted by said magnetic field.

27. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said tilt mechanism is a servo mechanism that moves said rigid slab by an electric motor.

28. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said tilt mechanism is a hydraulic mechanism.

29. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said tilt mechanism is a servo mechanism that moves said rigid slab by a step motor.

30. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said tilt mechanism is based on a Shape Memory Alloy that changes shape due to heat, current or other excitations.

31. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said tilt mechanism uses a feedback mechanism to align said refractive element toward the sun.

32. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said target is a solar cell.

33. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said target is a fuel cell reactor.

34. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said target is a photosynthesis element.

35. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said target is a fluid heating reservoir or pipe filled with running fluid.

36. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said target is a water heating reservoir or pipe filled with running water.

37. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said target is an oil heating reservoir or pipe filled with running oil.

38. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said target is a water heating reservoir or pipe filled with running steam.

39. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said system comprises of an array of inverters.

40. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said system is airborne, space-borne, or floating in the air or space.