Solar collectors having slidably removable reflective panels for use in solar thermal applications
First Claim
1. A guide rail for directing and retaining one or more slidably removable reflective sheets in a solar concentrator, and for maintaining the one or more slidably removable reflective sheets in a shape prescribed by the shape of the guide rail, the guide rail comprising a rail body, wherein the rail body has a longitudinal axis and comprises a first longitudinal channel having an opening at an upper surface of the rail body and a retaining shape for retaining longitudinal edges of the one or more slidably removable reflective sheets, wherein the first longitudinal channel comprises an outer portion and an inner portion wider than the outer portion, wherein the one or more slidably removable reflective sheets reflect incident light to a solar receiver.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Provided herein are solar collectors having reflective sheets which are slidably insertable and/or removable for quick installation, construction, removal, repair, and/or replacement. Also provided are solar collectors having reflective sheets under tension. Further provided are methods for constructing solar collectors. In another aspect, provided herein are guide rails for guiding and/or retaining slidably removable reflective sheets and holding the reflective sheets in a prescribed shape.
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Citations
32 Claims
- 1. A guide rail for directing and retaining one or more slidably removable reflective sheets in a solar concentrator, and for maintaining the one or more slidably removable reflective sheets in a shape prescribed by the shape of the guide rail, the guide rail comprising a rail body, wherein the rail body has a longitudinal axis and comprises a first longitudinal channel having an opening at an upper surface of the rail body and a retaining shape for retaining longitudinal edges of the one or more slidably removable reflective sheets, wherein the first longitudinal channel comprises an outer portion and an inner portion wider than the outer portion, wherein the one or more slidably removable reflective sheets reflect incident light to a solar receiver.
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15. A reflective assembly for a concentrating solar collector comprising:
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a pair of guide rails for guiding and/or retaining longitudinal edges of one or more slidably removable reflective sheets; the one or more slidably removable reflective sheets having longitudinal edges mounted within longitudinal channels of the pair of guide rails; wherein each guide rail comprises a rail body, wherein the rail body has a longitudinal axis and comprises a first longitudinal channel having an opening at an upper surface of the rail body and a retaining shape for retaining a longitudinal edge of the one or more slidably removable reflective sheets, wherein the first longitudinal channel comprises an outer portion and an inner portion wider than the outer portion, wherein the one or more slidably removable reflective sheets reflect incident light to a solar receiver. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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18. A reflective assembly for a concentrating solar collector comprising:
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a pair of guide rails for guiding and/or retaining longitudinal edges of one or more slidably removable reflective sheets; the one or more slidably removable reflective sheets having longitudinal edges mounted within longitudinal channels of the pair of guide rails; wherein each guide rail comprises a channel in a supporting rib having an opening at an upper surface of the rail body and a retaining shape for retaining a longitudinal edge of the one or more slidably removable reflective sheets, wherein the channel comprises an outer portion and an inner portion wider than the outer portion, wherein the one or more slidably removable reflective sheets reflect incident light to a solar receiver.
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27. A reflective trough for a concentrating solar collector comprising:
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a supporting structure; a plurality of supporting ribs;
wherein the plurality of ribs are mounted on the supporting structure;a plurality of guide rails, wherein each guide rail is mounted on a supporting rib; and a plurality of slidably removable reflective sheets having longitudinal edges mounted within channels of the guide rails; wherein each guide rail comprises a rail body, wherein the rail body has a longitudinal axis and comprises a first longitudinal channel having an opening at an upper surface of the rail body and a retaining shape for retaining the longitudinal edges of the plurality of slidably removable reflective sheets, wherein the first longitudinal channel comprises an outer portion and an inner portion wider than the outer portion, wherein the plurality of slidably removable reflective sheets reflects incident light to a solar receiver. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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28. A reflective trough for a concentrating solar collector comprising:
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a supporting structure; a plurality of supporting ribs;
wherein the plurality of ribs are mounted on the supporting structure;a plurality of guide rails, wherein each guide rail is mounted on a supporting rib; and a plurality of slidably removable reflective sheets having longitudinal edges mounted within channels of the guide rails; wherein each guide rail comprises a channel in a supporting rib having an opening at an upper surface of the rail body, and having a retaining shape for retaining the longitudinal edges of the plurality of slidably removable reflective sheets, wherein the channel comprises an outer portion and an inner portion wider than the outer portion, wherein the plurality of slidably removable reflective sheets reflects incident light to a solar receiver.
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Specification