CONCENTRATORS FOR SOLAR POWER GENERATING SYSTEMS

• US 20090235985A1
• Filed: 02/27/2009
• Published: 09/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trinium Technologies
• Original Assignee: Trinium Technologies
• Inventors: Wojciechowski, Timothy J., Lubart, Neil D., Lash, Thomas E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,226,253 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/259
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2023/83 Other shapes
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2023/872 Assemblies of spaced reflective elements on common support, e.g. Fresnel reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/71 with parabolic reflective surfaces with cylindro-parabolic reflective surfaces F24S23/74
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/74 with trough-shaped or cylindro-parabolic reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/77 with flat reflective plates
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/46 Conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling or solar thermal engines

Abstract

The invention is directed to a system for concentrating light for solar thermal and solar photovoltaic generating systems. The system includes a plurality of concentrating regions. Each concentrating region includes an input end having a perimeter or width in a lenticular configuration, an output end having a perimeter or width in a lenticular configuration, and a portion located therebetween defined by a reflective boundary. The invention is also directed to a method of manufacturing a light collection system. The method includes forming a film having multiple recesses. Each recess includes an input end, an output end and a reflective boundary. The output end has a smaller perimeter or a width in a lenticular configuration than a perimeter or a width of the input end in the lenticular configuration.

Claims

1. A system for concentrating solar radiation comprising:

a first structure having a first reflective side and a second reflective side; and

a second structure having a first reflective side and a second reflective side, wherein the second reflective side of the first structure and the first reflective side of the second structure are spaced apart to form a concentrator having an input end for collecting infrared, ultraviolet and visible light and an output end for transferring the collected light.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the concentrator is hollow.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the input end and the output end of the concentrator are in air.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the concentrator is a compound parabolic concentrator, a circular approximation of a compound parabolic concentrator, a compound parabolic concentrator having a linear portion, or a circular approximation of a compound parabolic concentrator having a linear portion.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system includes a plurality of first structures and second structures to form multiple concentrators for use in solar thermal generating systems or solar photovoltaic generating systems.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first structure and the second structure are metal, polymer, metal composite, polymer composite, or a combination thereof having a reflective boundary thereon.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first structure and the second structure further comprise an internal thermal insulating material.

8. A system for concentrating light comprising:

a plurality of concentrating regions, wherein each concentrating region comprises

an input end having a perimeter or a width in a lenticular configuration;

an output end having a perimeter or a width in a lenticular configuration;

and a portion located therebetween defined by a reflective boundary;

wherein the perimeter or width of the input end of the concentrating region is greater than the perimeter or width of the output end of the concentrating region; and

wherein the light entering or hitting the reflective boundary is concentrated through the output end of the concentrating region.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of the concentrating regions are adjacent each other such that the input ends of the concentrating regions are in fluid communication.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein the concentrating region is a compound parabolic concentrator, a circular approximation of a compound parabolic concentrator, a compound parabolic concentrator having a linear portion, or a circular approximation of a compound parabolic concentrator having a linear portion.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein the system further comprises a solar photovoltaic material or a receiver pipe located at the output end of the concentrating region.

12. The system according to claim 8, wherein the reflective boundary has a reflectivity of at least 90%.

13. A method of manufacturing a light collection system, comprising:

forming a film comprising multiple recesses, wherein each recess comprises an input end, an output end; and

a reflective boundary; and

wherein the output end has a smaller perimeter or a width in a lenticular design than a perimeter or a width of the input end in the lenticular design; and

placing the output ends of the recesses of the film onto a solar collecting material or pipe receiver, wherein the light entering the input end of the recess or hitting the reflective boundary of the recess is concentrated through the output end on the solar collecting material.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the input end of the recesses are in fluid communication with each other.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the input end and the output end are in air.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the recesses are located adjacent each other.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the film may be a metal, polymer, metal composite, polymer composite, or a combination thereof having a reflective boundary thereon.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein the recess is a compound parabolic concentrator, a circular approximation of a compound parabolic concentrator, a compound parabolic concentrator having a linear portion, or a circular approximation of a compound parabolic concentrator having a linear portion.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein the recesses comprise a material.

20. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of collecting infrared, ultraviolet and visible light through the input end of the recesses.