SOLAR TRACKING AND CONCENTRATION DEVICE

• US 20100059042A1
• Filed: 05/05/2009
• Published: 03/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sunplus Mmedia Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sunplus Mmedia Incorporated
• Inventors: Chang, Yi-Chieh, Chen, Yarn-Chen
• Granted Patent: US 8,129,668 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 126/573
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2050/25 Calibration means; Methods for initial positioning of solar concentrators or solar receivers
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/70 with reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/10 extending in directions away from a supporting surface
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 30/422 Vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 30/452 Vertical primary axis
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 30/48 with three or more rotation axes or with multiple degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 50/20 for tracking
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 50/80 for controlling collection or absorption of solar radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 3/105 Solar tracker
• 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: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/52 PV systems with concentrators

Abstract

A solar tracking and concentration device, including a reflecting unit, a receiving unit, a controlling device, and a plurality of photo sensors, is provided. The receiving unit is used to receive the sunlight reflected and reflected by the reflecting unit. The receiving unit and the reflecting unit face each other. The receiving unit is adapted to move along a first direction. According to the position and the time of the reflecting unit, the controlling device controls a rotation angle of a support element and controls a first moving position of the receiving unit moving along the first direction, in which the support element supports the reflecting unit and the receiving unit. The photo sensors are used to detect the sunlight reflected by the reflecting unit to the receiving unit, and are adapted to output a first feedback signal to calibrate a direction of the receiving unit facing the reflecting unit.

Claims

1. A solar tracking and concentration device, comprising:

a reflecting unit, reflecting and concentrating sunlight;

a receiving unit, receiving the sunlight reflected by the reflecting unit, wherein the receiving unit and the reflecting unit face each other, and the receiving unit is adapted to move along a first direction;

a controlling device, adapted to control a rotation angle of a support element and control a first moving position of the receiving unit moving along the first direction according to a position and a time of the reflecting unit, wherein the support element supports the reflecting unit and the receiving unit; and

a plurality of photo sensors, disposed on the periphery of the receiving unit, wherein the photo sensors detect the sunlight reflected by the reflecting unit to the receiving unit, and are adapted to output a first feedback signal to calibrate a direction of the receiving unit facing the reflecting unit.

2. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 1, wherein the first direction is a vertical direction.

3. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting unit comprises a plurality of reflecting mirrors, and each reflecting mirror is adapted to reflect the sunlight on the receiving unit.

4. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 3, wherein each reflecting mirror is a plane mirror.

5. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 3, wherein each reflecting mirror is a concave mirror.

6. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting unit is a concave mirror.

7. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit is a photoelectric unit, adapted to convert the received sunlight to an electric energy.

8. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 7, wherein the photoelectric unit is a solar panel.

9. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit is a photo-thermal unit, adapted to convert the sunlight to a thermal energy.

10. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 1, wherein the controlling device comprises:

a real time clock (RTC), adapted to generate a time signal of the reflecting unit;

a micro control unit (MCU), generating a control sequence signal according to a position signal of the reflecting unit and the time signal;

a memory storage unit, storing the position signal, the time signal, and the control sequence signal;

a tracking control unit, adapted to accept the control sequence signal to control the first moving position of the receiving unit moving along the first direction, and to control the direction of the receiving unit facing the reflecting unit;

a first rotation control unit, adapted to control the rotation angle of the support element according to the control sequence signal, wherein the support element supports the reflecting unit and the receiving unit; and

an input/output unit, adapted to deliver the first feedback signal of the photo sensors to calibrate the direction of the receiving unit facing the reflecting unit.

11. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 10, wherein the position signal is one selected from among a longitude signal, a latitude signal, and a height signal, or a combination thereof.

12. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 10, wherein the controlling device further comprises a data transmission device, adapted to load the position signal to the controlling device.

13. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 12, wherein the data transmission device is a serial port device or a parallel port device.

14. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 10, wherein the controlling device further comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver or a broadcast system receiver, for calibrating or fine-tuning the time signal of the RTC.

15. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 10, wherein the controlling device further comprises a second rotation control unit, adapted to accept the control sequence signal to control the rotation angle of the reflecting unit.

16. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 15, further comprising an inclination sensing device, disposed on the reflecting unit to detect an inclination direction of the reflecting unit, and adapted to output a second feedback signal to the controlling device to calibrate a direction of the reflecting unit facing the sun.

17. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 16, wherein the inclination sensing device comprises a first containing area extending along a second direction and a first moving member disposed in the first containing area, a first sensing member is disposed in the first containing area, the first sensing member senses a second moving position of the first moving member to detect a first inclination angle of the reflecting unit along the second direction, and the first moving member moves along the second direction.

18. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 17, wherein a plurality of first sensing members is further disposed in the first containing area.

19. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 17, wherein the inclination sensing device further comprises a second containing area extending along a third direction and a second moving member disposed in the second containing area, a plurality of second sensing members is disposed in the second containing area, the second sensing members sense a third moving position of the second moving member to detect a second inclination angle of the reflecting unit along the third direction, and the second moving member moves along the third direction.

20. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 17, wherein the second direction is an east-to-west direction or a west-to-east direction.

21. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 19, wherein the third direction is a south-to-north direction or a north-to-south direction.

22. A solar tracking and concentration device, comprising:

a plurality of reflecting units, for reflecting and concentrating sunlight, wherein each reflecting unit comprises a reflecting surface;

a receiving unit, receiving the sunlight reflected by one of the reflecting units, wherein the receiving unit and one of the different reflecting units face each other at different times, and the receiving unit is adapted to move along a first direction;

a controlling device, adapted to control a rotation angle of the receiving unit facing one of the reflecting units and control a first moving position of the receiving unit moving along the first direction according to positions and times of the reflecting units; and

a plurality of photo sensors, disposed on the periphery of the receiving unit, wherein the photo sensors detect the sunlight reflected by one of the reflecting units to the receiving unit, and are adapted to output a first feedback signal to the controlling device to calibrate a direction of the receiving unit facing one of the reflecting units.

23. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 22, wherein the first direction is a vertical direction.

24. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 22, wherein the reflecting surfaces of the reflecting units are disposed back to back.

25. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 22, wherein the reflecting surfaces of the reflecting units are disposed face to face.

26. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 22, wherein each reflecting unit comprises a plurality of reflecting mirrors, and each reflecting mirror is adapted to reflect the sunlight on the same region.

27. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 26, wherein each reflecting mirror is a plane mirror.

28. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 26, wherein each reflecting mirror is a concave mirror.

29. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 22, wherein each reflecting unit is a concave mirror.

30. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 22, wherein the receiving unit is a photoelectric unit, adapted to convert the received sunlight to an electric energy.

31. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 30, wherein the photoelectric unit is a solar panel.

32. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 22, wherein the receiving unit is a photo-thermal unit, adapted to convert the sunlight to a thermal energy.

33. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 22, wherein the controlling device comprises:

a real time clock (RTC), adapted to generate a time signal of the reflecting units;

a micro control unit (MCU), generating a control sequence signal according to a position signal of the reflecting units and the time signal;

a memory storage unit, storing the position signal, the time signal, and the control sequence signal;

a tracking control unit, adapted to accept the control sequence signal to control the first moving position of the receiving unit moving along the first direction, and to control the direction of the receiving unit facing one of the reflecting units;

a first rotation control unit, adapted to accept the control sequence signal to control the rotation angle of the receiving unit facing one of the reflecting units; and

an input/output unit, adapted to deliver the first feedback signal of the photo sensors to calibrate the direction of the receiving unit facing the reflecting unit.

34. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 33, wherein the position signal is one selected from among a longitude signal, a latitude signal, and an height signal, or a combination thereof.

35. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 33, wherein the controlling device further comprises a data transmission device, adapted to load the position signal to the controlling device.

36. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 35, wherein the data transmission device is a serial port device or a parallel port device.

37. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 33, wherein the controlling device further comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver or a broadcast system receiver, for calibrating or fine-tuning the time signal of the RTC.

38. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 33, wherein the controlling device further comprises a second rotation control unit, adapted to accept the control sequence signal to control the rotation angle of each reflecting unit.

39. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 38, further comprising an inclination sensing device, disposed on each of the reflecting units to detect an inclination direction of the reflecting unit, and adapted to output a second feedback signal to the controlling device to calibrate a second direction of each reflecting unit.

40. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 39, wherein the inclination sensing device comprises a first containing area extending along a second direction and a first moving member disposed in the first containing area, a first sensing member is disposed in the first containing area, the first sensing member senses a second moving position of the first moving member to detect a first inclination angle of the reflecting unit along the second direction, and the first moving member moves along the second direction.

41. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 40, wherein a plurality of first sensing members is further disposed in the first containing area.

42. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 40, wherein the inclination sensing device further comprises a second containing area extending along a third direction and a second moving member disposed in the second containing area, a plurality of second sensing members is disposed in the second containing area, the second sensing members sense a third moving position of the second moving member to detect a second inclination angle of the solar plane along the third direction, and the second moving member moves along the third direction.

43. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 40, wherein the second direction is an east-to-west direction or a west-to-east direction.

44. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 42, wherein the third direction is a south-to-north direction or a north-to-south direction.

45. A solar tracking and concentration device, comprising:

a reflecting unit, for reflecting and concentrating sunlight, and comprising a reflecting surface;

a receiving unit, receiving the sunlight reflected by the reflecting unit, and comprising a receiving surface, wherein the receiving unit and the reflecting unit are disposed face to face;

a controlling device, for controlling a rotation angle of the reflecting unit according to a position and a time of the reflecting unit; and

an inclination sensing device, disposed on the receiving unit to detect an inclination direction of the reflecting unit, and adapted to output a first feedback signal to the controlling device to calibrate a direction of the reflecting unit facing the sun.

46. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 45, wherein the reflecting unit comprises a plurality of reflecting mirrors, and each reflecting mirror is adapted to reflect the sunlight on the receiving unit.

47. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 46, wherein each reflecting mirror is a plane mirror.

48. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 46, wherein each reflecting mirror is a concave mirror.

49. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 45, wherein the reflecting unit is a concave mirror.

50. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 45, wherein the receiving unit is a photoelectric unit, adapted to convert the sunlight to an electric energy.

51. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 50, wherein the photoelectric unit is a solar panel.

52. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 50, wherein the receiving unit is a photo-thermal unit, adapted to convert the sunlight to a thermal energy.

53. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 45, wherein the controlling device comprises:

a real time clock (RTC), adapted to generate a time signal of the reflecting unit;

a micro control unit (MCU), for generating a control sequence signal according to a position signal of the reflecting unit and the time signal;

a memory storage unit, storing the position signal, the time signal, and the control sequence signal;

a first rotation control unit, adapted to accept the control sequence signal to control the rotation angle of the support element; and

an input/output unit, adapted to deliver the first feedback signal of the inclination sensing device to calibrate the direction of the reflecting unit facing the sun.

54. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 53, wherein the position signal is one selected from among a longitude signal, a latitude signal, and an height signal, or a combination thereof.

55. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 53, wherein the controlling device further comprises a data transmission device, adapted to load the position signal to the controlling device.

56. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 55, wherein the data transmission device is a serial port device or a parallel port device.

57. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 53, wherein the controlling device further comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver or a broadcast system receiver, for calibrating or fine-tuning the time signal of the RTC.

58. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 45, wherein the inclination sensing device comprises a first containing area extending along a second direction and a first moving member disposed in the first containing area, a plurality of first sensing members is disposed in the first containing area, the first sensing members sense a first moving position of the first moving member to detect a first inclination angle of the reflecting unit along the first direction, and the first moving member moves along the first direction.

59. The solar tracking and concentration device according to claim 58, wherein the first direction is a south-to-north direction or a north-to-south direction.

60. A solar concentration device, comprising:

a reflecting unit, for reflecting and concentrating sunlight, and comprising a reflecting surface;

a plurality of receiving units, each comprising different heights to respectively receive sunlight reflected by the reflecting unit at different times, and each comprising a receiving surface, wherein each receiving surface faces the reflecting surface; and

a support element, for supporting the reflecting unit and the receiving units.

61. The solar concentration device according to claim 60, wherein the reflecting unit comprises a plurality of reflecting mirrors, and each reflecting mirror is adapted to reflect the sunlight on the receiving units.

62. The solar concentration device according to claim 61, wherein each reflecting mirror is a plane mirror.

63. The solar concentration device according to claim 61, wherein each reflecting mirror is a concave mirror.

64. The solar concentration device according to claim 60, wherein the reflecting unit is a concave mirror.

65. The solar concentration device according to claim 60, wherein the receiving unit is a photoelectric unit, adapted to convert the received sunlight to an electric energy.

66. The solar concentration device according to claim 65, wherein the photoelectric unit is a solar panel.

67. The solar concentration device according to claim 60, wherein the receiving unit is a photo-thermal unit, adapted to convert the sunlight to a thermal energy.