US3915148A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermostatically controlled non-tracking type solar energy concentrator
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1974-11-22
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1994-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A solar energy concentrator comprises an array of cylindrical Fresnel lenses, all of which are fixedly aligned in the East-West direction. Each lens concentrates the sun rays and forms a line image which extends in the East-West direction. Located below the lenses are individual fluid channels which extend in the EastWest direction and are spaced apart in the South-North direction. Each line image focuses onto preferably not more than two of the channels which absorb heat of the concentrated sun rays. Each channel has a thermostatically controlled valve which controls fluid flow through the channel to take place only when the channel''s temperature and/or the fluid therein exceed a threshold temperature level.
Inventors
- 👤 James C Administrator Fletcher
- 👤 Katsunori Shimada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:28
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/70; F24S20/00; F24S20/20; F24S23/00; F24S23/30; F24S23/31; F24S50/00; F24S50/40; F24S70/00; F24S70/60; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A solar energy concentrator comprising: a cylindrical lens fixedly positioned in an East-West direction and exposable to the sun for concentrating the sun rays and providing a line image thereof; a plurality of elongated fluid channels, each channel defining an inlet end and an outlet end and an opening, extending between said ends, through which fluid is adapted to flow; support means for fixedly supporting said channels adjacent said lens with said channels extending in the East-West direction and are spaced apart in the South-North direction, whereby the sun rays concentrated by said lens are focused on less than all of said channels; fluid input means coupled to the input ends of all of said channels for communicating fluid thereto; fluid output means coupLed to the outlet ends of all of said channels for receiving the fluid flowing through any of said channels; and a separate thermostatically controlled valve associated with each of said channels for controlling the flow of fluid through the associated channel only when said valve senses a temperature which is not less than a preselected threshold temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A solar energy concentrator comprising: a cylindrical lens fixedly positioned in an East-West direction and exposable to the sun for concentrating the sun rays and providing a line image thereof; a plurality of elongated fluid channels, each channel defining an inlet end and an outlet end and an opening, extending between said ends, through which fluid is adapted to flow; support means for fixedly supporting said channels adjacent said lens with said channels extending in the East-West direction and are spaced apart in the South-North direction, whereby the sun rays concentrated by said lens are focused on less than all of said channels; fluid input means coupled to the input ends of all of said channels for communicating fluid thereto; fluid output means coupLed to the outlet ends of all of said channels for receiving the fluid flowing through any of said channels; and a separate thermostatically controlled valve associated with each of said channels for controlling the flow of fluid through the associated channel only when said valve senses a temperature which is not less than a preselected threshold temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The concentrator as described in claim 1 wherein each valve is not less than said preselected threshold temperature, whereby fluid communicated to the channel''s inlet end by said fluid input means flows through the channel, said valve being in a closed position to inhibit fluid flow through its associated channel when the temperature sensed by the valve is below said preselected temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The concentrator as described in claim 1 wherein said channels are spaced from one another and said lens whereby any sun rays concentrated by said lens are focused onto not more than three of said channels irrespective of the sun angle with respect to the horizon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The concentrator as described in claim 1 wherein said lens is a cylindrical Fresnel lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The concentrator as described in claim 4 wherein each of said channels is V-shaped with the tips of adjacent channels being adjacent one another to define a top corrugated surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The concentrator as described in claim 5 wherein the top surface of each channel exposable to the concentrated sun rays is coated with a heat absorbing coating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
The concentrator as described in claim 5 wherein each valve is not less than said preselected threshold temperature, whereby fluid communicated to the channel''s inlet end by said fluid input means flows through the channel, said valve being in a closed position to inhibit fluid flow through its associated channel when the temperature sensed by the valve is below said preselected temperature and wherein said channels are spaced from one another and said lens whereby any sun rays concentrated by said lens are focused onto not more than three of said channels irrespective of the sun angle with respect to the horizon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
106 words
The concentrator as described in claim 1 including a plurality of cylindrical lenses arranged in a rectangular array of selected surface area with all the lenses fixedly positioned in the East-West direction, with said channels disposed below said lenses in the East-West direction and spaced apart in the South-North direction and wherein each valve is not less than said preselected threshold temperature, whereby fluid communicated to the channel''s inlet end by said fluid input means flows through the channel, said valve being in a closed position to inhibit fluid flow through its associated channel when the temperature sensed by the valve is below said preselected temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The concentrator as described in claim 8 wherein each of said lenses is a cylindrical Fresnel lens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The concentrator as described in claim 9 wherein each of said channels is V-shaped with the tips of adjacent channels being adjacent one another to define a top corrugated surface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |