US4022184A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lateral lens arrangement for solar energy conversion devices
Assignee: Sheldahl Inc
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Filing: 1975-03-10
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Granted: 1977-05-10
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Expires: 1995-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A solar heat concentrator comprising, in combination, solar radiation concentrator means and absorber means for converting the concentrated solar energy into usable form. The concentrator means is essentially a line focus Fresnel array, and includes a plurality of generally parallelly disposed elongated self-supporting elements with reflective surfaces, each element having means for positioning the reflective surfaces in an operative solar viewing disposition, as well as in an inoperative or idle disposition wherein the reflective surfaces are protected from adverse affects due to the elements, including wind, dust, hail, and the like. The radiation absorber means includes an elongated fluid transfer duct of closed cross-section such as an elongated cylinder, with the axis of the fluid transfer duct being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the array of reflective surfaces, and with the peripheral surface of the fluid transfer duct having an energy adsorptive zone viewing the concentrator means at substantially the focal point of the concentrator, the balance of the peripheral surface of the absorber being thermally insulated.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald E. Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:30
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S30/00; F24S30/40; F24S30/42; F24S30/425; F24S23/00; F24S23/70; F24S23/74; F24S2030/10; F24S2030/13; F24S2030/131; F24S2030/134; F24S2030/136; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/47
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
In a solar heat concentrator comprising, in combination, solar radiation concentrator means and radiation absorber means for receiving concentrated solar energy from said concentrator means; a. said solar concentrator means comprising a plurality of generally parallelly disposed elongated reflector elements each element having a reflective surface and including means for controllably positioning each of said reflective surfaces in solar viewing and absorber reflecting disposition for accommodation of diurnal solar motion; b. said radiation absorber means including an elongated generally cylindrical fluid transfer duct having a cylindrical axis extending generally parallel to the elongated axis of each of said reflective surfaces, and with a generally closed peripheral surface, said peripheral surface being disposed about said cylindrical axis and having an arcuate portion defining an energy absorptive zone and an arcuate portion defining a thermally insulative zone, with said energy absorptive zone being disposed in generally opposed relationship to said reflective surface, and with the balance of the arcuate surface of said absorber comprising said insulative zone and being provided with a thermally insulative covering for substantially reducing the thermal energy losses therefrom, said fluid transfer duct being disposed along a plane generally at least as high as that of the uppermost of said elongated reflector elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
In a solar heat concentrator comprising, in combination, solar radiation concentrator means and radiation absorber means for receiving concentrated solar energy from said concentrator means; a. said solar concentrator means comprising a plurality of generally parallelly disposed elongated reflector elements each element having a reflective surface and including means for controllably positioning each of said reflective surfaces in solar viewing and absorber reflecting disposition for accommodation of diurnal solar motion; b. said radiation absorber means including an elongated generally cylindrical fluid transfer duct having a cylindrical axis extending generally parallel to the elongated axis of each of said reflective surfaces, and with a generally closed peripheral surface, said peripheral surface being disposed about said cylindrical axis and having an arcuate portion defining an energy absorptive zone and an arcuate portion defining a thermally insulative zone, with said energy absorptive zone being disposed in generally opposed relationship to said reflective surface, and with the balance of the arcuate surface of said absorber comprising said insulative zone and being provided with a thermally insulative covering for substantially reducing the thermal energy losses therefrom, said fluid transfer duct being disposed along a plane generally at least as high as that of the uppermost of said elongated reflector elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The solar heat concentrator as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said means for controllably positioning said reflector elements includes means for rotation of each of said elongated surfaces about an axis disposed generally parallel to the elongated axis of said reflective surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The solar heat concentrator as defined in claim 2 being particularly characterized in that said means for controllably positioning said reflective surfaces includes means for directing said reflective surfaces vertically downwardly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The solar heat concentrator as defined in claim 2 being particularly characterized in that said means for controllably positioning said reflective surfaces includes means for rotating said reflective surfaces about an arcuate path upwardly and away from solar viewing disposition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The solar heat concentrator as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said solar concentrator means comprises frame means for said elongated reflective surfaces, and wherein laterally disposed support columns are provided for mounting of said frame means thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The solar heat concentrator as defined in claim 5 wherein means are provided for controllably tilting said lateral support columns to accommodate seasonal variations in solar elevation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The solar heat concentrator as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said elongated reflective surfaces are line focus cylindrical parabolas, each having focal lines converging upon said energy absorptive zone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The solar heat concentrator as defined in claim 1 wherein said energy absorptive zone is coated with a black film.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The solar heat concentrator as defined in claim 1 wherein said energy absorptive zone is covered with a transparent film forming an enclosure about the surface of said absorptive zone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The solar heat concentrator as defined in claim 9 wherein said transparent film is fluorinated ethylene propylene.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The solar heat concentrator as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluid transfer duct is fabricated from copper.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The solar heat concentrator as defined in claim 1 wherein said radiation absorber means comprises a plurality of generally parallelly disposed fluid transfer ducts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The solar heat concentrator as defined in claim 1 wherein said radiation absorber means is disposed between the sun and said reflective surfaces.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The solar heat concentrator as defined in claim 1 wherein coupling linkage means are provided between adjacent reflective surfaces.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The solar heat concentrator as defined in claim 1 including solar detector means for detecting incident solar radiation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The solar heat concentrator as defined in claim 15 wherein condition responsive means are provided for drivably rotating said reflective surfaces to generally vertically downwardly disposed disposition upon detection of absence of incident solar radiation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The solar heat concentrator as defined in claim 1 wherein solar radiation responsive means are provided for controllably adjusting the arcuate disposition of each of said reflective surfaces in response to diurnal changes in solar elevation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The solar heat concentrator as defined in claim 17 wherein said solar radiation resposive means are positioned in oppositely disposed relationship of the axis of said radiation absorber means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a solar heat concentrator comprising, in combination, solar radiation concentrator means and radiation absorber means for receiving concentrated solar energy from said concentrator means; a. said solar concentrator means comprising a plurality of generally parallelly disposed elongated reflector elements each element having a reflective surface and including means for controllably positioning each of said reflective surfaces in solar viewing and absorber reflecting disposition for accommodation of diurnal solar motion; b. said radiation absorber means including an elongated generally cylindrical fluid transfer duct having a cylindrical axis extending generally parallel to the elongated axis of each of said reflective surfaces, the peripheral surface of said duct having an arcuate portion defining an energy absorptive zone and an arcuate portion defining a thermally insulative zone, with said energy absorptive zone being disposed in generally opposed relationship to said reflective surface; c. said reflector elements including rigid frame means for providing self-supporting mounting of said reflective surfaces at opposed ends thereof free of torsional and flexural deflection.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a solar heat concentrator comprising, in combination, solar radiation concentrator means and radiation absorber means for receiving concentrated solar energy from said concentrator means; a. said solar concentrator means comprising a plurality of generally parallelly disposed elongated reflector elements each element having a reflective surface and including means for controllably positioning each of said reflective surfaces in solar viewing and absorber reflecting disposition for accommodation of diurnal solar motion; b. said radiation absorber means including an elongated generally cylindrical fluid transfer duct having a cylindrical axis extending generally parallel to the elongated axis of each of said reflective surfaces, the peripheral surface of said duct having an arcuate portion defining an energy absorptive zone and an arcuate portion defining a thermally insulative zone, with said energy absorptive zone being disposed in generally opposed relationship to said reflective surface; c. said reflector elements including rigid frame means for providing self-supporting mounting of said reflective surfaces at opposed ends thereof free of torsional and flexural deflection.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The solar heat concentrator means as defined in claim 19 being particularly characterized in that said rigid frame means includes an elongated support having a closed cross-section.
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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) | 1980-05-09 | 1980-11-08 | 1981-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-09 | 1984-11-08 | 1985-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-09 | 1988-11-08 | 1989-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |