Parabolic trough solar collector

Claim 2

A parabolic solar collector comprising at least one monocoque stressed-skin module further comprising a plurality of stressed-parabolic channels fastened to and supported by a plurality of parallel parabolic bows, said stressed parabolic channels further comprising at least one interior parabolic mirror channel and at least one exterior parabolic channel, at least one of said stressed parabolic channels further comprising a central parabolic surface having a channel return edge disposed in perpendicular relation to each curved edge of said parabolic surface, each said channel return edge being in facing contact with and connected to a parabolic bow.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the parabolic channels and parabolic bows are fastened to and further supported by edge channels that are perpendicular to the ends of said parabolic bows and extend longitudinally along the edges of said module.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said parabolic solar collector is a parabolic trough.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said parabolic trough comprises two such monocoque modules.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said parabolic trough comprises three such monocoque modules.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said parabolic trough comprises a monocoque stressed-skin center module longitudinally interconnected to two monocoque stressed-skin wing modules.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the parabolic bows at the ends of said module are adapted to receive and fasten to a means for transferring torque to said module.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for transferring torque to said module is a torque transfer arm.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said torque transfer arm is adapted to engage an external drive means.

Claim 11

A monocoque parabolic solar collector as defined in claim 1 assembled with other than blind fastening systems.

Claim 12

The parabolic solar collector of claim 1 wherein said interior parabolic mirror channel comprises a reflective material laminated thereto.

Claim 13

The parabolic solar collector of claim wherein said parabolic mirror channel comprises at least one reflective panel attached thereto.

Claim 14

The parabolic solar collector of claim 12 wherein said reflective panel is attached to said parabolic mirror channel by claiming means.

Claim 15

A monocoque stressed-skin focusing reflector structure for solar energy collector comprising: a plurality of sheet-like stressed interior channel members having a generally concave reflective front surface and rearwardly extending channel return edges along the opposite curved edges thereof, a plurality of bow members, one disposed between each adjacent pair of said interior channel members with said return edges in surface contact with the major faces of said bows and the forward edges of said bows being contoured to lie along and follow the front surfaces of said interior channel members, said bows being attached to said return edges by connector means other than blind fastening systems, and a plurality of sheet-like stressed exterior channel members disposed between said bows rearwardly of said interior channel members, said exterior channel members having rearwardly-extending channel return edge member along their sides adjacent said bows with said edge members in surface contact with a major face of the adjacent bow, said edge members being attached to said bows by connective means other than blind fastening system.

Claim 16

A monocoque stressed-skin focusing reflector structure for solar energy collector comprising: a plurality of sheet-like stressed interior channel members having a generally concave reflective front surface and rearwardly extending channel return edges along the opposite curved edges thereof, a plurality of bow members, one disposed between each adjacent pair of said interior channel members with said return edges in surface contact with the major faces of said bows and the forward edges of said bows being contoured to lie along and follow the front surfaces of said interior channel members, said bows being attached to said return edges by connector means other than blind fastening systems, and a plurality of sheet-like stressed exterior channel members disposed between said bows rearwardly of said interior channel members, said exterior channel members having rearwardly-extending channel return edge member along their sides adjacent said bows with said edge members in surface contact with a major face of the adjacent bow, said edge members being attached to said bows by connective means other than blind fastening system.