Lightweight diaphragm mirror module system for solar collectors
A mirror module system is provided for accurately focusing solar radiation on a point or a line as defined by an array of solar collectors. Each mirror module includes a flexible membrane stretched over a frame in a manner similar to that of a drum or a trampoline and further includes a silvered glass or plastic mirror for forming an optical reflecting surface. The configuration of the optical reflecting surface is variably adjustable to provide for the accurate focusing of the solar energy on a given collector array, e.g., a point or a linear array arrangement. The flexible mirror-membrane combination is lightweight to facilitate installation and reduce system cost yet structurally strong enough to provide for the precise focusing of the incident solar radiation in a semi-rigid reflector system in which unwanted reflector displacement is minimized.
- Assignee:
- The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4511215
- OSTI ID:
- 5243438
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 29 Apr 1983; Other Information: PAT-APPL-490090
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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