Solar reflector system
A solar reflector system is described for reflecting solar energy to an elongated solar receiving area disposed generally in an east-west direction and for helping to optimize the performance versus cost ratios of concentrating solar collector systems utilizing the solar reflector system. The solar reflector system consists of an elongated side reflector panel means to be hinged relative to the solar receiving area, hinge means adjacent the solar receiving area for pivotally connecting the reflector panel means relative to the solar receiving area. The reflector panel means include a reflector surface comprised of a plurality of flat planar reflector panels that are each elongated parallel to the solar receiving area for about the length of the solar receiving area, with adjacent flat planar reflector panels comprising the reflector surface sharing a common edge that extends parallel to the solar receiving area and forming an angle appropriate to facilitate efficient performance of the overall reflector panel means in reflecting solar energy to the solar receiving area, means for adjusting one, some, or all of the angles formed by adjacent flat planar reflector panels comprising the reflector surface. The curvature of the overall reflector surface may be altered on a seasonal basis, and means for adjusting the entire reflector panel means relative to the solar receiving area about the hinge means, so as to improve year-round reflector panel means performance in reflecting solar energy to the solar receiving area.
- Assignee:
- NOV; NOV-85-016378; EDB-86-143067
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4597377
- OSTI ID:
- 5509322
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 9 Oct 1984
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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