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Title: Solar central receiver heliostat reflector assembly

Abstract

A heliostat reflector assembly for a solar central receiver system comprises a light-weight, readily assemblable frame which supports a sheet of stretchable reflective material and includes a mechanism for selectively applying tension to and positioning the sheet to stretch it to optical flatness. The frame is mounted on and supported by a pipe pedestal assembly that, in turn, is installed in the ground. The frame is controllably driven in a predetermined way by a light-weight drive system so as to be angularly adjustable in both elevation and azimuth to track the sun and efficiently continuously reflect the sun's rays to a focal zone, i.e. central receiver, which forms part of a solar energy utilization system, such as a solar energy fueled electrical power generation system. The frame may include a built-in system for testing for optical flatness of the reflector. The preferable geometric configuration of the reflector is octagonal; however, it may be other shapes, such as hexagonal, pentagonal or square. Several different embodiments of means for tensioning and positioning the reflector to achieve optical flatness are disclosed. The reflector assembly is based on the stretch frame concept which provides an extremely light-weight, simple, low-cost reflector assembly that may bemore » driven for positioning and tracking by a light-weight, inexpensive drive system. 14 figs.« less

Inventors:
;
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
7157401
Patent Number(s):
US 4209236; A
Application Number:
PPN: US 5-844400
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 21 Oct 1977
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
14 SOLAR ENERGY; CENTRAL RECEIVERS; SOLAR REFLECTORS; DESIGN; TOWER FOCUS POWER PLANTS; INSTALLATION; OPERATION; OPTICAL PROPERTIES; SHAPE; SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEMS; STRAINS; EQUIPMENT; HELIOSTATS; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; POWER PLANTS; SOLAR CELL ARRAYS; SOLAR COLLECTORS; SOLAR CONCENTRATORS; SOLAR EQUIPMENT; SOLAR POWER PLANTS; SOLAR RECEIVERS; SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS; SOLAR TRACKING; THERMAL POWER PLANTS; 140702* - Solar Thermal Power Systems- Central Receiver

Citation Formats

Horton, R H, and Zdeb, J J. Solar central receiver heliostat reflector assembly. United States: N. p., 1980. Web.
Horton, R H, & Zdeb, J J. Solar central receiver heliostat reflector assembly. United States.
Horton, R H, and Zdeb, J J. 1980. "Solar central receiver heliostat reflector assembly". United States.
@article{osti_7157401,
title = {Solar central receiver heliostat reflector assembly},
author = {Horton, R H and Zdeb, J J},
abstractNote = {A heliostat reflector assembly for a solar central receiver system comprises a light-weight, readily assemblable frame which supports a sheet of stretchable reflective material and includes a mechanism for selectively applying tension to and positioning the sheet to stretch it to optical flatness. The frame is mounted on and supported by a pipe pedestal assembly that, in turn, is installed in the ground. The frame is controllably driven in a predetermined way by a light-weight drive system so as to be angularly adjustable in both elevation and azimuth to track the sun and efficiently continuously reflect the sun's rays to a focal zone, i.e. central receiver, which forms part of a solar energy utilization system, such as a solar energy fueled electrical power generation system. The frame may include a built-in system for testing for optical flatness of the reflector. The preferable geometric configuration of the reflector is octagonal; however, it may be other shapes, such as hexagonal, pentagonal or square. Several different embodiments of means for tensioning and positioning the reflector to achieve optical flatness are disclosed. The reflector assembly is based on the stretch frame concept which provides an extremely light-weight, simple, low-cost reflector assembly that may be driven for positioning and tracking by a light-weight, inexpensive drive system. 14 figs.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/7157401}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jun 24 00:00:00 EDT 1980},
month = {Tue Jun 24 00:00:00 EDT 1980}
}