Lightweight diaphragm mirror module system for solar collectors
- Golden, CO
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.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EG-77-C-01-4042
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4511215
- OSTI ID:
- 865419
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
diaphragm
mirror
module
solar
collectors
provided
accurately
focusing
radiation
line
defined
array
flexible
membrane
stretched
frame
manner
similar
drum
trampoline
silvered
glass
plastic
forming
optical
reflecting
surface
configuration
variably
adjustable
provide
accurate
energy
collector
linear
arrangement
mirror-membrane
combination
facilitate
installation
reduce
cost
structurally
strong
precise
incident
semi-rigid
reflector
unwanted
displacement
minimized
facilitate installation
solar collectors
linear array
solar collector
solar energy
solar radiation
reflecting surface
mirror module
silvered glass
manner similar
flexible membrane
incident solar
focusing solar
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