Solar collector with drive system
A solar energy collector is described consisting of: a fixed reflector having a reflective surface defined by a continuous segment of a substantially toroidal shape, the reflective surface having a crown arc aligned in a first direction and being further defined by circular concave arcs of increasing distance from an arc axis X about which the concave arcs are disposed, the concave arcs being aligned in the first direction on opposite sides of a crown arc, the reflective surface being defined by substantially circular arc segments extending tangentially from and perpendicular to the crown arc, whereby the reflector has a substantially linear focus; elongated collector means extending parallel to the arc axis X and being disposed between the arc axis X and the reflective surface for receiving solar energy reflected from the reflective surface; drive means operatively connected to the collector means for moving the collector means in a path of movement defined by a plane M, the plane M being parallel to a chord connecting opposite ends of the crown arc and containing the collector means; and control means for calculating the location of the linear focus within the plane M based upon fixed parameters of latitude at which the reflector is located and reflector tilt and variable parameters of time of day and time of year, and for generating signals to the drive means to move the collector in the path of movement perpendicular to the direction in which the collector means extends.
- Assignee:
- Stellar Energy Systems, Inc., Phoenix, AZ
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4579106
- OSTI ID:
- 5710018
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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