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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Two-axis focusing energy concentrator

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5764897

A focusing multi-point high-concentrator optical system is disclosed. The system is useful for concentrating energy such as solar radiation for use in solar energy conversion systems. The configuration of the optical system incorporates thin metallized Fresnel reflector elements applied to panels formed into focusing surfaces having a common axis. The Fresenel elements are oriented axially to the axis of the focusing surfaces. The optical configuration produces a substantially rectangular focal zone centered over each panel. For a plurality of panels of a given width, there will be a plurality of focal zones, each separated by a distance equivalent to the panel width. At least one energy absorber is maintained substantially at each focal zone and may comprise a photovoltaic cell, thermal absorber, etc. and combinations thereof.

Assignee:
Spectrolab
Patent Number(s):
US 4301321
OSTI ID:
5764897
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English