Solar energy concentrating and collecting arrangement and method
A solar energy concentrating and collecting arrangement and method is disclosed in which a semi-cylindrical oblong concave reflector/concentrator forms the roof of a house, school or other building, particularly a heat utilization building. A collector is movably supported in spaced relation above and along the length of the oblong roof/reflector, for pivotal movement to a zone of maximum confluence of solar energy rays reflected from the roof reflector as a result of variations of Sun path during the various parts of the year and also to further accommodate each day's movement of the Sun. Movement of the collector is by pivotal movement about an axis parallel with the center of curvature or curvatures of the roof/reflector and disposed adjacent the roof/reflector. The roof/reflector has a plurality of radii, for enabling accommodation of wide variations of the Sun angles during the various seasons of the year and during each day of a given season, while still affording a desired concentration of solar energy on the collector. The concentrated solar energy collected by the collector is transferred to a fluid, such as water, passed along the length of collector, by a pump forming a part of a heat utilization system, which may include heating and/or cooling of the building and/or additional buildings or other structures. The roof/reflector is oriented with its center of curvature axes running East-West and with its surface tilted toward the Equator, the degree of tilt being dependent upon the latitude of the reflector.
- Assignee:
- AAI Corp.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4111360
- OSTI ID:
- 6350824
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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