Method of forming structural heliostat

Patent · Tue Jun 26 04:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:6393530

Anderson, A J

In forming a heliostat having a main support structure and pivoting and tilting motors and gears and a mirror module for reflecting solar energy onto a collector, the improvement characterized by a method of forming the mirror module in which the mirror is laid upon a solid rigid supporting bed in one or more sections, with or without focusing; a mirror backing sheet is applied by first applying respective thin layers of silicone grease and, thereafter, progressively rolling application to eliminate air bubbles; followed by affixing of a substrate assembly to the mirror backing sheet to form a mirror module that does not curve because of thermally induced stresses and differential thermal expansion or contraction effects. The silicone grease also serves to dampen fluttering of the mirror and protect the mirror backside against adverse effects of the weather. Also disclosed are specific details of preferred embodiments.

• Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 4456332
• OSTI ID: 6393530
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140700* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems
COATINGS
DEPOSITION
DESIGN
EQUIPMENT
EXPANSION
FILMS
FOCUSING
GREASES
HELIOSTATS
LUBRICANTS
MIRRORS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SILICON COMPOUNDS
POLYMERS
RADIATIONS
REFLECTION
REFLECTIVE COATINGS
SILICONES
SILOXANES
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR RADIATION
STELLAR RADIATION
THERMAL EXPANSION
THIN FILMS