Solar energy collection
Apparatus and methods for concentrating and collecting solar energy and for lowering the cost and increasing the efficiency of solar energy systems are disclosed. Solar energy is concentrated by economical refringent lenses or lens systems including fluid lenses and/or fresnel-type lenses. The lenses concentrate the solar energy preferably along lines in continuous linear foci or in discrete foci at an elongated collector comprising one or more fluid-carrying conduits and one or more fluids therein. According to one aspect of the invention, lower reflectors are disposed below a central reflector and positioned to reflect and preferably concentrate solar energy towards the central reflector. The central reflector reflects and preferably concentrates the solar energy from the reflectors towards the collector means, also disposed below the central reflector. A lens, preferably a fluid lens, is disposed in the path of reflected solar energy between the lower reflectors and the collector. The lens(Es) is positioned in the path between the lower reflectors and the central reflector and/or in the path between the central reflector and the collector, the reflected solar energy being focused in or on the collector by the lens or central reflector. The central reflector, the lower reflectors, the lens and the collector may be movable to track the sun seasonally and preferably also daily (Hourly).
- Assignee:
- North American Utility Construction Corp.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4249516
- OSTI ID:
- 6464109
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
140501 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
COMBINED COLLECTORS
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
FRESNEL LENS
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
LENSES
PIPES
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR REFLECTORS