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Title: Focusing solar collector and method for manufacturing same

Abstract

Disclosed is a solar collector comprising an annular-shaped frame and a composite membrane member for concentrating and focusing sun radiation. The composite membrane member is supported and tensioned by the frame and consists of first and second differentially pretensioned sheet members which are integrally bonded to one another. The frame and one of the two sheet members are adapted to allow tensions in both of the sheets to be adjusted. Subsequent to bonding and upon adjusting a tension in one of the two sheet members, both of the two bonded sheet members react with one another so as to cause the composite membrane member to have a contoured configuration, which enables the membrane member to be focusable. Additionally, adjusting the tension in one of the two sheet members provides a reciprocal adjustment in a focus provided by the membrane member.

Inventors:
 [1]
  1. Lakewood, CO
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
865277
Patent Number(s):
4487196
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F24 - HEATING F24S - SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS
Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
DOE Contract Number:  
EG-77-C-01-4042
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
focusing; solar; collector; method; manufacturing; disclosed; comprising; annular-shaped; frame; composite; membrane; concentrating; sun; radiation; supported; tensioned; consists; differentially; pretensioned; sheet; integrally; bonded; adapted; allow; tensions; sheets; adjusted; subsequent; bonding; adjusting; tension; react; contoured; configuration; enables; focusable; additionally; provides; reciprocal; adjustment; focus; provided; collector comprising; composite membrane; solar collector; focusing solar; bonded sheet; /126/38/359/

Citation Formats

Murphy, Lawrence M. Focusing solar collector and method for manufacturing same. United States: N. p., 1984. Web.
Murphy, Lawrence M. Focusing solar collector and method for manufacturing same. United States.
Murphy, Lawrence M. Sun . "Focusing solar collector and method for manufacturing same". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/865277.
@article{osti_865277,
title = {Focusing solar collector and method for manufacturing same},
author = {Murphy, Lawrence M},
abstractNote = {Disclosed is a solar collector comprising an annular-shaped frame and a composite membrane member for concentrating and focusing sun radiation. The composite membrane member is supported and tensioned by the frame and consists of first and second differentially pretensioned sheet members which are integrally bonded to one another. The frame and one of the two sheet members are adapted to allow tensions in both of the sheets to be adjusted. Subsequent to bonding and upon adjusting a tension in one of the two sheet members, both of the two bonded sheet members react with one another so as to cause the composite membrane member to have a contoured configuration, which enables the membrane member to be focusable. Additionally, adjusting the tension in one of the two sheet members provides a reciprocal adjustment in a focus provided by the membrane member.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984},
month = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984}
}