Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080202500 | Electromagnetic Radiation Collector - An electromagnetic radiation collector is provided. The electromagnetic radiation collector has a concentration chamber for collecting and concentrating electromagnetic radiation and directing it to a target, the concentration chamber having at least one inlet opening, the inlet opening having a cross-sectional area. The collector also has a channeling area having an entry end for receiving the electromagnetic radiation, the entry end having a cross-sectional area, an exit end adjacent to the inlet opening of the concentration chamber, and at least one reflective wall between the entry end and the exit end. The cross-sectional area of the inlet opening is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the entry end of the channeling area. | 08-28-2008 |
20080271731 | SOLAR COLLECTORS WITH EVACUATED RECEIVER AND NONIMAGING EXTERNAL REFLECTORS - A solar collector with external reflector. A solar collector includes a glass housing having a heat pipe disposed within the housing and a light reflector disposed external to the housing. | 11-06-2008 |
20080276930 | Collector and Collector Arrangement for Generating Heat from Incident Radiation - The invention relates to a collector and a collector arrangement for generating heat, especially from incident radiation. In principle, such collectors and collector arrangements are know in prior art. An individual collector known in prior art typically comprises of a reflector device ( | 11-13-2008 |
20090000613 | Solar power harvester - A solar energy harvester comprises: an elongated stationary solar irradiance converter assembly; a concentrator comprised of a substantially flat array of flat reflective heliostatic slats disposed at tilt angles to concentrate the sun onto the converter assembly, said slats each rotating in elevation about a north-south axis; sun sensor detecting the efficacy of concentration as the sun traverses; and control circuitry and drive motor positioning the collector in elevation according to the sun sensor so that the slat array tracks and faces the sun whenever the solar incident energy is greater than a selectable threshold level. Solar power is harvested as either electricity or thermal energy or both. In the case where both electric and thermal energy are harvested the electricity produced is according to the limits of photovoltaic efficiency and the remaining solar irradiance is harvested as useful heat. In a preferred configuration the concentrator and its mount and drive mechanism are all typically located within a housing or enclosure having a transparent upper surface and a reflective north wall, which together provide complete environmental protection for all elements mounted within the enclosure. The converter assembly may be internal or external to the to the enclosed housing assembly. | 01-01-2009 |
20090071466 | APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING SOLAR ENERGY FOR CONVERSION TO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - The present disclosure provides an apparatus for collecting solar energy for electrical energy generation through one or more thermodynamic closed-cycle heat engines or the like. The present invention includes new designs for solar collectors that concentrate solar energy, and mechanisms for transporting and transferring the concentrated solar energy directly into the working fluid (e.g., a liquid, a gas, or a phase change substance) of the closed cycle thermodynamic engines without heating the outside surface of the engines. In an exemplary embodiment, the present utilizes an inflatable design for a dual-surface reflector which provides low cost and weight, protection from external elements, and the ability to inflate/deflate as required. | 03-19-2009 |
20090078249 | Device for concentrating optical radiation - A device for concentrating optical radiation comprises a collection frame, and a radiation collector. The collection frame also has a collecting surface and a focal point | 03-26-2009 |
20090084374 | Solar energy receiver having optically inclined aperture - The present application provides a solar energy receiver comprising an effective absorption aperture that is biased, so that solar radiation from a certain direction can be preferentially absorbed by a solar radiation absorber in the receiver. The effective absorption aperture is inclined relative to a physical aperture. Thus, in an elevated receiver comprising a downward facing physical aperture defining a plane that is relatively parallel to ground, the effective absorption aperture of the receivers described herein may be inclined relative to ground, but the physical aperture may remain generally parallel to ground. The biased receivers may be used in Linear Fresnel Reflector solar arrays. | 04-02-2009 |
20090084375 | Aligned multiple flat mirror reflector array for concentrating sunlight onto a solar cell - An aligned multiple flat mirror reflector array for concentrating sunlight onto a solar cell is disclosed. The reflector array includes a concentrating dish and a plurality of flat mirrors disposed on an inside surface of the concentrating dish, the plurality of flat mirrors being disposed and aligned on the inside surface of the concentrating dish such that sunlight impinging upon each of the plurality of flat mirrors is reflected upon the solar cell. | 04-02-2009 |
20090133689 | BASIC SOLAR MODULE FOR A DEVICE COLLECTING SOLAR RADIATION - The basic solar module ( | 05-28-2009 |
20090159077 | DEVICE FOR CONVERTING SOLAR ENERGY - The invention relates to a device ( | 06-25-2009 |
20090165782 | ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION COLLECTION DEVICE - An electromagnetic radiation collector includes a channeling area having an entry end for receiving the electromagnetic radiation, an exit end, and at least one reflective wall between the entry end and the exit end; and a radiation collection element near the exit end of the channeling area, the radiation collection element being adapted to collect the electromagnetic radiation. | 07-02-2009 |
20090194096 | Method and apparatus for concentrating optical radiation using light trapping elements - A holographic planar concentrator for collecting and concentrating solar radiation with light trapping elements. A holographic planar concentrator (HPC) comprises a transparent planar plate with at least one holographic film mounted on the face of the planar plate and a solar energy collecting device attached to at least one edge of the planar plate with a reflective surface or coating mounted along the remaining edges of the planar plate. A holographic planar concentrator with light trapping elements reduces potential light losses, and the amount solar energy collecting material required while enabling a more uniform visual appearance and lower manufacturing and installation costs. | 08-06-2009 |
20090194097 | Methods and Mechanisms to Increase Efficiencies of Energy or Particle Beam Collectors - The current invention is a Method and Mechanism to Increase Efficiencies of Energy or Particle Beam Collectors. Light may go through a transparent, open, 1-way, low emission, or transparent top that may focus light below from a thin film that is designed to be a Fresnel focusing surface that angles most of the light to a collector(s). With a 1-way mirror, or low emission film or glass top surface, light may go into the light collector unit, but most to all doesn't leave the unit. Light that gets in the light collector/concentrator units and doesn't get totally focused on the collector(s) from the top, may hit the bottom or sides, which each may be a compact linear Fresnel reflector, Fresnel reflector, photovoltaic or other energy collection, or total reflective surface, and be focused to the collector(s) from the surface, or reflected to eventually be incident on the collector(s). | 08-06-2009 |
20090250052 | SOLAR RECEIVER WITH ENERGY FLUX MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL - A solar energy collection system has a solar receiver with an external surface configured for high absorption of light incident thereon. The solar receiver also has a plurality of light-reflecting elements arranged on the external surface. The light-reflecting elements produce at least partially diffuse reflection of light energy incident thereon. Heliostats concentrate solar radiation onto the external surface of the solar receiver. An imaging device provides a digital image of at least a portion of the external surface of the solar receiver. A controller can control the heliostats in response to apparent brightness of the light-reflecting elements as represented in the digital image. | 10-08-2009 |
20090272374 | Radiation Reflection Device - A radiation reflection device used to focus radiation from a moving source onto a stationary receiver is disclosed. The primary application of such an invention relates to reflecting the radiation from the sun onto a stationary target. The device orients a reflective surface to a position necessary for imaging using a parallelogram type half-angle system. The device may be used singly or in a ganged array. | 11-05-2009 |
20100108056 | SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTING MODULE - A solar energy collecting system includes a substrate and at least one solar chip. The substrate includes a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of lateral surfaces, wherein the first surface faces the second surface, the lateral surfaces are adjacent to the first and second surfaces, and a first micro structure is formed on the first or the second surface. The solar chip is near one of the lateral surfaces. Solar light penetrates the first and the second surface and is refracted or reflected by the first micro structure to leave the substrate via the lateral surface and be absorbed by the solar chip. | 05-06-2010 |
20100126500 | HEAT COLLECTOR - A heat collector is disclosed. The heat collector includes a heat collecting part to receive external heat while working fluid as a heat transfer medium flows therethrough, a heat insulating part provided to surround the heat collecting part so as to decrease heat loss of the heat collecting part, and a reflecting membrane formed in the heat insulating part to reflect and concentrate incident light onto the heat collecting part. Accordingly, since the reflecting membrane is positioned around the heat collecting part, incident light can be concentrated on the heat collecting part. Since the vacuum part is provided between the heat collecting part and the heat insulating part, heat radiation from the heat collecting part due to convection and conduction is decreased. Efficiency of the overall system is enhanced. | 05-27-2010 |
20100170502 | Reciprocating solar engine with solar reflectors - A reciprocating solar engine includes a) a seesawing platform having a central fulcrum support upon which the platform is movably positioned to reciprocally rotate through a predetermined arc; b) a first solar heat-receiving closed container located on the platform on one side of the support and a second solar heat-receiving closed container located on the platform on a second side of the support; c) at least one solar reflector located adjacent said first solar heat-receiving closed container and positioned so as to reflect solar energy from said reflector to said first solar heat-receiving closed container and at lease one solar reflector adjacent said second solar heat-receiving closed container and positioned so as to reflect solar energy from said reflection to said second solar heat-receiving closed container; d) a connecting tube connecting the first container and the second container; e) a fluid contained within at least one of the first and the second container, the fluid being evaporable from solar heat and condensable from shading from solar heat; a roof above and connected to the platform, having at least one window of which is located above the first container and at least one window of above the second container; g) shuttering devices connected to the roof and movable so that one window is closed while the other is open and vice versa; and, h) shutter device controls functionally connected to the shutter device and the platform to activate the shutter devices to a first rest position when the second solar heat-receiving closed container is at its arc base, and to the second rest position when the first solar heat-receiving closed container is at its arc base. | 07-08-2010 |
20100229853 | Mounting brackets for mirrors, and associated methods - In certain example embodiments, a solar collector system including a plurality of reflectors is provided. In certain example embodiments, a bracket or pad is bonded to a reflecting panel. The bracket has at least one fastening element protruding therefrom. The fastening element cooperates with at least a hole formed in a mounting frame for securing the panel to a frame, e.g., in mounting the panel. In certain example embodiments, the at least one fastening element comprises two deformable tabs. In certain example embodiments, the at least one fastening element is a shoulder screw that cooperates with a keyhole and slot arrangement provided to the mounting frame, with the shoulder screw being held in place by an optional spring clip. | 09-16-2010 |
20100242953 | SOLAR REFLECTING MIRROR HAVING A PROTECTIVE COATING AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A solar reflecting mirror includes a shaped glass substrate having a focal area, a reflective coating over its convex surface and a sodium ion barrier layer over its concave surface. The shaped substrate has a strain pattern having a radial tension strain at the bottom area, and circumferential compression strain at the periphery of the substrate. As the distance from the periphery of the shaped substrate increases, the circumferential compression strain decreases to a “transition line” where circumferential tension strain begins. As the distance from the transition line in a direction toward the bottom area of the glass substrate increases, the circumferential tension increases. To compensate for the strain pattern in the shaped glass substrate to avoid buckling of, and surface cracks of, the barrier layer, the barrier layer including an oxide of silicon and aluminum thickness, among other things is varied on. A method of making the solar mirror from shaped sections is also discussed. | 09-30-2010 |
20100300432 | ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION COLLECTOR - An electromagnetic radiation collector is provided. The electromagnetic radiation collector has a concentration chamber for collecting and concentrating electromagnetic radiation and directing it to a target, the concentration chamber having at least one inlet opening, the inlet opening having a cross-sectional area. The collector also has a channeling area having an entry end for receiving the electromagnetic radiation, the entry end having a cross-sectional area, an exit end adjacent to the inlet opening of the concentration chamber, and at least one reflective wall between the entry end and the exit end. The cross-sectional area of the inlet opening is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the entry end of the channeling area. | 12-02-2010 |
20100313880 | Solar Concentrator - A solar concentrator comprises an upper transparent surface and a lower transparent surface. A reflective layer is on the lower transparent surface. The lower transparent surface is shaped such that the reflective layer reflects and concentrates incident light. | 12-16-2010 |
20110017202 | SOLAR ENERGY REFLECTOR - A solar energy reflector ( | 01-27-2011 |
20110094502 | THIN MIRROR WITH TRUSS BACKING AND MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT THEREFOR - A thin-sheet panel assembly. In one embodiment, a substantially rigid thin-sheet panel assembly having a non-rigid thin-sheet component includes the thin-sheet component which has selected plan area and shape, a backer having a plan shape and area substantially similar to the thin-sheet component, and plural riser elements of selected height and configuration each extending from the backer to distal ends connected to a reverse surface of the thin-sheet component, the riser elements being configured and disposed in an array which causes the assembly to have substantial rigidity in a selected direction in the thin-sheet component, and the thin-sheet panel assembly further includes a bar coupled to the backer and extending between at least one pair of adjacent riser elements of the plural riser elements. | 04-28-2011 |
20110186042 | Mirror For Solar Thermal Power Plants, Comprising Plasticizer-Containing Polyvinyl Acetal Films - plasticizer-containing films based on polyvinyl acetal where the polyvinyl alcohol content of the polyvinyl acetal is less than 20 wt % are useful for production of mirrors for solar thermal power plants which exhibit low creep of the adhesive layer, and low corrosion of the specular surface. | 08-04-2011 |
20110203578 | SOLAR REFLECTING MIRROR AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A solar reflecting mirror having a curved reflective surface includes a plurality of transparent shaped segments held together by securing facilities to provide a shaped transparent substrate having a convex surface and an opposite concave surface, the concave surface having a focal area. A solar reflecting coating is provided over the convex surface of the shaped substrate to reflect visible and infrared waves of the electromagnetic scale to the focal area of the shaped transparent substrate. A method of making the solar mirror is also disclosed. | 08-25-2011 |
20110220096 | Concentrated solar trough and mobile solar collector - Solar energy reflector, collector, array, and other equipment for converting solar energy to e.g. thermal energy. A reflector or collector may, for instance, comprise a plurality of longitudinal rails; a rib engaging and spanning the plurality of longitudinal rails; and a first mirror panel. The rib of the reflector or collector may have a slot that is parabolic or in the shape of a section of a parabola. A portion of the mirror panel such as an end portion or a portion located away from the ends may be positioned within the rib's slot. | 09-15-2011 |
20110220097 | MIRROR - Mirror assemblies according to the present invention comprise a mirror ( | 09-15-2011 |
20110226234 | CORROSION-RESISTANT MIRROR - The invention relates to a mirror comprising a glass sheet and a silver layer applied to the glass and provided on its back with a protective coating comprising a layer of dried and crosslinked paint of the alkyd type and a layer of dried and crosslinked paint of the polyurethane type, the alkyd layer being located between the silver layer and the polyurethane layer. The invention also relates to its use for deflecting solar light onto a heat collector. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing a mirror comprising: | 09-22-2011 |
20110240009 | MIRROR HAVING REFLECTIVE COATINGS ON A FIRST SURFACE AND AN OPPOSITE SECOND SURFACE - A solar mirror includes an opaque reflective coating on a surface of a transparent substrate facing away from the sun and a transparent reflective coating on the opposite surface of the substrate. The transparent reflective coating increases the percent reflection of wavelengths in selected ranges, e.g. wavelengths in the infrared range to increase the total solar energy reflected by the solar mirror to increase the solar energy directed to a receiver that converts solar energy to electric and/or thermal energy. | 10-06-2011 |
20120055463 | SOLAR COLLECTOR REFLECTOR SYSTEM - The solar collector-reflector system includes at least one modular solar panel arranged singly or in an array, each solar panel having a solar collector-reflector assembly, a driver for selective collection or reflection of solar energy, attachment assembly, mounting assembly, ducting and a controller for controlling the solar energy collection and reflection configuration based on the sensed differential temperature between the solar panel or array and a dwelling set temperature. The solar collector-reflector assembly has surfaces that either collect or reflect solar energy, and the solar collector-reflector system utilizes air-to-air heat transfer to provide additional heating to an existing ducting system in the dwelling or reflect solar flux from the roof, thereby reducing heating and cooling energy consumption and costs. | 03-08-2012 |
20120160234 | LOCATING CONNECTORS AND METHODS FOR MOUNTING SOLAR HARDWARE - A solar concentrator assembly can include mirror assemblies that are connected to pivotable frames with locating connections. The locating connections can be in the form of cam devices or tool-less connections formed by snap fitting devices as well as tool-less cam devices. | 06-28-2012 |
20120186579 | Components and solar energy collection system - Scalable arm assemblies for solar energy collector. In one instance, two end arms of two collectors are formed with identical hubs, end fittings, and bottom fitting but different connectors between hubs and fittings. Separate solar energy collector panels or wings may be interconnected with e.g. an interconnect that is asymmetric in one direction but symmetric in a second direction in cross-section. A solar energy collector may also have a unique sprocket drive system. | 07-26-2012 |
20120247457 | COATING COMPOSITION FOR SOLAR HEAT-COLLECTING REFLECTIVE PLATE, AND SOLAR HEAT-COLLECTING REFLECTIVE PLATE AND PROCESS FOR ITS PRODUCTION - The present invention is to provide a coating composition for surface coating capable of forming a cured coating film layer that protects a reflective substrate of a solar heat-collecting reflective plate and that is excellent in the impact resistance and the weather resistance such as the heat resistance and the water resistance, as well as a solar heat-collecting reflective plate having such a cured coating film layer, and a process for its production. A coating composition for surface coating to be used for the production of a solar heat-collecting reflective plate having a reflective substrate made of metal, which comprises a fluoropolymer (A) having units (A1) derived from a fluoroolefin and units (A2) having a crosslinkable group. Further, a solar heat-collecting reflective plate having a cured coating film layer formed from the coating composition for surface coating, and a process for its production. | 10-04-2012 |
20120266868 | PARABOLIC COLLECTOR - A parabolic collector for the concentration of solar radiation has a reflective surface which is approximated to an ideal paraboloid and has a number of individual collectors. According to the invention, individual collectors are provided with a pressure cell with a concentrator formed from a flexible film, whereby, under operating pressure conditions, the concentrator is curved differently in a predetermined manner in a first and in a second direction for approximating the ideal paraboloid, such that the radius of curvature in the first direction is greater than that in the second direction. The production method for such a concentrator consists in the fact that the outline of the individual collectors is designed in the outline of the parabolic collector, the true dimensions of the individual collectors being determined from the intersection of cylinders positioned on the outline with the paraboloid of the parabolic collector. | 10-25-2012 |
20120285443 | ADJUSTABLE REFLECTOR FOR DIRECTING ENERGY TO A RECEIVER - The present invention may provide a low-cost and easy-to-operate solution for adjusting the curvature and the focal length of an adjustable reflector, which may include a curved plate, a rotation member, and a contour adjustor. The curved plate may have a curvature. The rotation member may engage the curved plate and rotate the curved plate about an axis and to an angular position. The contour adjustor may have an adjustment surface contacting the curved plate, such that it may cooperate with the rotation member to adjust the curvature of the curved plate according to the angular position of the curved plate. Advantageously, the contour adjustor may have a low manufacturing cost and a low installation cost. The contour adjustor may operate without relying on additional control circuitry because it may perform its intended function while the curved plate is being rotated. | 11-15-2012 |
20120285444 | PRISM SHIELDS FOR A PARABOLIC TROUGH SOLAR COLLECTOR - A solar receiver assembly includes a tube adapted to carry a heat transfer medium and a glass envelope surrounding the tube and having opposed ends. An interface is disposed between each end and the tube so as to seal and support the tube from the envelope. And the receiver includes a prism disposed over the interface to divert incident radiation away from the interface and toward the tube and/or the glass envelope. The prisms may be provided with reflective and/or anti-reflective coatings to further optimize diversion of radiation from the interface. | 11-15-2012 |
20130025587 | VACUUM TUBE SOLAR COLLECTOR WITH OVERHEATING PROTECTIONBY MEANS OF A ROTATING REFLECTOR - The aim is to add a device to vacuum-tube solar collectors so as to prevent overheating thereof. FIG. | 01-31-2013 |
20130081612 | FILM MIRROR FOR REFLECTING SUNLIGHT AND REFLECTIVE DEVICE FOR SOLAR THERMAL POWER GENERATION - A film mirror for reflecting sunlight includes a polymer film substrate, a reflective layer including silver coating, and a protective coating layer in sequence from the incident side of sunlight. The reflective layer is formed by coating and calcining (firing) a coating liquid containing a silver complex compound. | 04-04-2013 |
20140076306 | Concentrating Solar Energy Collector - Systems, methods, and apparatus by which solar energy may be collected to provide heat, electricity, or a combination of heat and electricity are disclosed herein. | 03-20-2014 |
20140144427 | POLYMERIC MATERIALS FOR EXTERNAL APPLICATIONS WITH SELF-HEALING SURFACE PROPERTIES AFTER SCRATCHES OR ABRASION DAMAGE - The invention relates to surface enhancements for composite mouldings made from polymeric materials and to the use thereof in solar systems. These solar systems may be solar reflectors for concentrating solar radiation, flexible photovoltaic composite films, or CPV (Concentrated Photovoltaics) lenses for concentrating solar radiation. | 05-29-2014 |
20140202448 | Production of Electricity and Heat Storage Using Solar Mirrors - A solar energy collection array includes a plurality of individual mirrors and a plurality of receiver facets. The mirrors form a fixed multifaceted curved collection of mirrors. Each individual mirror is less than 1 square meter and is constructed of inexpensive and easily replaceable surfaces. The receiver facets are disposed as fixed curved multifaceted receivers. Each receiver facet is less than 1 square meter and is constructed of inexpensive and easily replaceable surfaces and wherein each individual mirror is aimed at one of the receiver facets so that each receiver facet is optically aligned with one of the individual mirrors thereby creating a small mirror multiple target. Different facets are utilized at different times of day and season based on the sun's position. | 07-24-2014 |
20140251313 | Modification of UV Absorption Profile of Polymer Film Reflectors to Increase Solar-Weighted Reflectance - Provided are reflective thin film constructions including a reduced number of layers, which provides for increased solar-weighted hemispherical reflectance and durability. Reflective films include those comprising an ultraviolet absorbing abrasion resistant coating over a metal layer. Also provided are ultraviolet absorbing abrasion resistant coatings and methods for optimizing the ultraviolet absorption of an abrasion resistant coating. Reflective films disclosed herein are useful for solar reflecting, solar collecting, and solar concentrating applications, such as for the generation of electrical power. | 09-11-2014 |
20150136119 | METHOD FOR SHAPING A FILM OF A MATERIAL THAT HAS LOW RESISTANCE TO TRACTION, AND MIRROR COMPRISING SUCH A FILM - A method for shaping a glass sheet having a thickness Ev by applying and adhering a layer of a first material that can be subjected to traction onto a first surface of the glass sheet. The layer has a thickness E1. Either the neutral fiber of the complex moves across into the layer of the first material, the glass being then completely under compression; or the neutral fiber moves towards the first material but remains in the glass sheet, the surface of the glass being then subjected to a level of traction lower than the failure value. The complex comprising the glass sheet coated with the first layer of material is deformed, such that it is close to the final shape and the glass is mainly under compression. A stabilizing element B is applied and adhered or attached onto the complex A and of dimensionally stabilizing the final shape. | 05-21-2015 |
20160102889 | SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTION APPARATUS AND DESIGN METHOD - The present invention relates to a solar energy collection apparatus and design method. In particular, the invention provides a solar energy collection apparatus incorporating one or more reflectors and a solar collector for receiving incoming solar radiation, including reflected radiation from the one or more reflectors, wherein the one or more reflectors and the collector are oriented according to a pre-calculated offset length and offset angle based at least on the latitude of the apparatus. The invention further provides a computer-implemented method of designing a solar collection apparatus including determining the optimal offset length and offset angle between the one or more reflectors and the collector for a given latitude and other inputs. | 04-14-2016 |