| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090056698 | Solar collector framework - A solar energy collector suitable for use in a solar energy collection system that tracks movements of the sun along at least one axis may have a plurality of reflector panels, a support structure that supports the reflector panels in a manner that defines a pair of adjacent reflector troughs, each trough having a base, a pair of reflective side walls and a trough aperture suitable for receiving incident sunlight during operation of the solar energy collection system, a frame that is coupled to the support structure near the bases of the troughs to define a closed reflector support truss framework in cooperation with the support structure, wherein the reflector support truss framework is positioned behind the reflector troughs such that the reflector support truss framework does not shadow the reflector panels during normal operation of the solar energy collector, and a plurality of solar receivers. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090056785 | DUAL TROUGH CONCENTRATING SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE - A solar energy collector suitable for use in a solar energy collection system. The collector may have a plurality of reflector panels, a support structure that supports the reflector panels in a manner that defines a pair of adjacent reflector troughs, each trough having a base, a pair of reflective side walls and a trough aperture suitable for receiving incident sunlight during operation of the collector, a plurality of solar receivers positioned generally adjacent an edge of an associated trough and including at least one photovoltaic cell, wherein the reflector panels are arranged to direct incident sunlight towards the solar receivers using a single reflection during operation of the collector, and a frame that is coupled to the support structure near the bases of the troughs to define a closed reflector support truss framework. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090056786 | Photovoltaic receiver - A solar receiver can have a base plate having a first surface and a second surface, a plurality of solar cells positioned over and supported by the first surface of the base plate, each solar cell having a cell face suitable for receiving solar radiation that faces away from the base plate, the plurality of solar cells being arranged in at least one string having a string axis, and a plurality of fins attached directly to the second surface of the base plate, wherein the fins extend outwardly from the second surface of the base plate in a direction that is generally perpendicular to both the string axis and the solar cell faces. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090056787 | Concentrating solar collector - A solar energy collector is provided having at least one reflector panel, a plurality of solar receivers, and a support structure that supports the at least one reflector panels in a manner that defines a reflector troughs having a trough base, a pair of reflective side walls and a trough aperture suitable for receiving incident sunlight during operation of the collector, wherein each reflective side wall has a curvature that approximates a quarter parabola segment to thereby concentrate incident solar radiation on the plurality of solar receivers. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20100163014 | HIGH GROUND COVER RATIO SOLAR COLLECTION SYSTEM - In one embodiment, a solar energy collection system that includes an array of collectors to track movements of the sun, each collector having a plurality of reflector panels, a support structure that supports the reflector panels, wherein the support structure supports the reflector panels in a manner that defines a trough, a pair of reflective side walls and a trough aperture suitable for receiving incident sunlight during operation of the collector, a plurality of solar receivers, each solar receiver being positioned generally adjacent an edge of an associated trough and including at least one photovoltaic cell, wherein the reflector panels are arranged to direct incident sunlight towards the solar receivers using a single reflection during operation of the collector, and a tracking mechanism to rotate the collector about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to track movements of the sun and direct incident sunlight along the longitudinal axis. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100175740 | SOLAR COLLECTOR WITH END MODIFICATIONS - In one embodiment, a concentrating solar energy collector, which tracks movements of the sun along one axis has a reflective trough, at least one solar receiver mounted above the reflective trough and configured so that incident sunlight striking the reflective trough is directed toward the at least one solar receiver, and a reflector extender coupled to a first end of the reflective trough and configured to capture and direct incident sunlight towards the at least one solar receiver. In another embodiment, one or more extended end reflectors is attached with a reflective trough of a solar energy collector. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100193014 | PHOTOVOLTAIC RECEIVER - A solar receiver can have a base plate having a first surface and a second surface, a plurality of solar cells positioned over and supported by the first surface of the base plate, each solar cell having a cell face suitable for receiving solar radiation that faces away from the base plate, the plurality of solar cells being arranged in at least one string having a string axis, and a plurality of fins attached directly to the second surface of the base plate, wherein the fins extend outwardly from the second surface of the base plate in a direction that is generally perpendicular to both the string axis and the solar cell faces. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100294336 | CENTER TAPPED RECEIVER - A variety of arrangements and methods relating to solar energy collectors and/or solar receivers are described. In one aspect of the invention, a solar receiver includes a photovoltaic cell and a conductive bar that is mounted on the photovoltaic cell. One or more protective covers are positioned over the conductive bar and the cell. Each of the protective covers includes a top and an opposing bottom surface and a side beveled surface. The top and bottom surfaces of the protective covers are substantially parallel to the face of the photovoltaic cell. The side beveled surface is positioned over the conductive bar and is arranged to reflect incoming sunlight towards a portion of the cell that is not covered by the conductive bar. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20110023940 | SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTION SYSTEM - In one aspect of the present invention, a solar energy collection system that includes multiple longitudinally adjacent collectors is described. The collectors are coupled end to end to form a collector row. The collector row extends along a longitudinal axis and is arranged to rotate about a pivot axis to track the sun in at least one dimension. Each collector includes a reflector, one or more solar receivers and a support structure. The support structure includes a tube assembly that underlies the reflector. The tube assemblies of the collector row are arranged end to end along the longitudinal axis. There is a space between the tube assemblies of adjacent collectors in the collector row, where the reflectors of the adjacent collectors extend beyond the underlying tube assemblies to form a substantially continuous reflective surface over the space. A coupling device is positioned in the space between the tube assemblies. The coupling device connects and helps to rotate the tube assemblies of the adjacent collectors. Some embodiments relate to various types of coupling devices and collector arrangements. | 02-03-2011 |
