| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 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 |
| 20100236626 | REFLECTIVE SURFACE FOR SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTOR - Concentrating solar collector systems that utilize a concentrating reflector to direct incident solar radiation to a solar receiver are described. In one aspect, the reflective surface is arranged to direct light to the receiver in a non-imaging manner in which the solar rays reflected from the opposing edges of the reflective surface are generally directed towards a central portion of the solar receiver. Rays reflected from selected central portions of the reflective surface are directed closer to the edges of the receiver than the solar rays reflected from the edges of the reflective surface. The described reflectors are generally intended for use in solar collector systems that track movements of the sun along at least one axis. | 09-23-2010 |
| 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 |
| 20110108090 | SOLAR COLLECTOR - The present invention relates to a solar energy collector suitable for use in a solar energy collection system. The solar energy collection system includes the collector, a stand that supports the collector and a tracking system that causes the collector to track movements of the sun along at least one axis. The collector includes one or more reflector panels, one or more solar receivers, and a support structure that physically supports the reflector panels and solar receivers. Some designs involve a reflector panel that has a compound curvature. That is, the reflector panel has a convex shape along one direction and a concave shape in another direction. In another aspect of the invention, the collector includes a space frame support structure. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110108091 | SOLAR COLLECTOR - The present invention relates to a solar energy collector suitable for use in a solar energy collection system. The solar energy collection system includes the collector, a stand that supports the collector and a tracking system that causes the collector to track movements of the sun along at least one axis. The collector includes one or more reflector panels, one or more solar receivers, and a support structure that physically supports the reflector panels and solar receivers. Some designs involve a reflector panel that has a compound curvature. That is, the reflector panel has a convex shape along one direction and a concave shape in another direction. In another aspect of the invention, the collector includes a space frame support structure. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110132457 | CONCENTRATING SOLAR COLLECTOR WITH SHIELDING MIRRORS - One aspect of the invention relates to an arrangement for use in a concentrating solar collector that involves a solar receiver that is covered by a shielding mirror. The shielding mirror is attached with and positioned over the solar receiver to help deflect incident light away from the underlying solar receiver. In various embodiments, the shielding mirror is arranged to direct the light to a photovoltaic cell on another solar receiver. Another aspect of the invention pertains to a concentrating solar collector that utilizes the above arrangement. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110186130 | REFLECTIVE SURFACE FOR SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTOR - Concentrating solar collector systems that utilize a concentrating reflector to direct incident solar radiation to a solar receiver are described. In one aspect, the reflective surface is arranged to direct light to the receiver in a non-imaging manner in which the solar rays reflected from the opposing edges of the reflective surface are generally directed towards a central portion of the solar receiver. Rays reflected from selected central portions of the reflective surface are directed closer to the edges of the receiver than the solar rays reflected from the edges of the reflective surface. The described reflectors are generally intended for use in solar collector systems that track movements of the sun along at least one axis. | 08-04-2011 |
