SOLAR COLLECTOR APPARATUS
In various aspects, a solar collector apparatus includes a lens pivotally mounted about an axis thereof and adapted to gather sunlight into a focal point, and a tracking device adapted to track a position of the sun, the tracking device cooperates with the lens to pivot the lens about the axis in correspondence to the position of the sun. Related methods of use of the solar collector apparatus are disclosed herein. This Abstract is presented to meet requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) only. This Abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof.
There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to solar energy and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for orientation of a lens in correspondence to the position of the sun.
2. Description of the Related Art
Society requires energy for economic growth and for quality of life. As the earth's population grows along with the global economy, the need for energy continues to increase. Solar energy may be useful in meeting this global demand for energy, and solar energy may have certain advantages over fossil fuels or other energy sources for the heating of water for residential or commercial purposes. The heated water may be stored in an insulated tank until use. This allows water to be heated when solar energy is available and the water may be used at night or on cloudy days when solar energy is not available. The cost of heating water using solar energy may be less than the cost of heating a similar amount of water using fossil fuels.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved apparatus as well as related methods for heating water using solar energy.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,630,622 B2, issued in the name of Konold;
U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,519 B2, issued in the name of Litwin;
U.S. Patent Application no. 2008/0314438 A1, published in the name of Tran et al.;
U.S. Patent Application no. 2005/0133082 A1, published in the name of Konold et al.;
U.S. Patent Application no. 2008/0078435 A1, published in the name of Johnson;
U.S. Pat. No. 7,296,410 B2, issued in the name of Litwin;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,103, issued in the name of Thompson; and
U.S. Patent Application no. 2009/0293940 A1, published in the name of Sharpe.
Consequently, a need has been felt for an improved apparatus for heating water using solar energy in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient.
This application presents claims and embodiments that fulfill a need or needs not yet satisfied by the products, inventions and methods previously or presently available. In particular, the claims and embodiments disclosed herein describe a solar collector apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a lens pivotally mounted about an axis thereof and adapted to gather sunlight into a focal point; and a tracking device adapted to track a position of the sun, the tracking device cooperates with the lens to pivot the lens about the axis in correspondence to the position of the sun, the apparatus providing unanticipated and nonobvious combination of features distinguished from the products, inventions and methods preexisting in the art. The applicant is unaware of any product, method, disclosure or reference that discloses the features of the claims and embodiments disclosed herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThese and other needs and disadvantages may be overcome by the apparatus and related methods disclosed herein. Additional improvements and advantages may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art upon study of the present disclosure.
A solar collector apparatus is disclosed herein. In various aspects, the solar collector apparatus includes a lens pivotally mounted about an axis thereof and adapted to gather sunlight into a focal point, and a tracking device adapted to track a position of the sun, the tracking device cooperates with the lens to pivot the lens about the axis in correspondence to the position of the sun. Related methods of use of the solar collector apparatus are disclosed herein.
This summary is presented to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein as a prelude to the detailed description that follows below. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof.
The Figures are exemplary only, and the implementations illustrated therein are selected to facilitate explanation. The number, position, relationship and dimensions of the elements shown in the Figures to form the various implementations described herein, as well as dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, flow and similar requirements are explained herein or are understandable to a person of ordinary skill in the art upon study of this disclosure. Where used in the various Figures, the same numerals designate the same or similar elements. Furthermore, when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “forward,” “rear,” “first,” “second,” “inside,” “outside,” and similar terms are used, the terms should be understood in reference to the orientation of the implementations shown in the drawings and are utilized to facilitate description thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONAs illustrated in
Inner surface 43 of heat exchanger 40 defines heat exchanger chamber 44 which may be generally filled by a working fluid 46. In various implementations, the working fluid 46 may be mineral oil, various other oils, or so forth. The working fluid 46 may be heated by the solar energy impinging upon outer surface 41 of heat exchanger 40, and heat exchanger 40 may exchange heat between the working fluid 46 and feed water 150, which may be water or other fluid to be heated. The heat exchanger 40 may be configured in other ways to exchange heat between the working fluid 46 and the feed water 150, in other implementations. Various connections (not shown) may be provided to convey the feed water 150 into and out of heat exchanger 40.
Cover 80, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Beam 95 of support structure 90, in this implementation, is anchored to base 430 thereby securing support structure 90 to base 430. Base 430 may be the ground, a portion of a structure such as a building, or other suitable securement for solar collector apparatus 10.
As illustrated in
The implementation of the solar collector apparatus 10 illustrated in
Tubes disposed circumferentially about housing 60, such as tubes 126, 128, pass from manifold 121 and extend into header 123 (see
Header 123 may be insulated to prevent cooling of the feed water 150 within the header 123. Feed water 150 may be introduced into intake header 123 where the feed water is warmed by solar radiation absorbed by the gas within tubes such as tubes 126, 128. The tubes, such as tubes 126, 128, may follow the shape of the housing 60 closely so that the tubes are spaced closer together proximate the header 123 and spaced further apart proximate the manifold 121 thereby following the radius of the housing 60.
In some implementations, one or more pumps (not shown) may be provided to pump the feed water 150 through the outer reservoir 120 and the heat exchanger 40. In other implementation, the feed water 150 may flow through the outer reservoir 120 and the heat exchanger 40 as driven by thermal convection or by gravity.
Side 41 of heat exchanger 40 is faced toward lens 20, while side 42 of heat exchanger 40 is faced toward inner surface 68 of housing 60. A parabolic reflector 85 is mounted between heat exchanger 40 and inner surface 68 of housing 60 to reflect heat or light back into chamber 64 of housing 60. Parabolic reflector 85 may be sized such that portions of parabolic reflector 85 extend beyond the footprint of heat exchanger 40, as illustrated in
Lens 20 may be affixed to axle 30 and axle 30 may rotate to allow lens 20 to rotate with respect to housing 60. In other implementations, axle 30 may be stationary and lens 20 may be rotationally attached to axle 30 to rotate about axle 30. Axle 30 includes other rotational mechanisms of attachment of lens 20 to housing 60, in various other implementations.
Lens 20 may be formed of glass or other transparent material and may be configured to have suitable optical properties. Lens 20, as illustrated, may be configured as a Fresnel lens, in various implementations, to reduce the mass of lens 20.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In one exemplary implementations, axis 63 of solar collector apparatus 10 may be oriented perpendicular to the plane of the horizon 340 toward zenith 330 so that normal vector 200 may be rotated through various azimuths by rotation of housing 60 about axis 63 as the azimuth of the sun changes throughout the day. Axis 33 may be oriented to lie in the plane of the horizon 340 so that normal vector 200 may be rotated through various altitudes by rotation of lens 20 about axis 33 as the altitude of the sun changes throughout the day. Accordingly, normal vector 200, and hence lens 20, may be oriented toward sun 400 as the position of the sun varies throughout the day by rotation of housing 60 about axis 63 and by rotation of lens 20 about axis 33.
In another exemplary implementation, axis 63 of solar collector apparatus 10 may be oriented to lie in the plane of the horizon 340 so that normal vector 200 may be rotated through various altitudes by rotation of housing 60 about axis 63 as the altitude of the sun changes throughout the day. Axis 33 may be oriented perpendicular to the plane of the horizon 340 toward zenith 330 so that normal vector 200 may be rotated through various azimuths by rotation of lens 20 about axis 33 as the azimuth of the sun changes throughout the day. Accordingly, normal vector 200, and hence lens 20, may be oriented toward sun 400 as the position of the sun varies throughout the day by rotation of housing 60 about axis 63 and by rotation of lens 20 about axis 33.
As an example, the focal point of the lens 20, per this example, is about 29 inches so that about 22¼ inches of sunlight (lens diameter) is concentrated into about a 1-inch diameter and may heat that 1-inch diameter area to about 1600° F. Copper piping may be used within the heat exchanger 140 to convey the feedwater 150 therethrough, and ceramic tiles or similar may be placed within or about the heat exchanger 40 to provide thermal mass or for insulation, in various implementations.
As illustrated in
In operation, solar collector apparatus 10 may be oriented such that lens 20 is faced toward the sun to focus solar radiation through lens 20 into focal point 410. Tracking device 50 tracks the position of the sun. Tracking device 50 may cooperate with lens 20 to pivot lens 20 about axle 30, which is aligned with axis 33, to orient lens 20 toward the sun as the position of the sun changes throughout the day. Focal point 410 falls upon outer surface 41 of heat exchanger 40 to impart solar energy to heat exchanger 40. Outer surface 41 may have a generally curved shape such that focal point 410 may traverse the curved outer surface 41 as lens 20 is pivoted.
Tracking device 105 tracks the position of the sun. Tracking device 105 may cooperate with housing 60 to rotate housing 60 about mounts 67, 69, which are aligned with axis 63, to orient housing 60 such that entry 65 is oriented toward the sun as the position of the sun changes throughout the day. In various other implementations, tracking device 105 and tracking device 50 may be combined as a single tracking device.
In some implementations, lens 20 may pivot to match the altitude 329 of the sun and the housing 60 may rotate to match the azimuth 310 of the sun. In other implementations, lens 20 may pivot to match the azimuth 310 of the sun and the housing 60 may rotate to match the altitude 329 of the sun.
With lens 20 oriented toward the sun such that focus 410 falls upon outer surface 41 of heat exchanger 40 thereby imparting solar energy into the heat exchanger 40, feed water 150 may be passed through solar collector apparatus 10 to heat the feed water 150 using the solar energy. The feed water 150 may pass through outer reservoir 120. The feed water may be heated within outer reservoir 120 by solar energy absorbed by the outer surface 126 of the outer reservoir 120. The feed water 120 may pass from outer reservoir 120 into chamber 64 of housing 60.
The feed water 150 then passes from chamber 64 where the feed water 150 is heated by heat transfer from the working fluid 46 within the heat exchanger chamber 44 of heat exchanger 40. The feed water 150, which is now heated, is emitted from the heat exchanger 40. The heated feed water 150 may be used for domestic hot water, heating a pool, heating, or various other residential or commercial purposes, in various implementations.
The foregoing discussion along with the Figures discloses and describes various exemplary implementations. These implementations are not meant to limit the scope of coverage, but, instead, to assist in understanding the context of the language used in this specification and in the claims. Upon study of this disclosure and the exemplary implementations herein, one of ordinary skill in the art may readily recognize that various changes, modifications and variations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as defined in the following claims.
Claims
1. A solar collector apparatus, comprising:
- a lens pivotally mounted about an axis thereof and adapted to gather sunlight into a focal point; and
- a tracking device adapted to track a position of the sun, the tracking device cooperates with the lens to pivot the lens about the axis in correspondence to the position of the sun.
2. The apparatus, as in claim 1, wherein the position comprises a solar azimuth such that the lens pivots in correspondence to the solar azimuth.
3. The apparatus, as in claim 1, wherein the position comprises a solar altitude such that the lens pivots in correspondence to the solar altitude.
4. The apparatus, as in claim 1, further comprising:
- a heat exchanger defining a generally concave surface, the focal point traverses the concave surface as the lens pivots in correspondence to the position of the sun to impart solar energy to the heat exchanger.
5. The apparatus, as in claim 1, further comprising:
- a housing rotatably mounted and having the lens pivotably mounted thereto such that the lens pivots in correspondence to one of the solar azimuth and the solar altitude and the housing rotates in correspondence to the other of the solar azimuth and the solar altitude to orient the lens toward the sun.
6. The apparatus, as in claim 1, further comprising:
- a second tracking device adapted to track a position of the sun, the second tracking device cooperates with the housing to rotate the housing in correspondence to the position of the sun.
7. The apparatus, as in claim 6, further comprising:
- an outer reservoir formed about outer portions of the housing and adapted to absorb solar energy to heat water passing therethrough.
8. The apparatus, as in claim 6, further comprising:
- conduits disposed within the housing adapted to adsorb heat radiated from a heat exchanger disposed within the housing.
9. The apparatus, as in claim 6, further comprising:
- a cover having a hemispherical shape and formed of a transparent material, the cover adapted for securement to the housing to protect the lens.
10. The apparatus, as in claim 1, wherein the lens is configured as a Fresnel lens to minimize the mass of the lens.
11. A solar collector apparatus, comprising:
- a housing;
- a lens, the lens gathers sunlight into a focal point, the lens pivotally mounted to the housing;
- a tracking device adapted to track a position of the sun, the tracking device cooperates with the lens to pivot the lens within the housing in correspondence to the position of the sun; and
- a heat exchanger disposed within the housing, the heat exchanger defining a generally concave surface oriented such that the focal point traverses the concave surface as the lens pivots in correspondence to the position of the sun to impart solar energy to the heat exchanger.
12. The apparatus, as in claim 11, wherein the housing is rotatable such that the housing rotates in correspondence to one of the solar azimuth and the solar altitude the lens pivots in correspondence to the other of the solar azimuth and the solar altitude to orient the lens toward the sun.
13. A method of solar energy collection, comprising the step of:
- tracking the position of the sun using a tracking device, the tracking device cooperating with a lens pivotally mounted about an axis thereof s to pivot the lens about the axis in correspondence to the position of the sun.
14. The method, as in claim 13, wherein the position comprises a solar azimuth such that the lens pivots in correspondence to the solar azimuth.
15. The method, as in claim 13, wherein the position comprises a solar altitude such that the lens pivots in correspondence to the solar altitude.
16. The method, as in claim 13, further comprising the step of:
- traversing the focal point of the lens about a generally concave surface of a heat exchanger to impart solar energy to the heat exchanger as the lens is pivoting in correspondence to the position of the sun.
17. The method, as in claim 13, further comprising the step of:
- mounting rotatably a housing having the lens pivotably mounted thereto such that the lens pivots in correspondence to one of the solar azimuth and the solar altitude and the housing rotates in correspondence to the other of the solar azimuth and the solar altitude to orient the lens toward the sun.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 12, 2013
Publication Date: Jan 15, 2015
Inventor: Nick C. Fasciano (Hilton Head Island, SC)
Application Number: 13/941,432
International Classification: F24J 2/38 (20060101);