Abstract: A truss foundation for supporting single-axis solar tracker drive motors and center structures. An adapter joins a pair of adjacent truss legs and provides a mounting platform to support a drive motor and/or center structure of a solar tracker. The adapter has a pair of connecting portions that are received in the legs of the truss foundation. The adapter may be a unitary structure or consist of a pair of slidably connected members that are joined with fasteners to accommodate truss legs spaced apart at different distances.

Abstract: An actuator assembly that includes an angled bottom plate having an opposing first side face and second side face; a first set of one or more inflatable actuators engaging the first side face of the angled bottom plate; and a second set of one or more inflatable actuators engaging the second side face of the angled bottom plate. The first and second sets of inflatable actuators are configured to be separately fluidically inflated.

Abstract: A floating mirror includes a buoyant body extending between a first end and a second end, and a reflective material disposed on opposite surfaces of the buoyant body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a passive tracking device for tracking the position of the sun, which comprises a hollow parallelepiped casing through which the solar radiation entering through a first lens located at the upper end of the parallelepiped casing passes towards a discriminating reflector arranged at the lower end of the same casing; the tracking device redirects as much incoming radiation as possible towards side chambers for absorbing radiation, heating a working fluid contained in the side chamber; producing a volumetric expansion in the working fluid that, communicating with shafts for the rotation of the tracking device, allows the orientation with the normal/perpendicular position with respect to the position of the sun, and to guide the alignment direction of other tracking devices for collecting energy in devices for collecting photovoltaic and/or thermal energy that are mechanically connected to the tracking device.

Abstract: An energy concentrating apparatus includes: a mounting platform, a mounting support, a rotating support, a reflective mirror, an arc-shaped slide rail, a linking rod, a sliding parts, a drive device, and a pull rope. The mounting support is located on the mounting platform. A rotation shaft of each rotating support is rotatably located on the corresponding mounting support, and a rotation shaft of each reflective mirror is rotatably located on the corresponding rotating support. The arc-shaped slide rail is located on the mounting platform, and the sliding parts is slidably located in the arc-shaped slide rail, the linking rod is connected to the sliding parts and the reflective mirror respectively, and a curvature of the arc-shaped slide rail is different such that the reflective mirror rotates towards a different direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a calibration method for a group of reflectors for concentrating solar radiation onto a radiation receiver, having the following steps: A) aligning the reflectors in order to at least partly expose a calibration surface to solar radiation reflected by the reflectors; B) modifying the intensity distribution of the radiation incident on the calibration surface by carrying out a pattern of movements by each reflector of the group, wherein at least one specified parameter for the pattern of movements of each reflector differs from the parameters of the other reflectors, said parameter being selected from the group: —movement frequency,—movement amplitude,—movement phase angle, and—trajectory of the solar radiation, reflected by the reflector, within the calibration surface; C) recording rows of pixels for a plurality of differently located location points of the calibration surface by at least one camera, each row of pixel having at least five temporally offset pixel recordings; D) ascert

Abstract: A solar rotational manufacturing system having a monitoring device, a controller, a heliostat having a heliostat controller, a rotational apparatus having a rotational controller, and a mold, wherein the monitoring device is configured to collect actual data regarding a characteristic of the solar rotational heating system and transmit actual data to the controller, the controller is configured to receive a reference parameter, an affecting parameter, and linking instructions, receive actual data from the monitoring device, compare actual data with a reference parameter, determine an affecting parameter to alter, and transmit alteration instructions to the heliostat controller and/or the rotational controller, the heliostat controller is configured to receive the alteration instructions from the controller and execute the alteration instructions, and the rotational controller is configured to receive the alteration instructions from the controller and execute the alteration instructions.

Abstract: A heliostat surface shape detection system and a method based on multi-view image recognition are described. The system includes a multi-view image collector array, a bracket and a computer. The multi-view image collector array is arranged on the bracket so that the main optical axes of image collectors are parallel to each other and point to the heliostat; the multi-view image collector array is connected with the computer via data lines, and transmits the collected image data to the computer for heliostat surface shape calculation.

Abstract: A robotic controller for autonomous calibration and inspection of two or more solar surfaces wherein the robotic controller includes a drive system to position itself near a solar surface such that onboard sensors may be utilized to gather information about the solar surface. An onboard communication unit relays information to a central processing network, this processor combines new information with stored historical data to calibrate a solar surface and/or to determine its instantaneous health.

Abstract: An integrated wind and solar solution is provided, including a solar energy collection assembly (100) and a vertical axis wind turbine (400), combined to provide an integrated power output. In preferred embodiments, the vertical axis wind turbine is positioned above the solar energy collection assembly. Concentrating solar mirror collectors (116) are used to direct sunlight to a heat engine (250), which converts the collected heat energy into rotary motion. Rotary motion from the heat engine and from the vertical axis wind turbine preferably are on the same rotating axis (600), to facilitate load sharing between these two sources. A dual axis azimuth-altitude solar panel alignment tracking system is used in order to boost the energy conversion capability of the solar energy collectors.

Abstract: A daylight transmission system that can be used in buildings, the system including: dual-axis implementation device, CPU-controller, light position sensor and optical components that include moving and fixed optical components; with the moving optical components including optical light collector and the fixed optical components including first receiver and consecutive receivers. The invented system transmits sunlight in a form of parallel light after it is concentrated and therefore does not rely on expensive medium such as optic fibers, with the entire process being efficient in light transmission and economically viable. With the help of a tracking device, sunlight of any incident angle will be reflected in a fixed direction and to a fixed point where the light is reflected further on to the desired destination inside of a building. The invented system can be installed directly onto the external wall of any building, and be applied within a wide range of buildings.

Abstract: A solar-tracking photovoltaic (PV) system having several PV modules mounted on a torque tube is described. The torque tube may include several sections joined by a torque tube coupler. For example, the torque tube coupler may having a medial section and end sections to join to the torque tube sections. The medial section and the torque tube sections may have a same outer diameter.

Abstract: Positioning a radiation collection device such as a solar oven using a positioning system attached to an outside of a building structure. The positioning system allowing the collection device to be positioned in a plurality of locations where at least one of the plurality of locations is away from the building structure to allow the radiation collection device to collect solar radiation.

Abstract: A multi-scissor jack-operated single-shaft solar tracking apparatus. A scissor jack is provided at regular intervals on a rotation beam of the single-shaft tracking solar support, thereby forming a multi-drive rotation. Lifting screw of each scissor jack is connected by a drive shaft so as to be lifted in synchronization. One of the scissor jacks can be driven by a motor, and the lifting screws of the other scissor jacks are driven by the transmission shaft, thereby synchronously driving the rotation beam of the single-shaft tracking solar support to rotate. The scissor jacks can be driven by manpower, in order that the angle of the tracking solar support can be adjusted by hand.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing a line of sight of a radiant energy system. The line of sight of a main beam is positioned using a first reflector and a second reflector based on a reference beam that is inertially stabilized in a selected direction. The line of sight of the main beam is stabilized using the reference beam to counteract a number of disturbances created within an optical path of the main beam.

Abstract: Devices for optimizing occurring environmentally specific loads, i.e., forces and moments of reflecting and absorbing solar collectors and module groups composed thereof. The construction is a combination of the device according to the invention for optimizing individual solar collector modules and assembled groups of collector modules and corresponding modules themselves. The devices act in the entire operation area by influencing and optimizing the flow around the individual solar collector modules and assembled groups of collector modules and accordingly leads to lower static loads and dynamic loads and, therefore, to increased efficiencies.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for heliostat mirror control. Here, each heliostat mirror generates a low intensity “signal beam”, directed at an angle off from the heliostat mirror's high intensity and sensor blinding “main beam” of reflected solar energy. The low intensity signal beams may be created by reflecting a small portion of the incident solar light at an angle from the main beam, by reflected artificial light, or from lasers shinning onto mirrors from known locations. The signal beams are detected by optical sensors mounted way from the main heliostat receiver focus, and can be used in a closed loop control system to efficiently ensure that individual heliostat mirrors in a heliostat array accurately track sunlight and direct the sunlight to a central receiver. Because heliostat mirrors need not be taken “off sun” for positioning, the system allows heliostat arrays to be run at high efficiency.

Abstract: System for manufacturing facets comprising a frame a series of mirrors and multiple securing parts in which said parts are the key to the invention and are formed by a rod and a circular metal sheet provided with a series of small circular perforations, where the rod and the circular sheet are attached by electric arc welding or any other equivalent fixation and the purpose of which is to secure a curved mirror to the rear structure or frame of a heliostat.

Abstract: Inflatable, flexible, collapsible, linear solar concentrator and heliostat designs, made primarily of flexible and elastic sheets enclosing and separating air-tight chambers which are elongated along and parallel to a main axis, with the chambers pressurized to different pressures form a structure and control the focus and rotation of a mirror.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solar tracker having oleo-hydraulic cylinders that increase the rigidity of the system by keeping the two chambers of each cylinder pressurized, even while on stand-by. This makes the system more accurate, avoiding undesirable cylinder movement caused by oil compression. The system includes a circuit having at least one cylinder assembly (8,9), an oleo-hydraulic plant and a control system (5), wherein the oleo-hydraulic plant supplies the oil to the cylinders controlling the speed of movement of these latter, and the control system (5) supervises and controls the correct operation of the entire system and protects said system against possible accidents.

Abstract: A central distance measuring device, which can be directed at the heliostats, is used to determine the settings of the heliostats of a heliostat field. The distance measuring device measures the space between a plurality of measuring points from the measuring site and, based on this, determines the spatial alignment of the respective heliostat. A computer contains astronomical solar altitude software and controls an actuating device of the heliostat such that the heliostat assumes the alignment intended according to the solar altitude. With the invention, position sensors and/or angle sensors on the individual heliostats are avoided. All heliostats are aligned by a central computer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solar tracker with parabolic concentrator, comprising a parabolic concentrator (1) formed by a composition of mirrors (4) focused towards a Stirling engine (3), the mirrors (4) being located on a bearing structure (5), with securing by means of anchors (6) which allow a regulation in a vertical direction, in a lateral direction and in a depth direction, whereas the Stirling engine (3) is secured on the same bearing structure (5) by means of ties (10) which are attached to said Stirling engine (3) by means of two securing elements which can be adjusted in length, the bearing structure (5) being formed by parallel vertical lattices (14) comprising in their formation sheet metal boxes attached to one another by means of other intermediate sheet metal boxes.

Abstract: A solar trough includes a light receiver for transporting a fluid to be heated by the solar trough, at least one rail partially or fully disposed in a trench, a parabolic light collector slidably mounted on the at least one rail, and a drive unit for rotating the parabolic light collector within the trench. Further, a solar trough system made up of a plurality of the solar troughs.

Abstract: The invention in one embodiment includes an aiming device coupled to an actuator and an object. The system comprises a base attached to the actuator, and a frame rotatably affixed to the base and the object. The frame and object rotate together about a first axis in response to activation of the actuator, while the object discretely rotates relative to the frame about a second axis different than the first axis each time the frame rotates a predetermined angle relative to the base.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system includes a primary solar receiver and a secondary solar receiver. The secondary solar receiver generates steam using energy from solar radiation incident thereon. The primary solar receiver receives the generated steam from the secondary solar receiver and superheats the steam using energy from solar radiation incident thereon. A plurality of heliostat-mounted mirrors reflects incident solar radiation onto one of the primary and secondary solar receivers. A controller aims a portion of the heliostat-mounted mirrors at the primary solar receiver such that a predetermined thermal profile is provided on a surface of the primary solar receiver.

Abstract: A system architecture for large concentrated solar power applications that increases heliostat utilization efficiency and land utilization efficiency is described. Embodiments of the invention include a large heliostat field in which are distributed a number of receiving locations, and wherein there is the assignment of heliostats to receiving locations is dynamic. Embodiments of the invention include dynamically targeting heliostats to receiving locations wherein the target determination process is performed frequently during operation and wherein such dynamic targeting can be utilized to various ends. Embodiments of the invention include configurations wherein cosine losses associated with heliostat pointing are significantly reduced, wherein heliostats may be closely packed without incurring substantial shadowing and blocking losses thereby significantly increasing land utilization, and wherein other benefits are realized.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system includes a primary solar receiver and a secondary solar receiver. The secondary solar receiver generates steam using energy from solar radiation incident thereon. The primary solar receiver receives the generated steam from the secondary solar receiver and superheats the steam using energy from solar radiation incident thereon. A plurality of heliostat-mounted mirrors reflects incident solar radiation onto one of the primary and secondary solar receivers. A controller aims a portion of the heliostat-mounted mirrors at the primary solar receiver such that a predetermined thermal profile is provided on a surface of the primary solar receiver.

Abstract: The invention discloses a novel and efficient drive mechanism for use in a variety of applications. This novel mechanism replaces traditional stepper motors or another analogous art with shape memory alloys. The drive mechanism so disclosed provides substantial operational benefits over conventional motors and other such traditional drive mechanisms that would be used in similar applications. The drive mechanism includes a high gear-ratio worm gear and worm drive which further provides precise, controlled movement of an output shaft. In the illustrative use elaborated upon herein, the motor is used to drive a photovoltaic panel so that the panel may remain in appropriate alignment with the sun throughout the day.

Abstract: A solar collector can be rotated and tilted about a polar mount. The solar collector can be designed such that the center of gravity of the collector is aligned with the axis of the polar mount facilitating the use of smaller positioning devices. The collector can be placed in a position to prevent damage by inclement weather and allow easy access for maintenance and installation.

Abstract: A heliostat having a frame structure for supporting a mirror. The frame structure is pivotable about at least one axis of rotation. A liquid ballast system is mounted on a side of the frame structure that is remote from the reflective surface of the mirror. The liquid ballast system includes at least two tanks, and an imaginary line between the tanks extends at an angle or perpendicular to the axis of rotation. An arrangement is provided for moving ballast liquid between the tanks in an actively controlled manner.

Abstract: An optical imaging system includes a non-gimbaled telescope attached to a platform configured for outer-space orbit. Attached to the platform is a coelostat that is positioned in front of the aperture of the telescope. The coelostat includes two connected mirrors. Mirror one receives light from a scene of interest and mirror two receives light from the first mirror and transfers that light to the aperture of the telescope. The coelostat rotates 360 degrees around the azimuth axis. Additionally, mirror one rotates around the elevational axis to provide the entire system with a large field of regard.

Abstract: A suntracking system for a central receiver solar power plant includes a heliostat field for reflecting sunlight to a receiver, cameras directed toward at least a subset of the heliostats, and a controller. The cameras are configured to produce images of sunlight reflected from multiple heliostats. The heliostats include a mirrored surface having a settable orientation and have a geometry modeled by a set of parameters. A method of estimating heliostat parameters for open-loop suntracking includes acquiring pointing samples by setting the direction of reflection of the heliostats and detecting concurrent sunlight reflections into the cameras. The method uses the acquired pointing samples and surveyed locations of the cameras to estimate the heliostat parameters. The method accurately maintains the sun's reflection directed toward the receiver open-loop utilizing the estimated tracking parameters.

Abstract: An object is to provide a solar ray lighting device which is capable of reducing the blocking and the shadowing of beams of light reflected by heliostats and which is capable of fixing firmly and stably a heavy and large-sized center reflector. In a beam-down type solar ray lighting device, at least three supporting blocks are assembled together to form a pyramidal shape. In addition, an outer circumferential edge of the center reflector is fixed to the supporting posts so that the outer circumferential edge of the center reflector can internally touch the supporting posts.

Abstract: Increased utilization of solar power is highly desirable as solar power is a readily available renewable resource with power potential far exceeding total global needs; and as solar power does not contribute to environmentally harmful pollutants associated with fossil fuel power, such as unburned hydrocarbons, NOx and carbon dioxide. The present invention is motivated by the fact that heliostats are the single biggest cost element for utility-scale central receiver solar thermal powerplants. This invention provides a low-cost heliostatic mirror with protective inflation stabilizable surface element means for providing adverse weather performance & survival, where the inflation stabilizable surface element means include inflation stabilizable near-spherical surface element means and may include inflation stabilizable near-cylindrical surface element means.

Abstract: A suntracking system for a central receiver solar power plant includes a heliostat field for reflecting sunlight to a receiver, cameras directed toward at least a subset of the heliostats, and a controller. The cameras are configured to produce images of sunlight reflected from multiple heliostats. The heliostats include a mirrored surface having a settable orientation and have a geometry modeled by a set of parameters. A method of estimating heliostat parameters for open-loop suntracking includes acquiring pointing samples by setting the direction of reflection of the heliostats and detecting concurrent sunlight reflections into the cameras. The method uses the acquired pointing samples and surveyed locations of the cameras to estimate the heliostat parameters. The method accurately maintains the sun's reflection directed toward the receiver open-loop utilizing the estimated tracking parameters.

Abstract: A solar heliostat and system are described with various characteristics particularly suitable for concentrating systems with a relatively large number of small heliostats. Other features contribute to high performance, low cost, high durability, and high temperature operation, such as desired for high efficiency thermal power generation.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a solar sensor that includes a first modulator that is transparent to electromagnetic waves within a spectrum, and an additional modulator that is at best slightly transparent to the electromagnetic waves within the spectrum. The additional modulator features a belt-shaped region of varying widths that is arranged on the outside of the first modulator and partially covers the first modulator, and a photodetector that receives the electromagnetic waves and is covered by the first modulator.

Abstract: A novel latch for pivoted optical elements of a solar concentrator and other equipment latches them in position between orientation operations. The mirrors may be on a universal pivot that can rotate or tilt in any direction; or on gimbal pivots. The orientation power can be turned off between alignments with the mirrors remaining in alignment orientation during this off-power period. Turning off the alignment power between alignments, saves on both energy resources and on expensive apparatus. It permits a great reduction in power supply as the optical elements can be aligned sequentially. This not only reduces operating costs, but also capital investment because smaller power supplies can suffice. A preferred embodiment utilizes the freezing of a liquid material. Since this involves no moving parts for latching, the instant invention is ideally adapted for fabrication from the nano- to the mini-realm.

Abstract: A tracker drive system is provided for rotatably driving one or more objects, for example solar panels or other equipment. The system comprises a torque element mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, wherein the torque element can support one or more objects for rotation therewith about the generally horizontal axis; a lever arm connected with the torque element, the lever arm being movable to rotate the torque element; a movable drive member that is drivable by a drive mechanism; and a dynamic coupler coupling the drive member with the lever arm such that the lever arm is drivable by the drive member to rotate the torque element.

Abstract: A highly polarizable high dielectric constant positioning and motion control of the elements (approximately planar mirrors) of a Fresnel reflector solar concentrator tracking heliostat array wherein the elements are suspended with the center of mass above the swivel point, below the swivel point, or have an internal-swivel. The torque to produce angular deflection, and rotational motion is provided by induced and/or permanent dipole coupling to an electronic grid. The force interaction is greatly enhanced by securing a high dielectric material adjacent to each mirror. Thus forces and torques are produced without the use of motors. This allows maximization of solar energy focused by a low-profile concentrator array onto a receiver. Dynamic motion can be controlled over a wide range of dimensions from nanometers to decimeters.

Abstract: A heliostat includes a pedestal, a transmission system, a heliostat frame assembly, and a mirror assembly. The heliostat frame assembly generally includes a first heliostat frame set and a second heliostat frame set mounted to the transmission system which is mounted upon the pedestal. Each heliostat frame set includes a stackable heliostat inner frame assembly and a stackable heliostat outer frame assembly. Each stackable heliostat inner frame assembly is identical and each stackable heliostat outer frame assembly is identical such that a multiple of heliostat inner frames and a multiple of heliostat outer frames are readily stackable in a nested arrangement for storage and transport.

Abstract: Heliostat operation under significantly reduced infrastructure requirements is disclosed. As part of a larger solar power generation system, a heliostat may function autonomously to track the sun and maintain constant reflection of solar radiation to a collection device for conversion to electrical power. The heliostat employs a local independent solar power supply to provide power to the positioning mechanism and controller for the heliostat. The controller receives sun position information from a sensor and/or a predetermined schedule. In addition, the controller for the heliostat may incorporate a wireless communications device for remote monitoring and directing operations of the heliostat.

Abstract: A system architecture for large concentrated solar power applications that increases heliostat utilization efficiency and land utilization efficiency is described. Embodiments of the invention include a large heliostat field in which are distributed a number of receiving locations, and wherein there is the assignment of heliostats to receiving locations is dynamic. Embodiments of the invention include dynamically targeting heliostats to receiving locations wherein the target determination process is performed frequently during operation and wherein such dynamic targeting can be utilized to various ends. Embodiments of the invention include configurations wherein cosine losses associated with heliostat pointing are significantly reduced, wherein heliostats may be closely packed without incurring substantial shadowing and blocking losses thereby significantly increasing land utilization, and wherein other benefits are realized.

Abstract: A light processing system includes an array of optical signal processing devices. The array of processing devices are operable to receive at least some of a first signal part and to modulate the first signal part based at least in part on a control signal received from a controller. At least some of the processing devices include a plurality of at least partially reflective mirrors that are disposed outwardly from an inner conductive layer and are operable to receive at least some of the first signal part. In one particular embodiment, at least some of the mirrors are operable to undergo a partial rotation in response to the control signal. The partial rotation resulting in a reflection of the at least some of the first signal part in one direction.

Abstract: A highly adaptable system for creating colorful spectral displays or for achieving a prismatic effect using visible light. The invention includes a fixed-angle or monolithic prismatic element fabricated from plate glass mirror material. A compound version of this monolithic element wherein multiple single elements have been affixed to one another for the purpose of creating a more complex spectral display is also provided. The invention also includes a prism-like device that utilizes a standard mirror, mirrors, or other materials with highly reflective surfaces and water or a similar fluid that disperses light in a predictable manner at or on a specific target. Both the fixed prismatic elements and the adjustable light dispersing elements may be arranged into one or more arrays that may be used to create complex spectral displays on a variety of surfaces while utilizing one or more available light sources or a moving light source such as the sun.

Abstract: An instrument for a solar energy system including a receiver and a heliostat to reflect solar energy on to the receiver. The instrument includes a first element adapted to form an image of the sun, a second element adapted to form an image of the receiver, and a detector. The detector is positioned to receive each of the images and a comparator is adapted to detect a distance between the images. The comparator generates an error correction signal based on the distance between the images. The error correction signal is received by a controller that controls the operation of a postioner that adjusts the position of the heliostat accordingly.

Abstract: A heliostat 5 for use in a sunlight concentration system for utilizing sunlight as energy according to this invention has a plurality of small concave mirror elements 8 and reflects and focuses sunlight reflected off the individual concave mirror elements to a light concentration portion as if upon reflection off a single large concave mirror 9. The angles of the concave mirror elements 8 are changed to define a single concave mirror having a predetermined curvature. When the incident angle of sunlight with respect to the concave mirror is large, the curvature is reduced (like a shallow dish). When the incident angle is small, the curvature is increased (like a deep dish).

Abstract: A color management system for use with projection displays includes, for example, a separating polarizing beamsplitter, a compensating prism group, an image assimilator, and a combining polarizing beam splitter. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the separating polarizing beamsplitter receives a bi-oriented light input and separates it into two output beams, one comprising a first component and the other comprising a second component. The image assimilator receives an output light beam from the separating polarizing beamsplitter, transmits the light output to one or more corresponding microdisplays, receives one or more modified outputs from the microdisplays, and emits an output comprising those modified outputs to a combining polarizing beamsplitter.

Abstract: A solar lighting apparatus of the sun tracking type for guiding sunlight into a building by using light reflecting means (30), the apparatus comprising the light reflecting means (30) for reflecting sunlight, drive means (60) for driving the light reflecting means, control means (70) for controlling the drive means to orient the light reflecting means toward the direction of the sun, and power source means (20) for supplying electric power to the drive means and the control means. The power source means (20) comprises a main power source unit (22) chargeable by a solar cell panel (40) for supplying electric power to the drive means (60) and the control means (70), and a backup secondary cell (24) chargeable with the electric power from the main power source unit for supplying electric power to the control means (70).

Abstract: A solar lighting apparatus includes a transparent dome. The transparent dome is provided, at its ceiling center, with a control box accommodating a stepping motor, a controller for controlling the motor and a secondary battery. The stepping motor has a motor shaft coupled with a rotary shaft. On the rotary shaft is coupled a support frame member through a universal joint. The rotary shaft is driven by the motor to turn a reflection mirror held on the support frame member over a predetermined angle while tracking the sun.