Abstract: Azimuthal and elevation rotation mechanism for solar trackers, which provides an azimuthal rotation around a vertical pedestal to an azimuthal rotating support on which a support structure of solar panels is in turn mounted with elevation rotation capacity around a horizontal shaft linked to the azimuthal rotating support. The azimuthal rotation is obtained by means of a single azimuthal linear actuator and the elevation rotation is obtained by means of a single elevation linear actuator, such that only two linear actuators are needed to obtain all the positions of the solar panels required for a complete solar tracking.

Abstract: Azimuthal rotation mechanism for solar trackers having a vertical pedestal (1) on which a rotating support (2) holding the solar panels (7) is mounted, which is actuated by at least three hydraulic cylinders (4, 5 and 6) located in the same horizontal plane and articulated through the casing to the rotating support (2) by a first movable vertical shaft (18), while the piston rods of the three cylinders pass through the wall of the rotating support and are articulated at the same height to the pedestal by a second fixed vertical rotation shaft (21).

Abstract: A device (OWC Oscillating Water Column) for capturing wave energy, the upper part of which contains a pressure accumulator (3) connected to the atmosphere through a unidirectional outlet turbine (4) and a vacuum accumulator (6) connected to the atmosphere through a unidirectional inlet turbine (5). The lower portion is formed by at least one block, where each block is made up of a structural column (19), which when submerged in the water gives rise to a water column (8) and an air chamber (1) in the upper portion. Each block is connected to the pressure accumulator (3) through a non-return intake valve (2), and to the vacuum accumulator (6) through a non-return exhaust valve (7), and having an inlet (16) arranged in the lower portion of each structural column (19). One of the main characteristics of the device is that the pressure (3) and vacuum (6) accumulators act as an air manifold, inhaling and exhaling through the blocks, and at the same time damping sudden changes in pressure.

Abstract: A device (OWC Oscillating Water Column) for capturing wave energy, the upper part of which contains a pressure accumulator (3) connected to the atmosphere through a unidirectional outlet turbine (4) and a vacuum accumulator (6) connected to the atmosphere through a unidirectional inlet turbine (5). The lower portion is formed by at least one block, where each block is made up of a structural column (19), which when submerged in the water gives rise to a water column (8) and an air chamber (1) in the upper portion. Each block is connected to the pressure accumulator (3) through a non-return intake valve (2), and to the vacuum accumulator (6) through a non-return exhaust valve (7), and having an inlet (16) arranged in the lower portion of each structural column (19). One of the main characteristics of the device is that the pressure (3) and vacuum (6) accumulators act as an air manifold, inhaling and exhaling through the blocks, and at the same time damping sudden changes in pressure.

Abstract: A high-speed railway aerodynamic sleeper (1) including one central area (2), two support areas (3) on each side of the central area (2), on which the rails are placed, and two outer areas (4), located at the ends of the sleeper (1), following the support areas (3). The cross-section of the sleeper (1) includes, on the central area (2), and the support areas (3), and the two outer areas (4), a first bottom section (5) comprising a first polygon (7) having at least 4 sides and a second top section (6) having at least one second polygon (8) of n sides, n being?4, the first bottom section (5) and the second top section (6) being attached to each other, and the top base (10) of the first polygon (7) and the bottom base (9) of the second polygon (8) share their sides.

Abstract: A solar receiver panel comprising a header comprising header body (18, 18?) having a header wall surrounding an inner chamber (11, 11?), at least one access opening (21, 21?) communicating with the inner chamber (11, 11?) with a substantially spherical shape for connecting a fluid pipe, and a plurality of junction nozzles (16, 16?) provided in the header wall which are connectable to respective solar absorption pipes (14) wherein at least one of the junction nozzles (16, 16?) are located in a spherical segment of the inner chamber (11, 11?) that is transversally opposed to said access opening (21, 21?), been the access opening (21, 21?), inner chamber (11, 111 and nozzles (16, 16?) arranged to allow a thermal fluid to flow there through.

Abstract: A solar receiver panel comprising a header comprising header body (18, 18?) having a header wall surrounding an inner chamber (11, 11?), at least one access opening (21, 21?) communicating with the inner chamber (11, 11?) with a substantially spherical shape for connecting a fluid pipe, and a plurality of junction nozzles (16, 16?) provided in the header wall which are connectable to respective solar absorption pipes (14) wherein at least one of the junction nozzles (16, 16?) are located in a spherical segment of the inner chamber (11, 11?) that is transversally opposed to said access opening (21, 21?), been the access opening (21, 21?), inner chamber (11, 111 and nozzles (16, 16?) arranged to allow a thermal fluid to flow there through,

Abstract: The invention relates to a support arm for a cylindrical-parabolic collector, which is intended to be coupled to a central body (1) of the collector in the form of a bracket in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a focal line (2) of the collector. The inventive arm takes the form of a wedge comprising: a first side (10) which is provided with support devices (11) for supporting at least one mirror (3), a second side (20), and a third side (30) which is provided with support devices (31) such that the arm is supported by the central body (1). The arm is formed by at least one press-formed plate such as to obtain a resistant structure that provides stiffness and a carrying capacity by means of a plurality of ribs (42) which form a lattice comprising a plurality of laminar segments (41) between said ribs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning system for cleaning parabolic trough collector plants made up of cleaning vehicles with moving means, cleaning means, and operating means thereof. The cleaning vehicles are autonomous and independent of one another, and have navigation means guiding and steering the cleaning vehicle in its movement along the plant. The navigation means are made up of a relative navigation system with an inertial unit and distance sensors which measure the distance of the cleaning vehicle to the parabolic trough collector, and an absolute navigation system with a GPS positioning sub-system. A control system integrates and controls the cleaning means, operating means, moving means and navigation means of the cleaning vehicles.

Abstract: Heliostat facet configured from a flat structure comprising a central section (1) and a peripheral section (2) comprising first (3) and second sides (4), being both sections linked together by a plurality of arms (5, 6), which starting from the central section (1) radially run towards the peripheral section (2) taking as reference the geometrical center (7) of the facet. In at least three of the arms (5, 6), there are support points (15) of the facet in the corresponding heliostat support (16). The arms (5,6) comprise first arms (5) which are arranged from the central section (1) to the peripheral section (2) running in a divergent manner and at least two couples of second arms (6) which starting from the central section (1) run to the peripheral section (2), the arms (6) of each couple radially running in a convergent manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thin wall header with a variable cross-section for solar absorption panels, manufactured in nickel-based superalloy and formed by a main thin wall body (18) and by a plurality of nozzles (16,21). The header (10) is connected to a series of junction nozzles (16) wherein respective solar absorption tubes (14) are connected, and at least one inlet or outlet nozzle (21) wherein at least a fed tube is connected. The body (18) can have a spindle shape or can be formed by two frustoconical sections joined by the larger base, and can further have a central cylindrical section at the height of the inlet or outlet nozzles (21). It is applicable in the collection of fluids at high temperature, especially in solar panels.

Abstract: A solar radiation receiver includes a quartz window system for the closure of the receiver having intermediate tubes/bars (1M) and end tubes/bars (1E) arranged in parallel forming a sheet contiguously to close an opening in a delimiting surface of the solar receiver and a seal (1A) which has a cross section with the shape of an eight or convex lens, being the seal (1A) located between every two tubes/bars (1M, 1E). The seal (1A) having a first auxiliary generatrix (1A1) in a throat of the cross section. The intermediate tubes/bars (1M) and the end tubes/bars (1E) include respectively a first intermediate (1M1) and an end generatrix (1E1) in contact with the first auxiliary generatrix (1A1), forming a union wall of the seal (1A) with an intermediate tube/bar (1M) and an end tube/bar (1E). The end tubes/bars (1E) include a second external generatrix (1E2) contacting an edge of the opening forming a union wall of the end tube/bar (1E) with the edge of the opening.

Abstract: A thermocline storage tank is presented, which includes a barrier member that floats between the two fluids stored at different temperatures, physically separating and insulating them. The floating barrier includes a number of design features that broaden its application scope, enabling it for use in fields like thermal storage systems of solar power plants.

Abstract: Heliostat facet configured from a flat structure comprising a central section (1) and a peripheral section (2) comprising first (3) and second sides (4), being both sections linked together by a plurality of arms (5, 6), which starting from the central section (1) radially run towards the peripheral section (2) taking as reference the geometrical centre (7) of the facet. In at least three of the arms (5, 6), there are support points (15) of the facet in the corresponding heliostat support (16). The arms (5,6) comprise first arms (5) which are arranged from the central section (1) to the peripheral section (2) running in a divergent manner and at least two couples of second arms (6) which starting from the central section (1) run to the peripheral section (2), the arms (6) of each couple radially running in a convergent manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thin wall header with a variable cross-section for solar absorption panels, manufactured in nickel-based superalloy and formed by a main thin wall body (18) and by a plurality of nozzles (16,21). The header (10) is connected to a series of junction nozzles (16) wherein respective solar absorption tubes (14) are connected, and at least one inlet or outlet nozzle (21) wherein at least a fed tube is connected. The body (18) can have a spindle shape or can be formed by two frustoconical sections joined by the larger base, and can further have a central cylindrical section at the height of the inlet or outlet nozzles (21). It is applicable in the collection of fluids at high temperature, especially in solar panels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support arm for a cylindrical-parabolic collector, which is intended to be coupled to a central body (1) of the collector in the form of a bracket in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a focal line (2) of the collector. The inventive arm takes the form of a wedge comprising: a first side (10) which is provided with support devices (11) for supporting at least one mirror (3), a second side (20), and a third side (30) which is provided with support devices (31) such that the arm is supported by the central body (1). The arm is formed by at least one press-formed plate such as to obtain a resistant structure that provides stiffness and a carrying capacity by means of a plurality of ribs (42) which form a lattice comprising a plurality of laminar segments (41) between said ribs.

Abstract: A mechanism for transforming a rotational movement into a linear movement, comprising a non-deformable nut, that is prevented from rotating but not from axially moving, a radially deformable tubular screw, having freedom of rotation but not of axial movement and having a pitch equal to that of the nut but of a slightly external smaller diameter than the internal diameter of the nut. A pushing device inside the screw, with the ability to rotate and to push against the internal wall surface of the screw at least at three circumferentially equidistant points so as to radially deform the screw wall outwards, until bringing the screw wall to rest against and screw into the nut at an equal number of points. The pushing device may be constituted of independent rolling elements like rolling bearings on a core on a support or may be a cam in contact with the screw or through rolling elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting substances or analytes form the analysis of one or several samples. The method comprises mixing the sample with a suitable liquid buffer, homogenizing said sample, adding reagents thereto, filtering it, injecting the sample into the incubation chamber, allowing the sample to react with a biosensor, washing the non-reacted sample excess and detecting the sample retained in the biosensor. The apparatus includes a sample homogenizer module with an ultrasonic piezoelectric device formed by a converter (49) and a horn (16); a sample processing module including a homogenization container (6) and a moving frame (17); a reagent and solution management module including a motorized syringe (60), a reaction module consisting of a support (50) forming a reaction chamber (51) and a data reading module including a laser diode (66) and a CCD camera (67).

Abstract: Noise reduction conduit for non rotary components of aircraft engines, subjected to a characteristic range of temperatures of a gas turbine engine, constituted by an annular structure composed of an aerodynamic wet wall (10a, 10b), perforated and resistant mechanically and thermally; of a dry wall (12a, 12b), not resistant and of light weight; and of some intermediate elements to which both walls are mechanically attached and that define a jump or difference of temperature between the wet and dry walls; between which wet (10a, 10b) and dry walls (12a, 12b) there are partitions that define cavities (16a, 16b) isolated with regard to each other.

Abstract: Remote activation mechanism for equipment hold down and release, composed of a fixed base (1); a disk with capacity to rotate (2); a ring (3) subdivided in independent segments; a helical torsion spring (4) mounted around the segmented, being in one end joined to the fixed base (1) and the other end to the disk (2); a retainer (5) to attach the hardware, that passes through the fixed base (1) and has means to be blocked by the segmented ring (3); a disk blocking system; and a disk liberation system (2). The disk (2) can potentially rotate from a position in which the helical torsion spring (4) is loaded hugging radially the segmented ring (3), up to a position in which the helical torsion spring (4) is unloaded, allowing the ring segments move radially away to release the retainer (5). The disk blocking system can be based on rollers or balls (12) with possibility of being inserted partially in disk grooves or in crown grooves.