Abstract: The present invention is a solar concentrator composed of a generally V-shaped trough of reflective Fresnel steps. The reflective Fresnel steps concentrate the sunlight entering the mouth of the V-shaped trough and parallel to its central axis into a central focal area. By disposing a solar energy receiving element at the central focal area of sunlight concentration, a concentrating solar energy collector is created. Various configurations of solar energy receiving elements are used to convert the concentrated sunlight into other forms of useful energy that can be harvested by the collector.

Abstract: The present invention is a solar concentrator composed of a generally V-shaped trough of reflective Fresnel steps. The Fresnel reflective steps concentrate the sunlight entering the mouth of the V-shaped trough and parallel to its central axis into a central focal area. By disposing a solar energy receiving element at the central focal area of sunlight concentration a preferred embodiment as a concentrating solar energy collector is realized. Various types of solar energy receiving structures are shown that serve to convert the concentrated sunlight into other forms of useful energy to realize the preferred embodiment as a concentrating solar energy collector.

Abstract: The present invention is a solar concentrator composed of a generally V-shaped trough of reflective Fresnel steps. The Fresnel reflective steps concentrate the sunlight entering the mouth of the V-shaped trough and parallel to its central axis into a central focal area. By disposing a solar energy receiving element at the central focal area of sunlight concentration a preferred embodiment as a concentrating solar energy collector is realized. Various types of solar energy receiving structures are shown that serve to convert the concentrated sunlight into other forms of useful energy to realize the preferred embodiment as a concentrating solar energy collector.

Abstract: The present invention is a trough shaped solar concentrator and collector having its focal area and receiver located inside the trough structure below the trough aperture and having a unique dual section trough reflector with a combination of different underlying reflector geometries.

Abstract: A method to manufacture and produce trough shaped solar concentrators and concentrating solar collectors that have reduced wind loading compared to comparable prior art trough concentrators is disclosed. Shown are several different types of trough shaped concentrating solar collectors incorporating Open Architecture lattice geometric support structures with aerodynamic treatment of the lattice structural members.

Abstract: The present invention is a trough shaped solar concentrator and collector having its focal area and receiver located inside the trough structure below the trough aperture and having a unique dual section trough reflector with a combination of different underlying reflector geometries.

Abstract: The Present invention is a trough shaped solar concentrator with Fresnel strip reflectors disposed in a generally linear V shaped configuration. The present invention shows two unique geometrical supporting structures for the strip Fresnel reflectors. The concentrator is shown in several preferred embodiments as a concentrating solar energy collector with different types of solar energy receiving elements disposed at the focal area of the concentrator.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an Open Architecture lattice geometric structure, aerodynamic provisions to that structure and methods to produce that structure for the manufacture of trough shaped solar concentrators having Fresnel reflector elements, such that the wind loading on these trough solar concentrators is substantially reduced compared to traditional trough concentrators with continuous panel structures.

Abstract: The present invention is a Solar Concentrator composed of a generally V shaped trough of reflective Fresnel steps. Said Fresnel reflective steps concentrate the sunlight entering the mouth of the V shaped trough and parallel to its' central axis into a central focal area. By disposing a solar energy receiving element at the central focal area of sunlight concentration a preferred embodiment as a concentrating solar energy collector is realized. Various types of solar energy receiving structures are shown that serve to convert the concentrated sunlight into other forms of useful energy to realize the preferred embodiment as a concentrating solar energy collector.