Solar radiation condensing device

Abstract

A solar radiation condensing device (1), characterized by comprising a plurality of reflectors (10) disposed on a reflector arrangement surface, reference point providing members (20) for determining the reference points for the rotating motions of the plurality of reflectors, and a cam mechanism (30) for simultaneously rotating the plurality of reflectors around the reference points, the cam mechanism further comprising a cam (40) of such a specified shape that the plurality of reflectors can condense an incident solar radiation, a plurality of probes (60, 70) coming into contact with the plurality of reflectors, and unshown guide members for storing the plurality of probes, wherein a rotating mechanism (90) for rotating the plurality of reflectors around a straight line perpendicular to the reflector arrangement surface so that the incident solar radiation (S) is positioned along a specified incident direction area is disposed in an XYZ moving coordinate system moving along with the reflector arrangement surface.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar radiation concentrating apparatus for use in a solar heat system, a solar heat power generation system, a solar cooker, a solar furnace, a photovoltaic power generation system, a distillation device, a sunlight illuminator, a chemical reactor system, or the like.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] As a background art utilizing energy of solar radiation, there is a photovoltaic power generation system, a solar heat system, a solar furnace, a distillation apparatus such as a saline water desalination system and so forth, a chemical reactor system, or a sunlight illumination system, for example.

[0003] The energy density of solar radiation is about 1 KW/m2. In operating these energy systems at a high energy density, solar radiation is concentrated. As a convergence element for concentrating solar radiation, there area Fresnel lens, a parabolic mirror, and so forth, for example.

[0004] When solar radiation is concentrated to a solar energy conversion apparatus using a convergence optical system having such a convergence element, it is generally important to make an optical axis of the convergence optical system agree with an incident direction of solar radiation, in order to obtain a high concentration ratio. Namely, in a solar energy system having a tracking mechanism which rotates the convergence element in accordance with a variation of an incident direction of solar radiation and which makes the solar energy conversion apparatus agree with a focal point of the convergence element, solar radiation is utilized at a high concentration ratio.

[0005] In order to operate such a solar energy system for a long period of time, durability against a strong wind and so forth is required. When a height of the convergence element increases, a bad influence due to a wind pressure remarkably increases. Therefore, when a convergence element extending to a high altitude is utilized, the costs for maintaining a mechanical strength of the convergence element and the tracking mechanism increase. Thus, there has been a limit in utilizing a large convergence element.

[0006] Further, in irradiating a fixed region with solar radiation utilizing a large flat reflector and so forth, there has been a similar problem in making a large scale tracking mechanism.

[0007] As another background art, an energy system having a heliostat group is known. Such an energy system includes a plurality of flat reflectors and a plurality of tracking mechanisms which respectively drive the plurality of flat reflectors. Solar radiation reflected by the plurality of flat reflectors is concentrated to a fixed solar radiation concentration region. When solar radiation is concentrated at a high concentration ratio, many high-precision tracking mechanisms are loaded. However, the costs of the tracking mechanisms are high in this case, and the reduction thereof is requested. Further, in using a large flat reflector, there have been problems associated with the bad influence due to the above-mentioned wind pressure or the large tracking mechanism.

[0008] As still another background art which is made from such a point of view, a sunlight convergence apparatus is disclosed in the Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 51-27347, which includes many small reflectors capable of being rotated around respective rotational centers on shafts, a controlling body, and a common link which connects each small reflector to the controlling body. Each small reflector is rotated with the same angular variation by moving the controlling body. When the controlling body is in a specified position, each small reflector is at an angle so as to reflect and concentrate a parallel light beam at a specific incident angle toward a prescribed concentration position. The sunlight convergence apparatus is designed so as to concentrate the reflected light from each small reflector to the concentration position, by controlling the position of the controlling body according to a variation of the incident angle of the parallel incident light beam.

[0009] However, in the sunlight convergence apparatus of which the whole plurality of reflectors are reviewed as a convergence optical system for concentrating solar radiation to the prescribed concentration position, there has been the problem that the concentration ratio is remarkably deteriorated with the increment of the variation of the incident angle of the incident light. However, such a decrease in the concentration ratio is not referred to in the Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 51-27347, and the teaching for overcoming this is not disclosed.

[0010] The present invention is made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and other problems.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel solar radiation concentrating apparatus which realizes a high concentration ratio for a wide range of incident solar radiation and which collectively drives a plurality of reflectors.

[0012] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel solar radiation concentrating apparatus which utilizes solar energy at a high concentration ratio.

[0013] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel solar radiation concentrating apparatus in which the efficiency of collecting solar radiation is high.

[0014] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel solar radiation concentrating apparatus at a low cost.

[0015] Still another object of the present invention is to improve the durability of a solar energy system against the external environment such as a wind.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a novel solar radiation concentrating apparatus is provided. The solar radiation concentrating apparatus includes a plurality of reflectors disposed in a reflector arrangement surface, a reference point providing member defining respective reference points of rotational movements of the plurality of reflectors, and a cam mechanism which simultaneously rotates the plurality of reflectors around respective reference points. The cam mechanism has a prescribed shape such that the plurality of reflectors concentrate incident solar radiation. The cam mechanism may include a plate cam. The cam mechanism may include a plurality of contact needles which are brought into contact with the plurality of reflectors and a guide member for accommodating the plurality of contact needles. The solar radiation concentrating apparatus may further include a rotary mechanism which rotates the plurality of reflectors around a straight line perpendicular to the reflector arrangement surface so that the solar radiation is caused to be along a prescribed incident direction field with respect to a moving coordinate system which moves with the reflector arrangement surface. In this case, the cam mechanism rotates the plurality of reflectors around respective reference points for dealing with the variation of incident angle of the incident solar radiation with respect to the reflector arrangement surface.

[0017] Further, a monitoring surface provided in a position other than a concentration position by the plurality of reflectors and a monitoring reflector for reflecting the solar radiation to the monitoring surface may be provided in the solar radiation concentrating apparatus. When the solar radiation reflected by the plurality of reflectors is concentrated to a prescribed position, the monitoring reflector reflects the solar radiation to a prescribed position of the monitoring surface.

[0018] Further, an optical sensor disposed on the monitoring surface may be provided. In this case, the cam mechanism is controlled so that the monitoring reflector reflects the solar radiation to the prescribed position of the monitoring surface on the basis of a signal from the optical sensor.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a solar radiation concentrating apparatus is provided, which includes a plurality of reflectors having acute angle ridge lines respectively, a reference point providing member, a plurality of joints defining respective central points of rotational movements of the plurality of reflectors, a cam mechanism simultaneously rotating the plurality of reflectors around respective central points. The cam mechanism includes a cam having a prescribed shape such that the plurality of reflectors concentrate incident solar radiation. When each reference point providing member includes a flat surface part, each joint may be disposed on the flat surface part. When the cam mechanism includes a plurality of flat surface parts, the plurality of joints may be disposed on the plurality of flat surface parts, respectively.

[0020] According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a solar radiation concentrating apparatus is provided, which includes a plurality of reflectors, a reference point providing member, a plurality of joints defining respective central points of rotational movements of the plurality of reflectors, a cam mechanism simultaneously rotating the plurality of reflectors around respective central points, and an in-plane rotation preventing mechanism preventing rotation of the reflector in a reflective surface of each reflector. The cam mechanism includes a cam having a prescribed shape such that the plurality of reflectors concentrate incident solar radiation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a conceptual view illustrating a solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the cam illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the section A-A of the cam illustrated in FIG.2.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the section B-B of the cam illustrated in FIG.2.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating an example of the structure of a guide member which can be used for the solar radiation concentrating apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a conceptual view illustrating a state in which the direction of incident solar radiation has varied, in the solar radiation concentrating apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a conceptual view illustrating a solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a conceptual view illustrating an example of an installation state of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a conceptual view illustrating an example of the reflector and the reference point providing member of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 10 is a conceptual view illustrating a state in which the direction of the reflector illustrated in FIG. 9 is varied.

[0031] FIG. 11 is a conceptual view illustrating a solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 12 is a conceptual view illustrating the upper part of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus illustrated in FIG. 11.

[0033] FIG. 13 is a conceptual view illustrating another example of the reference point providing member of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 14 is a conceptual view illustrating another example of the reflector and the contact needle of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 15 is a conceptual view illustrating still another example of the reflector and the contact needle of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 16 is a conceptual view illustrating still another example of the reflector, the contact needle, and the reference point providing member of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 17 is a conceptual view illustrating a solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 18 is a conceptual view illustrating the upper part of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus illustrated in FIG. 17.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0039] In order to illustrate the present invention in detail, the present invention is explained referring to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals designate the same or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

[0040] A solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is explained referring to FIGS. 1-6. FIG. 1 is a conceptual view illustrating a solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] In FIG. 1, the solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1 includes a plurality of reflectors 10, a plurality of reference point providing members 20, and a cam mechanism 30.

[0042] In order to receive solar radiation reflected by the solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1, a solar energy conversion apparatus 100 is installed above the solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1. As the solar energy conversion apparatus 100, a solar battery, a solar heat device, a distillation device, a heat engine, a solar heat power generation system, a solar heat closed-fluid path gas turbine power generator, a sunlight illumination system, and/or a solar furnace and so forth may be used.

[0043] In FIG. 1, an arrow X, an arrow Y, and an arrow Z designate an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system which moves with the solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1. The arrow X, the arrow Y, and the arrow Z designate the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis, respectively. The XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is used for facilitating the explanation hereinafter. Further, an arrow S designates the direction of incident solar radiation. The arrow S of FIG. 1 is parallel to the Z axis.

[0044] Each reflector 10 is a flat surface reflector. Alternatively, a convex reflector or a concave reflector may be used. In FIG. 1, nine reflectors are illustrated. In general, the number of the plurality of reflectors 10 is optional. For example, 2-1000,000 reflectors may be mounted on the solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1.

[0045] The plurality of reflectors 10 are capable of being rotated around the plurality of reference point providing members 20 as the rotational centers, respectively. The plurality of reference point providing members 20 are tightly fixed to a base 80 by a member (not shown).

[0046] The plurality of reference point providing members 20 are arranged on a level reflector arrangement surface. Alternatively, the plurality of reference point providing members 20 may be arranged along a slope, a vertical surface, or a curved surface. Further, the plurality of reference point providing members 20 may be an integrated member defining the reflector arrangement surface. In FIG. 1, nine reference point providing members 20 are arranged in three lines and three rows. In general, the form of the arrangement of the plurality of reference point providing members 20 is optional. For example, the plurality of reference point providing members may be arranged on lattice points having any two-dimensional periodicity or on a plurality of triangular lattice points covering the reflector arrangement surface. Alternatively, the plurality of reference point providing members 20 may be arranged without symmetry or periodicity. Further, the contour of the reflector arrangement surface may be of any shape, for example, a circle, a hexagon, and so forth.

[0047] The cam mechanism 30 includes a cam 40, a cam driving member 50, a cam driving bar 52, a plurality of contact needles 60, and a plurality of contact needles 70. The cam driving member 50 is tightly fixed to the base 80. The cam driving member 50 drives the cam 40 along the direction parallel to the arrow X through the cam driving bar 52. A guide rail or a guide groove (not shown) and so forth may be provided. A motor or a screw may be used respectively, as the cam driving member and the cam driving bar, for example.

[0048] The plurality of contact needles 60 are capable of being moved only in the direction parallel to the arrow Z. Each contact needle 60 is brought into contact with the cam 40. The X coordinate and the Y coordinate of the contact point of each contract needle 60 with the cam 40 in the XYZ coordinate system are invariant, respectively. The Z coordinate of the contact point is varied with the movement of the cam 40, according to the shape of the cam 40.

[0049] The plurality of contact needles 70 are capable of being moved only in the direction parallel to the arrow Z. Each contact needle 70 is brought into contact with the cam 40. The X coordinate and the Y coordinate of the contact point of each contact needle 70 with the cam 40 in the XYZ coordinate system are invariant, respectively. The Z coordinate of the contact point is varied with the movement of the cam 40, according to the shape of the cam 40.

[0050] The direction of a reflective surface of each reflector 10 is varied according to the variation of the Z coordinates of the contact needle 60 and the contact needle 70 being brought into contact with the reflector. Namely, the direction of the reflective surface of each reflector 10 is varied with the movement of the cam 40.

[0051] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the cam 40. In the portion where the cam 40 is brought into contact with the plurality of contact needles 60 and the plurality of contact needles 70, a curved surface having a prescribed shape is formed.

[0052] FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the section A-A of FIG. 2. When the cam 40 is moved in the direction such that the X coordinate thereof increases, respective Z coordinates of the plurality of contact needles 60 and the plurality of contact needles 70 increase.

[0053] The reflective surface of each reflector 10 is parallel to a plane passing through the three points composed of the contact point of the reflector 10 with the contact needle 60, the contact point of the reflector 10 with the contact needle 70, and the reference point which is provided by the reference point providing member 20.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the section B-B of FIG. 2. The shape of the cam 40 being brought into contact with the contact needle 60 and the plurality of contact needles 70 is defined so that the solar radiation reflected by the plurality of reflectors 10 is concentrated to the above-mentioned solar energy conversion apparatus.

[0055] When a high concentration ratio is requested, a pulse vibration generator (not shown) which finely and intermittently vibrates the cam 40 may be provided, in order to smoothly perform the sliding of the plurality of contact needles 60. Further, a guide member accommodating the plurality of contact needles 60 and the plurality of contact needles 70 may be provided between the cam 40 and the plurality of reflectors 10.

[0056] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the structure of the guide member which can be used for the solar radiation concentrating apparatus of FIG. 1. The plurality of contact needles 60 and the plurality of contact needles 70 are fitted into a guide member 120.

[0057] When an especially high concentration ratio is requested, in order to prevent the deformation of the plurality of reference point providing members 20 and/or the cam mechanism 30 due to their own gravity, these may be housed in a container (not shown) which is filled with liquid such as water providing buoyancy. In this case, a composite material having a specific density near the density of water may be used. The container may include a transparent cover and a dew preventing means. The plurality of reflectors 10 may also be soaked in the water. Further, an appropriate water treatment may be performed for preventing the propagation of microbes in the water. Further, an appropriate process for preventing the pile up of air bubbles in the water, for example, a process for removing dissolved gas in a decompressed atmosphere may be performed.

[0058] An example the operational environment of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1 is explained as follows. In FIG. 1, the solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1 has the structure so as to be capable of being rotated around a straight line parallel to the Z axis passing through the solar energy conversion apparatus 100. For the purpose of this, a rotary mechanism 90 is provided. The rotary mechanism 90 rotates the base 80 so that the Y component of the vector parallel to incident solar radiation is caused to be zero in the XYZ coordinate system moving with the reflector arrangement surface of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a conceptual view illustrating a state of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus in which incident solar radiation has varied. In FIG. 6, the incident solar radiation parallel to an arrow S is incident obliquely on the reflector arrangement surface. In this case, as mentioned above, the base 80 is rotated so that the Y coordinate of the vector parallel to the incident solar radiation with respect to the XYZ coordinate system is caused to the zero. In order to confirm this state, an incident direction indicating member 110 is provided. The incident direction indicating member 110 is tightly connected to the base 80. Further, an indicator line 112 parallel to the X axis is illustrated on the base 80. As mentioned above, because the XYZ coordinate system is the coordinate system which moves with the solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1, even when the base 80 is rotated, the indicator line 112 maintains the geometrical relationship parallel to the X axis. The position of the base 80 is adjusted so that the shadow of the incident direction indicating member 110 is caused to be parallel to the indicator line 112. Namely, the position of the base 80 is controlled so that the Y component of the vector parallel to the incident solar radiation is caused to be always zero.

[0060] In this controlled state, the variation of the direction of the unit vector parallel to the incident solar radiation with respect to the XYZ coordinate system is confined to the variation only in the XZ plane. Namely, only the angle of elevation of the incident solar radiation is varied in the XYZ coordinate system.

[0061] In the above-mentioned XYZ coordinate system, the shape of the cam 40 is defined so that the solar radiation obliquely incident along the X axis is caused to be concentrated to the solar energy.

[0062] Namely, when the direction of incident solar radiation has varied, the cam 40 performs a prescribed movement, thereby the plurality of reflectors 10 always concentrate the incident solar radiation to the solar energy conversion apparatus 100. Accordingly, a high concentration ratio is realized in a wide incident angle range of solar radiation.

[0063] When the solar radiation concentrating apparatus includes many reflectors, the cam may be divided into a plurality of parts.

[0064] FIG. 7 is a conceptual view illustrating a solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1 includes a plurality of reflectors 10, a plurality of reference point providing members 20, and a cam mechanism 30.

[0065] The cam mechanism 30 includes a cam 40, a first cam driving member 50, a first cam driving bar 52, a second cam driving member 54, a second cam driving bar 56, a plurality of contact needles 60, and a plurality of contact needles 70. The first cam driving member 50 and the second cam driving member 54 are tightly fixed to the base 80, respectively. The base 80 is fixed to an installation surface.

[0066] The first cam driving member 50 drives the cam 40 in the direction parallel to an arrow X through the first cam driving bar 52. The first cam driving member 50 drives the cam 40 with the period of one day. A clock (not shown) may be provided for controlling the driving of the cam 40.

[0067] Further, the second cam driving member 54 drives the cam 40 in the direction parallel to an arrow Y through the cam driving bar 56. The second cam driving member 54 periodically drives the cam 40 with the period of one year.

[0068] Friction reducing members (not shown) may be provided between the cam 40 and the first cam driving bar 52 and between the cam 40 and the second cam driving bar 56. In this case, the movement of the cams in the XY plane is performed smoothly.

[0069] The cam 40 has a prescribed shape so that the plurality of reflectors 10 concentrate solar radiation to the solar energy conversion apparatus 100 throughout a year.

[0070] FIG. 8 is a conceptual view illustrating an example of the installation state of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to the present invention. The solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1 is installed on a water surface of a pond 150. Therefore, a floating body (not shown) having the buoyancy is used as the base. The solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1 is capable of being rotated around a straight line 140 which is perpendicular to the water surface of the pond 150 and which passes through the solar energy conversion apparatus 100. According to the utilization of the buoyancy of water, the power required for rotating the solar radiation is greatly reduced. The solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 8 has a square contour. Alternatively, the contour of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus may be of the other shape, for example, circular. An anchor or a wave extinguishing member may be provided.

[0071] FIG. 9 is a conceptual view illustrating an example of the reflector and the reference point providing member of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 9, the reflector 10 is connected to the reference point providing member 20 through a joint 22. For example, the reflector 10 may be connected to the reference point providing member 20 through an elastic string. The reflector 10 includes an acute angle front edge 10A. The reference point providing member 20 has a plane 20A. The front edge 10A is slid on the plane 20A around the joint 22 as the rotational center. FIG. 10 is a conceptual view illustrating a state in which the direction of the reflector is varied. Although the front edge 10A is bound along the plane 20A, the direction of the reflective surface of the reflector 10 is cable being directed in any direction. Further, the rotation of the reflector 10 in the reflective surface is prevented by this binding. Accordingly, the operation by the cam mechanism 30 is stabilized. Further, the deviation of the concentrating position is prevented.

[0072] In order to prevent the shielding of the solar radiation by the reference point providing member, the upper part of the reference point providing member may be made of a transparent body such as a transparent glass plate.

[0073] FIG. 11 is a conceptual view illustrating a solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a conceptual view illustrating the upper part of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus illustrated in FIG. 11.

[0074] In FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1 includes a plurality of reflectors 10 having acute angle straight line-like front edges 10A, respectively, a cam mechanism 30, a base body 80 which operates as a floating body, and a rotary mechanism 90.

[0075] The cam mechanism 30 includes a plurality of reference point providing members 20, a plurality of joints 22, a plurality of cams 40, a pair of cam driving members 50, a connection member 52 which interconnects the plurality of cams 40, a plurality of contact needles 60, a plurality of contact needles 70, a plurality of supporting members 24 which support the reference point providing member 20 on the base body 80, and a plurality of guide members 120. The guide member 120 is fixed to the reference point providing member 20.

[0076] The cam mechanism 30 collectively drives the plurality of reflectors 10 so that the solar radiation reflected by the plurality of reflectors 10 is concentrated to a concentration region (not shown).

[0077] An indicator line 112 which indicates a prescribed incident direction for solar radiation with respect to the solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1 is drawn in FIG. 12. The plurality of cams 40 are driven in the direction perpendicular to the direction illustrated by the indicator line.

[0078] FIG. 13 is a conceptual view illustrating another example of the reference point providing member of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to the present invention. The reference point providing member 20 includes a frame structure having a V-shaped valley. Namely, the reference point providing member 20 includes a truss structure. A joint 22 is provided at the bottom part of the valley. In this case, because the absorption of the incident and reflected solar radiation by the reference point providing member is confined to only the outer circumferential frame, the utilization rate of the sunlight is improved.

[0079] FIG. 14 is a conceptual view illustrating another example of the reflector and the contact needle of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 14, the contact needle 60 includes a sphere-like front edge 60A. The front edge 60A is mounted in a guide groove 10A formed on the rear surface of the reflector 10. Accordingly, because the contact needle 60 and the reflector are always brought into close contact with each other, even when a strong wind acts on the reflector 10, the reflector is prevented from being blown off by the strong wind.

[0080] FIG. 15 is a conceptual view illustrating still another example of the reflector and the contact needle of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 15, the contact needle 60 includes a sphere-like contact part 60B and a stopper member 60C provided at the front edge of the contact needle 60. The contact needle 60 is fitted into a hole 10B bored in the reflector 10. Accordingly, even when a strong wind acts on the reflector 10, the reflector is prevented from being blown off by the strong wind.

[0081] FIG. 16 is a conceptual view illustrating still another example of the reflector, the contact needle, and the reference point providing member of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 16, the reflector 10 having an acute angle front edge 10A is connected to the contact needle 60 through a joint 62. The joint 62 is provided on a plane part 60A of the contact needle 60. Therefore, the front edge 10A is always brought into contact with the plane part 60A. In this state, the front edge 10A can be rotated around the joint 62 as the rotational center. The reflector 10 is capable of being slid on the reference point providing member 20 fixed by a fixing means (not shown). Further, the reflector 10 is capable of being slid on the contact needle 70. The reflective surface of the reflector 10 is parallel to a plane defined by the joint 62, the reference point providing member 20, and the contact needle 70. The lower edge 60B of the contact needle 60 is brought into contact with a cam (not shown).

[0082] A weight 320 is provided to the reflector 10. The weight 320 facilitates the recovery of the reflector 10 when the reflector 10 is blown up by a strong wind.

[0083] FIG. 17 is a conceptual view illustrating a solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a conceptual view illustrating the upper part of the solar radiation concentrating apparatus illustrated in FIG. 17.

[0084] In FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the solar radiation concentrating apparatus 1 includes a plurality of reflectors 10 each having an acute angle straight line-like front edge 10A, a cam mechanism 30, a base body 80, and a rotary mechanism 90.

[0085] The cam mechanism 30 includes a plurality of reference point providing members 20, a plurality of joints 22, a plurality of cams 42, a plurality of cams 44, a pair of cam driving members 50, a connection member 52 which interconnects the plurality of cams 42 and the plurality of cams 4-4, and a plurality of supporting members 24 which support the reference point providing members 20 on the base body 80.

[0086] Each reflector 10 is directly brought into contact with the cams 42 and 44. The cam driving mechanism 30 collectively drives the plurality of reflectors 10 so that solar radiation reflected by the plurality of reflectors 10 is concentrated to a concentration region (not shown). Each cam is formed into the shape suitable for preferably performing the concentration operation.

[0087] In the above, the solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to the present invention is explained in detail. Besides, the present invention may be reduced into practice with a supplemental means for preferably operating the solar radiation concentrating apparatus and the method for concentrating solar radiation according to the present invention, for example, a Fresnel concave lens converting a converging optical beam reflected by the solar radiation concentrating apparatus into a parallel light beam, a spectroscopic element, a reflective light-amount controlling means, a heat accumulator, a heat conductive member, a heat insulating member, a temperature controlling means, an optical power meter, an adjusting means for adjusting a concentration ratio, a shading sidewall preventing the reflected light from a concentration region from reaching to the outside region, a transparent cover for the shielding from dust and a strong wind, an information storage medium, an arithmetic processor, a guide member for preventing the contact between the reflectors, and/or an encoder about positional data of the moving member.

[0088] Further, the structure as explained above may be practiced with various variations. For example, the cam mechanism may include a base which supports the plane cam and a bias cam which shifts the position of the base. Alternatively, the cam mechanism may be a rotary type cam. Further, the cam mechanism may include a plurality of reflector vertical bars for driving the plurality of reflectors, respectively.

[0089] Namely, the present invention disclosed herein provides a novel solar radiation concentrating apparatus, wherein in view of the detailed teachings disclosed in the above-explanation, the practice of the present invention is not limited to the above examples for explaining the best mode of the present invention, and wherein the present invention may be practiced as another embodiment with variations within the scope of the claims as follows or may be practiced without supplemental forms or constituting elements which are appended for explaining the best embodiment of the above examples.

[0090] Industrial Applicability

[0091] According to the present invention as constituted above, the solar radiation concentrating apparatus having a high concentration ratio for a wide incident angle range of solar radiation is provided. Further, according to the solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to the present invention, a novel solar energy system is realized, which includes a sunlight irradiation device, a photovoltaic power generation system, a solar heat system, a distillation device, a heat engine, a solar heat power generation system, a solar heat closed fluid path gas turbine power generation system, a sunlight illumination system, and/or a solar furnace, etc.

Claims

1. A solar radiation concentrating apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of reflectors arranged on a reflector arrangement surface;

a reference point providing member which defines respective reference points of rotational movements of the plurality of reflectors; and

a cam mechanism which simultaneously rotates the plurality of reflectors around respective reference points, wherein the cam mechanism includes a cam having a prescribed shape such that the plurality of reflectors concentrate an incident solar radiation.

2. The solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cam mechanism includes a plane cam.

3. The solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cam mechanism includes a plurality of contact needles which are brought into contact with the plurality of reflectors and a guide member which accommodates the plurality of contact needles.

4. The solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rotary mechanism which rotates the plurality of reflectors around a straight line perpendicular to the reflector arrangement surface so that the incident solar radiation is caused to be along a prescribed incident direction field in a moving coordinate system moving with the reflector arrangement surface, wherein the cam mechanism rotates the plurality of reflectors around respective reference points according to a variation of an incident angle of the incident solar radiation with respect to the reflector arrangement surface.

5. A solar radiation concentrating apparatus, comprising;

a plurality of reflectors each having an acute angle ridge line;

a reference point providing member;

a plurality of joints which define respective central points of rotational movements of the plurality of reflectors; and

a cam mechanism which simultaneously rotates the plurality of reflectors around respective central points, wherein the cam mechanism includes a cam having a prescribed shape such that the plurality of reflectors concentrate an incident solar radiation.

6. The solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each reference point providing member includes a plane part, and wherein each joint is disposed on the plane part.

7. The solar radiation concentrating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cam mechanism includes a plurality of plane parts, and wherein the plurality of joints are disposed on the plurality of plane parts.

8. A solar radiation concentrating apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of reflectors;

a reference point providing member;

a plurality of joints which define respective central points of rotational movements of the plurality of reflectors;

a cam mechanism which simultaneously rotates the plurality of reflectors around respective central points; and

an in-plane rotational movement preventing means for preventing rotation of the reflector in a reflective surface of each reflector, wherein the cam mechanism includes a cam having a prescribed shape such that the plurality of reflectors concentrate an incident solar radiation.