Solar Thermal Energy Antenna
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for the collection and concentration of solar thermal energy and the exchanging of this concentrated solar thermal energy into transportable and usable heat energy in a medium such as water, oil or molten salts.
This invention relates generally to the field of solar energy conversion and more particularly to a concentrating solar thermal energy receiver.
Devices for solar energy collection and conversion can be classified into concentrating types and non-concentrating types. Both concentrating and non-concentrating types are used for converting solar energy into either electrical energy directly through the photovoltaic effect or into heat energy. Non-concentrating types intercept parallel unconcentrated rays of the sun with an array of detection or receiving devices such as a solar panel of photovoltaic cells or hot water pipes, for example. The output is a direct function of the area of the array. A concentrating type of solar energy collector focuses the energy rays using, e.g., a parabolic reflector, a plurality of reflectors, or a lens assembly to concentrate the rays, creating a more intense beam of energy. The beam is concentrated to improve the efficiency of conversion of solar radiation to electricity or to increase the amount of heat energy collected from the solar radiation to provide for heating of water and so forth. In a conventional concentrating solar energy receiver, the incident solar radiation is typically focused at a point from a circular parabolic reflector (e.g., a dish-shaped reflector), along a focal line from a linear parabolic shaped reflector (e.g., parabolic trough), along a focal line from a plurality of linear lenses (e.g., Fresnel lens), or to a central target from a plurality of reflectors (e.g., heliostats). These concentrating type systems may be a single reflector or a plurality of reflectors that create a primary reflector system. In a prior art example, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,818,818 issued to Bernard F. Bareis, an aspect of an alternative embodiment of the invention is described where a secondary reflector is positioned in front of the primary parabolic reflector. In this device the secondary reflector redirects the solar energy collected by the primary reflector back toward the primary reflector where the concentrated solar energy is utilized by a reception surface coupled to a thermal cycle engine whose output drives and electrical generator.
However, even conventional solar thermal concentrating devices require improvements for two reasons. First, the U.S. Energy Information Administration lists solar thermal as the most expensive technology with which to generate electricity (Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2014 Early Release, December 2013, DOE/EIA-0383ER(2014). Costs for these solar thermal systems are high due to a poor capacity factor, the large amount of land required to build a system, the complexity of the systems, and both their size and complexity lead to higher fixed operation and maintenance costs. Secondly, systems with a secondary reflector discuss either photovoltaic cells or a striker plate to power a thermal engine as the ultimate use of the concentrated solar energy, and ignore the potential of exchanging the solar thermal energy to heat energy in a fluid medium.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA dual reflector antenna with autonomous tracking capability that collects solar thermal energy, concentrates the collected thermal energy, and exchanges the concentrated solar thermal energy to heat energy in a medium such as water, oil, or molten salts.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which:
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Other features may be incorporated in the specific implementation of the solar thermal energy antenna of the present disclosure. For example, the reflectors may include one or more lightening rods or arresting devices to prevent lightening damage, one or more aircraft warning lights may be added as required by regulatory agencies, heating systems may be included to prevent icing of the reflectors, work platforms and access ladders or stairs may be included, one or more sensors and or switches may be included to provide for the safe operation of the solar thermal energy antenna.
Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A solar thermal energy antenna, comprising: a dual reflector with autonomous tracking capability that collects solar thermal energy, concentrates the collected thermal energy, and exchanges the concentrated solar thermal energy to heat energy in a medium such as water, oil, or molten salts.
2. The solar thermal energy antenna of claim 1, wherein includes a pedestal that may have penetrations for conduits and ports for accessing the inside of the pedestal and has flanges at the top and bottom that may be internal or external to the pedestal.
3. The solar thermal energy antenna of claim 2, wherein the bottom flange of the pedestal may be attached to a foundation set in the ground or a platform.
4. The solar thermal energy antenna of claim 1, wherein includes a bearing with an inner and outer races.
5. The solar thermal energy antenna of claim 4, wherein one of the races of the bearing is attached to the top flange of the pedestal.
6. The solar thermal energy antenna of claim 1, wherein includes a ring gear attached to the bearing.
7. The solar thermal energy antenna of claim 1, wherein includes a turning head.
8. The solar thermal energy antenna of claim 7, wherein the turning head is attached to the remaining race of the bearing.
9. The solar thermal energy antenna of claim 7, wherein a drive motor, gearboxes, and a spur gear or gears that mesh with the ring gear are located upon the turning head allowing the turning head to be driven and rotate about the azimuth axis of the solar thermal energy antenna.
10. The solar thermal energy antenna of claim 1, wherein includes a dual reflector assembly which collects and concentrates solar thermal energy.
11. The solar thermal energy antenna of claim 10, wherein includes a hub that attaches to the turning head.
12. The solar thermal energy antenna of claim 11, wherein includes a heat exchanger mounted within the hub which converts concentrated solar thermal energy to stored and transportable heat energy in a medium such as water, oil, or molten salts.
13. The solar thermal energy antenna of claim 10, wherein includes a primary reflector mounted to the hub either or both directly to the hub or by trusses that may include cross bracing and collects and concentrates solar thermal energy.
14. The solar thermal energy antenna of claim 10, wherein includes a secondary reflector suspended in front of the primary reflector by struts attached to the primary reflector and redirects concentrated solar thermal energy from the primary reflector to the heat exchanger.
15. The solar thermal energy antenna of claim 1, wherein includes an elevation drive jack.
16. The solar thermal energy antenna of claim 15, wherein the elevation drive jack includes a drive motor and gearboxes and is attached to the turning head and reflector assembly and allows the reflector assembly to be driven and rotate about the elevation axis of the solar thermal energy antenna.
17. The solar thermal energy antenna of claim 1, wherein includes plumbing, piping and fixtures for the transportation of fluids or molten slats to and from external sources and the heat exchanger located within the solar thermal energy antenna.
18. The solar thermal energy antenna of claim 1, wherein includes a control system which provides autonomous and directed pointing and tracking of the solar thermal energy antenna to a target located in space and also provides for autonomous or directed safe pointing of the solar thermal energy antenna.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 16, 2015
Publication Date: Mar 16, 2017
Inventor: Christopher John DiFiglia (Irving, TX)
Application Number: 14/855,381