Abstract: A solar tracking system includes a base member, a first shaft rotatably coupled to the base member, a support arm pivotably coupled to the first shaft, a second shaft having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end rotatably coupled to the support arm, a solar rack pivotably coupled to the second end of the second shaft, and a mass positioner configured to change an angle between the support arm and the first shaft by moving a predetermined mass between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A system for reclaiming carbon fiber from carbon fiber containing material using solar energy includes a sunlight focusing system, a sample platform for placement of carbon fiber containing material to be treated by focused sunlight from the sunlight focusing system, the sample platform being provided with a gas absorption pipe, and a waste gas treatment system connected with the gas absorption pipe.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating electrical power using a solar power system comprising pressurized pipes for transporting liquid water. The pressurized pipes flow through solar collectors which concentrate sunlight on the water flowing through the pipes. The pressurization in the pipes allows for the water flowing therethrough to absorb large quantities of energy. The pressurized and heated water is then pumped to a heat exchanger where the thermal energy is released to produce steam for powering a steam turbine electrical generator. Thereafter, the water is returned to the solar collectors in a closed loop to repeat the process.

Abstract: A solar power system includes a preheating device for heating first heat transfer fluid and second heat transfer fluid in separate tubes. The preheated second heat transfer fluid is routed to a boiler. The preheated first heat transfer fluid is routed through a plurality of heat sinks each associated with a solar radiation collector concentrator. Vacuum chambers receive the solar radiation from specially designed dishes with hyperparabolic feed antennas and direct energy to the heat sinks transferring the heat energy to first heat transfer fluid routed through the heat sink. The lower half of each chamber extends below each dish and has an interior reflective coating on the interior of the chamber side wall. The heated first heat transfer fluid is routed through a coil within the boiler to heat the second heat transfer fluid within the boiler. The boiler outlet steam is routed through a turbine, in turn, connected to a gearing system and an alternator.

Abstract: A solar power system includes a preheating device for heating first heat transfer fluid and second heat transfer fluid in separate tubes. The preheated second heat transfer fluid is routed to a boiler. The preheated first heat transfer fluid is routed through a plurality of heat sinks each associated with a solar radiation collector and concentrator. Vacuum chambers receive the solar radiation from dishes and direct energy to the heat sinks transferring the heat energy to first heat transfer fluid routed through the heat sink. The lower half of each chamber extends below each dish and has an interior reflective coating on the interior of the chamber side wall. The heated first heat transfer fluid is routed through a coil within the boiler to heat the second heat transfer fluid within the boiler. The boiler outlet steam is routed through a turbine, in turn, connected to a gearing system and an alternator.

Abstract: A central receiver for a solar power facility is provided comprising an arrangement of heat absorber tubes located in a chamber having a window that, in use, is to receive solar radiation reflected by a heliostat field. The heat absorber tubes extend transversely relative to the window and are connected into a working fluid circuit. The window forms an atmospheric air inlet and the chamber has an outlet in a region opposite the window. An air flow promoting fan induces a flow of atmospheric air inwards through the window, past the absorber tubes; and through the outlet. The receiver preferably includes multiple rows of unpressurized louvers or panes having oblique frontal surfaces such that reflected rays travel into the chamber and provide a leading row in which the temperature of the louvers is, under operating conditions, maintained at a level low enough to reduce thermal reflection and radiation losses.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to concentrating sunlight. In some implementations, a concentrator includes a plurality of reflector support structures and a plurality of reflector segments associated with each reflector support structure. Each reflector support structure formed to include a curved surface that receives an associated reflector segment and a bottom portion that distributes the weight of the reflector segment along a surface area. Each reflector segment includes a reflecting surface adjacent a flexible element such that the reflecting surface reflects incident sunlight light. In some examples, the reflector support structures may comprise a light weight material such as a polyurethane and/or the reflecting surface may be 5 mils or less.

Abstract: A low profile heliostat with elongated louvered mirror segments is provided. Its envelope of revolution has the shape of a flat disc to enable heliostat fields with very high ground coverage ratio. The heliostat's disc-shaped footprint rotates around a substantially vertical axis (akin to a carousel). The short dimension of the mirror segments is drastically shorter than the disc's diameter. Embodiments are described in which the motion relies on two concentric rings, which are individually rotated around a vertical axis. The lower ring acts as a platform providing mainly azimuth tracking, carrying the upper ring. The differential rotation between the upper ring and the lower ring is translated into a rotation of the mirror segments around a second, perpendicular, axis and used for elevation tracking. Disc-shaped heliostat with D-shaped cut-offs are described, to facilitate the required maintenance access even in highly dense heliostat fields.

Abstract: A concentrating solar power device may include a primary mirror, a secondary mirror, and a thermal storage device. The primary mirror may reflect solar rays from the sun towards the secondary mirror. The secondary mirror may reflect the solar rays reflected from the primary mirror towards the thermal storage device. The thermal storage device, which may comprise a thermal medium such as salt, may collect/absorb energy from the solar rays which may be used to run multiple Stirling engines, and/or an energy storing or energy expending device.

Abstract: A solar light collecting mirror includes a reflective section which is elastically deformable, and a frame which is elastically deformable and configured to support the reflective section. A central portion of the reflective section is positionally fixed in X and Y directions of the reflective section. A relative position in a Z direction between the central portion of the reflective section and a peripheral portion of the reflective section is changeable. The peripheral portion of the reflective section is not positionally fixed in the X and Y directions. The frame includes warp members which radially extend from a position corresponding to the central portion of the reflective section. And the reflective section is configured to deform elastically together with the frame so as to change the relative position in the Z direction between the central portion and the peripheral portion, whereby a concave mirror structure is obtained.

Abstract: A novel thermal storage device includes a container of metallic phase change material (MPCM). The MPCM has a high latent heat of fusion and a high thermal conductivity in its solid state. A thermal energy receiver is adapted to receive thermal energy from a thermal energy source and transfer the thermal energy directly to the MPCM, without the need for an intermediate thermal transfer fluid. A thermal energy discharge mechanism transfers thermal energy directly from the MPCM to a device that uses the thermal energy. In a solar energy embodiment, the thermal energy receiver is formed from a material (e.g., polished copper) that has a relatively low absorptivity value and a relatively low emissivity coefficient, which unexpectedly results in the attainment of a highly efficient solar receiver.

Abstract: A receiver system for harnessing solar radiation. Embodiments of a receiver system include a receiver including one or more receiver elements, each receiver element including: a plurality of transparent tubes including a first tube and at least one second tube at least partially within the first tube; a first passage interposed between the first tube and the at least one second tube, the first passage having an inlet and an outlet; a second passage within the at least one second tube, the second passage having an inlet and an outlet; and an absorber in the at least one second tube, the absorber adapted to absorb the solar radiation. In some embodiments, a receiver further includes a housing having at least one transparent portion, the housing configured to enclose the plurality of receiver elements, whereby a third passage is formed between the first tube and the housing.

Abstract: A receiver for a solar power generation plant with a plurality of heliostats is provided. The solar receiver is mounted above the heliostats on a tower and faces downwardly towards the heliostats. The solar receiver includes a plurality of receiver modules mounted on a frame which allows individual columns of receiver modules to pivot inwardly and into the tower for service.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device comprising an array of elongate reflector elements mounted substantially parallel to one another and transversely spaced in series, at least one of the reflector elements having an elongate concave reflective surface to reflect incident solar radiation towards a forward adjacent reflector element in the array. The at least one reflector element includes a photovoltaic receptor mounted on the reflector element by a mounting arrangement to receive reflected solar radiation from a rearward adjacent reflector element The reflector element also includes a heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the photovoltaic receptor, thermally isolating the photovoltaic receptor, at least partially, from the reflector element.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to build central receiver solar power plants in which the heliostat fields can be used more efficiently. To achieve said aim, a heliostat field consisting of a near field having a uniform reflector surface density ? of more than 60% is preferably combined with a far field whose reflector surface density ? decreases as the distance from the receiver increases. The invention also comprises central receiver solar power plants which consist exclusively of a near field having a uniform reflector surface density ? of more than 60%. The high reflector surface density ? in the near field and in areas of the far field is achieved by the use of heliostats having rectangular reflectors and a rigid horizontal axle suspension (FHA) or, alternatively, by heliostats having rectangular reflectors and a rigid quasipolar axle suspension (FQA).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a solar heating device comprising at least one incidence collector and a thermal container. The thermal container includes at least one light absorbing recess, wherein at least one of the incidence collectors focuses solar beams on a focal point, which is located inside the light absorbing recess. The inner surface of the light absorbing recess converts the energy of the solar beams into radiant heating.

Abstract: A solar collector system including solar elements connected to form an array for intercepting the sun's radiation, a compression element that is positioned substantially perpendicular to the array, and pairs of cables that run from opposite sides of the array to the compression element to mutually stabilize each portion of the array to which the pair of cables connects. A support structure is provided for securing the array to a fixed structure. A tracking system further provides the system with two degrees of freedom for tracking the array with the sun's movement.

Abstract: Melting metals using the sun's energy is not new, but is new is making the technology ergonomic, and easy to use. Invented is a half-circular-planar-reflector with a cut-a-way-triangle, hinged and attached a half-shell-parabolic-reflector. When the sun is overhead, the sun's energy reflects off the flat half-circular-planar-reflector to a half-shell-parabolic-dish-reflector, which redirects the sun's energy to a crucible for smelting metals, which is also the focus of the sun's energy. The entire assembly rotates on top of a turntable, which can be steel wheel, floating on compressed air, bicycle wheels, or other suitable methods. The entire assembly rotates about a crucible located at the focal of the sun's energy. A smaller version of the smelter can be used for solar cooking.

Abstract: A sunlight collecting heat receiver includes: a heat-exchange heat receiving tube which receives sunlight collected by heliostats and transfers the sunlight to a heat carrier, wherein the heat-exchange heat receiving tube includes an outward-flow heat receiving tube which is disposed on the upstream in a sunlight incident direction and an inward-flow heat receiving tube which is connected to the outward-flow heat receiving tube through a U tube and is disposed on the downstream in the sunlight incident direction, and wherein the outward-flow heat receiving tube and the inward-flow heat receiving tube are arranged so as to be deviated from each other in the transverse direction perpendicular to the height direction when seen in the sunlight incident direction.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system has a solar receiver with an external surface configured for high absorption of light incident thereon. The solar receiver also has a plurality of light-reflecting elements arranged on the external surface. The light-reflecting elements produce at least partially diffuse reflection of light energy incident thereon. Heliostats concentrate solar radiation onto the external surface of the solar receiver. An imaging device provides a digital image of at least a portion of the external surface of the solar receiver. A controller can control the heliostats in response to apparent brightness of the light-reflecting elements as represented in the digital image.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device comprising an array of elongate reflector elements mounted substantially parallel to one another and transversely spaced in series, at least one of the reflector elements having an elongate concave reflective surface to reflect incident solar radiation towards a forward adjacent reflector element in the array. The at least one reflector element includes a photovoltaic assembly which is removably and replaceably mounted on the reflector element. The photovoltaic assembly includes a photovoltaic receptor to receive reflected solar radiation from a rearward adjacent reflector element. The photovoltaic assembly also includes a heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the photovoltaic receptor, thermally isolating the photovoltaic receptor, at least partially, from the reflector element.

Abstract: A system and method for energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly recovery of bitumen aims at recovering unconventional oil in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way that has the potential of eliminating the need of natural gas currently employed for steam production and power generation. The system and method aims at providing low temperature steam for the stimulation of the formation by means of solar radiation. In addition, the system and method provides a novel solution for hydrogen production that does not employ reforming of natural gas. Furthermore, the use of thermoelectric devices in combination with low temperature steam can be employed to power an electrolysis plant to generate the hydrogen necessary to produce synthetic oil.

Abstract: A multiplicity of Fresnel lenses are attached to tubular branches of a tree-like support structure. Fiber optic bundles are connected to the Fresnel lenses and routed inside the tubular branches and collected as a larger fiber optic bundle inside a main trunk structure to which each of the branches is connected. The larger fiber optic bundle may be connected to a remotely located power generating plant or other processing facility via a fiber optic transmission network. A domed solar energy collector includes an outer dome and one or more inner domes concentrically nested therewith, one or more Fresnel lenses being positioned on the hemispherical surface of each of the outer and inner domes. Each of the inner domes is sized and positioned such that its hemispherical surface lies on the focal point of the next larger dome to thereby multiply the solar energy focused through each of the domes to a collection area within the innermost dome.

Abstract: A tower type heat dissipating structure is applied to dissipate the heat of a solar power system. The solar power system is provided with a reflector having a hemispheric surface for reflecting the sunlight to a solar cell. The heat dissipating structure comprises a heat-conducting plate, a plate type heat pipe and a plurality of heat dissipating fins. One side of the heat-conducting plate is connected with the solar cell, and the other side is provided with a groove for being embedded an end of the plate type heat pipe. The heat dissipating fins is arranged with an inclination angle against the plate type heat pipe that can promote the heated air within the gaps to rise. The heat is rapidly conduced to prevent the solar cell from being destroyed by overheating for reducing the repairing costs.

Abstract: Solar concentrator system(s) that include parabolic Total Reflection Reflectors with corrected Curved Rectangular Total Reflection Prisms are provided. The corrected Curved Rectangular Total Reflection Prisms remove optical imperfections of diffusion typically present at conventional rectangular prisms of conventional parabolic and paraboloid TRR, and enable accurate focusing and high concentration ratios. A variation of the corrected Curved Rectangular Total Reflection Prisms allows the construction of a corrected solar wave guide with total reflection walls (Solar Artery), which enables the removal of the diffusion (and losses) typically present at conventional Hollow Solar Wave Guides, and increase by one or more orders of magnitude the light-propagation range of Solar Arteries for the same level of losses.

Abstract: The invention discloses a solar concentrator that offers a low-cost option dimensioned for supplying energy to a household. The rays of the sun are reflected and concentrated to a point focus by a combination of fixed and movable reflectors, and the heat concentrated in that manner is directed to a stationary remote absorber from where it is used to generate energy to supply the house. A plurality of safety stoppers and barriers prevent accidental misdirection of the concentrated beam. The shape and geometric arrangement of the fixed portion of the reflector array is designed so that the average amount of light received by the stationary remote absorber is maximized for all solar positions within the system's working range.

Abstract: A solar-powered system and method for producing a utility, such as electricity, hot water, and/or potable water is disclosed. The system may be configured to produce the utilities alone or in combination. The system may comprise a fluid medium, a converter, one or more solar concentrators, a storage tank, a collection tank, a dehydration tank, and one or more safety features. The system may be closed-loop or open-loop.

Abstract: This patent application discloses structure and use of concentrated solar thermal energy collector modules, installed individually, or in an array configuration. Because of the modular design, the individual collector modules are easier to manufacture, transport, and install. Systems of varying scale and varying thermal output may be built by custom arrangement of individual collector modules. Each module comprises a tiltable mirror array, a support frame for the mirror array, a heat absorption tube at a focal point of the mirror array, a parabolic mirror concentrator above the heat absorption tube, and two transparent protective panels coupled between the mirror concentrator with the support frame. The heat absorption tube may be a sealed heat tube, or a fluid circulation conduit. The mirrors are configured to be positionally adjusted to improve focusing of thermal energy and/or to track the changing position of the sun.

Abstract: A solar collector system including solar elements connected to form an array for intercepting the sun's radiation, a compression element that is positioned substantially perpendicular to the array, and pairs of cables that run from opposite sides of the array to the compression element to mutually stabilize each portion of the array to which the pair of cables connects. A support structure is provided for securing the array to a fixed structure. A tracking system further provides the system with two degrees of freedom for tracking the array with the sun's movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solar collector comprising an absorber tube (13) supported by supports. Radiation-permeable cladding tubes (15) are located between the supports and surround the absorber tube (13). Compensation pieces (17) are provided between the cladding tubes (15) due to the fact that the absorber tube (13) and the cladding tubes (15) have different expansion behaviors. In order to also capture radiation that strikes the connection area (50), at least one mirror collar (20) is provided that reflects the solar radiation into the area of the active absorber tube surface. This mirror collar (20) is capable of reflecting the concentrated solar radiation coming from different directions from the parabolic mirrors even at different solar angles of incidence upon the active absorber surface.

Abstract: A boiler for generating steam has a substantially enclosed housing configured to contain an amount of water to be boiled, the housing having one or more thermally conductive sidewalls which form a substantially enclosed water chamber and a reflection chamber, the reflection chamber including a closed top portion and a opening through which light rays may pass, the opening being vertically disposed below the top portion of the chamber so that the reflection chamber may trap heat, wherein at least one of the thermally conductive sidewalls is disposed so as to divide the water chamber from the reflection chamber. The boiler also include a support structure attached to or integral with the housing, which support structure supports the housing in a substantially fixed position during use of the boiler, and reflecting means for reflecting sunlight through the opening of the reflection chamber and onto a focal point on one or more inner surfaces of the top portion of the reflection chamber.

Abstract: A solar energy system, including a front panel and at least two mirrors, is provided. The mirrors are used to focus light onto a photoconductive cell. In the preferred embodiment, three or more nubs are an integral part of at least one of the mirrors. When the system is assembled, these nubs are configured between the panel and a mirror to provide a substantially uniform gap for an adhesive. The mirror is secured to the panel by the adhesive. Thus, the nubs assist with desired attachment and alignment of a mirror to the panel in the solar energy system.

Abstract: Method and system for converting solar energy into electrical energy utilizing serially coupled multijunction-type photovoltaic cells in conjunction with a form of spectral cooling. The latter cooling is carried out by removing ineffective solar energy components from impinging concentrated light, inter alia, through the utilization of dichroics or the conversion of ineffective solar energy components to effective energy components by means of luminescence, phosphorescence, or fluorescence. Ineffective solar energy components are described as those exhibiting wavelengths outside the bandgap energy defined wavelength and an associated wavelength defined band of useful photon energy.

Abstract: A tracking heliostat array comprises a plurality of optical elements. The tracking heliostat array further comprises a frame separated from the optical elements. Each of the optical elements has an orientation with respect to the frame. The tracking heliostat array further comprises a plurality of supports coupled to at least one of the optical elements. The tracking heliostat array further comprises a turnbuckle coupled to at least one of the supports and to the frame. Rotation of the turnbuckle causes the corresponding support to be displaced relative to the frame. The orientation of the optical element relative to the frame is adjustable. The tracking heliostat array further comprises a traveling actuator configured to rotate at least one of the turnbuckles. The tracking heliostat array further comprises a positioning mechanism supporting the traveling actuator. The positioning mechanism is configured to move the traveling actuator from a first selected turnbuckle to a second selected turnbuckle.

Abstract: A solar radiation reflector comprising a plurality of arms arranged in parallel, a plurality of driver mechanisms driven, respectively, by the arms, a plurality of reflectors turned, respectively, by the driven mechanisms, a plurality of reflection direction designating members connected, respectively, with the driven mechanisms to designate a predetermined direction of reflection of reflectors, respectively, a common link for turning the arms simultaneously, and a drive mechanism for driving the common link to direct the arms in parallel with the incident direction of solar radiation, and a solar energy system comprising the solar radiation reflector and a solar energy converter. The driven mechanisms driven simultaneously by the driving mechanism through the common link and the arms so that the reflectors may reflect solar radiation, respectively, toward specified directions turn the reflectors, respectively.

Abstract: A solar radiation concentrator rotated about a straight line vertical to the reflector arrangement surfaces so that the incident solar radiation can be led onto the reflector arrangement surface along the specified direction and a method of concentrating solar radiation; the concentrator, comprising a plurality of reflectors (10) disposed on reflector arrangement surfaces, a plurality of reflector vertical bars (20) connected to the plurality of reflectors, rotating center holding members (30) for holding the center points of the rotating motions of the plurality of reflector vertical bars, motion members (40) for collectively rotating the plurality of reflector vertical bars, and guide members (50) for guiding the motions of the plurality of reflector vertical bars so that the plurality of reflector vertical bars can be rotated along specified reflector vertical bar routes, wherein the motion members perform motions along the specified motion member routes according to a variation in the incident angle of th

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a concentrating solar energy receiver comprising a primary parabolic reflector having a center and a high reflectivity surface on a concave side of the reflector and having a focal axis extending from the concave side of the reflector and passing through a focal point of the primary parabolic reflector; and a conversion module having a reception surface wherein the reception surface is spaced from the focal point by a predetermined distance and disposed to receive a predetermined cross section of radiant solar energy reflected from the concave side of the primary parabolic reflector for conversion to electrical energy in the conversion module. In one aspect, the conversion module includes a reception surface comprising a planar array of at least one photovoltaic solar cell. In another aspect, the conversion module includes a reception surface coupled to a thermal cycle engine. The mechanical output of the thermal cycle engine drives an electric generator.

Abstract: An array of elongated concave parabolic trough-shaped reflectors is disclosed. The orientation of the array is biaxially kept essentially perpendicular to rays of the sun by an optical control such that sunlight is reflected and concentrated along a focal line of each elongated reflector by which (a) water in a tube disposed at the focal line is heated by reflected line focused sunlight impinged thereon and/or (b) line focused reflected sunlight is optically transformed into point focused reflected sunlight using Fresnel lenses from which electricity is generated using solar cells upon which the point focused reflected sunlight is impinged.

Abstract: A non-imaging energy flux transformation system including a concentrator incorporating a set of nested, ring-like, concave reflective elements, and a receiver. The system efficiently concentrates radiant energy, such as sunlight, by means of focusing the energy striking the entrance aperture of concentrator to the receiver located on the side of concentrator's exit aperture. The mirrored surfaces of reflective elements having appropriate individual non-imaging profiles represented by curved and/or straight lines are positioned so that the energy portions reflected from individual surfaces are directed, focused, and superimposed on one another to cooperatively form a common focal region on the receiver. The receiver can be an energy absorbing device, a secondary energy concentrating transformer, or a flux homogenizer.

Abstract: An array of elongated concave parabolic trough-shaped reflectors is disclosed. The orientation of the array is biaxially kept essentially perpendicular to rays of the sun by an optical control such that sunlight is reflected and concentrated along a focal line of each elongated reflector by which (a) water in a tube disposed at the focal line is heated by reflected line focused sunlight impinged thereon and/or (b) line focused reflected sunlight is optically transformed into point focused reflected sunlight using Fresnel lenses from which electricity is generated using solar cells upon which the point focused reflected sunlight is impinged.

Abstract: An array of concentrators of electromagnetic radiation (i.e., visible light, radio waves, etc.) employing one or more concentrating devices. Each concentrating device includes: a concentrator system for concentrating the incident electromagnetic radiation impinging thereon; a collimator system disposed in the path of electromagnetic radiation from the concentrator system for producing a beam of electromagnetic radiation; and a redirecting system. Each concentrating device has one or more of its elements staggered such that the beams from the array of concentrating devices result in a stacked or bundled plurality of beams. This bundle of beams is then concentrated again, recollimated and redirected to join with other similarly concentrated beams. This arraying can be repeated again and again, producing stronger and stronger beams or electromagnetic radiation, if desired.

Abstract: A two layer system for heat energy capture and storage with an upper or lower layer for heat extracting and the other layer for heat transfer. Either layer can function as a phase change material. Heat stored is conducted externally of the system and can be used directly in a converting system, i.e., heat to mechanical or electrical energy or transferred as heat for further applications.

Abstract: A central solar receiver comprising a housing with a frusto-conical window for the admission of incident concentrated solar radiation, a volumetric solar absorber within the housing surrounding the window, means for the injection of working fluid into contact with the volumetric solar absorber and means for the withdrawal of heated working fluid. The frusto-conical window makes the receiver suitable for operation at elevated pressure.