Patent · US Active

Thermal management system for controlling the temperature of a reflective surface having a solar concentrator array

US10930806B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
6References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 5, 2016
Grant dateFeb 23, 2021
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 23, 2037

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/52
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A thermal management system (“TMS”) for controlling the temperature of a selective reflective panel is disclosed. The TMS includes a solar concentrator array, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The solar concentrator array is located within the selective reflective panel and has a plurality of reflectors arranged in reflector groups. The temperature sensor monitors a temperature of the selective reflective panel at a location of the temperature sensor. The controller monitors the local temperature of the selective reflective panel utilizing the temperature sensor and, in response, produces a control signal that is sent to the solar concentrator array. The control signal directs the solar concentrator array to position a selected number of reflectors on the concentrator array into an off-pointing position in response to monitoring the temperature sensor, where the selected number of reflectors is determined to control the local temperature of the selective reflective panel.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.