Patent · US Expired

Support structure for solar receiver panel tubes

US4653470A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
3References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 20, 1985
Grant dateMar 31, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 20, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/47
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A support structure for multiple adjacent parallel vertical tubes of a solar flux receiver panel, so as to provide for universal independent thermal expansion and contraction of the tubes. Each adjacent tube is attached by a lug located at an intermediate point along the tube length to a rigid horizontal steel support bar, each attachment lug being separated from the adjacent lug by a cylindrical spacer located therebetween. The support bar is attached to tie links and a truss attached to support collars located on the bar at appropriate end and central locations, the tie links and truss being pivotally attached at their other ends to a vertical support frame structure. The support structure for the vertical tubes of the solar panel provides reliable support, accommodates differences thermal expansion and contraction of the tubes, and resists transverse wind and seismic loads for the vertically-oriented solar heated panel.

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