Solar concentrator having an offset parabolic configuration
US5882434A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 15, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/60
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The solar concentrator system includes a generally parabolic-shaped primary reflector having a flat region at the center thereof, so that the focus of the primary reflector is a ring about the center axis of the reflector, in the plane of the rim thereof. A receiver, in the shape of an inverted, truncated cone, is positioned so that the peripheral surface of the receiver is approximately coincident with the ring focus. Solar cells are positioned in lines on the peripheral surface of the receiver. Prefilter tubular secondary concentrator elements are positioned just in front of the lines of solar cells, providing an additional focusing capability and improving the concentration of the solar rays, while being spaced sufficiently that the unilluminated areas between the lines of solar cells can accommodate electrical interconnectors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.