Solar concentrator for heat and electricity
US6080927A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 27, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 28, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/60
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A solar concentrator for producing usable power as heat and/or electricity uses a self-steering heliostat 1502 to concentrate solar radiation 1509 onto an absorbing surface such as, or including, a solar cell array 1511 capable of absorbing power from the radiation, meanwhile removing heat (such as from long-wave infra-red radiation or resistive losses) from the surface with fluid heat transfer means 1503, 1504, then making effective use of that low-grade heat. Thus the solar cell array is kept relatively cool and a larger proportion of the solar energy incident on the reflector unit is used. The invention uses electricity 1506 from the solar cells to move a transporting fluid through a heat exchanger 1504. Excess electricity may be available for local storage or use 1510, or feeding 1512 to the power distribution grid. Applications include warming swimming pools 1501, heating hot-water supplies using excess electricity, or warming, lighting and ventilating open spaces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.