Alignment of solar concentrator micro-mirrors
US6964486B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 2004 |
| Grant date | Nov 15, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/47
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Due to an ever growing shortage of conventional energy sources, there is an increasingly intense interest in harnessing solar energy. The instant invention is concerned with method and apparatus for the alignment of solar concentrator micro-mirrors and the maximization of the percentage of incident light that is reflected to the receiver. Novel method and apparatus are taught for operating the addressing and alignment micro-optics solar concentrator system for single-axis and two-axis tracking. Broadly this invention deals with novel concepts used for alignment in the focussing of light wherever mirrors are used for focussing such as for solar propulsion assist, illumination and projection of light, optical switching, etc. A particularly important objective is the focussing of sunlight for solar power conversion and production. The instant invention can contribute to the goal of achieving environmentally clean solar energy on a large enough scale to be competitive with conventional energy sources.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.