Patent · US Active

Solar collector framework

US7932461B2 · kind B2 · utility

46Cited by
37References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 20, 2008
Grant dateApr 26, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 5, 2029

Classification

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

Abstract

A solar energy collector suitable for use in a solar energy collection system that tracks movements of the sun along at least one axis may have a plurality of reflector panels, a support structure that supports the reflector panels in a manner that defines a pair of adjacent reflector troughs, each trough having a base, a pair of reflective side walls and a trough aperture suitable for receiving incident sunlight during operation of the solar energy collection system, a frame that is coupled to the support structure near the bases of the troughs to define a closed reflector support truss framework in cooperation with the support structure, wherein the reflector support truss framework is positioned behind the reflector troughs such that the reflector support truss framework does not shadow the reflector panels during normal operation of the solar energy collector, and a plurality of solar receivers.

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