Tracking fiber optic wafer concentrator
US8230851B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jul 31, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 16, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E20/14
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A solar power system for supplying concentrated solar energy. The system includes a cylindrical absorber tube carrying the working fluid and a concentrator assembly, which includes an array of linear lenses such as Fresnel lenses. The concentrator assembly includes a planar optical wafer paired with each of the linear lenses to direct light, which the lenses focus on a first edge of the wafers, onto the collector via a second or output edge of the wafers. Each of the optical wafers is formed from a light transmissive material and acts as a light “pipe.” The lens array is spaced apart a distance from the first edges of the optical wafers. This distance or lens array height is periodically adjusted to account for seasonal changes in the Sun's position, such that the focal point of each linear lens remains upon the first edge of one of the optical wafers yearlong.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.