Tracking heat flux sensors for concentrating solar applications
US8459865B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 4, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/47
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Innovative tracking heat flux sensors located at or near the solar collector's focus for centering the concentrated image on a receiver assembly. With flux sensors mounted near a receiver's aperture, the flux gradient near the focus of a dish or trough collector can be used to precisely position the focused solar flux on the receiver. The heat flux sensors comprise two closely-coupled thermocouple junctions with opposing electrical polarity that are separated by a thermal resistor. This arrangement creates an electrical signal proportional to heat flux intensity, and largely independent of temperature. The sensors are thermally grounded to allow a temperature difference to develop across the thermal resistor, and are cooled by a heat sink to maintain an acceptable operating temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.