Solar concentrator configuration with improved manufacturability and efficiency
US8680391B2 · kind B2 · utility
1Cited by
15References
20Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 22, 2010 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/60
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A solar concentrator comprises a pair of concentric reflectors having a spindle toroid geometry for focusing the collected solar radiation into a ring-shaped focal area, as opposed to the “point” or “line” focus of prior art configurations. In a preferred embodiment, each reflector is formed of a plurality of curved petals that are disposed in a contiguous, keystone arrangement that requires no additional fixturing to hold the petals in place. Such an arrangement reduces the weight, complexity and cost of the final solar concentrator structure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.