| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 359853000 | Light concentrating (e.g., heliostat, etc.), concave, or paraboloidal structure | 75 |
| 20090073587 | Mirror Arrangement of a Laser Processing System - A mirror arrangement for a laser processing system includes a mirror configured to deflect laser radiation incident on the mirror arrangement onto a workpiece. The mirror arrangement includes first, second, and third mirror regions. A surface of the third mirror region is parallel to or recessed from a direction of propagation of the laser radiation incident on the mirror arrangement such that the third mirror region forms a shadow zone. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090086348 | System for simultaneously turning and tilting an array of mirror concentrators - A system for simultaneously turning and tilting an array of mirror concentrators includes a first stepper motor operable to drive a first lead screw coupled to each row of the array of mirror concentrators, the rotation of the first lead screw simultaneously turning the rows of the array about a first axis thereof, and a second stepper motor operable to drive a second lead screw coupled to each mirror concentrator of each row, the rotation of the second lead screw simultaneously tilting each mirror concentrator about a second axis thereof. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090185302 | Light concentrator structures and methods - An arrangement utilizes diffractive, reflective and/or refractive optical elements combined to intensify and homogenize electromagnetic energy, such as natural sunlight in the terrestrial environment, for purposes such as irradiating a target area with concentrated homogenized energy. A heat activated safety mechanism is also described. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090231739 | MATRIX FORMULATION OF KOHLER INTEGRATING SYSTEM AND COUPLED NON-IMAGING LIGHT CONCENTRATOR - Methods for designing optical systems, including homogenizer element(s), that concentrate light from a distant source, such as the sun, onto a target device, such as a solar cell. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20100073790 | Conic of Rotation (CoR) Optical Surfaces and Systems of Matched CoRs - An ultracompact, lightweight, reflective telescope is described which has no loss due to central obscuration for a beam being projected from its focus. The optical surfaces are composed of matched conics of rotation. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100165495 | Collection optic for solar concentrating wedge - A nontracking solar concentrator, called the wedge, is given the ability to collect overhead light. This is made possible by a new prism, having the cross section of a cornucopia, that delivers an abundance of bright light into the wedge to create a higher intensity focus. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100195227 | System and Method of Focusing Electromagnetic Radiation - A tracking system for reflecting electromagnetic radiation from a source to a target area, having at least one reflecting surface or mirror mounted to a support that fixes the reflecting surface orientation to focus electromagnetic radiation on the target area when the reflecting surface is at a first location at a first predefined time. The system has a path with at least the first location and a second location. The reflecting surface is movable along the path to maintain focus on the target area. The reflecting surface may have an orientation with a fixed declination angle and fixed hour angle. The source may include a moving source such as the Sun. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20110032629 | ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY CONCENTRATING DEVICE AND METHOD THEREFOR - An electromagnetic energy concentrating dish ( | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110075283 | Multi-Curvature Convex Mirror Having an Enhanced Field of Vision - A multi-curvature convex mirror is comprised of a first reflective surface having a first curvature and defined by a portion of the surface area of a greater sphere and a second reflective surface having a second curvature greater than the first curvature and defined by a portion of the surface area of a lesser sphere that intersects the surface area of the greater sphere. The primary and secondary reflective surfaces are comprised of a series of locations, each defined by an x, y, and z coordinate, determined in accordance with the relationship | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110096426 | COMPACT OPTICS FOR CONCENTRATION AND ILLUMINATION SYSTEMS - An optical concentrator having a concentrating element for collecting input light, a redirecting element for receiving the light and also for redirecting the light, and a waveguide including a plurality of incremental portions enabling collection and concentration of the light onto a receiver. Other systems replace the receiver by a light source so the optics can provide illumination. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110141594 | REFLECTIVE OBJECTIVE - A reflective objective is disclosed, in which essentially all the optical power is in a single, off-axis, concave mirror, which is oriented generally perpendicular to the central axis of the objective. An incident beam is directed to and from the concave mirror by a pair of flat mirrors, so that a central on-axis ray in the incident beam is collinear with the corresponding thrice-reflected ray at the object. The object is one focal length away from the concave mirror. The aperture stop is also one focal length away from the concave mirror, leading to a condition of telecentricity at the object. Different focal lengths for the objectives are realized by using mirrors with different curvatures, located at different distances away from the central axis of the objective. The reflective objective can optionally be retrofitted into a turret typically used for microscope objectives, and can optionally have refractive elements, making the objective catadioptric. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110188138 | PARABOLIC REFLECTOR - A reflection device including a sheet made of a flexible material with at least one surface having reflective properties including a first edge and a second edge on opposite sides of a center line of the sheet where the first edge and the second edge of the sheet are shaped such that the flexible material is formed into a mostly parabolic shape in cross section when bent about a line perpendicular to the center line and the sheet is secured at two points along the center line. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110235202 | MOUNTING POSITION MEASURING DEVICE - For work in which reflecting mirrors (or facets ( | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110242689 | SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTORS - A dish structure ( | 10-06-2011 |
| 20120014006 | QUASI-PARABOLIC SOLAR CONCENTRATOR AND METHOD - A quasi-parabolic reflector and method are provided for a solar concentrator which produces a unique radiation pattern which is less susceptible to surface defects, less sensitive to target distance irregularities, and having greater uniformity of intensity for PV applications in comparison to that produced by true parabolic reflectors. Cross-sections of the quasi-parabolic reflector include spaced reflective surfaces which have focal areas spaced one from the other about an axis of symmetry. A method for forming petals of a quasi-parabolic reflector includes stamping them into shape using a stamping apparatus with a higher radius of curvature than the finished petal and iteratively testing and stamping the petal until the petal passes or fails a quality and accuracy threshold. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120019942 | Light-Guide Solar Panel and Method of Fabrication Thereof - A solar energy concentration system that uses a light-guide solar panel (LGSP) to trap light inside a dielectric or other transparent panel and propagates the light to one of the panel edges for harvesting solar energy by a collector such as a photovoltaic cell. This allows for very thin modules whose thickness is comparable to the height of the solar energy collector. This eliminates the depth requirements inherent in traditional concentrated photovoltaic solar energy systems. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120081806 | SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SOLAR PLANTS - Support structure, comprising a supporting wall, advantageously with a substantially parabolic profile or suchlike, for solar plants of the concentration type, and able to support at least a thin and flexible reflection plate, able to reflect the sun's rays in order to concentrate them in correspondence with collectors to exploit the solar energy. The support structure comprises clamping elements movable with respect to the supporting wall, and able to clamp the reflection plate in cooperation with the supporting wall. The support structure comprises adjustment means constrained to the clamping elements and able to cooperate with relative elastic means constrained to the supporting wall. The elastic means are disposed and conformed with respect to the supporting wall so as to exert an action of traction on the adjustment means and on the clamping elements, so as to exert the desired action of deformation on the reflection plate. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120140352 | Light-Guide Solar Energy Concentrator - A light-guide solar concentrator that requires less precision to assemble and manufacture than some other two-layer solar concentrators has a light-condensing layer and an optical waveguide layer. The light-condensing layer includes a plurality of focusing elements for focusing incident sunlight and a plurality of corresponding collimating elements for collimating the light for output to the optical waveguide layer. The optical waveguide layer receives the collimated light and has a plurality of deflectors for redirecting the light for lateral transmission through the optical waveguide layer toward an exit surface. A secondary optic optically coupled to the exit surface can also be provided to redirect the light toward a light collection area where a solar energy collector can be placed to harvest the concentrated sunlight. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120154941 | COLLECTOR AND CONCENTRATOR OF SOLAR RADIATION - A system is presented for collecting and concentrating light from a moving light source (e.g. the Sun). The system comprises at least one anamorphic optical element, defining an optical axis and a projection region and having a predetermined effective aperture which defines primary and secondary axes. The effective aperture is configured for collection of optical radiation arriving from a predetermined solid collection angle defining a first range of angles with respect to a plane spanned by said optical and primary axes. The anamorphic optical element is configured such that light passing through said effective aperture within a predetermined first range of angles within said predetermined solid collection angle is concentrated onto at least a part of said projection region. At least one receiver aperture is defined by at least a part of said projection region. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120170144 | SOLAR CONCENTRATION DEVICE - A solar concentration device includes a bracket, a light transmitting window, a light receiving surface and at least two condensing lenses. The condensing lenses are arranged on the bracket and around the light transmitting window. One surface of the condensing lens is a light transmitting plane, and the other surface comprises uniformly distributed refractive prisms, the refractive surfaces of which are in parallel with each other. Light beam refracted by each refractive prism is uniformly irradiated on the light receiving surface. The light receiving surface is disposed in parallel with the light transmitting window. The application of this concentration device can increase at least twice the condensed light intensity. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120176694 | Heliostat System - A heliostat system includes a base member adapted to be secured to a fixed surface, a transitional member that is formed as a substantially unitary member and a mirror member. The transitional member is coupled to the base member and to the mirror member. The mirror member includes a support portion coupled to the transitional member and a mirror portion. A first bearing coupling the base member and the transitional member provides relative changes in azimuth between the base member and the transitional member. A second bearing coupling the transitional member and the mirror member provides relative changes in elevation between the transitional member and the mirror member. A drive system rotates the transitional member about the first bearing and the mirror member about the second bearing to change the azimuth and the elevation of the mirror member. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120176695 | STRUCTURE FOR LIFTING AND MOUNTING HELIOSTATS AND TROLLEY FOR MOVING SAID HELIOSTAT - It allows lifting the heliostat in the warehouse and placing it on the cart, and once it reaches the installation spot in the field, the lifting structure is used to lift the heliostat from the cart and place it on a previously installed pedestal. The structure formed by an upper arch and two lower bases, being the upper arch, comprised at the same time by a central, elongated and horizontal profile, which presents two lateral profiles on its ends, from which vertical plates start at the bottom, provided with a hole in the proximity of its lower ends, through which the upper arch ( | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120182635 | LIGHT-COLLECTING HELIOSTAT USING FLAT MIRRORS - Disclosed is a light-collecting heliostat using flat mirrors of enhanced light-collecting efficiency. The gradients of low-price flat mirrors are adjusted when reflecting sunlight by the heliostat equipped with the flat mirrors, thereby causing reflection focal points having the same size as each of the mirrors to overlap, in the same number as the number of the reflective plates constituting the heliostat, on a heat collecting unit of collecting lights, so that a high temperature light-collecting focal point with a uniform temperature distribution is obtained. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120206825 | REFLECTOR-CONCENTRATOR UNIT, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND SOLAR COLLECTOR DEVICE COMPRISING SAID REFLECTOR-CONCENTRATOR UNIT - A reflector-concentrator unit including a sandwich structure with an upper lamina, a lower lamina, a filler layer between both, and a frame. The upper lamina has associated therewith an outer reflective surface to reflect incident rays and to concentrate them in a linear focus. The material of the filler layer is adhered to the upper and lower laminas of the sandwich structure and to the frame and is rigid enough to precisely assure a predetermined stable operating position of the upper lamina in relation to the frame. The frame includes positioning configurations usable to precisely position the reflector-concentrator unit and the associated reflective surface in relation to an external element of an installation. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120206826 | LIGHT-COLLECTING DEVICE AND LIGHT-COLLECTING METHOD THEREOF - A light-collecting device and a light-collecting method thereof are disclosed, capable of providing a simple combination structure, guiding light beams to be almost perpendicularly entered into a receiving element, and increasing the absorption efficiency of a light-receiving element. The light-collecting device includes a light concentrator and a light collector provided with total internal reflection and assembled with a light-receiving element. The light collector is defined with a light-entering aperture disposed near or located at a focusing region of the light concentrator and a light-radiating aperture. At least part of light beam received by the light concentrator travels through the focusing region of the light concentrator and forwardly radiates to the light collector, and the light beam travelling form the light collector is incident to the receiving element when the light beam is optically functioned by the total internal reflection of the light collector, thereby improving the photoelectric conversion efficiency. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120218652 | OPTICAL CONCENTRATOR SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS - A described embodiment provides a technology for concentrating or focusing electromagnetic energy to an arbitrary desired spatial distribution, utilizing a rotatable base, a plurality of mirrors mounted to the rotatable base, and an optical receiver that is moveable in an azimuth path relative to the plurality of mirrors. A described embodiment can comprise a driver for rotating the base and a adjusting linkage that connects the plurality of mirrors so that they track in a coordinated fashion. Another embodiment comprises an optical positioning assembly on which each mirror is mounted. An optical positioning assembly adjusts each mirror to the sun's altitude and the location for the optical receiver. This assembly is connected to the adjusting linkage so that a single driver can move all the mirrors if desired. | 08-30-2012 |
| 20120275042 | NOTCH STRUCTURE FOR CONCENTRATING MODULE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE USING PHOTOVOLTAIC STRIPS - The invention provides a solar concentrator structure including a first concentrating element. The first concentrating element includes a first aperture region, a first exit region, a first side and a second side. The solar concentrator structure further includes a second or more concentrating elements integrally coupled with the first concentrating element in a parallel manner. The second concentrating element includes a second aperture region, a second exit region, the third side, and a fourth side. The third side joins with the second side to form an apex notch structure characterized by a radius of curvature. Additionally, the solar concentrator structure includes a separation region by a width separating the first exit region from the second exit region and a triangular region including the apex notch structure and a base defined by the separation region and a refractive index of about 1 characterizing the triangular region. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120287518 | Heliostat Mirror - A mirror includes multiple layers, each layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface. A first layer is a cementitious material and a second layer is a material compatible with the cementitious material. A first surface of the second layer is integral to the first layer. The second layer is thinner than the first layer and includes an additive that provides electrical conductivity. A third layer provides a transition between the second layer and a reflective surface. A first surface of the third layer is in direct contact with a second surface of the second layer. A fourth layer provides the reflective surface. A first surface of the fourth layer is in direct contact with a second surface of the third layer. A fifth layer includes a transparent material. A first surface of the fifth layer is in direct contact with a second surface of the fourth layer. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120293881 | SEGMENT OF A SOLAR COLLECTOR AND SOLAR COLLECTOR - The invention relates to a segment of a solar collector extending in a longitudinal direction, said segment being provided with a plate arrangement having a two-dimensional upper side on which a reflective layer is arranged. A plurality of rib elements are arranged on a lower side of the plate arrangement, each rib element extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the solar collector. At least one rigidifying element, preferably at least one brace element, extends in the longitudinal direction of the solar collector, connecting the rib elements. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20120314314 | HELIOSTAT DEVICE - A heliostat device comprising: a mirror assembly ( | 12-13-2012 |
| 20120314315 | CONCAVE REFLECTING MIRROR FOR HELIOSTAT, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE CONCAVE REFLECTING MIRROR - Disclosed is a concave reflecting mirror ( | 12-13-2012 |
| 20130003205 | HELIOSTAT MIRROR WITH SUPPORTING RIB STRUCTURE - A mirror module including one or more rib elements made of the same materials as a rear plate and/or front plate. The rib elements are placed between the rear glass plate and the front glass plate to afford rigidity to the mirror module. Since the rib elements are made of the same materials as the rear plate and/or front plate, the rib elements have the same or similar coefficients of thermal expansion as the rear plate or the front plate. Consequently, when the mirror module is subject to temperature fluctuation, the rib elements exert less stress on the glass plates compared to structure elements made of the materials different from the rear or front glass plate. The rib elements may also be integrated with the rear plate to simplify the process for manufacturing the mirror module. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130033775 | Solar concentrator - A solar concentrator comprises an upper transparent surface and a lower transparent surface. A reflective layer is on the lower transparent surface. The lower transparent surface is shaped such that the reflective layer reflects and concentrates incident light. A second concentrator which is a parabola is formed on the upper transparent surface as an integral portion of the surface such that the second concentrator reflects the concentrated sunlight back to the center of the lower transparent surface. The lower transparent surface further comprises a CPC (Compound Parabolic Concentrator) which is an integral portion of the surface to accommodate the concentrated light and couple it to receiver. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130050860 | Resonance-shifting luminescent solar concentrators - An optical system and method to overcome luminescent solar concentrator inefficiencies by resonance-shifting, in which sharply directed emission from a bi-layer cavity into a glass substrate returns to interact with the cavity off-resonance at each subsequent reflection, significantly reducing reabsorption loss en route to the edges. In one embodiment, the system comprises a luminescent solar concentrator comprising a transparent substrate, a luminescent film having a variable thickness; and a low refractive index layer disposed between the transparent substrate and the luminescent film. | 02-28-2013 |
| 20130083413 | OPPOSING ROW LINEAR CONCENTRATOR ARCHITECTURE - A solar concentrator assembly is disclosed. The solar concentrator assembly comprises a first reflective device having a first reflective front side and a first rear side, a second reflective device having a second reflective front side and a second rear side, the second reflective device positioned such that the first reflective front side faces the second rear side, and a support assembly coupled to and supporting the first and second reflective devices, the second reflective device positioned to be vertically offset from the first reflective device. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130100548 | SOLAR RADIATION COLLECTOR - Various configurations of solar collectors are defined. Some solar collectors are formed from flat glass mirrors. Some solar collectors are formed by bending a sheet along a curve. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130114155 | REFLECTIVE PANEL FOR SOLAR POWER GENERATION - A reflector for solar thermal power generation includes a light collecting mirror attached to a self-supporting base material. The light collecting mirror includes at least: a flexible supporting body; and a light/heat reflective layer provided on at least one side of the supporting body. The self-supporting base material has any one of configurations A and B below: A: the base material includes a pair of metallic plates and an intermediate layer provided between the metallic plates, the intermediate layer being a layer having a hollow structure or a layer composed of a resin material; and B: the base material is composed of a resin material layer having a hollow structure. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130128370 | DEVICE FOR THE CAPTURE OF SOLAR ENERGY WITH HIGH ANGULAR EFFICIENCY - The present invention relates to a device for the capture of solar energy with high angular efficiency which eliminates the use of the tracking systems normally present in the devices for the capture of solar radiation known to the state of the art, as well as systems of generation of electric or electromagnetic fields suitable for modifying some physical properties or the relative positions of some components of the system. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130155535 | INTEGRATED SOLAR CONCENTRATOR SYSTEM - An integrated solar concentrator assembly ( | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130170058 | SOLAR COLLECTOR - A solar collector array is disclosed. The array has a plurality of thin walled dishes interconnected by unitary webbing. The dishes and the webbing are formed from a single metallic sheet. Each dish is pressed into a symmetric parabolic surface that concentrates incident light to a position in front of the dish. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130222934 | DEVICE FOR COLLECTING SOLAR ENERGY - A solar energy collector comprising a set of two or more reflectors reflecting sunrays at the focal line; a receiver of reflected rays placed at the focal line; and means to move the said set of reflectors along a non-parabolic concave curve. The said non-parabolic concave curve with reference to the focal line is defined by the formula: x2+y2=constant (k) y where x and y are the co-ordinates of a point on the said non-parabolic concave curve, in the co-ordinate system, having X axis horizontal, Y axis vertical and the origin of said co-ordinate system on the focal line. The said focal line is perpendicular to the X-Y plane and wherein each of the said reflectors intersects said non-parabolic concave curve. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130265665 | CONCENTRATING SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTOR - Systems, methods, and apparatus by which solar energy may be collected to provide heat, electricity, or a combination of heat and electricity are disclosed herein. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130279035 | MULTI-SECTIONAL PARABOLIC COLLIMATING MIRROR - A planar collimator has first and second sections each intersecting at a junction between a first axis and a second axis normal to the first axis. Each of the first and second sections have geometries configured to receive light from a source point located on the first axis and collimate the light at respective positive and negative tilting angles relative to the second axis. The first and second sections direct the collimated light to respective first and second sides of a focusing mirror and away from a gap between the first and second sides of the focusing mirror. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130308218 | SOLAR CONDENSER - A solar condenser, comprising two or more parabolic mirrors; each parabolic mirror is provided with a different focal length and a common focusing plane; the parabolic mirrors consist of a plurality of staggeredly arranged mirror unit groups consisting of more than one reflecting units; the distance between every two parabolic mirrors with different focal lengths is the focal length difference thereof. Through the staggered installation of the reflecting units, the air flow between the mirrors is increased without increasing additional footprint or affecting the light-focusing effect, thus the impact of winds on the mirrors and structures is reduced; and ice, snow and dust do not easily accumulate on the mirrors, thus effectively improving the operational stability of the solar condenser. | 11-21-2013 |
| 20130314811 | SOLAR CONCENTRATOR - A solar concentrator is composed of the cascading of the first light guiding module and a second light guiding module. The solar light is collected and guided simultaneously toward the light propagation destination by the light guiding modules. By cascading the light guiding modules in the direction of guiding, the solar concentrator has thinner thickness than the traditional concentrator and has a zero back focal distance to reduce the assembly cost. The solar concentrator utilizes the optical design concept of coincident image points from both the relay and converging optics such that the optical flux is increased in the cascading light guiding modules while the light propagation direction within the concentrator is maintained. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130314812 | MIRROR CONSTRUCTION FOR CONCENTRATED SOLAR SYSTEMS BY FRC AND APPLICATIONS - A building integrated solar mirror for use in a concentrated solar power (CSP) and concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) apparatus comprising a casing filled with fiber reinforced concrete having a reflective film attached to the concave curvature of the said casing, a process for its manufacture and use. The solar mirror characterized in that it forms an integral part of a building and can serve as roof or wall of the building, thus reducing the overall cost of transportation and installation of the said solar mirrors in CSP and CPV systems and also saving the enormous land required for the installation of these systems. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130314813 | Method for Manufacturing a Reflector, Preferably for the Solar Energy Field - The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a reflector ( | 11-28-2013 |
| 20140055875 | Solar Collectors Having Slidably Removable Reflective Panels for Use in Solar Thermal Applications - Provided herein are solar collectors having reflective sheets which are slidably insertable and/or removable for quick installation, construction, removal, repair, and/or replacement. Also provided are solar collectors having reflective sheets under tension. Further provided are methods for constructing solar collectors. In another aspect, provided herein are guide rails for guiding and/or retaining slidably removable reflective sheets and holding the reflective sheets in a prescribed shape. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140055876 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING LAND SURFACE TEMPERATURE USING STRATOSPHERIC AIRSHIPS AND REFLECTOR - The present invention relates to a method for controlling land surface temperature using stratospheric airships and a reflector. In the method for controlling land surface temperature using stratospheric airships and a reflector, four corners are connected to a lower end of support lines coupled to be disposed vertically downward from a plurality of airships, and sunlight is reflected by a reflector unfolded into a tetragonal shape in the air, wherein the reflecting surface of the reflector plate is maintained at an angle to remain perpendicular to an incident angle of sunlight to shield the land surface from incident sunlight. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140071551 | DEVICE FOR CONCENTRATING SOLAR RADIATION IN AN ABSORBER | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140078607 | OPPOSING ROW LINEAR CONCENTRATOR ARCHITECTURE - A solar concentrator assembly is disclosed. The solar concentrator assembly comprises a first reflective device having a first reflective front side and a first rear side, a second reflective device having a second reflective front side and a second rear side, the second reflective device positioned such that the first reflective front side faces the second rear side, and a support assembly coupled to and supporting the first and second reflective devices, the second reflective device positioned to be vertically offset from the first reflective device. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140133041 | MODULAR OFF-AXIS FIBER OPTIC SOLAR CONCENTRATOR - A modular solar concentrator having an aspherical primary reflector that is a segment of a paraboloid parent shape. The peripheral shape of the segment is selected to allow arrangement of an array of concentrators in a closely-fitting pattern. The peripheral shape may be rectilinear or trapezoidal. The primary reflector may be an off-axis segment having an optical axis at or near a peripheral edge. In one embodiment, the modular solar concentrator includes a primary mirror and a secondary minor. In an alternative embodiment, the modular solar concentrator is monolithic having internal surfaces that reflect light into the optical fiber. The monolithic concentrator may include a first internal surface that functions in a manner analogous to a primary mirror and a second internal surface that functions in a manner analogous to a secondary mirror. The optical fiber may be secured in the monolith by an index matching adhesive. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140153122 | CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER APPARATUS HAVING MIRROR COATING AND ANTI-SOILING COATING - An anti-soiling coating is provided in a solar collector apparatus. In certain example embodiments, an anti-soiling coating and a mirror coating are provided on opposite sides of a glass substrate of a mirror structure. In certain example embodiments, the anti-soiling coating may be provided on the first/front surface of a solar panel or solar mirror used in a solar collector field. For example, the anti-soiling coating may be provided on the front/first surface of a parabolic trough or dish reflector/mirror for use in a concentrating solar power apparatus. The provision of the anti-soiling coating can protect the maximum output power of the solar collector from dust and/or environmental pollution such as dirt. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140160587 | REFLECTOR ELEMENT AND METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF - The present invention relates to a reflective element for solar fields, having a sandwich-type structure, comprising a reflective sheet ( | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140168802 | Light Concentrating Apparatus - A light concentrating apparatus is presented. Disclosed apparatuses include a collection of shaped reflectors capable of redirecting incident light, sunlight for example. The reflectors are configured to modify the spatial distribution of the redirected light in a manner where the distribution of light associated with a first dimension is modified differently than the distribution of light associated with a second, different dimension, via a relay of reflections. Contemplated apparatuses generate a substantially collimated output beam subsequent to the relay of reflections. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140198400 | LIGHT COLLECTOR AND LIGHT COLLECTION MODULE - A light collector of a light concentration module includes a first surface, a second surface and at least one light emitting surface. The first surface has multiple microstructures. The microstructures are used for receiving a ray. The second surface is opposite to the first surface. The at least one light emitting surface is adjacent to the first surface and the second surface. The at least one light emitting surface forms a first angle θ with the first surface or the second surface, so as to output the rays received by the microstructures. The light collector satisfies 10°≦θ≦35° or 85°≦θ<90°. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140320990 | SOLAR CONCENTRATOR INCLUDING A HELIOSTAT AND A FRESNEL LENS - An heliostat includes a plane mirror and a first axis of rotation which is positioned parallel to the axis of rotation of the Earth. The solar radiation reflected by the mirror is permanently oriented toward a stationary Fresnel lens which is perpendicular to the first axis of rotation and which concentrates the solar radiation toward a stationary target. A solar field is composed of a plurality of heliostats according to such characteristics and all the first axes of rotation of which are rotated by a mechanical linkage coupled to a rod which is moved by a single motor. This arrangement reduces the total cost of the installation. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140347756 | Suspended Solar Field - A method for erecting a solar field includes inserting piles into the ground in a predefined pattern covering an area of the solar field, and deploying rails between the piles. Elements of an array of solar collectors are transported along the rails to respective deployment locations in the solar field. The solar collectors are erected on the piles using the elements at the respective deployment locations. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20140347757 | CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER WITH GLASSHOUSES - A protective transparent enclosure (such as a glasshouse or a greenhouse) encloses a concentrated solar power system (e.g. a thermal and/or a photovoltaic system). The concentrated solar power system includes one or more solar concentrators and one or more solar receivers. Thermal power is provided to an industrial process, electrical power is provided to an electrical distribution grid, or both. In some embodiments, the solar concentrators are dish-shaped mirrors that are mechanically coupled to a joint that enables rotation at a fixed distance about respective solar collectors that are fixed in position with respect to the protective transparent enclosure. In some embodiments, the solar collectors are suspended from structure of the protective transparent enclosure and the solar concentrators are suspended from the solar collectors. In some embodiments, the greenhouse is a Dutch Venlo style greenhouse. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20150015975 | HELIOSTATS, AND METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLY THEREOF - A solar energy collection system can include a plurality of heliostats configured to reflect sunlight to a target mounted on a tower. Each of the heliostats can include (i) a mirror assembly, which can include at least one mirror, at least one support arm and a pair of diagonals attached to each end of the support arm, the support arm attached to the backside of the mirror along its entire length, (ii) an elongated central support element, (iii) at least one connecting element configured to attach the mirror assembly to the elongated central support element. The location of attachment points on the at least one connecting element can define the curvature of the mirror in at least one dimension. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150055236 | Open Architecture Structure For Trough Shaped Solar Concentrators - The present invention comprises an Open Architecture lattice geometric structure, aerodynamic provisions to that structure and methods to produce that structure for the manufacture of trough shaped solar concentrators having Fresnel reflector elements, such that the wind loading on these trough solar concentrators is substantially reduced compared to traditional trough concentrators with continuous panel structures. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150055237 | ADJUSTABLE SOLAR CONCENTRATOR ASSEMBLY AND METHODS OF USING SAME - A portable solar concentrator includes a stand, a plurality of inner panels supported by the stand, and a plurality of outer panels attached to the inner panels. The inner panels have a reflective surface, and are configured to direct solar energy at a target. The outer panels have a reflective surface and can be configured in an active position to direct solar energy at the target, and can be configured in an inactive position to direct solar energy away from the target. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150062728 | Solar Trough Frame, Part and Method - A solar trough frame for holding solar mirrors includes a plurality of chords. The frame includes a plurality of extruded profiles, including chords, chord sleeves, struts, strut end pieces and mirror support pieces, each chord sleeve having at least one chord sleeve fin, each chord sleeve positioned about one of the chords. The frame includes a plurality of struts, at least one of the struts having a strut end piece having at least one strut fin that connects with a chord sleeve fin to connect the plurality of chords. The frame includes a platform supported by the chords and struts on which the solar mirrors are disposed. A chord sleeve for connecting a chord of a solar frame which supports solar mirrors to a strut end piece extending from a strut of the solar frame. A strut end piece for connecting the strut of a solar frame which supports solar mirrors to a chord sleeve of the solar frame. A method for linking a strut of a solar frame which supports solar mirrors to a chord of the solar frame. A method for supporting solar mirrors. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150085390 | Incident and Reflective Mirror Array Focusing by Kinematic Function Control - An array of Fresnel reflectors is presented with an adjustable focus. The focus of the array is controlled by only a few mechanical parts and simple inputs. One preferred embodiment of this device is to collect sunlight and focus it onto a photovoltaic (PV) cell or a boiler, for the purpose of collecting solar energy. This solar collector, or heliostat, is easily adjusted so that it always directs the sun's rays onto the PV cell or boiler. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150103427 | LIGHT WEIGHT SOLAR CONCENTRATOR - A solar concentrator has frame members connected together to form a framework, and a flexible sheet attached to the framework such that the flexible sheet takes a loose shape and can flex in response to shaping forces exerted thereon. The sheet has a reflective surface located between the frame members. A shaping force system is operative, when activated, to exert the shaping forces on the sheet, the shaping forces configured to draw the sheet from the loose shape into a desired shape such that solar rays striking the reflective surface are focused on a target, and a solar energy receiver is attached to the framework at a location corresponding to the target. Thin wall tubing filled with pressurized air can provide strong light frame members. When the shaping force system is deactivated, the flexible sheet reverts substantially to the loose shape. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150109694 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A TEXTURED REFLECTOR FOR A THIN-FILM PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL, AND RESULTING TEXTURED REFLECTOR - A textured reflector for a solar cell of thin film type is produced by deposition of a metal film on a support through openings of a mask. The mask is formed by a thin film formed by coplanar and preferably joined balls, the gaps between the balls forming the openings of the mask. The thin film is further advantageously formed by balls made from silica or from polymer material. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150109695 | SPATIAL STRUCTURE ASSEMBLIES - A plural axis sun tracking system, including a base, a spatial structure assembly, and a rotating system mounted on the base for rotating the spatial structure assembly, where the spatial structure assembly includes a frame having a lower portion at a first peripheral end of the spatial structure assembly and an upper portion at a second peripheral end of the spatial structure assembly, the lower portion being more proximal to the rotating system than the upper portion, and an anchoring location for anchoring the spatial structure assembly to the rotating system, the anchoring location located at the lower portion, where the mass of the frame increasingly recedes as the distance from the anchoring location towards the upper portion increases. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150124344 | PYRAMIDAL SPACE FRAME AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A space frame having a high torsional strength comprising a first square bipyramid and two planar structures extending outward from an apex of the first square bipyramid to form a “V” shape is disclosed. Some embodiments comprise a plurality of edge-sharing square bipyramids configured linearly, where the two planar structures contact apexes of all the square bipyramids. A plurality of bridging struts, apex struts, corner struts and optional internal bracing struts increase the strength and rigidity of the space frame. In an embodiment, the space frame supports a solar reflector, such as a parabolic solar reflector. Methods of fabricating and using the space frames are also disclosed. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150146314 | SOLAR COLLECTOR MODULE - A solar collector module has a support frame provided for attachment of a number of reflector elements forming a parabolic trough when viewed in a longitudinal direction, wherein on each of the end faces the support frame has, when viewed in the longitudinal direction, a respective coupling plate, which is provided with a number of adjusting elements, for connection to the support frame of a neighbouring module. The coupling plates are designed in pairs with regard to the adjusting elements thereof in such a way that the adjusting elements of the first coupling plate each have a reference bearing surface for a contact surface of an adjusting element of the second coupling plate. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150146315 | LOCATING CONNECTORS AND METHODS FOR MOUNTING SOLAR HARDWARE - A solar concentrator assembly can include mirror assemblies that are connected to pivotable frames with locating connections. The locating connections can be in the form of cam devices or tool-less connections formed by snap fitting devices as well as tool-less cam devices. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150301306 | LIGHT CONCENTRATOR ALIGNMENT SYSTEM - The disclosure generally relates to concentrating daylight collectors and in particular to a light concentrator alignment system that can detect and correct for misalignment of the solar concentrator. The present disclosure generally relates to concentrating daylight collectors that can be used for illuminating interior spaces of a building with sunlight, and in particular to a light concentrator alignment system that can detect and correct for misalignment of the solar concentrator. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150323772 | MIXED HELIOSTAT FIELD - Mixed heliostat field combining, in the same field, heliostats of different sizes and/or with different types of facets, all of them having at least one facet and being canted or not, and either having spherical, cylindrical, flat or quasi-flat (spherical with a high curvature radius) facets, such that the solar field is optimised in order to minimise shadows and blockages between heliostats, as a result of correct positioning of the heliostats in the field. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150338132 | Solar Collector System - An opening and closing module for solar collector installations, characterized in that solar collectors and holding apparatuses form fixed movement units, which are arranged mirror-symmetrically in pairs and are attached via displaceable joints to a support apparatus, which is fixedly or movably attached to a supporting frame. The individual rotary joints at the movement units are positively guided via linear guides or pendulum supports, which are anchored at the support apparatus. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150370036 | SUNLIGHT-COLLECTING REFLECTIVE MIRROR - A reflecting mirror for solar radiation collection includes a film mirror and a frame-shaped support member adapted to support a peripheral edge of the film mirror. The film mirror has a film thickness of 0.10 to 0.30 mm, and the support member is in contact with the film mirror and has a curved face which is convexed outward in a horizontal direction with respect to an opening face of the support member, with the curved face having a radius of curvature of not less than 8 mm. The reflecting mirror for solar radiation collection has a good heat resistance, involves less warpage of a film mirror, and predominates in specular reflectivity and light-collecting characteristics. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20160004055 | Light-Concentrating Lens Assembly for a Solar Energy Recovery System - A light-concentrating lens assembly for a solar energy system, the assembly comprising a plurality of concentrically arranged paraboloid mirror reflectors, a conical light guide extending below the plurality of paraboloid mirror reflectors, an inner central cone disposed along a central axis of the concentrically arranged paraboloid mirror reflectors, and a compound paraboloid concentrator disposed beneath the inner central cone. | 01-07-2016 |
