SOLAR CONCENTRATOR ASSEMBLY AND METHODS OF USING SAME

摘要

A solar concentrator assembly includes a tripod, a base, a reflective dish, a receptacle, and a thermoelectric module or a heat transfer module. The tripod includes legs and a top tripod connector coupled to top portions thereof. The base includes a rod coupled to the tripod; a bottom support structure coupled to the rod; a top support structure coupled to the bottom support structure; an extension coupled to the bottom support structure and the top support structure; and a cap with recesses mounted to the top support structure. The reflective dish includes support rods received within the recesses; a pliable material forms panels, wherein the support rods are inserted into seams between the panels; and a reflective material disposed on the pliable material. The receptacle is connected to the base and disposed within the reflective dish. The thermoelectric module or the heat transfer module is partially disposed within the receptacle.

主权项

1. A portable solar concentrator assembly comprising:
a tripod comprising a plurality of legs and a top tripod connector coupled to top portions of the plurality of legs, wherein the top tripod connector forms an aperture therethrough;
a base coupled to the tripod, the base comprising:
a rod coupling the base to the tripod, wherein the rod is received in the aperture of the top tripod connector;a bottom support structure coupled to a top end of the rod;a top support structure pivotably coupled to the bottom support structure;an extension coupled to the bottom support structure and the top support structure, the extension comprising a handle portion and a distal portion opposite the handle portion; anda cap with a plurality of recesses mounted to the top support structure;a reflective dish removably attached to the base, wherein operation of the base rotates the reflective dish along all possible arbitrary trajectories, the reflective dish comprising:
a plurality of dish support rods detachably received within the plurality of recesses;a pliable material forming a plurality of panels, wherein each of the plurality of dish support rods is inserted into seams between each of the plurality of panels; anda reflective material disposed on the pliable material;a receptacle connected to the base and disposed within the reflective dish; andat least one of a thermoelectric module and a heat transfer module at least partially disposed within the receptacle, wherein solar energy is directed to the thermoelectric module to generate electricity and to the heat transfer module to generate and to circulate heat.