Structurally integrated parabolic trough concentrator with combined PV and thermal receiver

摘要

The invention includes a parabolic solar concentrator typified by a highly integrated structure whereby, mirror, aerodynamic elements, a shell structure, cooling elements and other elements have been integrated to form a unibody structure, which is both stiffer and lighter than traditional trough structures. The invention includes; aerodynamic features that greatly limit lift forces induced by high speed winds, a receiver with liquid cooling for better control of PV cell temperatures and which allows for the collection of the heat for beneficial use, accommodations for a solar tracker, and improvements in the focusing and distribution of light using secondary mirrors. The receiver incorporates specific details to improve heat transfer and reduce parasitic pumping loads and incorporates secondary mirrors to increase light acceptance angles. Automated mirror washing is addressed. In applications where the heat is un-utilized the integrated radiator is employed to dissipate the heat using both convection and radiation heat transfer.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a single-body parabolic trough concentrator having a mirrored surface; two receiver supports located at each end of the single-body parabolic trough concentrator; and a receiver connected to the two receiver supports such that the receiver is positioned centrally and above the single-body parabolic trough concentrator, the receiver comprising:
one or more receiver fluid channels, extending internally along a length of the receiver;a solar alignment channel which extends along a length of the receiver and is disposed on a sun-facing side of the receiver;two side mirrors disposed below the one or more receiver fluid channels, each side mirror disposed opposite the other side mirror and configured to re-direct impacting light rays from a portion of the mirrored surface to a photovoltaic array disposed on an underside of the on or more receiver fluid channels; andan apex mirror disposed below the one or more receiver fluid channels and disposed between the one or more receiver fluid channels and the mirrored surface,the apex mirror having a triangular shape formed by two mirrored sides that converge to physically contact at a first end and having an opening at a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the first end is between the two side mirrors, and the second end is below the two side mirrors,wherein the apex mirror is configured to re-direct the impacting light rays directed from a portion of the mirrored surface to the photovoltaic array on the underside of the one or more receiver fluid channels to disperse the impacting light rays over a surface of the photovoltaic array; and wherein the single-body parabolic trough concentrator is configured to have a dual-focus arrangement.