System and Method for Collecting Solar Energy with a Stationary Thermal Storage Device

摘要

A novel portable solar energy system includes a solar concentrator, a thermal storage device, an azimuth adjustment system, an elevation system, and a heat exchanger, all mounted on a rotatable support frame. In a particular embodiment, the thermal storage device remains at a fixed vertical height and fixed tilt orientation when adjustments are made to the azimuth adjustment system and/or the elevation adjustment system.

主权项

1. A solar energy system comprising:
a support frame; a thermal energy storage device supported by said support frame; a solar energy concentrator adjustably coupled to said support frame to direct solar energy to said thermal energy storage device; an elevation adjustment system coupled to adjust an elevational angle of said solar energy concentrator; and wherein the tilt and vertical position of said thermal energy storage device remain fixed as elevation adjustments are made to said solar energy concentrator.