| 摘要 |
A solar energy collecting apparatus for heating a working fluid using the plurality of substantially identical reflective elements arranged in rows is provided. Each reflective element comprises a substantially rectangular element having opposing side walls and opposing end walls which together form a bottom edge for supporting the reflective element on a flat support such as a sheet metal or molded base. Each reflective element further includes a top wall connected with and supported by the side walls and the end walls. The top wall is formed to provide a reflective surface facing away from the bottom edge and is formed in a shape for reflecting solar radiation falling thereon, from a range of incident angles, to a focal axis. The focal axis of each reflective element is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the reflective element and when the reflective elements are arranged in parallel rows, each row includes a focal axis along its longitudinal length. The reflective surface is coated with a reflective layer such as vacuum deposited aluminum, metabolized paint or by other reflective coatings to reflect solar energy to the focal axis. Ideally, the reflective element is formed by molding a material in a mold such that the mold forms the shape of the reflective surface. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the reflective element is molded in a press mold from a material comprising hydrated silicates of aluminum which is plastic when wet but which becomes a hard ceramic when fired in an oven. In another aspect of the invention, a solar energy collecting apparatus comprises a working fluid conduit comprising a plurality of fluid carrying members positioned one above each row of reflective elements and substantially coincident with the focal axis of the row. The fluid carrying members are connected together by a plurality of connecting members such that a continuous working fluid conduit passes a working fluid over each row of reflective elements. The working fluid conduit may be movably supported with respect to the base such that each of the plurality of fluid carrying members is movable away from the focal axis when no heating of the working fluid is desired. |
