Protective telescoping shield for solar concentrator

摘要

Apparatus is described for use with a solar concentrator such as a parabolic dish (12, FIG. 2) which concentrates sunlight onto the small opening (18) of a solar receiver (16), for protecting the receiver in the event of a system failure that could cause concentrated sunlight to damage the receiver. The protective apparatus includes a structure which can be moved from a stowed position (30) where it does not block sunlight, to a deployed position (30A) wherein it forms a tube which substantially completely surrounds an axis (26) connecting the receiver opening to the center of the concentrator at locations between the receiver and the concentrator.