Solar energy collector using buoyant reference platforms - increasing accuracy of concentrating system by shortening reflection lengths

摘要

In a range of installations for the collecting of solar energy the angle between the incident radiation and the reflected beam relatively to the azimuth, remains constant, and the reflector surfaces are arranged on a reference platform which rotates on a vertical axis and floats on a medium giving buoyancy, or is connected to a floating body. This follows a horizontal circle so that the shadows of the collectors and the reflectors always fall on the platform in the same direction. The system is designed (1) to increase the efficiency of the reflectors, (2) to reduce simultaneously the costs of the mechanisms for aligning the reflectors, (3) to reduce the area necessary for the installation by improving the reflector aligning system and (4) to increase the accuracy of the concentrating system by shortening the lengths of reflection.