A mirror (310) is shaped using a shaping apparatus (620) including a crossbar (622) and a horizontal array of members (626) (wheels in some embodiments) attached to a bottom of the crossbar. The height of the array of members is adjusted to form a predetermined shape. The shaping apparatus is positioned over a mirror such that the members contact the mirror. The shaping apparatus is moved along a length of the mirror such that the members remain in contact with the mirror. A frame is attached to the mirror such that when the shaping apparatus is removed from the mirror, the mirror substantially retains the predetermined shape.
A table comprising a base (20) and a plurality of support members (26) supported by the base is used to shape a mirror (30). The height of the plurality of support members is adjusted to form a predetermined shape. A mirror is placed over the plurality of support members, such that the mirror assumes the predetermined shape. A frame (27) is then attached to the mirror such that when the mirror and frame are lifted off the table, the mirror substantially retains the predetermined shape.
G02B 26/08 - Dispositifs ou dispositions optiques pour la commande de la lumière utilisant des éléments optiques mobiles ou déformables pour commander la direction de la lumière
G02B 7/18 - Montures, moyens de réglage ou raccords étanches à la lumière pour éléments optiques pour prismesMontures, moyens de réglage ou raccords étanches à la lumière pour éléments optiques pour miroirs
F24J 2/10 - munis de réflecteurs comme éléments de concentration
H01L 31/052 - Moyens de refroidissement directement associés ou intégrés à la cellule PV, p.ex. éléments Peltier intégrés pour refroidissement actif ou puits thermiques directement associés aux cellules PV
3.
COATED METALLIC SUBSTRATE AND METHOD FOR COATING A METALLIC SUBSTRATE
Methods and apparatus for coating metallic substrates (such as substrates used as receivers in solar energy collection systems) are disclosed herein. The substrate is coated with a barrier layer, a solar absorption layer, and an optional overcoat layer.
Thermal energy derived from a low temperature heat source is stored in one reservoir (124) above ambient temperature and in another reservoir (122) below ambient temperature for use in driving an organic Rankine cycle engine (106) to produce electricity. The organic Rankine cycle engine (106) may utilize an organic working fluid that boils below or near ambient temperature. Solar energy may be used to power a heat pump (120) or chiller that provides the hot and cold storage fluids stored in hot and cold reservoirs for use in the organic Rankine cycle engine (106).
F01K 17/00 - Utilisation de la vapeur ou des condensats provenant soit du soutirage, soit de la sortie des ensembles fonctionnels de machines motrices à vapeur
F01K 17/04 - Utilisation de la vapeur ou des condensats provenant soit du soutirage, soit de la sortie des ensembles fonctionnels de machines motrices à vapeur pour des buts définis autres que le chauffage
F01K 23/10 - Ensembles fonctionnels caractérisés par plus d'une machine motrice fournissant de l'énergie à l'extérieur de l'ensemble, ces machines motrices étant entraînées par des fluides différents les cycles de ces machines motrices étant couplés thermiquement la chaleur de combustion provenant de l'un des cycles chauffant le fluide dans un autre cycle le fluide à la sortie de l'un des cycles chauffant le fluide dans un autre cycle
F01K 3/12 - Ensembles fonctionnels caractérisés par l'emploi d'accumulateurs de vapeur ou de chaleur ou bien de réchauffeurs intermédiaires de vapeur comportant plusieurs accumulateurs
F01K 9/00 - Ensembles fonctionnels de machines à vapeur caractérisés par des condenseurs disposés ou modifiés de façon à s'adapter aux machines motrices
F01K 25/10 - Ensembles fonctionnels ou machines motrices caractérisés par l'emploi de fluides énergétiques particuliers non prévus ailleursEnsembles fonctionnant selon un cycle fermé, non prévus ailleurs utilisant des vapeurs particulières ces vapeurs étant froides, p. ex. ammoniac, gaz carbonique, éther
F03G 6/00 - Dispositifs produisant une puissance mécanique à partir d'énergie solaire
F03G 6/06 - Dispositifs produisant une puissance mécanique à partir d'énergie solaire avec des moyens de concentration de l'énergie solaire
Disclosed herein are examples and variations of solar energy collector system comprising an elevated linear receiver (5) and first and second reflector fields (10P, 10E) located on opposite sides of, and arranged and driven to reflect solar radiation to, the receiver (5). Also disclosed herein are examples and variations of receivers (5) and reflectors (12a) that may, in some variations, be utilized in the disclosed solar energy collector systems.
Described herein are solar energy collector systems (201), components for solar energy collector systems (201), and methods for installing solar energy collector systems (201). The components for solar energy collector systems include but are not limited to solar radiation absorbers (205), receivers, drives, drive systems, reflectors (211a), and various support structures. The solar energy collection systems (201), solar radiation absorbers, receivers (205), drives, drive systems, reflectors, support structures, and/or methods may be used, for example, in LFR solar arrays. Improved solar radiation absorbers, receivers and related methods are described here. Drives and drive systems are described herein that may provide improved rotational positioning, movement, and/or rotational positional sensing. For example, drives and drive systems are provided which allow operation through a variable frequency drive. The components and methods described herein may be used together in any combination in a solar collector system (201), or they may be used separately in different solar collector systems (201).
The present application provides a solar energy receiver (100) comprising an effective absorption aperture (110) that is biased, so that solar radiation from a certain direction (112B) can be preferentially absorbed by a solar radiation absorber (101) in the receiver. The effective absorption aperture (110) is inclined relative to a physical aperture (104). Thus, in an elevated receiver (100) comprising a downward facing physical aperture (104) defining a plane that is relatively parallel to ground, the effective absorption aperture (110) of the receiver (100) described herein may be inclined relative to ground, but the physical aperture (104) may remain generally parallel to ground. The biased receiver may be used in Linear Fresnel Reflector solar arrays.
F24S 23/00 - Agencements pour concentrer les rayons solaires pour les collecteurs de chaleur solaire
F24S 23/70 - Agencements pour concentrer les rayons solaires pour les collecteurs de chaleur solaire avec des réflecteurs
F24S 23/77 - Agencements pour concentrer les rayons solaires pour les collecteurs de chaleur solaire avec des réflecteurs avec des surfaces réfléchissantes planes
Combined cycle power plants and related methods are disclosed here. In the plants, a mediating thermal energy storage unit (18) is used to store waste or residual thermal energy recovered from a heat engine employing a top thermodynamic cycle (10) of the combined cycle power plant, so that the stored residual thermal energy may be used as an energy source in a bottom thermodynamic cycle (11) of the power plant. In the combined cycle power plants described here, the heat engine employing a top cycle may comprise a Brayton cycle heat engine and the heat engine employing the bottom thermodynamic cycle may be a Rankine cycle heat engine.
F01K 3/12 - Ensembles fonctionnels caractérisés par l'emploi d'accumulateurs de vapeur ou de chaleur ou bien de réchauffeurs intermédiaires de vapeur comportant plusieurs accumulateurs
F02C 1/05 - Ensembles fonctionnels de turbines à gaz caractérisés par l'utilisation de gaz chauds ou de gaz sous pression non chauffés, comme fluide de travail le fluide de travail étant chauffé indirectement caractérisés par le type ou la source de chaleur, p. ex. utilisant l'énergie nucléaire ou solaire
F03G 6/06 - Dispositifs produisant une puissance mécanique à partir d'énergie solaire avec des moyens de concentration de l'énergie solaire
F22B 3/04 - Autres méthodes de production de vapeurChaudières à vapeur non prévues dans les autres groupes de la présente sous-classe par détente brusque d'eau chaude à haute pression à l'intérieur des chambres de détente, p. ex. dans des accumulateurs
F02C 6/16 - Ensembles fonctionnels de turbines à gaz comportant des moyens pour emmagasiner l'énergie, p. ex. pour faire face à des pointes de charge pour emmagasiner de l'air comprimé
A system for effecting cooling of a coolant fluid is provided, the system comprising: a solar energy collector system; and fluid channels for the coolant fluid that are at least partially above ground level and are at least partially shaded by the solar energy collector system. The system may comprise a system for cooling a condenser coolant fluid in a thermal power plant incorporating a solar energy collector system, the system comprising: one or more solar energy reflectors; and fluid channels for the coolant fluid that are at least partially above ground level and are at least partially shaded by one or more of the solar energy reflectors. Solar energy reflector carrier arrangements for use in said system, and methods and thermal power plants utilizing said system are further provided.
The invention provides compositions for use in thermal energy storage systems, and methods for storing thermal energy. A thermal energy storage system is provided, comprising: (a) a granular thermal energy storage medium comprising at least a first size class and a second size class,- wherein the individual granules of each size class deviate from the average granular size for that size class by no more than about +/- 50%; wherein first size class is the largest size class; wherein the ratio of the average size of the first size class to the average size of the second size class is at least about.2:1; and (b) one or more conduits disposed within the medium, and arranged to receive a source of thermal energy.
F28D 20/00 - Appareils ou ensembles fonctionnels d'accumulation de chaleur en généralAppareils échangeurs de chaleur de régénération non couverts par les groupes ou
F24J 3/08 - géothermique (dispositifs produisant une puissance mécanique à partir d'énergie géothermique F03G 4/00)
Receivers for use in solar energy collector systems and solar-powered electrical energy generating plants are provided. The receivers (400) comprise a solar radiation absorbing core (414) that converts absorbed solar radiation to thermal energy. The core (414) comprises a refractory material to allow the receivers to operate continuously at high temperatures reached by absorbing concentrated solar radiation. The thermal energy so generated in the core may be stored in the receiver for a transitory period, or for a more extended period. Receivers (400) may comprise one or more fluid channels (415) in and/or around the core for conveying a working fluid to facilitate extraction of stored thermal energy from the core.
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