Beam-forming concentrating solar thermal array power systems
Abstract
The present invention relates to concentrating solar-power systems and, more particularly, beam-forming concentrating solar thermal array power systems. A solar thermal array power system is provided, including a plurality of solar concentrators arranged in pods. Each solar concentrator includes a solar collector, one or more beam-forming elements, and one or more beam-steering elements. The solar collector is dimensioned to collect and divert incoming rays of sunlight. The beam-forming elements intercept the diverted rays of sunlight, and are shaped to concentrate the rays of sunlight into a beam. The steering elements are shaped, dimensioned, positioned, and/or oriented to deflect the beam toward a beam output path. The beams from the concentrators are converted to heat at a receiver, and the heat may be temporarily stored or directly used to generate electricity.
Additional Information
Publication number US9476612B2. Publication type Grant. Application number US13417120. Priority date 2011-03-09. Filing date 2012-03-09. Publication date 2016-10-25. Grant date 2016-10-25. Government Interests: The invention described herein was made in the performance of work under a NASA contract, in part, and is subject to the provisions of Public Law 96-517 (35 USC 202) in which the Contractor has elected to retain title. Parent Case Text: This Patent Application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/450,928, filed on Mar. 9, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/593,744, filed on Feb. 1, 2012, the entire contents of both of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.Attached Files
Published - US9476612B2.pdf
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Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 82168
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20171006-131410119
- NASA
- Created
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2017-10-06Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2019-10-03Created from EPrint's last_modified field