Support of heat collectors in solar energy collectors
Examples and variations of apparatus and Methods for concentrating solar radiation are disclosed.
1 . A concentrating solar energy collector comprising:
a) a frame or a housing;
b) a first reflector positioned within said frame or said housing to receive solar radiation and concentrate at least a portion of said solar radiation on said heat collector; and
c) a heat collector, wherein the heat collector is supported by said frame or said housing by a first heat collector support having a first stanchion and a second stanchion.
2 . The collector of claim 1 wherein the first support has a portion spanning the first stanchion and the second stanchion that contacts the heat collector.
3 . The collector of claim 2 wherein the first heat collector support has a portion that is removable from said support to allow the heat collector to be removed from the collector.
4 . The collector of claim 1 further comprising a second heat collector support positioned a distance from said first heat collector support and having a third stanchion and a fourth stanchion
5 . The collector of claim 2 further comprising a second heat collector support positioned a distance from said first heat collector support and having a third stanchion and a fourth stanchion
6 . The collector of claim 3 further comprising a second heat collector support positioned a distance from said first heat collector support and having a third stanchion and a fourth stanchion
7 . The collector of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the heat collector is positioned on a rotational axis of the collector.
8 . The collector of claim 7 wherein said portion passes through a bearing assembly supporting the frame or the housing.
9 . The collector of claim 2 wherein at least a portion of the heat collector is positioned on a rotational axis of the collector.
10 . The collector of claim 9 wherein said portion passes through a bearing assembly supporting the frame or the housing.
11 . The collector of claim 3 wherein at least a portion of the heat collector is positioned on a rotational axis of the collector.
12 . The collector of claim 11 wherein said portion passes through a bearing assembly supporting the frame or the housing.
13 . The collector of claim 4 wherein at least a portion of the heat collector is positioned on a rotational axis of the collector.
14 . The collector of claim 13 wherein said portion passes through a bearing assembly supporting the frame or the housing.
15 . The collector of claim 5 wherein at least a portion of the heat collector is positioned on a rotational axis of the collector.
16 . The collector of claim 15 wherein said portion passes through a bearing assembly supporting the frame or the housing.
17 . The collector of claim 6 wherein at least a portion of the heat collector is positioned on a rotational axis of the collector.
18 . The collector of claim 17 wherein said portion passes through a bearing assembly supporting the frame or the housing.
19 . A concentrating solar energy collector comprising:
a) a frame or housing;
b) a heat collector;
c) a first reflector; and
d) a storage reservoir attached to the frame or housing, wherein the storage reservoir is in fluid communication with the heat collector.
20 . The collector of claim 19 wherein the storage reservoir and the heat collector are in fluid communication through a heat collector support supporting said heat collector.
21 . The collector of claim 20 wherein the storage reservoir comprises a tube attached to the frame or housing.
22 . The collector of claim 21 wherein the tube is a horizontal support bar about which the concentrating solar energy collector pivots.