Opposing row linear concentrator architecture
View Patent ↗A solar concentrator assembly is disclosed. The solar concentrator assembly comprises a first reflector facing in a first direction, a second reflector facing in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction, and a rotational member having a long axis transverse to the first and second directions, the rotational member disposed between and coupled to each of the first and second reflectors.
1. A solar concentrator assembly comprising:
a first reflector having a first front reflective surface and a first back surface, the first front reflective surface facing in a first direction;
a second reflector having a second front reflective surface and a second back surface, the second front reflective surface facing in a second direction, the first and second directions being directed away from each other;
a third reflector having a third front reflective surface and a third back surface, the third front reflective surface facing in the first direction;
wherein the first front reflective surface faces the third back surface;
a rotational member having a long axis transverse to the first and second directions, the rotational member disposed between the first and second reflectors and coupled to each of the first, second, and third reflectors; and
a crossbeam transverse to and coupled with the rotational member, the rotational member positioned at a central portion of the crossbeam,
wherein, with respect to a plane that extends along and contacts each of a bottom edge of the first reflector and a bottom edge of the second reflector, a gap is provided between a bottom edge of the third reflector and the plane,
wherein the solar concentrator assembly has a center of gravity positioned within the rotational member.
2. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first reflector has a reflective surface having a parabolic shape.
3. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rotational member has a circular cross-section.
4. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the third reflector is positioned adjacent the first reflector.
5. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 4 , further comprising a first solar receiver, the first solar receiver coupled to the third reflector and positioned to receive light from the first reflector.
6. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 5 , further comprising a fourth reflector facing in the second direction, the fourth reflector adjacent the second reflector.
7. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 6 , further comprising a second solar receiver, the second solar receiver coupled to the fourth reflector and positioned to receive light from the second reflector.
8. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rotational member is positioned above the crossbeam.
9. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rotational member is supported for rotation about the long axis, the center of gravity being aligned with the long axis.
10. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rotational member is supported for rotation about the long axis, the center of gravity being slightly offset from the long axis.
11. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rotational member is a torque tube disposed between the first and second reflectors.
12. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a fourth reflector which is disposed higher than the first reflector with respect to a plane defined by the bottom edge of the first and second reflectors.