Granted Patent B2

US 9,322,963 · App. 14/083,213 · Granted Apr 26, 2016

Abstract

Claims (24)

1. A solar concentrator assembly comprising:

a rotational member having an axis of rotation;

a crossbeam extending transverse to the axis of rotation;

a first concentrator element disposed on the crossbeam on a first side of the rotational member, the first concentrator element having a first reflective side and a first rear side; and

a second concentrator element disposed on the crossbeam on a second side of the rotational member, the second concentrator element having a second reflective side and a second rear side;

wherein a center of gravity of the solar concentrator assembly is within the rotational member;

wherein the first reflective side of the first concentrator element and the second reflective side of the second concentrator element face away from one another, wherein the first side of the rotational member is different than the second side of the rotational member;

a third concentrator element disposed on the crossbeam on the first side of the rotational member and having a third reflective side and a third rear side, the third concentrator element disposed farther from the rotational member than the first concentrator element;

wherein the first reflective side of the first concentrator element and the third rear side of the third concentrator element face towards one another.

2. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the center of gravity of the solar concentrator assembly is substantially coincident with the axis of rotation.

3. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a first solar receiver coupled to the third rear side of the third concentrator element and positioned to receive light reflected from the first reflective side of the first concentrator element.

4. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rotational member is disposed between the first concentrator element and the second concentrator element.

5. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first reflective side and the second reflective side face away from the rotational member.

6. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the crossbeam is positioned above the rotational member.

7. A solar concentrator assembly comprising:

a torque tube having a long axis;

a crossbeam extending transverse to the long axis;

a first concentrator element coupled to the crossbeam on a first side of the torque tube at a first location; and

a second concentrator element coupled to the crossbeam on the first side of the torque tube at a second location that is farther from the torque tube than the first location,

wherein the second concentrator element is vertically offset relative to the first concentrator element such that the second concentrator element is at a greater height relative to the crossbeam than the first concentrator element, and wherein a center of gravity of the solar concentrator assembly is within the torque tube.

8. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a third concentrator element disposed on a second side of the torque tube opposite the first side.

9. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 8 , wherein a first reflective side of the first concentrator element faces away from a third reflective side of the third concentrator element.

10. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 7 , wherein a first reflective side of the first concentrator element and a second reflective side of the second concentrator element face away from the torque tube.

11. The solar concentrator assembly of claim 10 , further comprising a solar receiver coupled to a rear side of the second concentrator element and positioned to receive light reflected from the first reflective side of the first concentrator element.

Assignments (7)