Reflecting photonic concentrator

Abstract

A linearly reflecting trough concentrator that receives spectral energy, preferably visible and near-infrared solar energy spectra, and linearly reflects that energy onto a smaller area on one side of the device, thereby concentrating the energy. The linearly reflecting trough concentrator has the geometry of a single slope-relief interval in a Fresnel lens, and in preferred embodiment comprises an array of heliostatic facets connected continuously to form the base of the trough, a non-imaging focal point where a photonic receiver is located, and a relief surface to connect the heliostatic array to the receiver location. When spectral energy enters the trough at an angle normal to the array's horizontal reference, the concentrator linearly reflects energy to one side of the device where an energy receiver is mounted. The concentrator comprises an array of heliostats oriented according to the negative profile of two interleaved linear Fresnel lens, where the slope of one is the relief of the other. The concentrator reflects energy above and to each side of the device. Optionally using a reflecting projector on one side of the device, energy is then doubly concentrated to the other side. The device offers higher concentration ratios with an equivalent trough depth than prior art reflective trough concentrators. The device requires less depth and offers a lower-profile than prior art reflecting concentrators with the same degree of concentration.

1 . A reflective photonic concentrator having a plurality of heliostats formed according to the concave side of two linear Fresnel lens, such that the heliostats are interleaved so that an arc that is the slope for one of the interleaved reflectors is a relief to the other interleaved reflector.  
     
     
         2 . The reflective photonic concentrator of  claim 1  having two symmetrical and opposed heliostats that reflect toward opposite targets.  
     
     
         3 . The reflective photonic concentrator of  claim 1  further being capable of mechanically alternating between a collapsed position and an expanded, operation position.  
     
     
         4 . The reflective photonic concentrator of  claim 1  further focused to concentrate photonic energy in infinite-infinite, infinite-finite, finite-finite, and finite-infinite conjugates toward vertical or near-vertical planes above and on each side of the reflective concentrator.  
     
     
         5 . The reflective photonic concentrator of  claim 1  further having a reflective, diffusing projector to redirect photonic energy striking one vertical or near vertical plane across the reflective concentrator to the opposite vertical or near vertical plane.  
     
     
         6 . A reflective linear trough concentrator having an asymmetrical geometry for reflectively concentrating spectral energy with the invention comprising: 
 a) a reflective surface area for linear concentration of energy onto an energy receiver;    b) a vertically oriented sidewall with inward tilt where an energy receiver is located to receive concentrated energy; and    c) a relief plane that connects the bottom of the reflective surface area to the bottom of the sidewall where the energy receiver is located.    
     
     
         7 . The reflective surface area of the reflective concentrator of  claim 6  where a single heliostat, formed from a plurality of smaller non-imaging heliostatic facets, and a single relief are arranged according to the geometry of the inside profile (the concave side) of a single Fresnel slope-relief lens interval.  
     
     
         8 . The reflective surface area of the reflective concentrator of  claim 6  using a single paraboloid and imaging heliostat in infinite-infinite or infinite-finite conjugates, and having a relief such that the profile appears as the geometry of a single Fresnel slope-relief lens interval.  
     
     
         9 . The vertical orientation of the reflective concentrator of the sidewall of  claim 6 , the sidewall being between 30 degrees inward to the trough and 90 degrees normal to the horizontal plane of the invention.  
     
     
         10 . The relief plane of the reflective concentrator of  claim 6  that connects the bottom of the reflective surface area to the bottom of the sidewall where the energy receiver is located such that the shadow of the top edge of an inwardly tilted sidewall strikes the angle where the relief plane meets the reflective surface area.  
     
     
         11 . The asymmetrical geometry of the reflective concentrator of  claim 6  where the energy is redirected across the line of symmetry.  
     
     
         12 . The rotational axis of the reflective concentrator of  claim 6  where the axis is orthogonal to the reflective plane and parallel to the linear extension of the reflective surface.  
     
     
         13 . The symmetrical assemblage of two asymmetrical reflective concentrators of  claim 6  where the back of one concentrator's sidewall is oriented to the back of the other concentrator's sidewall.  
     
     
         14 . The rotational axis of the symmetrical assemblage of  claim 8  where the axis is orthogonal to the reflective plane and parallel to the linear extension of the reflective surface.