Solar parabolic trough, receiver, tracker and drive system

Abstract

This invention integrates the receiver as a support with improved performance and rigidity and eliminates moving fluidic components that increase the units overall reliability and lowers construction costs. The cable drive mount system provides foul weather operation coupled with a slip clutch for un anticipated loads. Integrating the sun tracker into the parabolic trough body eliminates the need for timing and calibration.

1 . Heat transfer is increased to the fixed receiver tube with it's stationary fluid connections by sweeping the trough's concentrated line of light focus around the exterior of the receiver tube every ⅓ of a second with a rocking-chair action, which effectively increases the cross-sectional area for heat transfer;  
     
     
         2 . The receiver tube with a spiral fluid path increases the length of travel through the bifurcated receiver tube which increases the dwell time for the fluid to absorb heat and the short center tube rushes the heated fluid in as shortest time out of the receiver tube;  
     
     
         3 . By attaching the motor or the motor drive system to the receiver tube, the motor can be heated for cold weather operation and isolated for extremely hot fluid operation via an insulating ring, and where by the apparatus with integrated drive cable, capstan or motor eliminates timing and calibration issues as the unit is self recovering and has a slip clutch mechanism to protect against unexpected loads.