Collector for a Solar Thermal Power Station

Abstract

A parabolic trough collector has a supporting structure ( 5 ) configured as a dual-shell torsion box ( 9 ), which increases the rigidity of the collector.

1 - 39 . (canceled)  
   
   
       40 . An absorber tube for a concentrator having a linearly focussing focal line for a parabolic trough collector or for a Fresnell lens collector, the absorber tube comprising: 
 at least one central tube;    a transparent envelope tube surrounding said least one central tube in a gas-tight fashion;    a fixed flange connected to said central tube in a gas-tight fashion;    an axially displaceable sealing flange having a receptacle for said envelope tube; and    a corrugated tube, an expansion bellows, or a roll membrane connected between said sealing flange and said fixed flange in a gas-tight fashion to compensate for axial length changes in said central tube and said envelope tube.    
   
   
       41 . The absorber tube of  claim 40 , wherein said sealing flange is disposed on said at least one central tube.  
   
   
       42 . The absorber tube of  claim 40 , wherein said receptacle for said envelope tube is designed as a shoulder or a groove in an end face of said sealing flange.  
   
   
       43 . The absorber tube of  claim 40 , wherein a sealing ring, an O-ring, or a C-ring, is disposed between said sealing flange and said envelope tube.  
   
   
       44 . The absorber tube of  claim 43 , wherein said sealing ring is produced from metal, temperature-resistant organic materials, graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene, or a combination or partial combination of these materials.  
   
   
       45 . The absorber tube of  claim 40 , wherein said fixed flange has a connecting sleeve for a vacuum pump.  
   
   
       46 . The absorber tube of  claim 40 , wherein said corrugated tube is subdivided by a holder into a first section and a second section, said holder being connected to said first and second sections in a gas-tight fashion, said holder radially supporting said at least one central tube.  
   
   
       47 . The absorber tube of  claim 46 , wherein said holder is mounted to a supporting structure of the concentrator.  
   
   
       48 . The absorber tube of  claim 46 , wherein said holder is at least indirectly connected to underlying ground supporting the concentrator.  
   
   
       49 . The absorber tube of  claim 46 , further comprising a bearing bushing disposed between said holder and said central tube.  
   
   
       50 . The absorber tube of  claim 40 , further comprising a bearing bushing disposed between said sealing flange and said central tube.  
   
   
       51 . The absorber tube of  claim 40 , further comprising at least one spring element disposed between said fixed flange and said sealing flange.  
   
   
       52 . The absorber tube of  claim 40 , wherein said envelope tube has several sections, with one centering flange being provided between each of two neighboring sections, wherein one receptacle for a section of the envelope tube is provided on each of two sides of said centering flange.  
   
   
       53 . The absorber tube of  claim 52 , wherein said centering flange is disposed on said at least one central tube.  
   
   
       54 . The absorber tube of  claim 52 , wherein said receptacle for said envelope tube is a shoulder or a groove in one end face of said centering flange.  
   
   
       55 . The absorber tube of  claim 52 , further comprising a sealing ring an O-ring, or a C-ring, disposed between said centering flange and said envelope tube.  
   
   
       56 . The absorber tube of  claim 55 , wherein said sealing ring is produced from metal, temperature-resistant organic material, graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene, or a combination or partial combination of these materials.  
   
   
       57 . The absorber tube of  claim 40 , wherein said central tube is produced from carbon fiber ceramic or carbon fiber carbon (CFC) with a gas-tight liner, or with a gas-tight liner of steel or a nickel-based alloy.