US2008149172A1PendingUtilityA1

Cementitious Solar Collector

42
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Sep 26, 2006Filed: Mar 12, 2008Published: Jun 26, 2008
Est. expirySep 26, 2026(~0.2 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Jacque A. NeffWilliam C. Russum
F24S 23/82Y02E10/40
42
PatentIndex Score
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Claims

Abstract

A solar collector including a reflective surface formed along an axis and a structure composed of at least one cementitious material that is coupled to and supports the reflective surface. The optic structure is made strong and light by the addition of a filler material within the cement. One or more bearings, photovoltaics, and secondary optics make the solar collector useful in a wide variety of applications and environmental conditions.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A solar optic, comprising:
 a structure composed of at least one cementitious material and having a face;   a filler material at least partially encased by the cementitious material; and   a reflective surface adhered to said face of the structure.   
     
     
         2 . The optic of  claim 1 , wherein said face is a parabolic, circular, or flat face. 
     
     
         3 . The optic of  claim 1 , wherein said structure further includes a sheeting material disposed upon said filler material. 
     
     
         4 . The optic of  claim 1 , wherein said filler material is selected from the group consisting of chopped natural or synthetic fibers. 
     
     
         5 . The optic of  claim 3 , wherein said sheeting material comprises a plastic film. 
     
     
         6 . The optic of  claim 4 , wherein said filler material is a straw or straw-like material. 
     
     
         7 . The optic of  claim 6 , wherein said bale has at least one rounded corner forming a gusset. 
     
     
         8 . The optic of  claim 1 , further including a rod extending from a side of said structure, said rod being adapted for coupling said structure to a second rod of a second solar optic structure. 
     
     
         9 . The optic of  claim 8 , wherein said rod is hollow, thereby providing a conduit. 
     
     
         10 . The optic of  claim 1 , wherein said filler material is at least partially surrounded by a mesh member. 
     
     
         11 . The optic of  claim 1 , further including a bearing means coupled with a bottom side of said structure. 
     
     
         12 . The optic of  claim 11 , wherein said bearing means supports substantially all of said structure's weight. 
     
     
         13 . The optic of  claim 11 , wherein said bearing means is adapted to allow said structure to be tilted. 
     
     
         14 . The optic of  claim 11 , wherein said bearing means is adapted to allow said structure to both rotate along an axis and be titled off said axis. 
     
     
         15 . The optic of  claim 1 , further including a photovoltaic collector assembly disposed at a focal point. 
     
     
         16 . The optic of  claim 1 , including a first trough and a second trough disposed in pair-wise arrangement and a photovoltaic collector assembly disposed between the said first trough and the second trough. 
     
     
         17 . The optic of  claim 15 , wherein said photovoltaic collector assembly further includes a secondary optic. 
     
     
         18 . The optic of  claim 15 , wherein said photovoltaic collector assembly further includes a prism in optical contact with a photovoltaic cell. 
     
     
         19 . The optic of  claim 15 , wherein said collector assembly further includes both a secondary optic and a photovoltaic element. 
     
     
         20 . The optic of  claim 18 , wherein said prism is a trapezoidal prism. 
     
     
         21 . A method for constructing a solar optic, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a mold or form;   (b) providing a filler material within said mold or form;   (c) at least partially encasing said filler material with a cementitious material; and   (d) adhering a reflective element to a surface of said cementitious material.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further including the step of coupling a bearing means to a side opposite of said reflective element. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , comprising coupling at least one rotary bearing and slewing bearing. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said reflective element is attached directly to said cementitious material. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein step (b) further includes at least partially enveloping said filler material with a sheeting material prior to step (c). 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , further including the step of placing a rod transversely through the mold or form prior to step (c).

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