Reflector and a receiver for a solar energy collection system

Abstract

The present invention provides a reflector ( 24 ) for a solar energy collection system ( 20 ). The reflector ( 24 ) is arranged for diverting light received from solar energy collectors ( 22 ). The solar energy collectors ( 22 ) are arranged for focusing the collected light to an elongate focal region of the reflector ( 24 ) wherein, the light is further diverted away.

1 . A reflector for a solar energy collection system, the reflector being arranged for diverting radiation received from solar energy collectors, the solar energy collectors together being arranged for focusing the collected light to an elongate focal region and the reflector comprising at least one elongate reflecting surface portion arranged to divert radiation received from the solar energy collectors. 
   
   
       2 . The reflector as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the elongate reflecting surface has a concave cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the direction of elongation. 
   
   
       3 . The reflector as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the elongate reflecting surface has a convex cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the direction of elongation. 
   
   
       4 . The reflector as claimed in  claim 1  comprising a first region having a concave cross-sectional shape and a second region having a convex cross-sectional shape. 
   
   
       5 . The reflector as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the elongate reflecting surface portion has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially constant in the direction of the elongation of the reflecting surface portion. 
   
   
       6 . The reflector as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the reflecting surface portion comprises a plurality of surface portions. 
   
   
       7 . The reflector as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the reflecting surface comprises a concave layer. 
   
   
       8 . A receiver for a solar energy collection system, the receiver comprising:
 a housing having an interior space which can be evacuated and a light-transmissive window for transmission of light through the window into the interior space,   an absorbing body positioned in the interior space of the housing for absorbing the light,   wherein the receiver is arranged for evacuation of the interior space using a vacuum pump during use of the receiver.   
   
   
       9 . The receiver as claimed in  claim 8  being arranged for connection to the vacuum pump. 
   
   
       10 . The receiver as claimed in  claim 8  wherein thermally insulating material is provided in the form of supports which support the absorber body in the housing. 
   
   
       11 . The receiver as claimed in  claim 8  wherein at least a portion of the housing comprises a thermally insulating material. 
   
   
       12 . The receiver as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the absorber body is shaped so that at least a portion of the light that is reflected by a surface portion of the absorber body is reflected to another surface portion of the absorber body. 
   
   
       13 . The receiver as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the absorber body has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape. 
   
   
       14 . The receiver as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the absorber body has a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional shape. 
   
   
       15 . The receiver as claimed in  claim 8  being arranged for heating of a fluid. 
   
   
       16 . The receiver as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the absorber body comprises a conduit for a fluid that is in use conducted through the absorber body. 
   
   
       17 . The receiver as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the conduit has a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional shape. 
   
   
       18 . The receiver as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the conduit has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape. 
   
   
       19 . The receiver as claimed in  claim 8  being arranged for receiving radiation collected by a plurality of collectors which focus the collected light to an elongated focal region. 
   
   
       20 . A solar energy collection system comprising:
 solar energy collectors, the solar energy collectors together being arranged for focusing collected light towards an elongate focal region and   the reflector as claimed in  claim 1  for diverting collected light to a receiver.   
   
   
       21 . A solar energy collection system as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the reflector is positioned at a level above the solar energy collectors and arranged to divert the radiation in a downward direction. 
   
   
       22 . The solar energy collection system as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the receiver comprises:
 a housing having an interior space which can be evacuated and a light-transmissive window for transmission of light through the window into the interior space,   an absorbing body positioned in the interior space of the housing for absorbing the light,   wherein the receiver is arranged for evacuation of the interior space using a vacuum pump during use of the receiver.   
   
   
       23 . The solar energy collection system as claimed in  claim 22  wherein an elongate focal region of the solar energy collection system is directed into the receiver. 
   
   
       24 . The solar energy collection system as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the receiver is in use positioned below the reflector. 
   
   
       25 . The solar energy collection system as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the receiver is in use positioned on a ground plane. 
   
   
       26 . The solar energy collection system as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the receiver comprises:
 a housing having an interior space which can be evacuated and a light-transmissive window for transmission of light through the window into the interior space,   an absorbing body positioned in the interior space of the housing for absorbing the light,   wherein the receiver is arranged for evacuation of the interior space using a vacuum pump during use of the receiver;   and being arranged for direct heating of a material.   
   
   
       27 . The solar energy collection system as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the receiver comprises:
 a housing having an interior space which can be evacuated and a light-transmissive window for transmission of light through the window into the interior space,   an absorbing body positioned in the interior space of the housing for absorbing the light,   wherein the receiver is arranged for evacuation of the interior space using a vacuum pump during use of the receiver;   wherein the reflector has a concave cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the direction of elongation; and   wherein the reflector comprises two or more concave reflecting surface portions.   
   
   
       28 . The solar energy collection system as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the system is arranged so that the reflector is positioned over the receiver with collectors positioned on either side of the receiver and respective concave reflecting surface portions divert radiation received from solar energy collectors located at respective sides of the reflector.