Solar power collectors

Abstract

The present invention provides a solar power collector for harnessing the thermal energy of the sun, comprising: a collection system comprising a cone shaped to reflect sunlight to a target where a circulating working fluid absorbs the thermal energy such that the working fluid is heated; a base including a controller and motors to rotate the collection system to track the sun throughout the day; and a conversion system for receiving the heated working fluid, transferring the heat, and returning a cooled working fluid.

1 . A solar power collector for harnessing the thermal energy of the sun, comprising:
 a collection system comprising a cone shaped to reflect sunlight to a target where a circulating working fluid absorbs the thermal energy such that the working fluid is heated;   a base including a controller and motors to rotate the collection system to track the sun throughout the day; and   a conversion system for receiving the heated working fluid, transferring the heat, and returning a cooled working fluid.   
   
   
       2 . The solar power collector of  claim 1 , wherein the heat is transferred to the ambient air within an enclosure. 
   
   
       3 . The solar power collector of  claim 1 , wherein the heat is transferred to a source of water. 
   
   
       4 . The solar power collector of  claim 1 , wherein the cone comprises a multiple section cone. 
   
   
       5 . The solar power collector of  claim 1 , wherein the cone comprises a vertex, an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a circular opening that is pointed toward the sun. 
   
   
       6 . The solar power collector of  claim 5 , wherein the cone further comprises wash ring that surrounds the circular opening, the wash ring including a plurality of openings from which a cleaning solution is sprayed onto the interior surface of the cone. 
   
   
       7 . The solar power collector of  claim 1 , wherein the cone is connected to the base by way of a movable connection that provides one axis of rotation in the vertical direction so as to allow the vertical elevation of the cone to be adjusted, and a second axis of rotation in the horizontal direction to allow the cone to rotate 360 degrees with respect to the base. 
   
   
       8 . The solar power collector of  claim 7 , wherein as the sun moves across the sky during the day, a controller drives one or more motors to constantly adjust the elevation and azimuth direction of the collection system to maximize the thermal energy being collected by the solar power collector. 
   
   
       9 . The solar power collector of  claim 1 , wherein the conversion system further comprises a salt water distillation system, wherein the heated working fluid is circulated through a salt water steam chamber to vaporize the water, such that the water molecules condense creating fresh water. 
   
   
       10 . The solar power collector of  claim 8 , wherein a second cooled working fluid is circulated thought a distillation plate to increase the temperature differential, thereby increasing the distillation rate. 
   
   
       11 . A solar power collector for harnessing the thermal energy of the sun, comprising:
 a collection system comprising a broken cone having a plurality of plates shaped to reflect the sun's thermal energy to a target, which is then transferred to a conversion system;   a base including a controller and motors to rotate the collection system to track the sun throughout the day; and   a conversion system comprising a heat engine for converting the thermal energy from the collection system into electricity.   
   
   
       12 . The solar power collector of  claim 11 , wherein the broken cone comprises a Fresnel reflector. 
   
   
       13 . The solar power collector of  claim 11 , wherein the heat engine comprises a Stirling engine. 
   
   
       14 . The solar power collector of  claim 11 , wherein the heat is transferred to the ambient air within an enclosure. 
   
   
       15 . The solar power collector of  claim 11 , wherein the heat is transferred to a source of water. 
   
   
       16 . The solar power collector of  claim 11 , wherein the cone is connected to the base by way of a movable connection that provides one axis of rotation in the vertical direction so as to allow the vertical elevation of the cone to be adjusted, and a second axis of rotation in the horizontal direction to allow the cone to rotate 360 degrees with respect to the base. 
   
   
       17 . The solar power collector of  claim 16 , wherein as the sun moves across the sky during the day, a controller drives one or more motors to constantly adjust the elevation and azimuth direction of the collection system to maximize the thermal energy being collected by the solar power collector. 
   
   
       18 . The solar power collector of  claim 11 , wherein the conversion system further comprises a salt water distillation system, wherein the heated working fluid is circulated through a salt water steam chamber to vaporize the water, such that the water molecules condense creating fresh water. 
   
   
       19 . The solar power collector of  claim 8 , wherein a second cooled working fluid is circulated thought a distillation plate to increase the temperature differential, thereby increasing the distillation rate. 
   
   
       20 . The solar power collector of  claim 11 , wherein the broken cone comprises a plurality of plates shaped to focus the reflected sunlight to the target.