Solar Energy Collecting Apparatus

Abstract

A solar energy collecting structure includes a focusing element that is axially aligned with and fixed in spaced relationship to an associated concave collector. Each concave collector is fixed at a distance equal to the focal length of the associated focusing element, for enabling focused solar energy to be received and collected over an entire temporal interval—without any need for tracking mechanisms. A solar energy collecting apparatus may be structured by employing a plurality of the solar energy collecting structures, in a tightly packed, juxtaposed (adjacent) relationship, with the focusing elements forming, at least in significant part, a curved surface of the apparatus for enabling solar energy to be collected over an expanded temporal interval. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring abstracts, and is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope and meaning of the claims.

1 . A solar energy collecting apparatus, comprising:
 a) a support structure;   b) a plurality of focusing elements fixed within openings formed within the support structure;   c) a plurality of solar energy concave collectors, with each concave collector supported and fixed in spaced relationship to, and axially aligned with, one of the plurality of focusing elements, providing one of a plurality of focusing-collecting pairs, with the concave collector spaced from the focusing element at a distance equal to the focal length of the focusing element, for enabling a focusing of incident solar energy upon a concave receiving surface of the concave collector during an entire temporal interval;   d) a thermal coupling structure for thermally coupling to and transferring solar energy collected by each concave collector to a heat providing output of the apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The solar energy collecting apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each focusing element includes at least one Fresnel lens. 
     
     
         3 . The solar energy collecting apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein:
 a) each of the openings of the support structure being configured to accept, support, and have fixedly installed therein, at least one substantially planar Fresnel lens portion, with the support structure and a first planar surface of the Fresnel lenses providing a curved outer surface of the apparatus; and   b) each of the concave collectors is fixed within an interior side of the curved surface, and supported by at least one of:
 i) the support structure; and 
 ii) the thermal coupling structure. 
   
     
     
         4 . The solar energy collecting apparatus in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the curved surface is at least one of:
 a) dome-shaped;   b) hemispherical; and   c) substantially spherical.   
     
     
         5 . The solar energy collecting apparatus in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein each focusing element is a single Fresnel lens having a monolithic one-piece construction, and wherein the outer surface of the included Fresnel lenses collectively establish at least 90 percent of the surface area of the curved outer surface of the apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . The solar energy collecting apparatus in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the support structure includes a plurality of coupled elongated members forming, at least in part, each opening into which a Fresnel lens of each focusing element is supported and fixed. 
     
     
         7 . The solar energy collecting apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a plurality elongated members forming the openings, with each included opening regularly spaced and structured for supporting one focusing element having at least a Fresnel lens as at least a portion of the focusing element, wherein the shape of the openings includes at least one of:
 a) triangular shaped openings;   b) quadrilateral shaped openings;   c) hexagonal shaped openings; and   d) honey-comb shaped openings.   
     
     
         8 . The solar energy collecting apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the curved surface is dome-shaped with an exhaust vent provided extending upwardly from an upper location of the curved surface. 
     
     
         9 . The solar energy collecting apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the temporal interval is in the range of 3 to 6 hours. 
     
     
         10 . The solar energy collecting apparatus in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the temporal interval varies with at least one of:
 a) the type of focusing elements employed;   b) a latitude of a location at which the solar energy collecting apparatus is located;   c) the seasons of the year; and   d) natural obstacles that may limit or block the Sun during:
 i) certain sub-intervals of the temporal interval; and 
 ii) certain periods of the year. 
   
     
     
         11 . A fixed solar energy collecting apparatus having no moving portions or parts, the solar energy collecting apparatus comprising:
 a) a support structure having a plurality of openings and a framework;   b) a plurality of focusing elements, which are supported and fixed so as to substantially fill the openings of the support structure, for providing a significant portion of a surface area of a curved outer surface of the solar energy collecting apparatus;   c) with each included focusing element capable of focusing useful incident solar energy at a pre-selected fixed focal length for a determinable temporal interval during daylight hours;   d) a plurality of solar energy concave collectors, supported and fixed in a one-to-one spaced relationship with the focusing elements, and aligned along a focal plane thereof, such that a solar energy receiving surface of each concave collector is spaced and fixed at a distance equal to the fixed focal length of the focusing element, thereby enabling a focusing of solar energy upon the solar energy receiving surface for receiving and collecting by the concave collector over the entire temporal interval;   e) a thermal coupling structure thermally coupled to each concave collector for coupling collected solar heat energy for at least one of:
 i) storing the heat energy for future use; 
 ii) using the heat energy as a heat source for input to a heat powered mechanism. 
   
     
     
         12 . The fixed solar energy collecting apparatus in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein each focusing element includes one of:
 a) a substantially flattened Fresnel lens; and   b) a substantially spherical lens.   
     
     
         13 . The fixed solar energy collecting apparatus in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the focusing elements are provided by Fresnel lenses of a monolithic construction, with one Fresnel lens supported and fixed within each opening of the support structure. 
     
     
         14 . The fixed solar energy collecting apparatus in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the curved surface is one of:
 a) dome shaped;   b) hemi-spherically shaped; and   c) substantially spherically shaped.   
     
     
         15 . The fixed solar energy collecting apparatus in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein each included concave collector is structured with one of:
 a) a concave black surface for receiving and collecting focused solar energy by converting the solar energy to heat energy; and   b) a concave transparent receiving surface for receiving and transmitting focused solar energy to a second surface for collecting the solar energy as heat energy.   
     
     
         16 . The fixed solar energy collecting apparatus in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein each included concave collector having a concave transparent receiving surface, is formed of at least one of:
 a) sapphire;   b) quartz;   c) ruby;   d) lead crystal glass; and   e) water in a glass outer envelope.   
     
     
         17 . A fixed solar energy focusing and collecting structure that can focus and collect solar energy over a temporal interval, the focusing and collecting structure comprising:
 a) a focusing element having associated therewith a pre-selected focal length;   b) a concave collector that is supported and fixed in spaced relationship to, and axially aligned with, the focusing element at a distance equal to the pre-selected focal length;   c) with a concave curvature of a receiving surface of the concave collector matched to the focal length of the focusing element such that incident solar energy from a range of angles is focused upon and received by the receiving surface of the concave collector over the temporal interval, without the need for tracking and following the movement of source of the solar energy.   
     
     
         18 . The focusing and collecting structure in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein a plurality of the focusing and collecting structures are employed and configured so that a first surface of the focusing elements form a substantial portion of a curved dome-shaped surface such that at least one of the plurality of focusing and collecting structures is positioned for receiving incident solar energy during an extended temporal interval of available daylight hours. 
     
     
         19 . The focusing and collecting structure in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein each focusing element is provided by a Fresnel lens. 
     
     
         20 . The focusing and collecting structure in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein each included concave collector is structured with one of:
 a) a curved black surface for receiving and collecting focused solar energy by converting the solar energy to heat energy; and   b) a concave transparent receiving surface for receiving and transmitting the focused solar energy to a second surface for a converting and collecting of the solar energy as heat energy, with the transparent receiving surface concave collector formed by at least one of:
 i) sapphire; 
 ii) quartz; 
 iii) ruby; 
 iv) lead crystal glass; and 
 v) a fluid filled glass envelope.