Solar Concentration System With Micro-Mirror Array

Abstract

A solar concentration system including at least one receiver and an array of micro-mirrors connected to a substrate, each micro-mirror of the array being articulateable relative to the substrate, wherein the receiver is positioned relative to the array such that the array directs incoming light to the receiver.

1 . A solar concentration system comprising:
 at least one receiver; and   an array of micro-mirrors connected to a substrate, each micro-mirror of said array being articulateable relative to said substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The solar concentration system of  claim 1  wherein said receiver is positioned relative to said array such that said array directs incoming light from a light source to said receiver. 
     
     
         3 . The solar concentration system of  claim 2  further comprising a controller configured to control articulation of said micro-mirrors relative to said substrate as said light source moves relative to said micro-mirrors and as said substrate moves relative to said light source. 
     
     
         4 . The solar concentration system of  claim 1  wherein said receiver includes at least one photovoltaic cell. 
     
     
         5 . The solar concentration system of  claim 1  wherein said receiver is a solar thermal receiver. 
     
     
         6 . The solar concentration system of  claim 1  wherein said solar thermal receiver includes a fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The solar concentration system of  claim 1  wherein said substrate includes a concave surface and said array of micro-mirrors is positioned on said concave surface. 
     
     
         8 . The solar concentration system of  claim 1  wherein said substrate is shaped as a parabolic disc. 
     
     
         9 . The solar concentration system of  claim 1  wherein said substrate is shaped as a parabolic trough. 
     
     
         10 . The solar concentration system of  claim 1  wherein the substrate is flat. 
     
     
         11 . The solar concentration system of  claim 1  wherein each micro-mirror of said array has at least one degree of freedom relative to said substrate. 
     
     
         12 . The solar concentration system of  claim 1  wherein each micro-mirror of said array is configured to at least pitch and roll relative to said substrate. 
     
     
         13 . The solar concentration system of  claim 1  further comprising a window connected to said substrate to form a substantially enclosed volume, wherein said array is positioned within said substantially enclosed volume. 
     
     
         14 . The solar concentration system of  claim 1  wherein said substrate is essentially stationary relative to said receiver. 
     
     
         15 . The solar concentration system of  claim 1  wherein said array includes at least 1000 of said micro-mirrors per square foot of said substrate. 
     
     
         16 . The solar concentration system of  claim 3  further comprising a power supply configured to supply electrical energy to said array of micro-mirrors and said controller. 
     
     
         17 . A solar concentration system comprising:
 at least one receiver, said receiver including at least one photovoltaic cell;   a substrate having a concave surface, wherein said substrate is essentially stationary relative to said receiver; and   an array of micro-mirrors disposed on said concave surface, said array including at least 1000 of said micro-mirrors per square foot of said concave surface, wherein each micro-mirror of said array is articulateable relative to said substrate to direct incoming sunlight to said receiver.   
     
     
         18 . The solar concentration system of  claim 17  further comprising a controller configured to control articulation of said micro-mirrors relative to said substrate. 
     
     
         19 . The solar concentration system of  claim 17  further comprising a window connected to said substrate to form a substantially enclosed volume, wherein said array is positioned within said substantially enclosed volume. 
     
     
         20 . The solar concentration system of  claim 17  wherein each micro-mirror of said array has at least two degrees of freedom relative to said substrate. 
     
     
         21 . A solar concentration system comprising:
 an array of micro-mirrors connected to a substrate, each micro-mirror of said array being articulateable relative to said substrate;   at least one receiver, said receiver being positioned relative to said array such that said array directs incoming light from a light source to said receiver; and   a controller configured to control articulation of said micro-mirrors relative to said substrate as said light source moves relative to said micro-mirrors and as said substrate moves relative to said light source.