Device for collecting solar energy

Abstract

A device ( 1, 20, 40 ) for collecting solar energy includes collector elements ( 3 ) and lens elements ( 2 ) for concentrating solar radiation onto the collector elements ( 3 ). The collector elements ( 3 ) are coupled via a conduit for energy transport to an energy processing unit. The lens elements ( 2 ) include at least one lens ( 2 ) which is arranged movably. Drive elements are provided to orient the at least one lens ( 2 ) about at least one orientation axis. The drive elements are provided with a control for the purpose of orienting the at least one lens ( 2 ) in at least substantially continuous and in at least substantially optimal manner relative to an actual position of the sun.

1 . Device for collecting solar energy, comprising collector means and lens means for concentrating solar radiation onto the collector means, wherein the collector means are coupled via a conduit for energy transport to an energy processing unit, characterized in that the lens means are arranged movably and comprise at least one lens, that drive means are provided to orient the at least one lens about at least one orientation axis and that the drive means are provided with a control for the purpose of orienting the at least one lens in at least substantially continuous and in at least substantially optimal manner relative to an actual position of the sun. 
     
     
         2 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the conduit comprises a liquid conduit for carrying a liquid therethrough, that the collector means comprise at least a wall part of the liquid conduit, and that the wall part is able and adapted to enter into heat-exchanging contact with the liquid. 
     
     
         3 . Device as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the wall part has an at least substantially concave progression. 
     
     
         4 . Device as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that regulating means are provided to regulate a liquid temperature to a value between 400 and 500° C., preferably to about 450° C. 
     
     
         5 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the conduit comprises a light conductor which is able and adapted to capture and conduct light, wherein a first outer end of the light conductor is coupled to an energy processing unit and the collector means comprise an opposite open outer end of the light conductor. 
     
     
         6 . Device as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that the light conductor comprises at least one fibre, in particular a glass fibre. 
     
     
         7 . Device as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that the light conductor comprises a glass fibre cable provided on the opposite outer end with an anti-reflection coating. 
     
     
         8 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the energy processing unit comprises a heat accumulator. 
     
     
         9 . Device as claimed in  claim 8 , characterized in that the accumulator comprises a thermally insulated heat block. 
     
     
         10 . Device as claimed in  claim 9 , characterized in that the heat block comprises a thermally conducting core, in particular a copper core. 
     
     
         11 . Device as claimed in  claim 8 , characterized in that the accumulator comprises a thermally insulated storage container with a liquid. 
     
     
         12 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the lens means comprise a lens system of individual lenses. 
     
     
         13 . Device as claimed in  claim 12 , characterized in that at least a number of lenses of the lens system are arranged on a shared carrier body. 
     
     
         14 . Device as claimed in  claim 13 , characterized in that the carrier body is rectangular with a length and a width of between 80 and 120 cm. 
     
     
         15 . Device as claimed in  claim 13 , characterized in that the lenses are disposed rigidly relative to the carrier body, that the carrier body is suspended movably and that the drive means engage on the carrier body and are able and adapted to orient the carrier body subject to the actual position of the sun. 
     
     
         16 . Device as claimed in  claim 13 , characterized in that at least a set of lenses are suspended for rotation about at least a primary rotation axis, that the drive means are able and adapted to rotate the set of lenses in a first direction about the primary rotation axis relative to the carrier body, that the carrier body is suspended for rotation about at least a second rotation axis and that the drive means are able and adapted to rotate the carrier body in a second direction about the secondary rotation axis. 
     
     
         17 . Device as claimed in  claim 16 , characterized in that the primary and secondary rotation axis are at least substantially perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         18 . Device as claimed in  claim 16 , characterized in that the lenses are disposed in rows, wherein the lenses of a row are each rotatable about their own rotation axis relative to the carrier body, and wherein the lenses of the row are coupled to an operating arm in order to rotate the lenses of the row together relative to the carrier body. 
     
     
         19 . Device as claimed in  claim 13 , characterized in that the drive means comprise per lens at least a first rotation axis for the purpose of rotating the lens in one direction, and a second rotation axis for the purpose of rotating the lens in another direction, wherein the first and second rotation axes are preferably at least substantially perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         20 . Device as claimed in  claim 19 , characterized in that the lenses of a row are each rotatable about their own first rotation axis, and wherein the lenses of the row are rotatable about a shared second rotation axis. 
     
     
         21 . Device as claimed in  claim 20 , characterized in that the lenses of the row are coupled to an operating arm for the purpose of rotating the lenses of the row together about their own first rotation axes. 
     
     
         22 . Device as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the lenses have a diameter between 6 and 12 cm. 
     
     
         23 . Device as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the lenses of the system are directed at shared collector means. 
     
     
         24 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that solar radiation passing through the lens means is concentrated directly onto the collector means.