Solid core structure parabolic trough solar energy collection system

Abstract

Foam backed solid support structure and trough solar energy collector. A support structure has foam or other polymeric material, a plurality of end arms, and a plurality of end caps secured to the formed foam material. The foam material is cut into a parabolic or semi-parabolic shape, and a reflective element may be placed onto the formed foam material and secured mechanically, with adhesion, and/or integrated with the surface. A solar energy collector formed using a polymeric core may have longitudinally-extending cowling, end caps, and end arms as described.

1 . A trough solar energy collector having a rotational axis comprising
 (a) a collector tube,   (b) a first reflective panel and a second reflective panel,
 (i) each of said first and second reflective panels comprising
 (1) a honeycomb or polymeric core having an arc-shaped surface 
 (2) a reflector on the arc-shaped surface of the polymeric core 
 (3) cowling along a longitudinal edge extending along the polymeric core and extending parallel to the rotational axis of the solar collector 
 
 (ii) the first reflective panel being positioned to illuminate a first side of the collector tube, 
 (iii) the second reflective panel being positioned to illuminate a second side of the collector tube. 
   
     
     
         2 . A collector according to  claim 1  wherein the core is polymeric and comprises expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene, or expanded extruded polystyrene. 
     
     
         3 . A collector according to  claim 2  wherein the polymeric core is skinless. 
     
     
         4 . A collector according to  claim 2  wherein the polymeric core is uniform in compression and tension. 
     
     
         5 . A collector according to  claim 1  wherein the core is polymeric and an outer surface of the polymeric core is coated with a UV inhibitor or an externally affixed material such as metal, plastic, fiberglass, or canvas which provides impact resistance and/or durability against harsh weather. 
     
     
         6 . A collector according to  claim 1  wherein the collector tube is coincident with the rotational axis of the solar collector. 
     
     
         7 . A collector according to  claim 1  wherein a portion of the cowling overlies an edge of the reflector to aid in securing the reflector to the core. 
     
     
         8 . A collector according to  claim 1  and further comprising a fastener, said fastener being positioned between the first reflective panel and the second reflective panel such that the fastener engages an edge of the cowling of the first reflective panel and an edge of the cowling of the second reflective panel. 
     
     
         9 . A collector according to  claim 8  wherein said fastener is a clip having first and second sets of arms and positioned between the first reflective panel and the second reflective panel such that the first set of arms engages an edge of the cowling of the first reflective panel and the second set of arms engages an edge of the cowling of the second reflective panel. 
     
     
         10 . A collector according to  claim 9  wherein the clip further comprises a stanchion that supports the collector tube. 
     
     
         11 . A collector according to  claim 1  and further comprising an end arm comprising
 (a) a hub fitting having an opening through which the collector tube passes, 
 (b) a plurality of top fittings configured to engage with top portions of respective ones of the first reflective panel and the second reflective panel, 
 (c) a bottom fitting configured to engage with bottom portions of each of the first reflective panel and the second reflective panel, and 
 (d) a plurality of fitting couplers securing the plurality of top fittings and the bottom fitting to the hub fitting. 
 
     
     
         12 . A collector according to  claim 11  wherein the hub fitting has a collar at said opening to engage with a locator tube of the collector. 
     
     
         13 . A collector according to  claim 12  wherein at least one of the locator tube and the hub fitting has a keyway for engagement of the locator tube and the hub fitting. 
     
     
         14 . A collector according to  claim 11  wherein the hub fitting further comprises a drive sprocket. 
     
     
         15 . A collector according to  claim 11  wherein the hub fitting has holes extending radially from the hub fitting to engage ends of the fitting couplers. 
     
     
         16 . A collector according to  claim 11  wherein the top fittings have collar portions into which edges of the first and second reflective panels insert. 
     
     
         17 . A collector according to  claim 11  wherein the top fittings or the reflective panels have openings and the other of the top fittings or the reflective panels have shapes that insert into the openings to engage the top fittings with the reflective panels. 
     
     
         18 . A collector according to  claim 11  wherein the bottom fitting or the reflective panels have openings and the other of the bottom fitting or the reflective panels have shapes that insert into the openings to engage the bottom fitting with the reflective panels. 
     
     
         19 . A collector according to  claim 11  wherein the bottom fitting has a collar portion into which edges of the first and second reflective panels insert. 
     
     
         20 . A collector according to  claim 11  wherein the fitting couplers are rods that insert into the holes of the hub fitting and additionally holes of the top and bottom fittings to form the end arm. 
     
     
         21 . A collector according to  claim 11  wherein a plurality of the fitting couplers interconnect the hub fitting with the bottom fitting. 
     
     
         22 . A collector according to  claim 1  wherein the polymeric core has a convex arcuate profile in addition to a concave arcuate profile. 
     
     
         23 . A collector according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second reflective panels further comprise end caps. 
     
     
         24 . A collector according to  claim 23  wherein the end caps have perimeter encasing tabs that engage the reflectors and the polymeric cores. 
     
     
         25 . A collector according to  claim 24  wherein the encasing tabs overlie the reflectors, the polymeric cores, and the longitudinally-extending cowling. 
     
     
         26 . A collector according to  claim 1  wherein the collector tube does not rotate or revolve about the rotational axis of the collector. 
     
     
         27 . A collector according to  claim 1  wherein the reflective panels are flexible at room temperature. 
     
     
         28 . A collector according to  claim 27  wherein the reflective panels comprise polished aluminum panels.