Solar Collector

Abstract

This invention presents a trough-shaped solar collector. The solar collector includes a trough-shaped reflector for concentrating incoming solar rays upon a focal axis. The reflector includes a flexible reflective film having a concave reflective surface. The reflective film is braced by a bulkhead-and-rod frame that is disposed inside the concave space created by the reflective surface of the reflective film. The reflective film is placed in longitudinal tension using spring clamps, and is intermediately held against bulkhead members using straps. The solar collector has a variety of support rod patterns to maintain the integrity of the bulkhead-and-rod frame. The solar collector may be collapsed into a smaller space for shipping or storage.

1 . A solar collector, comprising:
 a reflective member having a reflective surface for reflecting light, and an opposite surface;   a longitudinally-extending spine;   first and second end bulkheads connected to said spine, each bulkhead having an outer contour supporting said reflective surface of said reflective member;   a middle bulkhead connected to said spine, between said first and second end bulkhead, having
 an outer contour supporting said reflective surface of said reflective member, and 
 a first and a second end; and 
   a first strap disposed along said opposite surface of said reflective member, with each end of said strap being connected to one of said first end and said second end of said middle bulkhead.   
     
     
         2 . The solar collector according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first post connected to said longitudinally-extending spine and connected to said first end bulkhead, said first post extending in a normal direction from said longitudinally-extending spine away from the reflective surface of said reflective member;   a second post connected to said longitudinally-extending spine and connected to said middle bulkhead, said second post extending in a normal direction from said longitudinally-extending spine away from the reflective of said reflective member; and   a third post connected to said longitudinally-extending spine and connect to said second end bulkhead, said third post extending in a normal direction from said longitudinally-extending spine away from the reflective surface of said reflective member.   
     
     
         3 . The solar collector according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first set of support rods comprising first and second support rods attached diagonally between said first post and said second post;   a second set of support rods comprising third, fourth, fifth, and sixth support rods, said third support rod being attached between said first post and one end of said middle bulkhead, said fourth support rod being attached between said second post and the other end of said middle bulkhead, said fifth support rod being attached between said second post and one end of said middle bulkhead, said sixth support rod being attached between said second post and the other end of said middle bulkhead, wherein said second set of support rods are substantially in the same plane; and   a third set of support rods comprising seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth support rods traversing substantially above the plane of said second set of support rods, said seventh support rod being attached between said second post and one end of said first end bulkhead, said eighth support rod being attached between said second post and the other end of said first end bulkhead, said ninth support rod being attached between said second post and one end of said second end bulkhead, said tenth support rod being attached between said second post and the other end of said second end bulkhead.   
     
     
         4 . The solar collector according to  claim 1 , wherein said outer contour of said first end bulkhead, said outer contour of said second end bulkhead, and said outer contour of said middle bulkhead are trough-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The solar collector according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first clamp having a first end and a second end, and having an adjustable length, said first end of said first clamp being attached to said first end of said middle bulkhead, said second end of said first clamp being attached to an end of said first strap;   such that said first strap is indirectly connected to said first end of said middle bulkhead.   
     
     
         6 . The solar collector according to  claim 1 , wherein said first strap is adjustable in length. 
     
     
         7 . The solar collector according to  claim 1 , wherein said end bulkhead further comprises:
 a first bulkhead rib having a first tab cutout extending away from said first bulkhead rib, and a plurality of edge tabs along one edge;   a second bulkhead rib having a second tab cutout extending away from said second bulkhead rib, and a plurality of edge tabs along one edge; and   a base having a first plurality of edge-tab-receiving-openings on one side and a second plurality of edge-receiving-tab-openings on the other side, said plurality of edge tabs of said first bulkhead rib being extended through said first plurality of edge-receiving-tab-openings of said base, and said plurality of edge tabs of said second bulkhead rib being extended through said second plurality of edge-tab-receiving-openings of said base.   
     
     
         8 . The solar collector according to  claim 1 , wherein said end bulkhead further comprises:
 a first bulkhead rib having a first tab cutout extending away from said first bulkhead rib at an upper location of said first bulkhead rib;   a second bulkhead rib having a second tab cutout extending away from said second bulkhead rib at a lower location of said second bulkhead rib;   wherein said first tab cutout of said first bulkhead rib is fixed to said second bulkhead rib at an upper location of said second bulkhead rib; and   wherein said second tab cutout is fixed to said first bulkhead rib at a lower location of said first bulkhead rib.   
     
     
         9 . The solar collector according to  claim 1 , wherein said end bulkhead further comprises:
 a first bulkhead rib having a first side with a first plurality of edge tabs, a second side normal to said first side, a third side with a second plurality of edge tabs, said third side being disposed normal to said second side and parallel to said first side;   a base having a first plurality of edge-tab-receiving-openings on one side and a second plurality of edge-receiving-tab-openings on the other side, said first plurality of edge tabs of said first bulkhead rib being extended through said first plurality of edge-receiving-tab-openings of said base, and said second plurality of edge tabs of said second bulkhead rib being extended through said second plurality of edge-tab-receiving-openings of said base.   
     
     
         10 . The solar collector according to  claim 1 , wherein said first end bulkhead further comprises a first portion and a second portion:
 wherein said first portion of said first end bulkhead is pivotally attached to said longitudinally-extending spine; and   wherein said second portion of said first bulkhead is pivotally attached to said longitudinally-extending spine.   
     
     
         11 . The solar collector according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said longitudinally-extending spine having a first portion and a second portion pivotally connected together.   
     
     
         12 . The solar collector according to  claim 1 , wherein said first end bulkhead further comprises a first portion and a second portion:
 wherein said first portion of said first end bulkhead is pivotally attached to said longitudinally-extending spine;   wherein said second portion of said first bulkhead is pivotally attached to said longitudinally-extending spine; and   said longitudinally-extending spine having a first portion and a second portion pivotally connected together.   
     
     
         13 . The solar collector according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a spring;   a clamp attached to said reflective member; and   wherein said spring is attached to said clamp and to said first end bulkhead.   
     
     
         14 . The solar collector according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a hardened foam disposed on said opposite surface of said reflective member.   
     
     
         15 . The solar collector according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a spacer disposed on said opposite surface of said reflective member; and   a flange disposed on said spacer.   
     
     
         16 . A solar collector, comprising:
 a reflective member having a reflective surface for reflecting light, and an opposite surface;   a longitudinally-extending spine;   first and second end bulkheads connected to said spine, each bulkhead having an outer contour supporting said reflective surface of said reflective member, and each bulkhead having a first and a second end; and   a first strap disposed along the outer surface of said end bulkhead, with each end of said strap being connected to one of said first and said second end of said end bulkhead.   
     
     
         17 . The solar collector according to  claim 18 , wherein said outer contour of said first end bulkhead, said outer contour of said second end bulkhead, and said outer contour of said middle bulkhead are trough-shaped. 
     
     
         18 . The solar collector according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a first clamp having a first end and a second end, and having an adjustable length, said first end of said first clamp being attached to said first end of said first end bulkhead, said second end of said first clamp being attached to an end of said first strap;   such that said first strap is indirectly connected to said first end of said middle bulkhead.   
     
     
         19 . The solar collector according to  claim 18 , wherein said first strap is adjustable in length. 
     
     
         20 . The solar collector according to  claim 18 , wherein said end bulkhead further comprises:
 a first bulkhead rib having a first tab cutout extending away from said first bulkhead rib, and a plurality of edge tabs along one edge;   a second bulkhead rib having a second tab cutout extending away from said second bulkhead rib, and a plurality of edge tabs along one edge; and   a base having a first plurality of edge-tab-receiving-openings on one side and a second plurality of edge-receiving-tab-openings on the other side, said plurality of edge tabs of said first bulkhead rib being extended through said first plurality of edge-receiving-tab-openings of said base, and said plurality of edge tabs of said second bulkhead rib being extended through said second plurality of edge-tab-receiving-openings of said base.   
     
     
         21 . The solar collector according to  claim 18 , wherein said end bulkhead further comprises:
 a first bulkhead rib having a first tab cutout extending away from said first bulkhead rib at an upper location of said first bulkhead rib;   a second bulkhead rib having a second tab cutout extending away from said second bulkhead rib at a lower location of said second bulkhead rib;   wherein said first tab cutout of said first bulkhead rib is fixed to said second bulkhead rib at an upper location of said second bulkhead rib; and   wherein said second tab cutout is fixed to said first bulkhead rib at a lower location of said first bulkhead rib.   
     
     
         22 . The solar collector according to  claim 18 , wherein said end bulkhead further comprises:
 a first bulkhead rib having a first side with a first plurality of edge tabs, a second side normal to said first side, a third side with a second plurality of edge tabs, said third side being disposed normal to said second side and parallel to said first side;   a base having a first plurality of edge-tab-receiving-openings on one side and a second plurality of edge-receiving-tab-openings on the other side, said first plurality of edge tabs of said first bulkhead rib being extended through said first plurality of edge-receiving-tab-openings of said base, and said second plurality of edge tabs of said second bulkhead rib being extended through said second plurality of edge-tab-receiving-openings of said base.   
     
     
         23 . The solar collector according to  claim 18 , wherein said first end bulkhead further comprises a first portion and a second portion:
 wherein said first portion of said first end bulkhead is pivotally attached to said longitudinally-extending spine; and   wherein said second portion of said first bulkhead is pivotally attached to said longitudinally-extending spine.   
     
     
         24 . The solar collector according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 said longitudinally-extending spine having a first portion and a second portion pivotally connected together.   
     
     
         25 . The solar collector according to  claim 18 , wherein said first end bulkhead further comprises a first portion and a second portion:
 wherein said first portion of said first end bulkhead is pivotally attached to said longitudinally-extending spine;   wherein said second portion of said first bulkhead is pivotally attached to said longitudinally-extending spine; and   said longitudinally-extending spine having a first portion and a second portion pivotally connected together.   
     
     
         26 . The solar collector according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a spring;   a clamp attached to said reflective member; and   wherein said spring is attached to said clamp and to said first end bulkhead.   
     
     
         27 . The solar collector according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a hardened foam disposed on said opposite surface of said reflective member.   
     
     
         28 . The solar collector according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a spacer disposed on said opposite surface of said reflective member; and   a flange disposed on said spacer.   
     
     
         29 . The solar collector according to  claim 18 , wherein said first and second end bulkheads further comprise:
 a convex surface supporting said reflective member.   
     
     
         30 . A solar collector, comprising:
 a solar-energy absorbing member having an absorbing surface for absorbing sunlight, and an opposite surface;   a longitudinally-extending spine;   first and second end bulkheads connected to said spine, each bulkhead having an outer contour contacting said absorbing surface of said solar-energy absorbing member;   a first strap disposed along the outer surface of said end bulkhead, with each end of said strap being connected to one of said first and said second end of said end bulkhead.   
     
     
         31 . The solar collector according to  claim 30 , wherein said outer contour of said first end bulkhead, said outer contour of said second end bulkhead, and said outer contour of said middle bulkhead are trough-shaped. 
     
     
         32 . The solar collector according to  claim 30 , further comprising:
 a first clamp having a first end and a second end, and having an adjustable length, said first end of said first clamp being attached to said first end of said first end bulkhead, said second end of said first clamp being attached to an end of said first strap;   such that said first strap is indirectly connected to said first end of said middle bulkhead.   
     
     
         33 . The solar collector according to  claim 30 , wherein said first strap is adjustable in length. 
     
     
         34 . The solar collector according to  claim 30 , wherein said end bulkhead further comprises:
 a first bulkhead rib having a first tab cutout extending away from said first bulkhead rib, and a plurality of edge tabs along one edge;   a second bulkhead rib having a second tab cutout extending away from said second bulkhead rib, and a plurality of edge tabs along one edge; and   a base having a first plurality of edge-tab-receiving-openings on one side and a second plurality of edge-receiving-tab-openings on the other side, said plurality of edge tabs of said first bulkhead rib being extended through said first plurality of edge-receiving-tab-openings of said base, and said plurality of edge tabs of said second bulkhead rib being extended through said second plurality of edge-tab-receiving-openings of said base.   
     
     
         35 . The solar collector according to  claim 30 , wherein said end bulkhead further comprises:
 a first bulkhead rib having a first tab cutout extending away from said first bulkhead rib at an upper location of said first bulkhead rib;   a second bulkhead rib having a second tab cutout extending away from said second bulkhead rib at a lower location of said second bulkhead rib;   wherein said first tab cutout of said first bulkhead rib is fixed to said second bulkhead rib at an upper location of said second bulkhead rib; and   wherein said second tab cutout is fixed to said first bulkhead rib at a lower location of said first bulkhead rib.   
     
     
         36 . The solar collector according to  claim 30 , wherein said end bulkhead further comprises:
 a first bulkhead rib having a first side with a first plurality of edge tabs, a second side normal to said first side, a third side with a second plurality of edge tabs, said third side being disposed normal to said second side and parallel to said first side;   a base having a first plurality of edge-tab-receiving-openings on one side and a second plurality of edge-receiving-tab-openings on the other side, said first plurality of edge tabs of said first bulkhead rib being extended through said first plurality of edge-receiving-tab-openings of said base, and said second plurality of edge tabs of said second bulkhead rib being extended through said second plurality of edge-tab-receiving-openings of said base.   
     
     
         37 . The solar collector according to  claim 30 , wherein said first end bulkhead further comprises a first portion and a second portion:
 wherein said first portion of said first end bulkhead is pivotally attached to said longitudinally-extending spine; and   wherein said second portion of said first bulkhead is pivotally attached to said longitudinally-extending spine.   
     
     
         38 . The solar collector according to  claim 30 , further comprising:
 said longitudinally-extending spine having a first portion and a second portion pivotally connected together.   
     
     
         39 . The solar collector according to  claim 30 , wherein said first end bulkhead further comprises a first portion and a second portion:
 wherein said first portion of said first end bulkhead is pivotally attached to said longitudinally-extending spine;   wherein said second portion of said first bulkhead is pivotally attached to said longitudinally-extending spine; and   said longitudinally-extending spine having a first portion and a second portion pivotally connected together.   
     
     
         40 . The solar collector according to  claim 30 , further comprising:
 a spring;   a clamp attached to said solar-energy absorbing member; and   wherein said spring is attached to said clamp and to said first end bulkhead.   
     
     
         41 . The solar collector according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a hardened foam disposed on said opposite surface of said solar-energy absorbing member.   
     
     
         42 . The solar collector according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a spacer disposed on said opposite surface of said solar-energy absorbing member; and   a flange disposed on said spacer.   
     
     
         43 . The solar collector according to  claim 18 , wherein said first and second end bulkheads further comprise:
 a convex surface supporting said solar-energy absorbing member.