Solar energy collection apparatus

Abstract

Solar energy concentrating apparatus having an array of lenses to receive and concentrate the solar radiation towards a plurality of stationary targets. The lenses are supported on a moveable structure to enable the lenses to move laterally in the east-west and north-south directions. Each lens of the array is also configured to rotate about an axis extending in the north-south direction. Drive means is coupled to a plurality of lateral and rotational movements mechanisms to orientate the lenses towards the target as the sun moves throughout the day and year.

1 . Solar energy concentrating apparatus comprising:
 an array of lenses to receive and to concentrate solar radiation towards a plurality of targets;   at least one lens support structure to moveably mount each lens of the array to receive the solar radiation;   a first lateral movement mechanism to move the lenses in a first lateral direction relative to the targets;   a second lateral movement mechanism to move the lenses in a second lateral direction relative to the targets;   a third lateral movement mechanism to move the lenses in a direction up and down relative to the targets;   a first rotational movement mechanism to rotate the lenses about a first axis extending substantially in the second lateral direction; and   at least one drive means to drive the lens movement mechanisms.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a second rotational movement mechanism to rotate each lens about a second axis extending in the first lateral direction. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the lens support structure comprises a primary support having a circumferential ring to mount to the lens, a support shaft extending centrally through the lens and support cables extending from the central shaft to the circumferential ring. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the lens support structure comprises a secondary support to mount the primary support, the secondary support comprising cables extending around the primary support. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the array of lenses is arranged in rows of lenses to form a grid network of lenses with rows in the first lateral direction and rows in the second lateral direction. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each lens of the array comprises a plurality of Fresnel lenses extending in at least two substantially parallel planes, one above the other so as to provide an air flow gap between the planes of the lenses. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the first lateral movement mechanism comprises cables extending in the first lateral direction and pulley wheels and/or spools and stanchions positioned at the end of each row of lenses in the first lateral direction, the stanchions coupled to one of the cables in the first lateral direction such that when the drive means is actuated the stanchions pivot in the first lateral direction and the lenses move laterally in the first lateral direction. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the second lateral movement mechanism comprises cables extending in the second lateral direction and pulley wheels and/or spools and stanchions positioned at the end of each row of lenses in the second lateral direction, the stanchions coupled to one of the cables in the second lateral direction such that when the drive means is actuated the stanchions pivot in the second lateral direction and the lenses move laterally in the second lateral direction. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the third lateral movement mechanism comprises cables and pulley wheels and/or spools. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the first rotational movement mechanism comprises cables and pulley wheels and/or spools. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the drive means for the first, second and third lateral movement mechanisms comprise a motorised winch, pulley wheel or spool to shorten and lengthen each of the respective cables. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the second rotational movement mechanism comprises cables extending substantially in the second lateral direction and pulley wheels and/or spools. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the drive for the first and second rotational movement mechanisms comprise at least one motor and a drive shaft coupled to at least one of the pulley wheels and/or spools to drive movement of the cables and impart rotational movement to the lens via at least one of the pulley wheels or spools. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the lens support structure comprises support columns extending upwardly from the ground and a catenary suspended from the columns, the array of lenses being suspended from the catenary. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the support structure comprises a crane block mounted between the lenses in the second lateral direction, the crane block being connected to the cables of the first, second and third lateral movement mechanisms to translate movement imparted by the drive means to move the lenses of the array. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the crane block comprises means to mount at least one pulley wheel. 
     
     
         17 . The crane block as claimed in  claim 15 , when dependent on  claim 4  wherein the crane block is connected to the secondary support structure. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the secondary support structure is coupled to the primary support structure via a shaft, each lens configured to rotate about each respective shaft in the first lateral direction. 
     
     
         19 . A method of concentrating solar radiation comprising:
 receiving and concentrating solar radiation towards of a plurality of targets using an array of lenses;   supporting the array of lenses using a moveable support structure;   moving the array of lenses in a first lateral direction relative to the targets using a first lateral movement mechanism;   moving the array of lenses in a second lateral direction relative to the targets using a second lateral movement mechanism;   moving the lenses in a direction up and down relative to the targets using a third lateral movement mechanism;   rotating the lenses about a first axis extending substantially in the second lateral direction using a first rotational movement mechanism; and   driving the movement mechanisms to move the lenses in the lateral and rotational directions.   
     
     
         20 . Solar energy collection apparatus comprising:
 solar energy concentrating apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 ;   a conduit network to contain a gas phase working fluid and allow the fluid to flow in contact with the targets such that the working fluid is heated by the targets.   
     
     
         21 . The collection apparatus as claimed in  claim 20  further comprising a heat storage device connected in fluid communication to the targets by the conduit network to receive the heated working fluid, the storage device comprising a heat storage material to store the heat energy received from the working fluid. 
     
     
         22 . The collection apparatus as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the conduit network comprises metal, ceramic and/or clay based piping. 
     
     
         23 . Apparatus for converting solar energy to electrical energy comprising:
 solar energy collection apparatus as claimed in  claim 20 ;   a heat exchanger connected in fluid communication with the conduit network to receive the heated working fluid and to transfer the received heat energy;   a turbine coupled to a heat exchanger; and   an electric generator coupled to the turbine to generate electricity.   
     
     
         24 . Solar energy concentrating apparatus having a lens support structure comprising:
 an annular or polygonal frame configured to surround a concentrating lens at an outer perimeter region of the lens;   a plurality of radial spokes mounted at the frame and extending from the frame to a mount positioned substantially centrally relative to the annular frame and the radial spokes.   
     
     
         25 . Solar energy concentrating apparatus having a support frame to mount a concentrating lens, the lens comprising:
 at least one first lens plate extending in a first plane;   at least one second lens plate extending in a second plane, the second lens plate being spatially separated from the first lens plate in a direction perpendicular to the planes to provide a gap between the first and second lens plates.   
     
     
         26 . Solar energy concentrating apparatus to support a concentrating lens, the apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of elongate support members comprising one or a plurality of cables extending between a first mount and a second mount;   wherein a separation distance between the members in a direction perpendicular to the direction between the first and second mounts increases away from each of the first and second mounts to reach a maximum separation region;   wherein a concentrating lens mounted substantially at the maximum separation region and is suspended between the first and second mounts by the support members.   
     
     
         27 . Solar energy concentrating apparatus to mount at least one concentrating lens to direct concentrated solar radiation from the lens onto a target, the apparatus comprising:
 a moveable stanchion mounted at a first end by a pivoting or moveable joint to allow a second end of the stanchion to move laterally in x, y and z coordinates relative to the first end;   at least one lens connecting member extending between a region towards the second end of the stanchion and a region close to or at lens such that movement of the second end of the stanchion is translated to provide a corresponding movement of the lens.   
     
     
         28 . Solar energy concentrating apparatus to move at least one concentrating lens to direct the concentrated solar radiation from the lens onto a target, the apparatus comprising:
 a suspension system configured to suspend at least one lens above the ground, at least part of the suspension system extending above the lens relative to the ground;   a crane mechanism positioned so as to raise and lower the lens relative to the suspension system.   
     
     
         29 . Solar energy concentrating apparatus to move at least one concentrating lens to direct concentrated solar radiation from the lens onto a target, the apparatus comprising:
 a lens support structure to mount a lens moveably relative to a target;   a first elongate track mounted above the ground and extending in a first direction;   a second elongate track mounted above the ground and extending in a second direction transverse or perpendicular to the first direction;   wherein the lens, via the support structure, is capable of movement laterally in the first direction along the first track and in the second direction along the second track such that movement of the lens along the first and second tracks is configured to orientate the lens to direct concentrated solar radiation from the lens onto the target.   
     
     
         30 . Solar energy concentrating apparatus to move at least one concentrating lens to direct concentrated solar radiation from the lens to a target, the apparatus comprising:
 a suspension system configured to suspend at least one lens above the ground;   the suspension system comprising:
 a plurality of columns upstanding from the ground; 
 a beam or catenary system mounted upon the columns and capable of suspending the lens above the ground.