Solar Collector

Abstract

A solar concentrator for heating a fluid has an extended solar reflector with a plurality of reflective concave steps, each step having an apex offset vertically and horizontally from a reflector apex of the reflector. A conduit through which the fluid flows is positioned along a common focal line of each step, preferably on an underside of the conduit. A framework is fixed with the reflector and conduit and is adapted for holding the reflector and conduit in a fixed mutual relationship. In use, with the reflector positioned towards the sun, rays from the sun reflect from each step to concentrate along the focal line on the conduit to heat the fluid.

1 . A solar concentrator for heating a fluid, comprising:
 an extended solar reflector having a plurality of reflective concave steps, each step having an apex offset vertically and horizontally from a reflector apex, a bottommost step having an apex that is collinear with the reflector apex, each reflective step having a common focal line;   a conduit through which the fluid flows, the conduit positioned along the focal line of each step;   a framework fixed with the reflector and conduit and adapted for holding the reflector and conduit in a fixed mutual relationship;   whereby with the reflector positioned towards the sun, rays from the sun reflect from each step to concentrate along the focal line on the conduit to heat the fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The solar concentrator of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of steps of the reflector on either side of the apex is between one and five. 
     
     
         3 . The solar concentrator of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of steps of the reflector on either side of the apex is exactly three. 
     
     
         4 . The solar concentrator of  claim 1  wherein the focal line is on an underside of the conduit. 
     
     
         5 . The solar concentrator of  claim 1  further comprising a sun tracking mechanism, whereby as the sun moves through the sky during the day the sun tracking mechanism consistently points the concentrator towards the sun. 
     
     
         6 . The solar concentrator of  claim 1  wherein each step has a common curvature. 
     
     
         7 . The solar concentrator of  claim 1  wherein the apex of each step is offset vertically and horizontally from the reflector apex in a substantially circular pattern. 
     
     
         8 . The solar concentrator of  claim 5  wherein the sun tracking mechanism is configured to adjust the position of the solar reflector so that the conduit remains at the focal line as the sun travels across the sky. 
     
     
         9 . A solar concentrator for heating a fluid, comprising:
 an extended solar reflector having a plurality of reflective concave steps, each reflective step having a common focal line;   a conduit through which the fluid flows, the conduit positioned along the focal line of each step;   whereby with the reflector positioned towards the sun, rays from the sun reflect from each step to concentrate along the focal line on the conduit to heat the fluid.   
     
     
         10 . The solar concentrator of  claim 9  wherein the focal line is on an underside of the conduit. 
     
     
         11 . The solar concentrator of  claim 9  wherein each step has a common curvature. 
     
     
         12 . The solar connector of  claim 9  wherein each step has an apex offset vertically and horizontally from a reflector apex, and a bottommost step has an apex that is collinear with the reflector apex. 
     
     
         13 . The solar concentrator of  claim 12  wherein the apex of each step is offset vertically and horizontally from the reflector apex in a substantially circular pattern. 
     
     
         14 . The solar concentrator of  claim 9  further comprising a framework configured to support the reflector and conduit in a fixed relative relationship. 
     
     
         15 . The solar concentrator of  claim 9  wherein the apexes of the steps define a generally parabolic shape. 
     
     
         16 . The solar concentrator of  claim 9  wherein the conduit extends collinear with a long axis of the reflector. 
     
     
         17 . A method of heating a fluid, the method comprising:
 flowing the fluid through a conduit,   providing an extended solar reflector having a plurality of reflective concave steps, each reflective step having a common focal line, the conduit being positioned along the focal line of each step; and   heating the fluid by allowing rays from the sun to reflect from each step to concentrate along the focal line on the conduit.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising using a sun tracking mechanism to adjust the position of the solar reflector so that the conduit remains at the focal line as the sun travels across the sky. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the fluid comprises water.