Modular solar energy transfer system

Abstract

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a modular solar energy transfer system, the system including a primary reflector including a reflective material and a pass-through; a dual-axis tracking system, structurally connected to the primary reflector, configured to orient the primary reflector normal to a sun; a secondary reflector including a reflective material, wherein the secondary reflector is smaller than the primary reflector, structurally connected to the primary reflector and positioned above the primary reflector, and wherein the secondary reflector receives solar energy reflected by the primary reflector and concentrates the solar energy to the pass-through in the primary reflector; an energy transfer component located below the primary reflector, configured to receive solar energy reflected by the secondary reflector and through the pass-through in the primary reflector; and a working fluid contained within the energy transfer component to receive the solar energy.

1 . A modular solar energy transfer system comprising:
 a primary reflector comprising a reflective material and a pass-through;   a dual-axis tracking system, structurally connected to the primary reflector and configured to orient the primary reflector normal to a sun;   a secondary reflector comprising a reflective material, wherein the secondary reflector is smaller than the primary reflector, structurally connected to the primary reflector and positioned above the primary reflector, and wherein the secondary reflector receives solar energy reflected by the primary reflector and concentrates the solar energy to the pass-through in the primary reflector;   an energy transfer component located below the primary reflector, configured to receive solar energy reflected by the secondary reflector and through the pass-through in the primary reflector; and   a working fluid contained within the energy transfer component to receive the solar energy from the energy transfer component.   
     
     
         2 . The modular solar energy transfer system of  claim 1 , wherein the primary reflector is curved. 
     
     
         3 . The modular solar energy transfer system of  claim 2 , wherein the primary reflector comprises a spherical curvature, a radius of about sixty inches to about 100 inches, a length of about forty inches to about sixty inches, a width of about forty inches to about sixty inches, and a thickness of about one-sixteenth to about one-half of an inch. 
     
     
         4 . The modular solar energy transfer system of  claim 2 , wherein the reflective material of the primary reflector comprises metal. 
     
     
         5 . The modular solar energy transfer system of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary reflector is curved. 
     
     
         6 . The modular solar energy transfer system of  claim 5 , wherein the secondary reflector comprises a spherical curvature, a radius of about twenty to about thirty-five inches, a length of about eight to about fifteen inches, a width of about eight to about fifteen inches, and a thickness of about one-sixteenth inches to about one inch. 
     
     
         7 . The modular solar energy transfer system of  claim 5 , wherein the reflective material of the secondary reflector comprises metal polished to a mirrored finish. 
     
     
         8 . The modular solar energy transfer system of  claim 1 , wherein the working fluid comprises water. 
     
     
         9 . The modular solar energy transfer system of  claim 1 , wherein the dual axis tracking system has an accuracy of about one-hundredth degrees to about one degree. 
     
     
         10 . The modular solar energy transfer system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy transfer component comprises optical glass. 
     
     
         11 . The modular solar energy transfer system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy transfer component comprises an output and an input connected in parallel or serial. 
     
     
         12 . A method of collecting and distributing solar energy from a sun using a modular solar energy transfer system comprising;
 determining a position of the sun based on GPS coordinates of the modular solar energy transfer system;   aligning a primary reflector normal to the sun, based on the position of the sun;   collecting solar energy using the primary reflector;   concentrating the collected solar energy using a secondary reflector; and   transferring the collected and concentrated solar energy to a working fluid.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the primary reflector is oriented with a rotational accuracy of about one-hundredth degree to about one degree. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the primary reflector is curved. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the primary reflector comprises a spherical curvature, a radius of about sixty inches to about 100 inches, a length of about forty inches to about sixty inches, a width of about forty inches to about sixty inches, and a thickness of about one-sixteenth to about one-half of an inch. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the reflective material of the primary reflector comprises metal. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the secondary reflector is curved. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the secondary reflector comprises a spherical curvature has a radius of about twenty to about thirty-five inches, a length of about eight to about fifteen inches, a width of about eight to about fifteen inches, and a thickness of about one-sixteenth inches to about one inch. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the reflective material of the secondary reflector comprises metal polished to a mirrored finish. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the working fluid comprises water.