Device for collecting solar energy

Abstract

A device for gaining solar energy comprises a integral unit with a casing ( 10 . . . 13 ). The casing comprises reflection means ( 20 ) with a hollow reflector surface ( 25 ) and is closed off by refraction means ( 30 ) with an entry surface ( 35 ) for entering sunlight. The refraction means and reflection means are each rotatably arranged around a rotation axis ( 71, 72 ) and their orientation relative to each other is continuously adjusted to the current position of the sun in the sky using positioning means provided for that purpose. The casing comprises a number of dustproof, but nevertheless ventilating chambers. The first chamber ( 100 ) is situated between the refraction means ( 30 ) and the reflection means ( 20 ) and comprises energy-conversion means ( 40 ) at least near to the focal point of the reflector surface ( 25 ). A second chamber ( 200 ) is situated between the reflection means ( 20 ) and the base part ( 13 ) of the casing and comprises positioning means ( 51, 53 ) for rotating the refraction means ( 30 ) and the reflection means ( 20 ).

1 . Device for gaining solar energy comprising reflection means with a reflector surface having at least one focal point, and comprising refraction means with an entry surface for entering sunlight and an exit surface facing the reflector surface of the reflection means, the refraction means being rotatably arranged around a first rotation axis, the reflection means being rotatably arranged around a second rotation axis, an entry area of said energy conversion means being provided at least near the at least one focal point of the reflector surface, and positioning means being provided for rotating the refraction means around the first rotation axis and for rotating the reflection means around the second rotation axis in dependence on a current position of the sun, characterized in that the reflection means, the refraction means, the positioning means and the conversion means extend from a integral unit with a common casing, the refraction means being rotatable around the first rotation axis with respect to a base part of the casing and provided with primary driving means capable of and set up to impose thereupon a rotation around the first axis with respect to the base part, the reflection means being arranged rotatably round the second rotation axis within the casing and provided with secondary driving means in order to impose thereupon a rotation around the second axis with respect to the base part, and in that the refraction means and the reflection means enclose an at least almost dustproof, though ventilating in terms of air and water vapour, closed off chamber between the exit surface of the refraction means and the reflector surface of the reflection means, the chamber comprising at least said entry area of said conversion means. 
     
     
         2 . Device according to  claim 1  characterized in that the casing comprises a second, at least almost dustproof chamber, between the base part and the reflection means, and the primary driving means and the secondary driving means are arranged at least substantially in the second chamber. 
     
     
         3 . Device according to  claim 2  characterized in that the reflector surface extends from a reflector body which almost completely separates the first chamber and the second chamber from each other. 
     
     
         4 . Device according to  claim 3  characterized in that the reflector body leaves an at least almost dustproof, but nevertheless ventilating slit between the first chamber and the second chamber. 
     
     
         5 . Device according to  claim 1  characterized in that the primary driving means comprise a primary motor unit or actuator which may or may not be directly rigidly connected to a first of the refraction means and the base part of the casing and with an output shaft which may or may not engage directly with a toothing, which extends from a second of the refraction means and the base part of the casing. 
     
     
         6 . Device according to  claim 1  characterized in that the secondary driving means comprise a secondary motor unit or actuator which may or may not be directly rigidly connected to a first of the reflection means and the base part of the casing and with an output shaft which may or may not engage directly with a toothing which extends from a second of the reflection means and the base part of the casing. 
     
     
         7 . Device according to  claim 1  characterized in that the first chamber comprises reversible moisture-absorption means which are in open communication with the reflector surface and the exit surface of the refraction means. 
     
     
         8 . Device according to  claim 7  characterized in that the absorption means comprise a porous absorption body, in particular a body containing cellulose, more in particular a body of wood. 
     
     
         9 . Device according to  claim 1  characterized in that the refraction means comprise a prismatic lens, in particular a Fresnel lens. 
     
     
         10 . Device according to  claim 1  characterized in that the refraction means comprise a refraction body which at least almost fully hermetically closes off the casing on a main side. 
     
     
         11 . Device according to  claim 1  characterized in that the reflector surface comprises a number of segments, each with its own focal point, and that secondary refraction means are included at least near each of the focal points of the segments, having a focal point which at least almost coincides with a main surface of the conversion means. 
     
     
         12 . Device according to  claim 11  characterized in that the conversion means comprise at least one device from a group comprising a photovoltaic cell and a heliothermic element. 
     
     
         13 . Device according to  claim 1  characterized in that the conversion means are rigidly connected to the reflection means.