Solar energy collection system

Abstract

A method of concentrating directional radiant energy using reflective optics and receivers that convert that energy wherein the receivers are situated in the body of the reflector on risers parallel to the direction of radiant energy, each said riser bounded by at least one parabolic mirror lying closer and another lying farther from the energy source, where the focus or foci of said mirrors lie substantially in the direction faced by the receiver situated in said riser. The reflector geometries include ones in which the mirrors are parabolic cylinder sections and require only one-axis tracking to focus, and ones in which the mirrors are paraboloid sections and require two-axis tracking to focus sunlight.

1 . A method of concentrating directional radiant energy using reflective optics and receivers that convert that energy wherein the improvement comprises that the receivers are situated in the body of a reflector on risers parallel to the direction of radiant energy, each said riser bounded by at least one parabolic mirror lying closer and another lying farther from the energy source, where the focus or foci of said mirrors lie substantially in the direction faced by the receiver situated in said riser. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  in which the mirrors are portions of parabolic cylinders. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  in which the mirrors are portions of simple paraboloids of revolution. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  in which the mirrors are portions of parabolic surfaces of revolution at least one of whose parabola axis is offset from its axis of revolution. 
     
     
         5 . The reflector of  claim 1  whose receivers comprise photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
         6 . The reflector of  claim 1  whose receivers are equipped with means of heat transfer through the circulation of fluids. 
     
     
         7 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A reflector wherein receivers are situated in the body thereof on risers parallel to the direction of radiant energy, each said riser bounded by at least one parabolic mirror lying closer and another lying farther from the energy source, where the focus or foci of said mirrors lie substantially in the direction faced by the receiver situated in said riser. 
     
     
         11 . The reflector of  claim 10  in which the mirrors are portions of parabolic cylinders. 
     
     
         12 . The reflector of  claim 10  in which the mirrors are portions of simple paraboloids of revolution. 
     
     
         13 . The reflector of  claim 10  in which the mirrors are portions of parabolic surfaces of revolution at least one of whose parabola axis is offset from its axis of revolution. 
     
     
         14 . A reflector that focuses light parallel to its optical axis on a plurality of spots located on or proximal to the reflector's surface, said surface comprising: a set of reflective faces each of which has the shape of a portion of a paraboloid of revolution whose focal point coincides with one of said spots and whose optical axis is parallel to that of the reflector; and a set of receivers such as photovoltaic cells or image sensors straddling said spots. 
     
     
         15 . The reflector of  claim 14  whose said reflective faces cover and conceal its said receivers, as seen from the reflector's normal direction. 
     
     
         16 . The reflector of  claim 14  forming each cell of a fixed array that tiles a larger area in a square or hexagonal pattern.