Electric wind adjustable fresnel reflector solar concentrator

Abstract

This invention deals with novel method and apparatus for positioning and motion control of the elements (mirrors) of a Fresnel reflector solar concentrator tracking heliostat array by rapid-response motorless linear motion, angular deflection, and rotational motion utilizing electric wind force due to electrons, ions, and/or neutrals. Thus forces and torques are produced without the use of internal moving parts. Control is achieved without recourse to magnetic fields, by means of high electric fields which may be attained at relatively low voltages. At low voltages, the instant invention exceeds the capability of conventional systems. It can perform dynamic motion control over a wide range of dimensions and signal bandwidth with independent amplitude and frequency modulation. It is ideally suited for maximization of solar energy focused by the array onto a receiver. Since there are no internal moving parts, the instant invention is the most adapted for fabrication at the micro and nanotechnology realms. Furthermore it provides less costly and greater ease of manufacture from the nano-to the macro-realm.

1 . A solar concentrator system comprising
 a) an array of adjustable optical elements;   b) said elements coupled to at least a first electric wind device;   c) said electric wind device producing a propelling electric wind force;   d) said electric wind force created by emission from said electric wind device by at least one of the group consisting of electrons, negative ions, positive ions, and neutrals; and   e) said force producing an alignment of said optical elements to track and focus sunlight onto a receiver.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one detent positioning track holds said elements in fixed aligned position following alignment, permitting said electric wind force to be turned off between alignments. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said optical elements are in pairs of double back-to-back configuration. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said optical elements are aligned by a positive feedback loop comprising circuitry to control the operation of said electric wind device to intensify the solar energy density reaching said receiver. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein there is at least a second electric wind device in inverse spatial orientation to said first electric wind device, to provide forward and backward motion. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one optical element is a concave mirror. 
   
   
       7 . A method of concentrating light comprising the steps of
 a) placing moveable optical elements in the form of a Fresnel reflector in a concentrator array;   b) coupling said optical elements to at least a first electric wind device;   c) propelling said optical elements of a concentrator array by means of an electric wind force;   d) producing said electric wind force by emission from said electric wind device by at least one of the group consisting of electrons, negative ions, positive ions, and neutrals; and   e) creating an alignment of said optical elements by means of said electric wind force, to track and focus sunlight onto a receiver   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein at least one detent retaining track keeps said elements in fixed aligned position following alignment. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said optical elements are paired in double back-to-back configuration. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein at least a second electric wind device is placed in inverse spatial orientation to said first electric wind device. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein aligning said optical elements by a positive feedback loop comprising a digital processor and an optimizing sensor, intensifies the solar energy density reaching said receiver. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein storing the location of each said element in computer readable memory facilitates the alignment process. 
   
   
       13 . A concentrator apparatus comprising:
 a) an array of adjustable optical elements;   b) said optical elements being adjustable independently of each other;   c) said elements coupled to at least a first electric wind device;   d) said electric wind device producing a propelling electric wind force;   e) said electric wind force created by emission from said electric wind device by at least one of the group consisting of electrons, negative ions, positive ions, and neutrals; and   f) said force producing an alignment of said optical elements to track and focus energy flux onto a receiver.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein at least one detent track holds said elements in fixed aligned position following alignments. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the said optical elements are in pairs of double back-to-back configuration. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the said optical elements are aligned by a positive feedback loop comprising circuitry to control the operation of said electric wind device. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , in which at least a first optical element is positioned on one side of a receiver, and at least a second optical element is positioned on the opposite side of the receiver. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the optical elements are at least one of the group of mirrors, reflectors, focusers, and lenses. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said receiver is one of a group of solar cells and heat engines. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising an optimizing sensor to enable the maximization of said energy flux reaching said receiver.