Optimized solar collector

Abstract

A solar collector has articulated first and second reflective panel operably connected to a rotatable pivot housing defining an interior channel that can be filled with a fluid for storing heat generated by the reflection of solar radiation. The solar collector may also include a system for collecting an recycling water that can be used to fill the interior channel or clean the surface of the first reflective panel. The first and second reflective panels are generally shiftable into a parabolic configuration defining a focus line spaced apart from a reflector formed by the first and second panels.

1 . A solar collector for concentrating solar radiation, the solar collector comprising:
 a substantially parabolic reflector defining a focus line spaced apart from the reflector, the substantially parabolic reflector presenting a first mirrored surface for reflecting the solar radiation to the focus line;   a pivot housing operably coupled to the substantially parabolic reflector, the pivot housing defining a substantially enclosed sealable interior channel and an axis of rotation, the pivot housing further being positioned substantially proximal the vertex of the substantially parabolic reflector, the solar collector being shiftable about the axis of rotation;   a first conduit positioned substantially along the focus line of the substantially parabolic reflector;   a second conduit positioned within the pivot housing;   a conduit valve operably coupling the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit such that the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit are in interruptable fluid communication;   a reservoir system adapted to contain a fluid that can be sealed within the interior channel of the pivot housing; and   a reservoir valve operably coupling the interior channel of the pivot housing and the reservoir system such that the interior channel and the reservoir system are in interruptable fluid communication.   
     
     
         2 . The solar collector of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially parabolic reflector includes articulated first and second reflective panels operably shiftably coupled to the pivot housing. 
     
     
         3 . The solar collector of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second reflective panels are shiftable between a folded position and an open position, the first and second reflective panels forming a substantially parabolic shape intermediate the folded position and the open position. 
     
     
         4 . The solar collector of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir system comprises a storage section, a delivery section, and an actuatable coupling valve for selectively coupling the storage section to the delivery section, the storage section being in fluid communication with the delivery section when the actuatable coupling valve is actuated and the pivot housing is freely rotatable when the actuable coupling valve is not actuated. 
     
     
         5 . The solar collector of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump for creating an increase in fluid pressure in the storage section of the reservoir system, the increase in fluid pressure causing the actuatable coupling valve to couple the storage section with the delivery section. 
     
     
         6 . The solar collector of  claim 1 , wherein the interior channel of the pivot housing defines a substantially sealed environment when the reservoir valve is closed. 
     
     
         7 . The solar collector of  claim 1 , wherein the second conduit includes a coiled region. 
     
     
         8 . A solar collector for concentrating solar radiation, the solar collector comprising:
 a substantially parabolic reflector defining a focus line spaced apart from the reflector, the substantially parabolic reflector presenting a first mirrored surface for reflecting the solar radiation to the focus line;   a pivot housing operably coupled to the substantially parabolic reflector, the pivot housing defining a substantially enclosed sealable interior channel and an axis of rotation, the pivot housing further being positioned substantially proximal the vertex of the substantially parabolic reflector, the solar collector being shiftable about the axis of rotation;   a cleaning system for applying a fluid to the first mirrored surface;   a reservoir system adapted to communicate the fluid to the cleaning system; and   a drainage system for communicating fluid collected by the first reflective panel to the reservoir system.   
     
     
         9 . The solar collector of  claim 8 , wherein the substantially parabolic reflector includes articulated first and second reflective panels operably shiftably coupled to the pivot housing. 
     
     
         10 . The solar collector of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second reflective panels are shiftable between a folded position and an open position, the first and second reflective panels forming a substantially parabolic shape intermediate the folded position and the open position. 
     
     
         11 . The solar collector of  claim 8 , wherein the reservoir system comprises a storage section, a delivery section, and an actuatable coupling valve for selectively coupling the storage section to the delivery section, the storage section being in fluid communication with the delivery section when the actuatable coupling valve is actuated and the pivot housing is freely rotatable when the actuable coupling valve is not actuated. 
     
     
         12 . The solar collector of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of nozzles adapted to spray the fluid onto the first mirrored surface of the reflector when the first and second reflective panels are shifted into a closed positioned. 
     
     
         13 . The solar collector of  claim 8 , wherein the first mirrored surface of the substantially parabolic reflector, the cleaning system, the reservoir system, and the drainage system define a substantially closed system such that the fluid can be applied to the first mirrored surface and circulated through the cleaning, reservoir, and drainage systems in multiple cycles. 
     
     
         14 . The solar collector of  claim 9 , wherein the substantially parabolic reflector defines a second surface, the second surface being coated with a substantially hydrophilic material for facilitating condensation of moisture on the second surface. 
     
     
         15 . The solar collector of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second reflective panels are shiftable such that the moisture is gravitationally communicated to the drainage system. 
     
     
         16 . The solar collector of  claim 8 , further comprising a pump for creating an increase in fluid pressure in the storage section of the reservoir system, the increase in fluid pressure causing the actuatable coupling valve to couple the storage section with the delivery section. 
     
     
         17 . A method of collecting solar radiation from a solar collector, the solar collector including a substantially parabolic reflector defining a focus line spaced apart from the reflector and having a first mirrored surface adapted to reflect the solar radiation to the focus line, a pivot housing defining an interior channel, and a reservoir system adapted to communicate fluid to the interior channel of the pivot housing, the method comprising:
 communicating a first fluid from the reservoir system to the interior channel of the pivot housing;   substantially sealing the fluid within the interior channel of the pivot system;   reflecting solar radiation with a first reflective panel toward the focus line;   receiving the solar radiation with a first conduit positioned at the focus line;   communicating a second fluid from the first conduit to a second conduit positioned within the interior channel of the pivot housing; and   transferring heat from the second fluid to the first fluid.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 evacuating the second fluid from the second conduit;   re-communicating the second fluid into the second conduit;   transferring heat from the first fluid to the second fluid; and   converting the heat into electricity in the absence of reflection of the solar radiation by the substantially parabolic reflector.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising evacuating the interior channel of the pivot housing of the first fluid. 
     
     
         20 . A method of cleaning a solar collector, the solar collector including a substantially parabolic reflector defining a focus line spaced apart from the reflector and having a first mirrored surface adapted to reflect the solar radiation to the focus line, a pivot housing defining an interior channel, a drainage system, a reservoir system, and a cleaning system, the method comprising:
 communicating a fluid from the first mirrored surface of the substantially parabolic reflector to the fluid drainage system;   communicating the fluid from the drainage system to the reservoir system;   communicating the fluid from the reservoir system to the cleaning system; and   applying the fluid to the reflective surface of the first mirrored surface of the substantially parabolic reflector.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein communicating the fluid from the first mirrored surface of the substantially parabolic reflector to the fluid drainage system comprises collecting the fluid in a drainage trough. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the fluid is rainwater. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the substantially parabolic reflector comprises a second surface coated with a substantially hydrophilic material for facilitating condensation of moisture on the second surface, the method further comprising:
 facilitating the condensation of water on the second surface of substantially parabolic reflector; and   communicating the water from the second surface of the substantially parabolic panel to the drainage system.   
     
     
         24 . A solar collector for concentrating solar radiation, the solar collector comprising:
 a substantially parabolic reflector defining a focus line spaced apart from the reflector, the substantially parabolic reflector presenting a first mirrored surface for reflecting the solar radiation to the focus line;   a pivot housing operably coupled to the substantially parabolic reflector, the pivot housing defining a substantially enclosed sealable interior channel and an axis of rotation, the pivot housing further being positioned substantially proximal the vertex of the substantially parabolic reflector, the solar collector being shiftable about the axis of rotation;   a first conduit positioned substantially along the focus line of the substantially parabolic reflector;   a second conduit positioned within the pivot tube;   a conduit valve operably coupling the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit such that the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit are in interruptable fluid communication;   a reservoir system adapted to contain a fluid that can be sealed within the interior channel of the pivot housing;   a cleaning system for applying a second fluid to the first mirrored surface of the substantially parabolic reflector;   a reservoir system adapted to communicate the second fluid to the cleaning system;   a drainage system for communicating fluid collected by the substantially parabolic reflector to the reservoir system; and   a reservoir valve operably coupling the interior channel of the pivot housing and the reservoir system such that the interior channel and the reservoir system are in interruptable fluid communication.   
     
     
         25 . The solar collector of  claim 24 , wherein the substantially parabolic reflector includes articulated first and second reflective panels operably shiftably coupled to the pivot housing. 
     
     
         26 . The solar collector of  claim 24 , wherein the first and second reflective panels are shiftable between a folded position and an open position, the first and second reflective panels forming a substantially parabolic shape intermediate the folded position and the open position. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 converting a portion of the fluid within the interior channel of the pivot housing into steam;   pressurizing the first fluid within the interior channel of the pivot housing.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein pressurizing the first fluid comprises increasing a pressure within the interior channel of the pivot housing to approximately 1,000 psi. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising releasing the first fluid from the interior channel through explosive actuation. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising neutralizing pressure depressions caused by severe weather conditions. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising stabilizing pressure increases due to fuel deflagrations.