Solar collector system

Abstract

The present invention provides a solar collector apparatus, comprising a horizontally-mounted cylindrical reflector, divided along its length into two reflector segments, each having its own axis of rotation. Preferably, the two reflector segments are produced by dividing the horizontally-mounted cylindrical reflector down its centerline into two equal reflector segments. The two reflectors segments perform novel tracking with different rotation angles about their corresponding axes by use of a trapeze coupling or a mechanism that permits separate tracking. Since the two reflector segments are coupled, preferably only one tracking mechanism (trapezoid or other) is required since the reflector segments preferably have parallel axes. The present invention also provides a stationary preferably flat plate receiver facing downwards, absorbing the solar energy reflected upwards. The receiver preferably comprises a metal absorbing plate, fluid-carrying tubes, thermal insulation and preferably a black material front for maximizing the absorption. A control is provided to direct radiation away from the receiver in the event of danger of overheating of the receiver or during periods of maintenance.

1 . A solar collector apparatus, comprising a horizontally-mounted cylindrical reflector divided along its length into two reflector segments, which concentrate solar radiation to the same receiver area and each reflector segment is provided with its own axis of rotation for tracking. 
     
     
         2 . The solar collector apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said two reflector segments are produced by dividing the horizontally-mounted cylindrical reflector down its centerline into two equal reflector segments, each having its own axis of rotation. 
     
     
         3 . The solar collector apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the two reflector segments move at different angular rates about their corresponding axes. 
     
     
         4 . The solar collector according to  claim 3 , wherein the two reflector segments are coupled and have parallel axes and the movement of the reflectors is performed by a trapeze coupling or like mechanism that permits separate tracking. 
     
     
         5 . A method of operating a solar collector, wherein solar radiation from the sun is tracked by a single axis tracking mechanism adapted for performing daily (east to west) or seasonal (north to south) tracking, wherein the tracking mechanism enables two reflector segments, produced by dividing a horizontally-mounted cylindrical reflector along its length into two reflector segments, to rotate about their axis at different angular rates for reflecting the sunlight onto the receiver in order to ensure that the reflected solar radiation falls on the receiver, thereby significantly increasing the concentration ratio by reducing paraxial errors and defocusing errors. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5  wherein said tracking performed by the tracking mechanism is performed by a tracking mechanism that enables two equal reflector segments produced by dividing the horizontally-mounted cylindrical reflector down its centerline into two equal reflectors, to rotate about their own axis of rotation at different Is angular rates for reflecting the sunlight onto the receiver. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the tracking performed by the tracking mechanism is performed by a tracking mechanism comprising a coupling using a trapezoidal linkage for rigidly supporting each half reflector. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the tracking performed by the tracking mechanism is performed by two mechanisms providing separate tracking of each half reflector.