Solar Reflection Apparatus

Abstract

A solar reflection apparatus ( 60 ) is disclosed comprising a rotatable reflection (assembly 20 ) and a drive mechanism ( 12 ) which is operable to drive rotation of the reflection assembly ( 20 ) at its axis of rotation. The reflection assembly ( 20 ) comprises a curved linear reflector ( 4 ) defining a focal axis F, a counter weight ( 17 ) operable to balance the self weight of the reflector ( 4 ), and a support structure ( 15 ) via which the reflector ( 4 ) and counter weight ( 17 ) are rotatably mounted at locations along the focal axis F of the reflector ( 4 ). A solar collection apparatus ( 2 ) is also disclosed comprising a solar reflection (apparatus 60 ) as disclosed above and a heat collecting element ( 6 ), fixedly mounted along the focal axis F of the reflector ( 4 ). Also disclosed is a method of reflecting solar radiation comprising forming a reflection assembly ( 20 ), mounting the reflection assembly ( 20 ) for rotation about the focal axis F of the reflector ( 4 ) and driving rotation of the reflection assembly ( 20 ) at its axis of rotation. The reflection assembly ( 20 ) comprises a linear curved reflector ( 4 ) that defines the focal axis F, a counter weight ( 17 ) operable substantially to balance the self weight of the reflector ( 4 ), and a support structure ( 15 ).

1 . A solar reflection apparatus comprising:
 a rotatable reflection assembly; and   a drive mechanism operable to drive rotation of the reflection assembly at its axis of rotation;   
       the reflection assembly comprising a curved linear reflector defining a focal axis, a counter weight operable substantially to balance the self weight of the reflector, and a support structure via which the reflector and counter weight are rotatably mounted at locations along the focal axis of the reflector. 
     
     
         2 . A solar reflection apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises a motor and direct gear transmission. 
     
     
         3 . A solar reflection apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism is mounted substantially on the focal axis of the reflector. 
     
     
         4 . A solar reflection apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the reflection assembly is rotatably mounted via bearings on a fixed frame. 
     
     
         5 . A solar reflection apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a journal and a plurality of radiating arms, at least one of which extends to the reflector and at least another of which extends to the counter weight. 
     
     
         6 . A solar reflection apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the reflector is a parabolic trough reflector. 
     
     
         7 . A solar reflection apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the counter weight is operable to bias the reflection assembly to a predetermined rotational position. 
     
     
         8 . A solar reflection apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the counter weight is operable to cause the reflection assembly to adopt the predetermined rotational position under the action of gravity. 
     
     
         9 . A solar reflection apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising a clutch mechanism operating between the drive mechanism and the reflection assembly. 
     
     
         10 . A solar collection apparatus comprising:
 a solar reflection apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , and a heat collecting element fixedly mounted along the focal axis of the reflector.   
     
     
         11 . A solar collection apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the heat collecting element comprises a heat collecting pipe. 
     
     
         12 . A solar collection apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the heat collecting element is mounted on least two fixed supports distributed along the focal axis of the reflector. 
     
     
         13 . A solar collection apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the fixed supports are operatively connected to a fixed frame on which the reflection assembly is mounted. 
     
     
         14 . A solar collection apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the heat collecting element extends through a gear transmission of the drive mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . A solar collection apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein a clearance gap is provided between the heat collecting element and the gear transmission. 
     
     
         16 . A solar collection apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising at least one auxiliary support operable to support the self weight of the heat collecting element. 
     
     
         17 . A solar collection apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the auxiliary support is located along a region of the heat collecting element that spans the reflector. 
     
     
         18 . A solar collection apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the auxiliary support is independent of the reflection assembly. 
     
     
         19 . A solar collection apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the auxiliary support operatively connects the reflector and the heat collecting element. 
     
     
         20 . A solar collection apparatus as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the auxiliary support comprises a heat collecting element support arm fixedly connected to a reflecting surface of the reflector and rotatably connected to the heat collecting element. 
     
     
         21 . A solar collection array comprising a plurality of rows of solar collection apparatuses as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein each row comprises a plurality of solar collection apparatuses, arranged such that their focal axes are coincident, and a single heat collecting element mounted along the coincident focal axes. 
     
     
         22 . A method of reflecting solar radiation comprising:
 forming a reflection assembly comprising a linear curved reflector that defines a focal axis, a counter weight operable to balance the self weight of the reflector, and a support structure;   mounting the reflection assembly for rotation about the focal axis of the reflector; and   driving rotation of the reflection assembly at its axis of rotation.   
     
     
         23 . (canceled)