Parabolic Trough Solar Reflector With An Independently Supported Collector Tube

Abstract

A parabolic trough solar collector system has a parabolic reflector used with an independently supported collector tube. The parabolic reflector has a reflective surface formed on a reflective surface support structure, supported by a circular support beam. This assembly rests on a plurality of support and drive rollers supported by a roller support arm, supported by a roller support column. The parabolic reflector assembly rotates against the rollers along a single axis to maintain a focus line of the parabolic reflector surface at the same location as the center of the circle described by the outer edge of the circular support beam. Located at this same focus line is the independently supported collector tube not attached to the parabolic trough reflector. The collector tube is supported on pipe roller hangers, which in turn are supported by a wire catenary system connected to support towers which straddle the parabolic reflector.

1 . A parabolic trough solar energy system comprising:
 a rotatable parabolic trough solar reflector which is movably mounted for tracking the sun;   a fixed and independent energy collector tube mounted along a focus axis of the reflector, the rotatable parabolic trough solar reflector being rotatable relative thereto, the fixed and independent energy collector tube having to engagement or attachment to the rotatable parabolic trough solar collector and being independently supported relative thereto;   a collector tube support assembly having fixed support structures disposed adjacent each end of the solar reflector, and tube supporting means for supporting the collector tube, the collector tube support assembly fixing the collector tube in position and supporting the collector tube independently of the rotatable parabolic trough solar reflector.   
     
     
         2 . The parabolic trough solar energy system of  claim 1  further comprising means for moving the parabolic trough solar reflector relative to the collector tube so that the solar reflector tracks the sun. 
     
     
         3 . The parabolic trough solar energy system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one circular support beam for supporting the solar reflector. 
     
     
         4 . The parabolic trough solar energy system of  claim 2  further comprising at least one circular support beam connected to and supporting the solar reflector, the means for moving engaging the circular support beam for rotating the circular support beam for moving the solar reflector attached thereto. 
     
     
         5 . The parabolic trough solar energy system of  claim 2  wherein the means for moving comprise a drive motor engaged to a drive wheel, engaged to the solar reflector. 
     
     
         6 . The parabolic trough solar energy system of  claim 1  wherein the tube supporting means comprise a plurality of pipe roller hangers, each connected to a catenary suspender bar. 
     
     
         7 . The parabolic trough solar energy system of  claim 6  wherein each catenary suspender bar is supported by a collector tube support catenary which extends over the parabolic solar reflector. 
     
     
         8 . The parabolic trough solar energy system of  claim 7  wherein the fixed structures comprise a pair of catenary wire support towers disposed adjacent the ends of the solar reflector, the collector tube support catenary is supported by the pair of catenary wire support towers. 
     
     
         9 . The parabolic trough solar energy system of  claim 1  wherein a fluid is heated within the collector tube. 
     
     
         10 . The parabolic trough solar energy system of  claim 9  wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of water, a water/glycol mixture, steam, superheated steam, and synthetic oil. 
     
     
         11 . The parabolic trough solar energy system of  claim 1  wherein the collector tube is composed of a material suitable for operating at temperatures up to 500 degrees C. 
     
     
         12 . A method for providing a parabolic trough solar energy system comprising:
 providing a rotatable parabolic trough solar reflector having means for rotating to track the sun,   providing a solar energy collector tube,   locating the collector tube along a focus axis of the reflector, and   supporting the collector tube in a fixed, non-rotational position, the collector tube being independent of and fixed relative to the rotatable reflector, such that as the reflector moves to track the sun, the collector tube remains stationary.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising providing at least one circular support beam connected to the parabolic trough solar collector, the means for tracking engaging the circular support beam such that the circular support beam is rotatable for 360 degrees, and, tracking the sun by rotating the circular support beam. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising rotating the circular support beam by 180 degrees for protecting a surface of the reflector during inclement weather or for maintenance. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising:
 using solar radiation reflected by the parabolic trough solar reflector for heating a fluid within the collector tube to a temperature range up to or over 500 degrees C. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising:
 using solar radiation reflected by the parabolic trough solar reflector for heating the collector tube and a fluid contained therein, and, 
 generating superheated steam in the collector tube.