Formed reflector support arm

Abstract

Reflector support arms for use in connection with parabolic trough solar concentrators are provided. The reflector support arms are constructed from multiple formed components. The use of multiple formed components enables the provision of a precisely constructed support arm. In addition, by using multiple components, the support arm can be produced using smaller forming machines than would otherwise be required.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A support assembly of a solar concentrator mirror support assembly, comprising:
 a first outer section having first end and a second end, and a reflective element support surface;   a second outer section having first end and a second end, and a reflective element support surface;   a first inner section having first end and a second end, and a reflective element support surface;   a second inner section having a first end and a second end, and a reflective element support surface;   wherein said second end of said first outer section is associated with said second end of said second outer section;   wherein said first end of said first inner section is interconnected to said first outer section at a point between said first end and said second end of said first outer section;   wherein said first end of said second inner section is interconnected to said second outer section at a point between said first end and said second end of said second outer section;   wherein said second end of said first inner section is associated with said second end of said second inner section; and   wherein said reflective element support of said first outer section, said first inner section, second inner section, and said second outer section support a plurality of reflective elements that are spaced in an arcuate configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first inner section and said second inner section are directly interconnected and said first outer section and said second outer section are interconnected by way of a central reflective element support surface. 
     
     
         3 . The support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the reflective element support surfaces of said first outer section, said first inner section, second inner section, and said second outer section are curved. 
     
     
         4 . The support assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of reflective elements comprise inner reflective elements that are directly interconnected to said first inner section and said second inner section; and
 wherein said plurality of reflective elements comprise outer reflective elements that are directly interconnected to said first outer section and said second outer section.   
     
     
         5 . The support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said reflective element support surfaces of said first outer section and said second outer section are straight and said reflective element support surface of said first inner section and said second inner section are curved. 
     
     
         6 . The support assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising at least one mirror interface feature associated with said first outer section and at least one mirror interface feature associated with said second outer section;
 wherein said plurality of reflective elements comprise inner reflective elements that are directly interconnected to said first inner section and said second inner section; and   wherein said plurality of reflective elements comprise outer reflective elements that are interconnected to said at least one mirror interface feature of said first outer section and said second outer section.   
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first mirror interface is a ceramic mirror pad. 
     
     
         8 . The support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said reflective element support surfaces of said first outer section and said second outer section are curved and said reflective element support surface of said first inner section and said second inner section are straight. 
     
     
         9 . The support assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one mirror interface feature associated with said first inner section and at least one mirror interface feature associated with said second inner surface;
 wherein said plurality of reflective elements comprise inner reflective elements that are interconnected to said at least one mirror interface feature of said first inner section and said second inner section; and   wherein said plurality of reflective elements comprise outer reflective elements that are directly interconnected to said first outer section and said second outer section.   
     
     
         10 . The support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said reflective element support surface of said first outer section, said first inner section, second inner section, and said second outer section support are formed to the accuracy required to focus solar energy reflected from said plurality of said reflective elements onto a desired target. 
     
     
         11 . The support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first outer section, said first inner section, second inner section, and said second outer section are formed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         12 . The support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first outer section and said second outer section are formed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         13 . The support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first inner section and said second inner section are formed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         14 . The support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of reflective elements are mirrors that are directly bonded to said first outer section, said first inner section, second inner section, and said second outer section. 
     
     
         15 . The support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of reflective elements are reflective composite members that are directly bonded to said first outer section, said first inner section, second inner section, and said second outer section. 
     
     
         16 . A solar concentrator, comprising:
 a plurality of spaced support assemblies, each comprising
 a first formed outer section having first end and a second end, and a curved reflective element support surface; 
 a second formed outer section having first end and a second end, and a curved reflective element support surface; 
 a first formed inner section having first end and a second end, and a curved reflective element support surface; 
 a second formed inner section having a first end and a second end, and a curved reflective element support surface; 
 wherein said second end of said first formed outer section is associated with said second end of said second formed outer section; 
 wherein said first end of said first formed inner section is interconnected to said first formed outer section at a point between said first end and said second formed end of said first formed outer section; 
 wherein said first end of said second formed inner section is interconnected to said second formed outer section at a point between said first end and said second end of said second formed second outer section; 
 wherein said second formed end of said first formed inner section is associated with said second end of said second formed inner section; and 
 wherein said reflective element support of said first formed outer section, said first formed inner section, second formed inner section, and said second formed outer section support a plurality of reflective elements that are fixed in an arcuate configuration, said plurality of reflective elements being directly interconnected to said first formed outer section, said first formed inner section, second formed inner section, and said second formed outer section with the absence of mirror interface features; 
   central support structure associated with said second ends of said first formed inner sections and said second formed inner section of each said support assembles; and   a receiver tube spaced above said plurality of reflective elements, said receiver tube also associated with a first pivot associated with a first end of said solar concentrator and a second pivot associated with a second end of said solar concentrator.   
     
     
         17 . The support assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said reflective element support surface of said first formed outer section, said first formed inner section, second formed inner section, and said second formed outer section support are formed to the accuracy required to focus solar energy reflected from said plurality of said reflective elements onto a said receiver tube. 
     
     
         18 . The support assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said first formed outer section, said first formed inner section, second formed inner section, and said second formed outer section are formed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         19 . The support assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said plurality of reflective elements are mirrors that are directly bonded to said first formed outer section, said first formed inner section, second formed inner section, and said second formed outer section. 
     
     
         20 . The support assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said plurality of reflective elements are reflective composite members that are directly bonded to said first formed outer section, said first formed inner section, second formed inner section, and said second formed outer section.