초록 ▼

A mirror module system is provided for accurately focusing solar radiation on a point or a line as defined by an array of solar collectors. Each mirror module includes a flexible membrane stretched over a frame in a manner similar to that of a drum or a trampoline and further includes a silvered gla

A mirror module system is provided for accurately focusing solar radiation on a point or a line as defined by an array of solar collectors. Each mirror module includes a flexible membrane stretched over a frame in a manner similar to that of a drum or a trampoline and further includes a silvered glass or plastic mirror for forming an optical reflecting surface. The configuration of the optical reflecting surface is variably adjustable to provide for the accurate focusing of the solar energy on a given collector array, e.g., a point or a linear array arrangement. The flexible mirror-membrane combination is lightweight to facilitate installation and reduce system cost yet structurally strong enough to provide for the precise focusing of the incident solar radiation in a semi-rigid reflector system in which unwanted reflector displacement is minimized.

대표청구항 ▼

A solar energy concentrator comprising: a frame having a peripheral edge portion thereof and defining a plane; a semi-rigid membrane positioned on said frame so as to engage the edge portion thereof and extend over the entire frame on a first side of the plane thereof and over a portion of the frame

A solar energy concentrator comprising: a frame having a peripheral edge portion thereof and defining a plane; a semi-rigid membrane positioned on said frame so as to engage the edge portion thereof and extend over the entire frame on a first side of the plane thereof and over a portion of the frame on a second side of the plane thereof; engaging means securely coupled to the edge portions of said membrane on the second side of the plane of said frame for applying tension to said membrane; support means coupled to said engaging means for securely positioning said membrane on said frame in a stretched manner; a flexible optically reflective surface positioned on an outer surface of said membrane on the first side of the plane of said frame; and adjustable displacement means coupling said support means and an inner surface of said membrane positioned on the first side of the plane of said frame for selectively changing the surface contour of said optically reflective surface and the focusing characteristics thereof with regard to solar radiation incident thereon.