초록

A solar trough reflector structure using a single stressed reflector skin, parabolic shaped ribs, and members to structurally close the aperture develops high strength and stiffness from a minimum of material.

대표청구항 ▼

A trough reflector comprising: means for providing a sheet of reflective material formed into an open concave trough shape and having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of rib members positioned perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and attached to said sheet, a pair of elongated longitudinal member

A trough reflector comprising: means for providing a sheet of reflective material formed into an open concave trough shape and having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of rib members positioned perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and attached to said sheet, a pair of elongated longitudinal members whose axes are parallel to said longitudinal axis, said longitudinal members being attached to the ends of said rib members, a plurality of cross members extending across the open portion of said sheet with opposite ends thereof attached to each of said longitudinal members, and forming a rectangular frame, at least one diagonal member extending on an axis skewed to the axis of said longitudinal members with opposite ends thereof attached to said rectangular frame at opposing corners, an elongated receiver, substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis and substantially displaced from said sheet of reflective material, said elongated receiver absorbing concentrated radiant energy reflected from said sheet of reflective material, means for rotating said trough reflector about one axis during a day, thereby tracking the apparent motion of the sun.