초록 ▼

A radiant energy collecting and converting device having at least one array of slat-like concave reflective elements and an elongated receiver. The device efficiently concentrates and converts radiant energy, such as sunlight, to other useful types of energy, such as electricity and heat. The mirror

A radiant energy collecting and converting device having at least one array of slat-like concave reflective elements and an elongated receiver. The device efficiently concentrates and converts radiant energy, such as sunlight, to other useful types of energy, such as electricity and heat. The mirrored surfaces of reflective elements having appropriate individual profiles represented by curved and/or straight lines are positioned so that the energy portions reflected from individual surfaces are directed, focused, and superimposed on one another to cooperatively form a common focal region on the receiver. The mirrored surfaces are inclined towards one another at their rear ends facing the receiver and can be arranged to provide lens-like operation of the array. The receiver can be arranged in line photovoltaic cells or a tubular solar heat absorber.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for collecting and converting radiant energy, comprising:a plurality of spaced apart non-transparent linear reflective elements, said linear reflective elements incorporated in at least one array;each said linear reflective element having longitudinal ends;each said linear reflective

1. An apparatus for collecting and converting radiant energy, comprising:a plurality of spaced apart non-transparent linear reflective elements, said linear reflective elements incorporated in at least one array;each said linear reflective element having longitudinal ends;each said linear reflective element having a mirrored surface;each said linear mirrored surface having a generally concave transversal profile;wherein at least a substantial part of said mirrored surface of each said linear reflective element is designed and positioned to reflect incident radiant energy that impinges upon said mirrored surface into a convergent beam;wherein said array of said linear reflective elements is configured to direct, by means of single stage specular reflection, convergent beams from said linear reflective elements to preselected converging directions through spaces between adjacent pairs of said linear reflective elements; andwherein said linear reflective elements are discrete elements which are unjoined along their longitudinal ends.2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:an elongated energy receiving means for receiving said convergent beams from said linear reflective elements, said energy receiving means disposed in energy receiving relation to each of said mirrored surfaces whereby convergent beams reflected from two or more adjacent mirrored surfaces at least partially superimpose on one another on said energy receiving means.3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said energy receiving means is positioned according to a relation: β<90° where β is an angle between the direction to the source of said radiant energy and direction to a point at said mirrored surfaces taken at a point of the energy receiving surface of said energy receiving means.4. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said energy receiving means comprises at least one photovoltaic cell having a working area facing toward said mirrored surfaces and the source of said radiant energy.5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising at least one heat sink which is in heat exchange relation with said photovoltaic cell.6. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said energy receiving means comprises at least one fluid-carrying tube of a solar heat collector.7. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said energy receiving means is mechanically separated from said plurality of said reflective elements.8. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said reflective elements ore arranged in two or more arrays that can be individually tilted, rotated, and positioned differently relatively to each other and said energy receiving means.9. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, each said mirrored surfaced having a slope wherein angles of incidence α of said radiant energy on said mirrored surface are greater than 45° and less than 90°.10. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more said reflective elements is disposed in any one of a translated, a reversed and/or a rotated orientation relatively to the others having the same basic arrangement.11. An apparatus as recited in claim 1:wherein said mirrored surfaces are designed and positioned to minimize screening and shadowing on other mirrored surfaces; andwherein a front end of an inner mirrored surface and a rear end of an adjacent outer mirrored surface are aligned relatively to each other with respect to incident flux; andwherein the rear end of said inner mirrored surface is disposed out of the path of energy rays reflected from the front end of said outer surface.12. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said transversal profiles comprises a segment of conical section curve.13. An apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said segment is parabolic.14. An apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said segment is circular.15. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said transversal profiles has a shape represented by a function selected from the group consisting of a polynomial function of at least second order, a parametric curve, and a spline tailored to provide a desired irradiance distribution on said energy receiving means.16. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said transversal profiles comprises a set of conjugated lines selected from the group consisting of straight, parabolic, circular, elliptical, and hyperbolic segments.17. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one axle support means for positioning said at least one array of said reflective elements according to the movement of source of said radiant energy.18. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:support means for supporting said plurality of said reflective elements;said support means arranged so that said mirrored surfaces can be individually adjusted by rotating around their respective longitudinal axes and/or moving relatively to one another.19. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the linear reflective elements comprises a composite of linear planar reflectors extending parallel to said mirrored surfaces and having a same basic orientation thereby forming said generally concave transversal profile.