Patent Application
20080237454
The present invention relates to a heliostat structure, and more particularly to a stackable heliostat frame assembly which increases packaging efficiency during transport.
Heliostats are mirror structures that direct the sun's energy to a central receiver to produce electric power. The heliostat and central receiver are often referred to as a solar power tower system. A solar power tower system capable of producing 100 megawatts electric power may require approximately 40,000 16 ft×16 ft heliostats. These heliostats may be a significant cost of the solar power tower system.
Conventional heliostats include a heliostat frame and torque tube structure that are constructed on-site of the heliostat field. Such a field is typically located in hot desert conditions. Construction of conventional heliostats in this environment may further increase the on-site assembly costs.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a heliostat structure which is constructed in a manner which increases packaging efficiency for transport yet decreases on-site assembly costs.
The heliostat according to the present invention includes a stackable frame assembly. The heliostat generally includes a pedestal, a transmission system, a frame assembly, and a mirror assembly. The frame assembly generally includes a first frame set and a second frame set on the pedestal mounted transmission system. Each frame set includes a stackable inner frame assembly and a stackable outer frame assembly. Each stackable inner frame assembly is identical and each stackable outer frame assembly is identical such that a multiple of inner frames and a multiple of outer frames are readily stackable in a nested arrangement for storage and transport.
The heliostat is assembled from the stackable inner and outer frame assemblies by aligning and mounting one stackable inner frame assembly within one stackable outer frame assembly. The mirror assembly is then assembled to the frame assembly.
The present invention therefore provides a heliostat structure which is constructed in a manner which increases packaging efficiency for transport yet decreases on-site assembly costs.
The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently disclosed embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
Referring to
Molten salt or other thermal transfer fluid is communicated from a cold storage tank system 28 through the central receiver system 22 where it is heated. The heated thermal transfer fluid is then communicated to a hot storage tank system 30. When power is required, the hot thermal transfer fluid is pumped to a steam generator system 32 that produces steam. The steam drives a steam turbine/generator system 34 that creates electricity for communication to a power grid. From the steam generator, the thermal transfer fluid is returned through a condenser system 36 to the cold storage tank system 28, where it is stored and eventually reheated in the central receiver system 22. It should be understood that although a particular component arrangement is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, any arrangement which utilizes heliostats will also benefit from the present invention.
Referring to
The frame assembly 44 generally includes a first frame set 48A and a second frame set 48B mounted to the transmission system 42. Each frame set 48A, 48B includes a stackable inner frame assembly 50 and a stackable outer frame assembly 52. Each stackable inner frame assembly 50 is identical and each stackable outer frame assembly 52 is identical such that a multiple of inner frames 50 (
Referring to
Referring to
The heliostat 26 is quite compact when articulated to the vertical such that a relatively significant number thereof—24 in the disclosed embodiment—are readily transported on, for example, a flat bed truck (
It should be understood that relative positional terms such as “forward,” “aft,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” and the like are with reference to the normal operational attitude of the vehicle and should not be considered otherwise limiting.
Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and claimed herein, it should be understood that steps may be performed in any order, separated or combined unless otherwise indicated and will still benefit from the present invention.
The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The disclosed embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
