Discretely Actuated Solar Mirrors
Simple binary actuators embedded in a compliant mirror substructure can correct the shape of mirrors in solar collection applications (e.g. solar energy concentrators, large space telescopes) and increase the overall efficiency by optimizing mirror shape.
Researchers
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system for discretely actuated solar mirrors
United States of America | Granted | 9,016,877
Technology
This technology has the actuators mounted to mechanisms with relatively rigid elements, creating a discrete positioning system. The actuators could also be attached to a large structure with members (i.e., support beams) having some significant elasticity. The structural members must be of sufficient compliance so that the actuators can apply enough force to switch their state and result in motions large enough to compensate for the undesired distortions. This system only needs to switch the polarity of the signal to the actuators to change states and can be applied to photovoltaic collectors or thermal solar collectors in addition to mirrors.
Problem Addressed
Imprecision in mirror shape due to manufacturing limitations and disturbances degrades the performance of solar concentrator systems. Current technologies use continuous actuators to adjust mirror shape. However, continuous actuators require a large number of actuators, sensors, and motion control systems. Additionally, high precision motion control elements often fail in the hostile environments in which solar concentrators exist (e.g., space, deserts, and seaside regions). This technology is a system that adjusts mirror shape using only binary actuators embedded in a compliant mirror substructure.
Advantages
- Simple, inexpensive, and lightweight system
- Robust due to redundancy
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