Kenneth Roy Malone

US Patent:

43544843, Oct 19, 1982

Filed:

Jan 5, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/222316

Inventors:

Kenneth B. Malone - Chattanooga TN
Joseph A. Grow - Chattanooga TN

Assignee:

Transolar, Inc. - Hixson TN

International Classification:

F24J 302

US Classification:

126425

Abstract:

A solar energy collection system for receiving and collecting a concentrated supply of available energy from the sun includes a reflector having an internal structural frame covered by a thin deformable film at the front and a membrane cover enclosing the remainder of the structure. The front film has a reflective surface deformable into the desired configuration by the creation of a partial vacuum within the reflector. The reflector is driven by a two axis tracking mechanism directed by controls including a microprocessor programmed with data providing the position of the sun. The sun's rays are reflected from the reflective surface into an absorber through which working fluid circulates and which has a low radiation loss tube matrix design. The tubes are supported from a heat exchanger plate at one end of the absorber by means of rods carried by the plate which trap a beaded lip at the end of the tubes. Various safety and efficiency interrupts/overrides are incorporated into the controls to forestall or to terminate tracking and return the reflector to a stored position when, for example, there is insufficient solar insolation and/or excessive wind at the reflector location.