The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 25, 2011
Filed:
Jul. 30, 2007
J. Christopher Clemens, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Charles R. Evans, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Daniel C. Gregory, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Russell M. Taylor, Pittsboro, NC (US);
J. Christopher Clemens, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Charles R. Evans, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Daniel C. Gregory, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Russell M. Taylor, Pittsboro, NC (US);
MegaWatt Solar, Inc., Hillsborough, NC (US);
Abstract
Disclosed is a lightweight reflecting system for the concentration of solar radiation in which the reflecting optic is approximately sinusoidal in cross section and is maintained in this shape by minimal contact with a support frame. The reflector can be a flexible rectangular sheet deformed into a generally sinusoidal trough by compression between fixed or adjustable end supports. The sinusoid can be adjusted to be less than half a cycle by torsion applied to each end of the flexible sheet. A reflective film, polished metal, or similar material on the reflector surface can concentrate sunlight along a diffuse band rather than a sharp line, providing improved concentration levels for photovoltaic cells. The reflectors and their support frames can be mounted singly or severally on a tracking device that maximizes instantaneous power output by orienting the collectors toward the sun.