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:
Jun. 28, 2011
Filed:
Jul. 29, 2010
Khiem B. DO, San Jose, CA (US);
Kevin R. Langworthy, Holly, MI (US);
Gianfranco Gabbianelli, Birmingham, MI (US);
Eric C. Johnson, Mountain View, CA (US);
Dominico P. Julian, Oakland, CA (US);
Marc A. Finot, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Cameron G. Wylie, San Mateo, CA (US);
Khiem B. Do, San Jose, CA (US);
Kevin R. Langworthy, Holly, MI (US);
Gianfranco Gabbianelli, Birmingham, MI (US);
Eric C. Johnson, Mountain View, CA (US);
Dominico P. Julian, Oakland, CA (US);
Marc A. Finot, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Cameron G. Wylie, San Mateo, CA (US);
Skyline Solar, Inc., Mountain View, CA (US);
Abstract
In one aspect of the present invention, a solar energy collection system that includes multiple longitudinally adjacent collectors is described. The collectors are coupled end to end to form a collector row. The collector row extends along a longitudinal axis and is arranged to rotate about a pivot axis to track the sun in at least one dimension. Each collector includes a reflector, one or more solar receivers and a support structure. The support structure includes a tube assembly that underlies the reflector. The tube assemblies of the collector row are arranged end to end along the longitudinal axis. There is a space between the tube assemblies of adjacent collectors in the collector row, where the reflectors of the adjacent collectors extend beyond the underlying tube assemblies to form a substantially continuous reflective surface over the space. A coupling device is positioned in the space between the tube assemblies. The coupling device connects and helps to rotate the tube assemblies of the adjacent collectors. Some embodiments relate to various types of coupling devices and collector arrangements.