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:
Dec. 10, 2013
Filed:
Nov. 22, 2011
Roger P Angel, Tucson, AZ (US);
Blain H Olbert, Tucson, AZ (US);
Roger P Angel, Tucson, AZ (US);
Blain H Olbert, Tucson, AZ (US);
Arizona Board of Regents, Tucson, AZ (US);
Abstract
Glass reflectors for concentrating sunlight in a solar energy system are disclosed. A concave mold is used to shape the glass reflectors in which the surface of the mold that contacts the float glass has a grooved surface profile comprising a plurality of cusps. The surface of the mold also has a plurality of concave valleys. Glass reflectors are preferably manufactured by heating a sheet of float glass positioned over the mold until the sheet of glass sags to contact the mold. If necessary, the glass may also stretch to conform to the shape of the mold. In the case of large monolithic glass reflectors, the edges of the dish-shaped glass are rolled around the periphery of the mold. The glass reflector is then silvered to create a dish-shaped mirror that reflects solar radiation to a focus.