Patent ID: 9705448
Date: 2017-07-11
CPC Classifications: F24S,H01L,H02S,Y02B,Y02E

Claim:
1. A solar energy conversion system comprising the following: a) a multiplicity of parabolic trough reflector assemblies aligned in parallel rows, with each of said parabolic trough reflector assemblies including a parabolic trough reflector which is highly reflective of solar radiation b) a multiplicity of receiver assemblies aligned in parallel rows in one-to-one correspondence with the aforementioned rows of parabolic trough reflector assemblies, with each of said receiver assemblies including c) a multiplicity of coolant supply lines, one of which is attached to each of the aforementioned cooling channels, and with each of said coolant supply lines equipped with a variable speed pump capable of providing a flow of coolant through its associated cooling channel; d) a coolant supply reservoir which is spatially disposed at the periphery of the aforementioned system in such a manner that the coolant in said coolant supply reservoir is continuously available to each of the aforementioned coolant supply lines, regardless of the angular orientation of said system; e) a multiplicity of coolant discharge lines, one of which is attached to each of the aforementioned cooling channels; f) a coolant discharge reservoir which is spatially disposed at the periphery of the aforementioned system in such a manner that heated coolant which is discharged by the said coolant discharge lines flows freely and directly into said coolant discharge reservoir, regardless of the angular orientation of said system; g) a structural framework including h) a set of wheel assemblies attached to the aforementioned main support trusses, with said wheel assemblies providing support for the system and mobility for the system in a horizontal plane; i) a motive mechanism provided to one or more of the aforementioned wheel assemblies, with said motive mechanism providing a capability for forcing rotation of the system in a horizontal plane about a central vertical axis.