Patent ID: 8333186
Filing Date: 2012-12-18
Classification: B21D,F24S,Y02E,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A parabolic trough solar energy system comprising: a rotatable parabolic trough solar reflector which is movable for tracking the sun; a fixed and independently supported energy collector tube having no direct or indirect attachment to the rotatable parabolic trough solar reflector and mounted along a focus axis of the reflector, such that the parabolic trough rotates around the collector tube, the collector tube having a length greater than or equal to a length of the parabolic reflector, a collector tube support assembly having fixed support structures disposed adjacent each end of the solar reflector, tube supporting means disposed between the fixed support structures, and means for connecting the collector tube to the tube supporting means, such that the collector tube is fixed in position and supported independently of the solar reflector.