Patent ID: 6688303
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: F24S,Y02E

Abstract:
A system for controlling a solar concentrator, comprisinga solar concentrator having at least one mirror; an energy conversion device associated with the solar concentrator for having sunlight reflected from the at least one mirror focused thereon; means for focusing and defocusing at least one mirror of said solar concentrator on said energy conversion device said means for focusing and defocusing comprising a blower; a sensor for monitoring the operation of said energy conversion device to provide an output indicative of whether the amount of solar energy focused on the energy conversion device is at a maximum amount at which the energy conversion device is to operate; a controller system for controlling operation of the solar concentrator, the at least one mirror, and the energy conversion device, said controller system being further configured for comparing the output of said sensor with a first predetermined value below the value indicative of the maximum amount at which the energy conversion device is to operate, for having said means for focusing and defocusing the at least one mirror to defocus the at least one mirror to cause the output of said sensor to fall below said first predetermined value; and said controller system being further configured for comparing the output of said sensor with a second predetermined value below said first predetermined value for having said means for focusing and defocusing the at least one mirror refocus the at least one mirror on said energy conversion device.