Abstract:
A solar collection system is described that includes an elongate central truss angled upward from ground horizontal and mounted on a plurality of ground support legs, a collector subsystem mounted at one end of the central truss, a cross truss perpendicular to the central truss and mounted at an end of the central truss opposite the collector subsystem, and a reflector subsystem mounted on the cross truss. The collector subsystem includes a truncated trapezoid-shaped housing with a front side facing the reflector subsystem, the front side including a glassed-in opening fronting a V-shaped core heat mechanism enclosed within the housing interior that captures reflected photon energy from the reflector subsystem which heats a fluent medium within the V-shaped core heat mechanism for output to an external source for thermal power operations.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/432,100 to the inventor, filed Jan. 12, 2011, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Example embodiments in general relate to a solar collection system for generating thermal power and to a solar collector of the system. 
     2. Related Art. 
     Solar power generation systems have been developed in an effort to provide passive power generation without the use of resource-limiting fossil fuels. The tremendous energy output of the sun has been recognized for some time, with numerous attempts being made at harnessing and converting it for useful purposes. Today&#39;s high cost of energy (fuel oil, natural gas/propane, electricity, etc.), has focused attention on solar energy as an alternative source. The sun&#39;s energy has been successfully converted into electrical energy with solar batteries and similarly the sun&#39;s energy has been converted into heating systems by so-called solar heaters, furnaces and the like. Conventional solar collection systems for thermal output such as solar furnaces, however, have been typified by an extremely large collector plate, heated only on one side, covering large portions of a roof or ground-mount structure. These furnaces also require large storage chambers, usually in the substructure of the building, where the heat is stored after having been transferred from the collector by a fluid median. The heat in the storage chamber is then circulated through the building by a fluid. 
     One conventional system includes a reflector unit having a frame with metal side walls and end walls connected together in a generally parabolic shape. The frame is pivotally mounted to pylons above ground and tilted by operation of a drive mechanism and drive motor. 
     The frame typically supports a number of solar panels which collectively form a structure for receiving incident sunlight from the sun and reflect it onto some type of receiver tube located in a fixed position relative to the frame. The solar panels function to the direct incident sunlight onto the receiver tube to elevate the temperature of heat transfer fluid circulating within the receiver tube to a level sufficient to operate a power platform, such as a steam generator. 
     Many conventional systems such as to aforementioned require a significant amount of capital investment. As such, any savings of conventional energy could only be forecasted to pay back to the investor his investment after ten years or more. Moreover, conventional solar collection systems for thermal output have often been grossly inefficient, averaging only 20% or less, contributing to the long pay back. 
     These solar collection systems, which not only have been large in size and expensive to install, have proven inefficient, such inefficiency contributing to their large size. Initially, these systems have not been capable of being easily installed in existing building structures and have been useful only as an auxiliary heating unit to a structure having conventional forced air heating systems. Further, very little effort has been given to employing passive means of heating other facilities associated with a household or a recreation facility by solar means, such as an in-ground swimming pool. 
     SUMMARY 
     An example embodiment is directed to a solar collection system for generating thermal power. The system includes an elongate central truss angled upward from ground horizontal and mounted on a plurality of ground support legs, a collector subsystem mounted at one end of the central truss, a cross truss perpendicular to the central truss and mounted at an end of the central truss opposite the collector subsystem, and a reflector subsystem mounted on the cross truss. The collector subsystem includes a truncated trapezoid-shaped housing with a front side facing the reflector subsystem, the front side including a glassed-in opening fronting a V-shaped core heat mechanism enclosed within the housing interior that captures reflected photon energy from the reflector subsystem which heats a fluent medium within the V-shaped core heat mechanism for output to an external source for thermal power operations. 
     Another example embodiment is directed to a solar collection system having an elongate central truss angled upward from ground horizontal and mounted on a plurality of ground support legs, a cross truss perpendicular to the central truss and mounted at one end of the central truss, a plurality of reflectors mounted in spaced relation on the cross truss, and a truncated trapezoid-shaped housing mounted at the other end of the central truss at a higher height relative to the ground than the reflectors. The housing encloses a V-shaped core heat mechanism containing a fluent medium therein, the V-shaped core heat mechanism configured to capture reflected photon energy from the reflectors. The system further includes a pump, and a photovoltaic cell powering the pump to output the heated fluent medium to an external source for thermal power operations. 
     Another example embodiment is directed to a solar collector of a solar collection system for generating thermal power which includes one or more reflectors. The collector includes a truncated trapezoid-shaped housing arranged in spaced relation to and at height higher relative to the ground than the reflectors, a front side of the housing facing the reflectors and including a glassed-in opening, and a V-shaped core heat mechanism containing a fluent medium therein. The V-shaped core heat mechanism is enclosed within the housing behind the glassed-in opening and is configured to capture reflected photon energy from the reflectors. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawing, wherein like elements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiments herein. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of solar collection system for generating thermal power in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an overhead view of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the system in a summer sun orientation. 
         FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of the system in a winter sun orientation. 
         FIG. 5  is a side profile view to illustrate the relative incident angle of reflection onto the collector subsystem according to the example embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the collector subsystem to illustrate constituent component details thereof. 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged partial view of the rear of the collector subsystem to illustrate constituent components of an auxiliary unit in more detail thereof. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the collector subsystem to illustrate selected constituent components thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As to be set forth more fully below, an example is directed to a solar collection system for generating thermal power, and to a solar collector of the system. Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , system  100  includes a support subsystem  110 , reflector subsystem  120  and collector subsystem  150 . Support subsystem  110  may include a cross support truss  112 , an elongate, angled central truss  115  and ground support legs  118 . The legs  118  support the bulk of the weight of system  100  on a ground surface, and includes a copper grounding plate  119 . The cross support truss  112  supports the reflector subsystem  120  thereon. The central truss  115  supports the collector subsystem  150  at one end thereof, and reflector subsystem  120  at the other end thereof on cross support truss  112 . Each of the constituent components of the support subsystem  110  in an example may be fabricated from 1′ triangular truss frame aluminum stock, for example. 
     The reflector subsystem  120  includes a plurality of reflectors  121 . Each reflector  121  may have a generally parabolic shape and be made of a silvered mirrored material or other material having a highly reflective property. In an example, the reflector  121  may be a 4′×4′ mirror; in the four reflector embodiment this provides for 64 ft 2  of reflection surface area from the sun onto the collector subsystem  150 . 
     Each reflector  121  may be supported by a metal reflector support  122 , which in an example may be aluminum. Each reflector  121  may be individually controlled by DC-powered (motorized) GPS gimbal mechanism  125 , for example so as to be able to track the azimuth angle of the sun depending on the time of year. In the example as shown, a rear surface of each reflector  121  is attached to a motorized GPS gimbal mechanism  125 , which may, for example, be software controlled through a Program Logic Controller (“PLC”) or other controller device. The purpose of the universal GPS gimbal mechanism  125  provides year-around sun tracking during daylight hours. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show example orientation during summer and winter. To provide further support, especially in windswept environments, cable tensioners  127  may be employed between the reflectors  121  of the reflector subsystem  120 . Each of the reflector supports  122  and cable tensioners  127  are supported by cross truss  112 , which distributes the weight in reflector subsystem  120 . 
     The collector subsystem  150  includes a lightweight but highly insulated housing  151 . Housing  151  has a generally truncated trapezoidal-shape with one end  152  open but having a glassed-in window  153  behind which resides a V-shaped core heat mechanism  154  therein. The core heat mechanism  154  captures reflected photon energy off each of the angular separated reflectors  121  of the reflector subsystem  120 , for output to an external source for thermal power operations. 
       FIG. 5  is a side profile view to illustrate the relative incident angle of reflection onto the collector subsystem according to the example embodiment; and  FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the collector subsystem to illustrate constituent component details thereof. The efficiency at which these photons are captured by the V-shaped core heat mechanism  154  is a function in part of the relative height of the collector housing  151  to the reflector subsystem  120 , as can be best seen in  FIG. 5 , but also shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The collector subsystem  150  is elevated relative to the reflector subsystem  120  and in the direction of the sun, so that the housing  151  is in the direct incident path of the sun&#39;s downward rays. The angled degree of incidence of the reflected photon energy off of the reflectors  121  of subsystem  120  to the front of collector housing  151  ideally would be  0  degrees to realize zero thermal loss, but with azimuth changes between winter and summer seasons, the elevational positioning of the collector housing  151  and gimbal  125  rotations cooperate to minimize loss of thermal energy (and hence maximize efficiency) upon photon reflection to the collector subsystem  150 . Specifically, the elevational positioning of the V-shaped core heat mechanism  154  above that of the reflectors  121  aids in reducing thermal loss (of reflected photon energy) alone. Coupling that with proper gimbal  125  rotation based on time of day and year (winter/summer) to account for azimuthal changes in the sun further improves efficiency at which the reflected photons are captured within the -shaped core heat mechanism  154  of housing  151 . 
     In one example, housing  151  comprises a reinforced Styrofoam insulated shell, and the glass window  153  may be formed of leaded tempered glass. The V-shaped core heat mechanism  154  may include a plurality of heat exchanger tubes  155  as best shown in phantom lines in  FIG. 6 , the tubes  155  receiving a fluent medium via inlet  156  to be heated by reflected photon energy captured off the reflector subsystem  120 . Either side of the V-shaped panel of tubes  155  is encased within sheets of mirrored or tempered fluted glass to facilitate heat transfer there through to the fluent medium be carried in the tubes  155 . Accordingly, the entire interior surface of the housing  151  is mirrored. In fact, the entire interior surface of the housing  151  and the exterior surface of the V-shaped core heat mechanism  154  are mirrored surfaces. 
     In an example, the transfer of energy along the fluent medium within tubes  155  to be ported via outlet  159  can be directed to an external holding or storage tank via pump  158 . In an example, this may be a 9 volt DC pump powered by a storage cell or battery, shown generally by auxiliary unit  165 . In  FIG. 5  auxiliary unit  165  in one example comprises a 45 W photovoltaic cell  170  charged via mirrored surfaces of cavity  175 . The pump  158  takes the draw via intake lines  156  and ports the fluent medium via output line  159  to the storage holding tank (not shown). The heated fluent medium within the storage holding tank then can be used to heat any desired outsource such as a hot water tank, in ground swimming pool or other downstream equipment, for example. The fluent medium may be a well known conductor or heat transfer medium such as water or oil/glycol, for example. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the plurality of heat exchanger tubes  155  is wrapped in parallel relation to form the V-shape of the core heat mechanism. In a variant, if desired, various tubes may be crimped at different locations along its length to promote turbulent flow thereon so as to enhance absorption properties of the fluent medium at capturing photons, for example. In a further variant, internal passageways within the tubes  155  may be restricted by bearing surfaces to increase pressure flow at certain locations to provide as similar enhanced turbulent flow effect therein. 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged partial view of the rear of the collector subsystem to illustrate constituent components of an auxiliary unit in more detail thereof, and  FIG. 8  is a side view of the collector subsystem to illustrate selected constituent components thereof. The auxiliary unit  165  may be configured at a distal end of collector housing  151 , to include a three-sided photovoltaic cell  170  supported by arms  177  within a two-sided, angular mirrored-surface cavity formed into the distal end of collector housing  151 , the cavity indicated generally by arrows  175 , with the sides formed at an angle to receive both direct and reflected photon energy from the sunlight. As shown in several ones of the figures, the cell  170  is oriented directly in the path of direct sunlight, receiving both direct and reflected photon energy via the two angled, mirrored surfaces in cavity  175  onto all three sides of the cell  170 . 
     In an example, cell  170  may be configured to cooperate with rail-style charging terminals so as to support and charge one or more rail-style battery packs thereon. In this embodiment, the auxiliary unit  165  may be configured as an in-the-field charging station for portable power tools, in which the cell  170  serves as a power source. This eliminates the need for diesel or gas powered generators with associated fossil fuel canisters to power portable electrical outlets for conventional charging stations in remote locations. 
     The auxiliary unit  165  however is not limited to the aforementioned charging application however; and may serve other uses in which the thermal energy absorbed in the collector subsystem  150  may be output and/or converted for storage in one or more storage battery cells for later use, as contemplated by the example embodiments. 
     The example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as departure from the example embodiments, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included herein.