DE102008016110A1 - Solar collector for generating energy by concentrating sunlight - Google Patents

Abstract

The solar collector 15 according to the invention has a new device for focusing and transmitting light (9). It consists of at least one transparent sphere (1) which, depending on the position of the sun, generates a focal point (5) on a spherical surface outside the sphere (1). By a mechanical device (2, 3, 4, 8), which follows the focal point (5), this is fixed in each position predetermined by the sun. By the matrix-shaped arrangement of a plurality of transparent balls (1) having a small diameter, a flat solar collector (15) is formed, which corresponds to the usual integrable size of commercial hot water collectors. It can thus be installed firmly in roof or façade elements and has no external mechanical disturbing elements. Despite constantly changing position of the sun, he is able to focus the direct sunlight and to use concentrated. When fed into a light guide, the solar energy can be led to any location where the concentrated light by means of optical fiber switch performs different tasks.

Description

The The invention relates to a solar collector for energy through Concentration of sunlight and its tracking or Transport.

[State of the art]

The Use of concentrated sunlight for energy production an ever greater importance. The current status The technology currently presents itself as light bundled with the help of parabolic mirrors or converging lenses in a focal point becomes. The disadvantage is that these systems of sunlight bundling and tracked the constantly changing position of the sun Need to become. This usually requires big mechanically moving parts that are very space consuming and heavy. A Use for everyday home use, how to him z. B. from other solar panels (hot water collectors, Solar collectors herher knows, is not possible with these systems. Besides, it is required to have versatile uses to ensure the sunlight with the help of light guides to transport effectively.

From the DE 10 2004 063 853 A1 there is known an apparatus and method for collecting light, transporting it and delivering the collected light to a selectable other location for illumination purposes. By one or more converging lenses, incident light, preferably sunlight, is focused towards the respective focal spot of the individual lenses in such a way that the largest possible portion of the focused light enters one or more light guides through which the light guides pass and at the other end for illumination purposes Available.

Also This device has the disadvantage that for an effective Use throughout the day the entire lens system of the Sun must be tracked. In addition, let Do not use this system large solar panels to realize the arrangement on roofs.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

task The invention is a solar collector for energy by creating concentration of sunlight that for an effective use of solar energy a areal Arrangement in a housing allowed and in its size and its structure everywhere, such. B. on roofs of Detached houses can be used. He should also no externally visible mechanical elements own, which are only disturbing on roof-integrated surfaces impact. Furthermore, he should have the opportunity to transport high concentrations of light to any location, to cover a wide range of applications.

The Task is solved with the features of the first claim. Advantageous developments and refinements are the subject matter the dependent claims.

Of the Solar panel for focusing and transmitting light consists of at least one transparent ball, depending on the position of the sun a focal point on a spherical surface generated outside the sphere.

Across from the principle of light bundling using lenses uses the Invention for sunlight concentration a ball.

A Lens focuses light at a focal point on a focal plane, where the angle of incidence of the parallel light (the position of the sun changes) and the focus changes on the Focal plane wanders and becomes blurred. To prevent this the lens can be tracked to the position of the sun.

In contrast, in the present invention, the light is transparent Ball focused. There is no focal plane for a sphere because the focal point moves at a constant distance to the ball around these.

Therefore is to create a ball only a mechanical device, which follows the focal point and sets it in each, given by the sun Position fixed.

Become now a variety of transparent balls that have a small diameter have, arranged in a matrix on a support, a flat solar panel is formed, which is the usual integrable size of commercially available Hot water collectors corresponds. He can thus firmly in roof or Facade elements are installed and has external no mechanical disturbing elements. Despite constantly changing Sun position, he is able to focus the direct sunlight and focused to use.

at Feeding into a light guide can direct solar energy to everyone Any place where the concentrated light fulfill different tasks by means of light guide switch can.

at the matrix-shaped arrangement of the balls on a support The mechanical devices can follow the foci all balls directly or indirectly connected and synchronous be moved.

But it is also possible, at the positions, where the focal points are fixed, instead of the light guide other devices such. B. to install solar cells.

[Examples]

At Hand of drawings are the structure and operation of the Invention explained in more detail.

It demonstrate:

1 a planar solar collector consisting of a plurality of light-collecting transparent spheres in a front and side view and a side view with an intimation of an integrated mechanism,

2 the behavior of a focus a) on a lens and b) a sphere,

3 a mechanical skeleton with a means of following the focal point,

4 a mechanical skeleton as a whole with mechanical fasteners and drive motors,

5 the mobility of the mechanics when fed into an integrated light guide,

6 the mobility of a fixed mount on a rotatable ball,

7 various possible variations of a holder for receiving the light guide and

8th the representation of a possible application of the invention.

In 1 is a planar solar panel 15 according to the invention consisting of a plurality of light-collecting transparent balls 1 shown in a front and side view.

In another side view is in section to follow the foci 5 recognize used integrated mechanics. The mechanics exists, each for a ball 1 , from a first slide rail 2 , a second slide rail 3 and a holder 4 for feeding into a light guide 6 ,

At a suitable place, the light guides occur 6 as a bundle from the case 16 of the solar collector 15 out.

2 shows the difference in the behavior of the focus a) in a lens (prior art) and b) in a ball.

The principle of light bundling with the help of lenses 14 ( 2a ) is widely known and is used for sunlight concentration in a variety of forms. It focuses a lens 14 the incoming light 9 in a focal point 5 on a focal plane. The disadvantage of the lens 14 is when the angle of incidence of the parallel sunlight 9 (the sun's position changes), the focus moves 5 on the focal plane and gets blurred. Hence the need for that lens 14 the sun's position must be tracked.

In a ball according to 2 B there is no focal plane, because the focal point 5 moves at a constant distance to the ball 1 around these. For this reason, the orientation to the sun plays for the quality of the focal point 5 no role and a mechanical tracking of the lens 14 completely eliminated.

So now the light 9 from the focal point 5 the ball 1 z. B. in a light guide 6 can be fed, the light guide must be 6 in a predetermined constant distance in the range of the desired spherical surface around the ball 1 can move around.

The light guide 6 becomes the constantly changing position of the sun and thus the "wandering" focal point 5 with the help of a mechanism, essentially consisting of the slide rails 2 and 3 represented in 3 , customized. The slide rails 2 and 3 are on a cover plate 17 of the solar collector 15 are rotatably mounted. The cover plate 17 includes the balls at the same time 1 to focus the light 9 , where one half of the ball 1 from the cover plate 17 protrudes.

To save costs and weight, the cover plate can 17 with the integrated balls 1 be made in a piece of plastic by injection molding.

To all necessary focal points 5 to be able to drive requires every ball 1 two slide rails 2 and 3 , which intersect at 90 °.

As a collector 15 from several balls 1 exists, as in 4 shown, these are rows of slide rails 2 . 3 , which in turn are in parallel arrangement and by mechanical fasteners 8th connected together so that they move synchronously.

The slide rails 2 So all are mechanically interconnected and the slide rails 3 In turn, all are mechanically connected to each other and thus can move independently. For this the system needs two separately controlled motors 7 ,

Be the slide rails 2 . 3 moves, they run around the bottom of the sphere 1 , On the slide rail 2 and 3 is a holder for each ball 4 attached, which in turn on the slide rails 2 . 3 represented in 5 to move back and forth.

By moving the slide rails 2 . 3 So can the holder 4 be brought into any position. The holder 4 has in this example a funnel-shaped internally mirrored shape ( 7 ), which has a size around the light to be focused 9 take. The distance of the funnel tip to the ball 1 corresponds exactly to the focal point 5 ,

By the rotational movements of the slide rails 2 and 3 and the mobility of the holder 4 , ensures all the necessary foci 5 below the ball 1 can be controlled as in 5 shown. Sunlight shines 9 through the ball 1 can the holder 4 assume such a position that the resulting focus 5 exactly in the funnel tip of the holder 4 shines in.

The whole mechanism is controlled 2 . 3 . 4 . 8th through light sensors 12 , These can be below a single ball 1 (shown in 1 ) are located. It would be conceivable z. B. that is in a funnel tip 4 instead of the light guide 6 the light sensor 12 located ( 1 ). This controls the two motors 7 for the slide rails 2 . 3 so that the sensor 12 always optimally in focus 5 fixed. Since all funnel tips 4 Align synchronously is an optimal correction of the moving focus 5 given. A complicated measurement, as with other systems is not necessary because the system controls itself (cost savings through quick and easy installation possible).

It would of course be possible, as in 6 represented, the transparent sphere 1 indirectly in the cover plate 17 integrate so that it can rotate freely. This gives the possibility of the holder (funnel) 4 for the light guide 6 or other desired components fixed to the ball 1 connect to. In this case, therefore, the entire sphere depends 1 with the firmly attached bracket thereon 4 according to the respective position of the sun.

The variant is controlled according to 6 Centrally via mechanical fasteners, so that all balls 1 move synchronously.

As already mentioned, of course, there is the possibility in the funnel tip of the holder 4 to bring in a wide variety of equipment and materials, such as a solar cell for power generation. In this case, however, there is a light guide in the holder (funnel tip) 4 into which the light 9 is initiated.

In this case, an optimal recording of the focal point 5 in the light guide 6 to ensure are in 7 some examples of the possibility of variation of the funnel tip so bracket 4 listed.

In 7 Funnel 4a is the light guide 6 right in the center of the focal point 5 ,

In 7 Funnel 4b the mirrored funnel tip enlarges 10 conical, for a better entrance angle of the light 9 in the light guide 6 manufacture. This requires the light guide 6 a little out of focus 5 lie.

In 7 Funnel 4c becomes a diverging lens shortly before the funnel tip 11 introduced to the focal point 5 running light 9 to transform it back into a parallel-like light. Here then the light penetrates 9 optimal in the light guide 6 one. The light 9 can now be transported to any place where it can be used individually.

So now there is the possibility presented in 8th that the light 9 with the help of a light guide switch 13 can be used differently. So there is the possibility of direct sunlight use in hard to reach areas such. B. underground garages or office space in basements. By light switching systems 13 can also be converted to hot water preparation or cooking as needed. If both are not needed, the system can, for example, switch to power generation.

The invention thus became a solar collector 15 for focusing and transporting sunlight 9 created, which exploits individually as desired all known ways of using solar energy.

1

transparent Bullet

2

first slide

3

second slide

4

Bracket, Funnel, light receiving device

5

focus

6

optical fiber

7

engine

8th

mechanical fasteners

9

light rays

10

yourself conical enlarging funnel tip

11

diffusing lens

12

light sensor

13

Optical fiber switch

14

converging lens

15

solar panel

16

casing

17

cover

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 102004063853 A1 [0003]

Claims (15)

Solar collector for focusing and transmitting light ( 9 ), characterized in that - it consists of at least one transparent ball ( 1 ), depending on the position of the sun, 5 ) on a spherical surface outside the sphere ( 1 ) and - a mechanical device ( 2 . 3 . 4 . 8th ) which is at the focal point ( 5 ) and fix it in any position given by the sun. Solar collector according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical device ( 2 . 3 . 4 . 8th ) from two of the curvature of the ball ( 1 ) and offset by 90 ° staggered slide rails ( 2 . 3 ) on which a holder ( 4 ) for tracking the focal point ( 5 ) is arranged. Solar collector according to claim 1, characterized in that the holder ( 4 ) for tracking the focal point ( 5 ) firmly with the ball ( 1 ) is connected and the ball is rotatably mounted. Solar collector according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that from a plurality of transparent balls ( 1 ) in a matrix-like arrangement in a housing ( 16 ) a flat solar panel ( 15 ) is formed. Solar collector according to claim 4, characterized in that the balls ( 1 ) in half from a cover plate ( 17 ) of the housing ( 16 protrude). Solar collector according to claim 4, characterized in that the balls ( 1 ) fixed to the cover plate ( 17 ) of the housing ( 16 ) are connected. Solar collector according to Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the mechanical devices ( 2 . 3 . 4 . 8th ) of all balls ( 1 ) are directly or indirectly connected to each other and synchronously movable. Solar collector according to Claims 1 to 4 and 7, characterized in that all the balls ( 1 ) of a flat solar collector ( 15 ) via a mechanical device ( 8th ) are movable. Solar collector according to Claims 1 to 4 and 7 to 8, characterized in that the one or more mechanical devices ( 2 . 3 . 4 . 8th ) via a light sensor ( 12 ) and corresponding drive motors ( 7 ) centrally controllable and so automatically the focal points ( 5 ) of all balls ( 1 ) are fixable in their predetermined position. Solar collector according to the preceding claims, characterized in that at the positions where the foci ( 5 ) are fixed, different facilities such. B. solar cells are installed. Solar collector according to the preceding claims, characterized in that in the predetermined positions optical fiber ( 6 ) into which the focused light ( 9 ) steals the sun and over the light guides ( 6 ) are transportable to any location. Solar collector according to claim 11, characterized in that the focal point ( 6 ) directly onto a light guide ( 6 ) meets. Solar collector according to claim 11, characterized in that for light absorption in the light guide ( 6 ) a conically enlarged mirrored opening ( 10 ), in which the focal point ( 5 ). Solar collector according to claim 11, characterized in that shortly before the focal point ( 5 ) a diverging lens ( 11 ) is arranged, which for coupling into the light guide ( 6 ) that to the focal point ( 5 ) leading light ( 9 ) converts into a parallel-like light. Solar collector according to claim 11 to 14, characterized in that the solar collector ( 15 ) in the light guides ( 6 ) fed light ( 9 ) by means of light guide switching elements ( 13 ) can be fed to different locations or applications.