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US20170191700A1 - Apparatus and method for heliostat support - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for heliostat support Download PDF

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Publication number
US20170191700A1
US20170191700A1 US15/300,242 US201515300242A US2017191700A1 US 20170191700 A1 US20170191700 A1 US 20170191700A1 US 201515300242 A US201515300242 A US 201515300242A US 2017191700 A1 US2017191700 A1 US 2017191700A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
heliostat
vertical member
drive mechanism
end region
rigid
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US15/300,242
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English (en)
Inventor
James Fisher
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Vast Solar Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
Vast Solar Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2014901108A external-priority patent/AU2014901108A0/en
Application filed by Vast Solar Pty Ltd filed Critical Vast Solar Pty Ltd
Assigned to VAST SOLAR PTY LIMITED reassignment VAST SOLAR PTY LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FISHER, JAMES
Publication of US20170191700A1 publication Critical patent/US20170191700A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
    • F24S30/40—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/60—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/65—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules for coupling adjacent supporting elements, e.g. for connecting profiles together
    • F24J2/54—
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D5/00—Bulkheads, piles, or other structural elements specially adapted to foundation engineering
    • E02D5/74—Means for anchoring structural elements or bulkheads
    • E02D5/80—Ground anchors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/10—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules extending in directions away from a supporting surface
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/60—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/61—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules for fixing to the ground or to building structures
    • F24S25/617—Elements driven into the ground, e.g. anchor-piles; Foundations for supporting elements; Connectors for connecting supporting structures to the ground or to flat horizontal surfaces
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
    • F24S30/40—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement
    • F24S30/45—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with two rotation axes
    • F24S30/452—Vertical primary axis
    • F24J2002/5273—
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F24S2025/01—Special support components; Methods of use
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
    • Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of electricity generation, and more specifically to methods of electricity generation from renewable energy sources.
  • the present invention relates to systems harnessing thermal energy from the sun.
  • the invention is suitable for use as an apparatus and method for support for optical devices that direct and concentrate sunlight (and its corresponding thermal energy component) for use in electricity generation. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to electricity generation, however it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that use, only.
  • CSP Concentrating Solar Power
  • CST Concentrating Solar Thermal
  • Modern concentrating solar thermal electricity generation methods employ trough, dish and centralised tower architectures. These utilise systems of optical devices; usually mirrors, which reflect solar thermal energy from a large area to a small area where it is used to heat a medium termed a “heat transfer fluid”.
  • Trough systems generally use large, U-shaped (parabolic) reflectors (focusing mirrors) that have oil-filled pipes running along their centre, or focal point.
  • the mirrored reflectors are tilted toward the sun, and focus sunlight on the pipes to heat the oil inside to as much as 400° C.
  • the hot oil may then be used to boil water, which makes steam to run conventional steam turbines and generators.
  • Dish or engine systems use mirrored dishes about 10 times larger than a backyard satellite dish to focus and concentrate sunlight onto a receiver.
  • the receiver is mounted at the focal point of the dish.
  • the dish and receiver assembly tracks the sun across the sky.
  • the receiver is integrated into a high-efficiency “external” combustion engine.
  • the engine has thin tubes containing hydrogen or helium gas that run along the outside of the engine's four piston cylinders and open into the cylinders. As concentrated sunlight falls on the receiver, it heats the gas in the tubes to very high temperatures, which causes hot gas to expand inside the cylinders. The expanding gas drives the pistons.
  • the pistons turn a crankshaft, which drives an electric generator.
  • the receiver, engine, and generator may comprise a single, integrated assembly mounted at the focus of the mirrored dish.
  • Centralised tower systems use many mechanically operated mirrors, termed heliostats that track the sun and focus its rays onto a thermal receiver.
  • the thermal receiver may sit on top of a tall tower in which concentrated sunlight heats a fluid, such as molten salt, usually above 500° C.
  • molten salt usually above 500° C.
  • the hot fluid can be used immediately to make steam for electricity generation or stored for later use.
  • molten salt retains heat efficiently, so it can be stored for days before being converted into electricity. That means electricity can be generated during periods of peak need, or on cloudy days or even several hours after sunset.
  • the main components include: a mirror array, a centralised tower with a thermal receiver, a heat transfer system, and a power block.
  • the mirror array includes software controlled hardware components working together to concentrate solar thermal energy upon the thermal receiver that is located atop the tower and contains the heat transfer fluid. Once heated, the heat transfer fluid is circulated to the power block where the thermal energy is converted to electricity.
  • Mirror array hardware comprises devices termed heliostats, which ordinarily include an optical element (this may be a mirror or lens for example) mounted upon a drive mechanism capable of angling and moving the optical element, these components are mounted upon a support apparatus.
  • an optical element this may be a mirror or lens for example
  • heliostats are utilised in a single mirror array.
  • Modern centralised tower solar thermal mirror arrays may deploy hundreds or even thousands of heliostats.
  • Modern heliostat control software includes sun tracking functionality, the ability to re-calibrate the targeting accuracy of the heliostat, and the ability to compensate for axial misalignment of the drive mechanism that may occur over time due to environmental factors such as ground movement.
  • the heliostat drive mechanism is capable of controlling the orientation of the optical element in order to direct incoming solar thermal energy to the thermal receiver throughout the day taking into account the apparent movement of the sun across the sky.
  • the drive mechanism acts as an intermediary, between the support apparatus and the optical element, and it controls the orientation of the optical element by “pushing back” against the support apparatus in order to move the optical device relative to the ground upon which the support apparatus is located.
  • An apparatus for heliostat support necessarily offers the drive mechanism and therefore the optical element stability against incoming axial (up/down), lateral (north/south/east/west) and torsional (clockwise/counter-clockwise) forces, thus ensuring the reflected thermal energy absorbed by the heat transfer fluid is maximised.
  • the ability of the apparatus for heliostat support to provide stability to the drive mechanism and optical element is of key importance to the efficiency of the overall power generation system, since a lack of stability will likely result in sun tracking inaccuracy, and this leads to reduced overall system efficiency and reduced electrical output of plant operation.
  • Incoming forces which act upon the heliostat and which the support apparatus must resist in order to provide the stability necessary for accurate sun tracking are primarily of an environmental nature and the most commonly experienced of these is wind.
  • the optical element surface area is maximised, however this maximised surface area for reflection also means there is a maximised surface area in relation to wind.
  • a heliostat support apparatus is necessarily located outdoors, and the possible sizes (dictating wind effect) of the optical elements may vary, the levels of incoming environmental forces due to wind that must be resisted by the support apparatus also vary widely. Light winds in the vicinity of 0 km/h to 15 km/h are experienced on a daily basis. However extreme winds, exceeding 100 km/h for example, are also known to occur.
  • Incoming environmental forces act to move the optical element but not the ground or the support apparatus.
  • the effect is that the drive mechanism, between the optical element and the support apparatus, must overcome these wind forces in order to continue to re-orientate the optical device and track the moving sun.
  • the drive mechanism is a mechanical device with inherent limits and incoming wind forces above the capabilities of the drive mechanism's inherent limits may result in a tracking error or permanent damage to the drive mechanism.
  • the high number of heliostats used in a mirror array means that the cost of the mirror array including mechanical and electrical hardware; the mirrors, drive mechanisms and support apparatus, and their associated power supply systems, are a highly significant factor in the economics of a centralised tower architecture for electricity generation plants.
  • the heliostat support depicted in FIG. 6 serves as an illustrative example (http://www.powerfromthesun.net/Book/chapter10/chapter10.html).
  • the support apparatus is a large, heavy, stand-alone style fabricated item enclosing electronic components. These factors make such support apparatus expensive to manufacture and transport into location. Installation is also relatively expensive due to the requirement for significant earth works, the need for casting of concrete, and a requirement for large scale equipment such as cranes to be employed to erect and connect the support apparatus.
  • Power supply arrangements for known heliostat systems generally take the form of insulated cables located below ground level.
  • the cables, which form both sides of the power supply circuit, are therefore costly to install, requiring trenches.
  • the present invention provides apparatus for supporting a heliostat comprising; a rigid, elongate vertical member, the vertical member comprising a first end region and a second end region, the first end region operatively connected to a heliostat drive mechanism via a drive mechanism connection means, the second end region adapted for being driven into frictional contact with the ground to provide resistance to environmental forces impacting the heliostat, and, at least one stabilising structure, wherein the at least one stabilising structure comprises a rigid interconnection between a first vertical member of a heliostat support and a second vertical member of another heliostat support.
  • the vertical member comprises naturally occurring materials or fibres, comprising one or a combination of: timber; metallic materials comprising steel and aluminium; synthetic materials comprising plastics.
  • the vertical member comprises an electric resistance welded hollow mild steel pipe having a circular cross-sectional shape.
  • a nominal bore dimension of the vertical member is about 50 millimetres.
  • the vertical member second end region has a length greater than about 300 millimetres.
  • the at least one stabilising structure comprises an anti-torsion member comprising a rigid, elongate member comprising a first end region and a second end region, the first end region having operable interconnection to a first heliostat drive mechanism support vertical member, the second end region having operable interconnection to a second heliostat drive mechanism support vertical member.
  • the anti-torsion member comprises naturally occurring materials or fibres, comprising one or a combination of: timber; metallic materials comprising steel and aluminium; synthetic materials comprising plastics.
  • the anti-torsion member comprises an electric resistance welded hollow mild steel pipe having a circular cross-sectional shape.
  • the nominal bore dimension of the anti-torsion member is about 25 millimetres.
  • the anti-torsion member operable interconnection means includes at least one plate.
  • the operable interconnection means comprises two opposed plates adapted to clamp the vertical member.
  • the plates achieve the clamping effect by use of at least one laterally orientated fastener system.
  • the at least one plate comprises a mild steel body having a ridged shape.
  • the at least one plate has a thickness of about 4 millimetres.
  • the present invention provides apparatus for supporting a heliostat comprising; a rigid, elongate vertical member, the vertical member comprising a first end region and a second end region, the first end region operatively connected to a heliostat drive mechanism via a drive mechanism connection means, the second end region adapted for being driven into frictional contact with the ground to provide resistance to environmental forces impacting the heliostat, and, the drive mechanism connection means is adapted to isolate the drive mechanism from torsional forces between the drive mechanism and the vertical member above a pre-determined threshold.
  • the isolation from torsional forces is achieved by frictional means.
  • the drive mechanism connection means includes at least one plate.
  • the drive mechanism connection means comprises three opposed plates adapted to clamp the drive mechanism and the vertical member.
  • the plates achieve the clamping effect by use of at least one laterally orientated fastener system.
  • the at least one plate comprises an arrangement of two mild steel external plates and an aluminium intermediate plate.
  • the mild steel external plates comprise a ridged shape.
  • the mild steel external plates have a thickness of about 4 millimetres.
  • the aluminium intermediate plate comprises a scalloped profile.
  • the aluminium intermediate plate has a minimum thickness of about 4 millimetres.
  • the present invention provides apparatus for supporting a heliostat comprising; a rigid, elongate vertical member, the vertical member comprising a first end region and a second end region, the first end region operatively connected to a heliostat drive mechanism via a drive mechanism connection means, the second end region adapted for being driven into frictional contact with the ground to provide resistance to environmental forces impacting the heliostat, at least one stabilising structure, wherein the at least one stabilising structure comprises a rigid interconnection between a first vertical member of a heliostat support and a second vertical member of another heliostat support, wherein at least the vertical member and the at least one stabilising structure are adapted to form a portion of the heliostat drive mechanism power supply circuit.
  • the portion of the heliostat drive mechanism power supply circuit formed is the current return path.
  • the present invention provides a method for supporting a heliostat comprising the steps of: operatively connecting a first end region of a rigid, elongate vertical member to a heliostat drive mechanism via a drive mechanism connection means; driving a second end region of the rigid, elongate vertical member into frictional contact with the ground to provide resistance to environmental forces impacting the heliostat, and, stabilising with at least one stabilising structure comprising a rigid interconnection between a first vertical member of a heliostat support and a second vertical member of another heliostat support.
  • the present invention provides a method for supporting a heliostat comprising the steps of: operatively connecting a first end region of a rigid, elongate vertical member to a heliostat drive mechanism via a drive mechanism connection means; driving a second end region of the rigid, elongate vertical member into frictional contact with the ground to provide resistance to environmental forces impacting the heliostat, and, isolating the drive mechanism from torsional forces between the drive mechanism and the vertical member above a pre-determined threshold.
  • the present invention provides a method for operating a heliostat comprising the steps of: operatively connecting a first end region of a rigid, elongate vertical member to a heliostat drive mechanism via a drive mechanism connection means; driving a second end region of the rigid, elongate vertical member into frictional contact with the ground to provide resistance to environmental forces impacting the heliostat; stabilising with at least one stabilising structure comprising a rigid interconnection between a first vertical member of a heliostat support and a second vertical member of another heliostat support, and, adapting the vertical member and the at least one stabilising structure to form a portion of the heliostat drive mechanism power supply circuit.
  • the step above of driving the second end region of the rigid, elongate vertical member into frictional contact with the ground is achieved by driving equipment.
  • the step above of driving the second end region of the rigid, elongate vertical member into frictional contact with the ground is achieved without use of concrete.
  • the step above of affixing the at least one anti-torsion member is achieved by a fastener system.
  • the method of affixing the heliostat drive mechanism is achieved by a fastener system.
  • apparatus for supporting a heliostat including; a rigid, elongate vertical member, the vertical member including a first end region and a second end region, the first end region including a heliostat drive mechanism connection means, the second end region located in the ground.
  • apparatus for supporting a heliostat including a rigid, elongate vertical member, the vertical member including a first end region and a second end region, the first end region including a heliostat drive mechanism connection means, the second end region located in the ground, the vertical member further including operable interconnection to at least one anti-torsion member, wherein the at least one anti-torsion member is a rigid, elongate member including a first end region and a second end region, the first end region having operable interconnection to a first heliostat drive mechanism support vertical member, the second end region having operable interconnection to a second heliostat drive mechanism support vertical member.
  • a method for supporting a heliostat including the steps of: providing a rigid, elongate vertical member, the vertical member including a first end region and a second end region, the first end region including a heliostat drive mechanism connection means, locating the second end region in the ground, and affixing a heliostat drive mechanism via the heliostat drive mechanism connection means.
  • a method for supporting a heliostat including the steps of: providing a rigid, elongate vertical member, the vertical member including a first end region and a second end region, the first end region including a heliostat drive mechanism connection means, the vertical member further including an anti-torsion member operable interconnection, locating the second end region in the ground, and providing a rigid elongate anti-torsion member, and affixing the anti-torsion member via the anti-torsion member operable interconnection, and affixing the anti-torsion member to the vertical member of a second support for a heliostat, and affixing a heliostat drive mechanism via the heliostat drive mechanism connection means.
  • embodiments of the present invention stem from the realisation by the inventor that current methods and apparatus for heliostat support may be optimised in order to offer stability in relation to regular incoming environmental forces whilst also isolating the drive mechanism from otherwise damaging environmental forces.
  • embodiments of the present invention stem from the realisation, by the inventor, that current methods and apparatus for heliostat support may be simplified whilst simultaneously offering improved levels of stability.
  • FIG. 1 depicts a side view of an embodiment according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 depicts a side view of an alternative embodiment according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 depicts an isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 depicts an isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 depicts a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of a known heliostat arrangement.
  • apparatus for a heliostat support shown generally as 10 includes a vertical member 20 including a first end region 30 and a second end region 40 .
  • the first end region 30 includes a heliostat drive mechanism connection means 50 , adapted to connect the vertical member 20 to a heliostat drive mechanism 60 better described below with reference to FIG. 4 .
  • the second end region 40 is located in the ground 70 or more specifically adapted for being driven into frictional contact with the ground to provide resistance to environmentally imparted or imposed forces.
  • a heliostat optical component for example, a mirror and/or lens or photovoltaic panel, for example, is indicated at 71 .
  • this embodiment offers the advantage of stability without the complexity and high cost of multiple components, nor the need for earth works, concrete footings or large scale equipment such as cranes to be used in the installation process.
  • the vertical member 20 is of a rigid, elongate nature and may be constructed from a suitable material known to those skilled in the relevant art, including but not limited to; naturally occurring materials or fibres, including timber, metallic materials including steel and aluminium, or synthetic materials including plastics.
  • the vertical member 20 is constructed from electric resistance welded hollow mild steel pipe having a circular cross-sectional shape and a nominal bore dimension of about 50 millimetres.
  • the depth of penetration of the second end region 40 into the ground 70 is determined in each site location experimentally according to the geotechnical characteristics of the ground in that specific location. For example, in regions where the ground 70 is of a softer composition (having sandy, or clay like characteristics for example) the second end region 40 may be penetrated more deeply in order to achieve the necessary ground reaction. This is in contrast to harder, rockier type ground conditions which require relatively shallower penetration of the end region 40 to achieve the necessary ground reaction.
  • the length of the vertical member 20 and the depth of penetration into the ground 70 would exceed about 300 millimetres.
  • the length of the vertical member 20 is about 3000 millimetres and the second end region 40 located in the ground 70 is about 2200 millimetres in length.
  • the vertical member 20 is a low cost item and requires little fabrication, other than cutting to the required length.
  • Various cross sectional profiles of the vertical member such as square, star etc are envisaged for offering an anti-torsional resistance and are encompassed in the scope of the present invention.
  • Embodiments of the present invention may include stabilising structures. These may include earth engaging configurations comprising one or a combination of protrusions or indentations.
  • a stabilising structure is provided in the form of an anti-torsion member 80 .
  • the anti-torsion member offers resistance to torsional forces that may be applied to the support apparatus from environmental conditions, such as wind for example.
  • An anti-torsion member 80 may take the form of one or more projections rigidly affixed to the vertical member 20 and having size, shape and number suitable to the ground conditions at the site location.
  • a stabilising structure is provided by way of a rigid interconnection between a first vertical member of a heliostat support and a second vertical member of another heliostat support.
  • the apparatus for heliostat support shown generally as 10 includes a rigid interconnection in the form of an elongate stabilising structure or member 90 having a first end region 100 and a second end region 110 .
  • the stabilising member 90 provides one or a combination of resistance to torsional and lateral forces imposed environmentally and in certain contexts may be referred to as an anti-torsion member or an anti-lateral force member.
  • the first end region 100 and the second end region 110 each have operable interconnection 111 with the vertical members 20 of differing heliostat support apparatus, an example of which is shown generally as 11 .
  • the elongate stabilising member 90 is constructed from electric resistance welded hollow mild steel pipe having a circular cross-sectional shape and a nominal bore dimension of about 25 millimetres.
  • the length of the elongate anti-torsion member 90 is about 2400 to 2500 and preferably 2486 millimetres.
  • the elongate anti-torsion member 90 is a low cost item and requires little fabrication, other than cutting to the required length.
  • Preferred embodiments encompass use of vertical members having characteristics further adapted according to their position within the mirror array.
  • the vertical member 20 may be of a greater diameter or penetrated to a greater depth when located at the extremities of the mirror array as these locations encounter higher short term environmental forces, for example, wind loading.
  • Operable interconnection 111 between the first end region 100 or second end region 110 of the elongate anti-torsion member 90 may include a system of plates that may be permanently connected via suitable techniques known to those skilled in the relevant art such as welding, riveting and swaging for example.
  • the operable interconnection shown generally as 111 , in FIG. 3 , includes two opposed plates 120 and laterally oriented fasteners 130 that act to clamp the vertical member 20 and one or more elongate anti-torsion members 90 , thus locking the end regions ( 100 or 110 ) of the elongate anti-torsion members 90 to the vertical member 20 .
  • low level environmental torsional forces applied to the vertical member 20 ie from wind, which would otherwise result in sun tracking inaccuracy, are resisted.
  • the opposed plates 120 may be constructed from a suitable material known to those skilled in the relevant art, including but not limited to; naturally occurring materials or fibres including timber, metallic materials including steel and aluminium, or synthetic materials including plastics.
  • the opposed plates 120 are constructed from stamped approximately 4 millimetre thick mild steel having a ridged shape that maximises strength and contact area with the vertical member 20 and elongate anti-torsion member 90 .
  • Embodiments of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 include a drive mechanism connection means 50 (shown in more detail with FIG. 4 ) between the first end region 30 of the vertical member 20 and the heliostat drive mechanism 60 .
  • the drive mechanism connection means 50 is adapted to isolate the heliostat drive mechanism 60 from torsional forces that may arise between the drive mechanism 60 and the vertical member 20 (from environmental conditions, for example) that may otherwise damage the internal components of the drive mechanism 60 .
  • Isolation of damaging torsional forces (note that the actual magnitude of torsional force at which damage occurs to the drive mechanism is determined by the design of the drive mechanism) is achieved in preferred embodiments of the present invention by frictional means.
  • connection means shown generally as 50 in FIG. 4 , includes three opposed plates 140 , 150 , 160 that act as a three part clamp to clamp the vertical member 20 and the drive mechanism 60 , thus locking the first end region 30 of the vertical member 20 to the drive mechanism 60 .
  • Frictional effects arising between the surfaces of the drive mechanism 60 , the plates 140 , 150 , 160 and the first end region 30 of the vertical member 20 serve to resist low level incoming environmental torsional forces between the drive mechanism 60 and the vertical member 20 .
  • the degree of tightening of the fasteners 170 influences or controls the degree of frictional effect between the surfaces of the drive mechanism 60 and the plates 140 and 150 on one hand and the degree of frictional effect between the surfaces of the plates 150 and 160 and the first end region 30 of the vertical member 20 on the other hand.
  • the frictional resistance may thus be adjusted to oppose incoming environmental torsional forces at levels that do not damage the drive mechanism, whilst allowing for slip when subjected to incoming environmental torsional forces that would damage the drive mechanism 60 .
  • the connection means 50 serves to isolate the drive mechanism 60 from damage due to external environmental factors when torsional forces reach a predetermined threshold.
  • the fasteners 170 would generally be tightened sufficiently to result in a slip threshold that correlated to a magnitude of torque above that imparted upon the optical element by wind in the vicinity of 0 km/h to 40 km/h, but below the magnitude of torque that would result in damage to the drive mechanism 60 .
  • this arrangement advantageously provides the resistance necessary to assure accurate tracking in normal operating conditions, whilst protecting the relatively expensive drive mechanism 60 from damage in extreme conditions.
  • connection means 50 serves to protect the drive mechanism 60 from damage from other possible causes such as forces imparted from livestock, vehicles or even other heliostats or heliostat components for example that may interact with optical elements over the life of the system.
  • the opposed plates 140 , 150 , 160 are constructed from a suitable material known to those skilled in the relevant art, including but not limited to; naturally occurring material or fibres including timber, metallic materials including steel and aluminium, or synthetic materials including plastics.
  • the external opposed plates 140 and 160 are economically constructed from stamped approximately 4 millimetre thick mild steel having a ridged shape that maximises strength and contact area with the drive mechanism 60 and the vertical member 20 .
  • the intermediate opposed plate 150 is cost effectively constructed from extruded aluminium having a scalloped shape that maximises contact area with the drive mechanism 60 and the vertical member 20 .
  • the support apparatus is adapted to optimise drive mechanism power supply arrangements.
  • the vertical member(s) 20 , anti-torsion member(s) 90 and operable interconnection(s) 111 work in conjunction to form a bus bar style current distribution system.
  • these elements provide one portion of the power supply circuit to the heliostat drive mechanism(s) 60 .
  • these structures may furthermore provide a convenient means for suspending the alternate portion of the power supply circuit.
  • the current source path is provided by insulated cable 170 affixed to the anti-torsion member(s) 90 whilst the current return path is provided by the bus bar style arrangement described above.
  • This aspect of the present invention offers benefits both in terms of reduction in materials and improvements in installation process. Primarily, the need for cables and cable connectors is significantly reduced, since the function of the cables and connectors of the current return path is performed by the apparatus components themselves.
  • Embodiments of the present invention comprise structures that offer reduction in cost during the support apparatus' installation phase.
  • the vertical member 20 may be easily carried by a single person (avoiding the need for cranes), and may be readily located in the ground without the need for pre-digging of a hole and employment of customary forms of site installation, using for example concrete. This obviates the need for earthworks, and reduces the cost of materials used in installation. Avoidance of the need to wait for concrete to cure reduces installation time and lowers installation costs.
  • the step of locating the vertical member 20 in the ground 70 may for example be achieved through use of driving equipment.
  • the step of affixing the elongate anti-torsion member 90 between the vertical members 20 of two heliostat positions results in a networked structure.
  • the elongate anti-torsion member 90 is readily carried by a single person and the opposed plates 120 that affix the anti-torsion member 90 may be rapidly attached via fasteners 130 utilising basic tools such as spanners and torque wrenches, that are highly portable and do not require electricity supply, thus reducing the cost of installation of the support apparatus.
  • the opposed plate arrangement of the heliostat drive mechanism connection means may be rapidly attached via the fasteners 170 , offering similar cost reduction benefits.
  • the installation of the power supply system's current source path is greatly simplified in the present invention, because the insulated cable of the current source path is elevated and easily accessible.
  • the ongoing maintenance of the power supply circuit of the present invention is achieved cost effectively due to its easily inspected configuration.

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  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Devices Affording Protection Of Roads Or Walls For Sound Insulation (AREA)
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US15/300,242 2014-03-28 2015-03-30 Apparatus and method for heliostat support Abandoned US20170191700A1 (en)

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AU2014901108A AU2014901108A0 (en) 2014-03-28 Apparatus and Method for Heliostat Support
AU2014901108 2014-03-28
PCT/AU2015/000189 WO2015143494A1 (en) 2014-03-28 2015-03-30 Apparatus and method for heliostat support

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AP (1) AP2016009508A0 (es)
AU (2) AU2015100405A4 (es)
CL (1) CL2016002459A1 (es)
IL (1) IL248071A0 (es)
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020198803A1 (en) * 2019-04-04 2020-10-08 Vast Solar Pty Ltd Assembly and method for attaching a heliostat to a foundation
CN113399220A (zh) * 2021-05-13 2021-09-17 东方电气集团科学技术研究院有限公司 一种大型定日镜灌胶方法
US12410947B2 (en) * 2021-05-17 2025-09-09 Anywhere.Solar GmbH Solar instalallation

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CN106812369B (zh) * 2017-03-17 2019-06-04 深圳东康前海新能源有限公司 一种定日镜立柱

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CN202513503U (zh) * 2011-12-27 2012-10-31 光之源工业(以色列)有限公司 用于中央塔式发电站的定日镜的塔架及其电缆保持装置
CN202995470U (zh) * 2012-06-21 2013-06-12 光之源工业(以色列)有限公司 用于中央塔式发电站的定日镜的塔架及定日镜

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020198803A1 (en) * 2019-04-04 2020-10-08 Vast Solar Pty Ltd Assembly and method for attaching a heliostat to a foundation
US11927367B2 (en) 2019-04-04 2024-03-12 Vast Solar Pty Ltd. Assembly and method for attaching a heliostat to a foundation
CN113399220A (zh) * 2021-05-13 2021-09-17 东方电气集团科学技术研究院有限公司 一种大型定日镜灌胶方法
US12410947B2 (en) * 2021-05-17 2025-09-09 Anywhere.Solar GmbH Solar instalallation

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CL2016002459A1 (es) 2017-06-16
EP3129727A4 (en) 2017-12-06
EP3129727A1 (en) 2017-02-15
WO2015143494A1 (en) 2015-10-01
IL248071A0 (en) 2016-11-30
AU2015100405A4 (en) 2015-05-14
AU2015234701A1 (en) 2016-11-10
CN106461273A (zh) 2017-02-22
MX2016012714A (es) 2017-05-11

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