Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Torque transfer between trough collector modules
- Patent Title (中): 槽收集器模块之间的转矩传递
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Application No.: US12416536Application Date: 2009-04-01
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Publication No.: US08322333B2Publication Date: 2012-12-04
- Inventor: Patrick Marcotte , Kenneth Biggio , Edmund Kenneth May
- Applicant: Patrick Marcotte , Kenneth Biggio , Edmund Kenneth May
- Applicant Address: US CO Lakewood
- Assignee: Abengoa Solar Inc.
- Current Assignee: Abengoa Solar Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US CO Lakewood
- Agency: Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
- Main IPC: F24J2/12
- IPC: F24J2/12

Abstract:
A system for transferring torque between modules in a concentrating solar collector array. A trough collector system includes at least two modules, each module including a reflector having a reflective surface shaped to concentrate incoming radiation onto a linear tube, and a structural lattice attached to the reflector. The modules are constrained to rotate about a common axis. A torque transfer connection directly connects the three-dimensional structural lattices of the two modules at a location removed from the axis of rotation. Torque is thus transmitted between the modules by a force couple acting on the module. Also described are a method of transferring torque between adjacent trough collector modules, and a three-dimensional structural lattice configured for use in the system and method. Mechanisms for accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the array are described. A drive system is described that imparts torque to a module near an edge of the module.
Public/Granted literature
- US20100252030A1 TORQUE TRANSFER BETWEEN TROUGH COLLECTOR MODULES Public/Granted day:2010-10-07
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