tracking apparatus
...
Many tracking options are electronic. It is even possible to have a hydraulic actuator that is electronically controlled.
It is possible to have a tracking controller that is not electric. Here, the "sensors" use the heat energy of correctly aimed sunlight to generate the hydraulic pressure to move or firmly stablize the mirror array.
The system I am suggesting uses two tubes of oiled refrigerant (or propane) which are surrounded by mirrors to concentrate sunlight or shade the tube depending on the direction of light coming from the aiming mirror.
http://solar-turbine.googlegroups.com/web/hydraulic_tracker.jpg?gsc=5hHWZQsAAADDXNYVKO9RlshaDa5jMjYl
The ammount of thermal mass in the system determines the response rate. Thus too much mass means the system is dragging behind reality, but some mass prevents the system from reacting too quickly to passing clouds.
The associated costs of this system are:
another line of mirrors not contributing to steam generation.
two hydraulic tubes a couple feet long.
four sets of mirrors that same length.
a double acting hydraulic piston with a long throw.
tubing to deliver pressure to piston.
enough refrigerant to fill the piston, tubing and (partially) the collectors.
I have no idea if such a thing can be sensitive enough. But it is another idea to play with.
Ozheliguy
yes Interesting. I have seen this system previously used for tracking
PV panels. I didn't give it much thought at the time. I also have no
idea whether it could be pratically used in an application like this.
At a quick glance I like the sound of it. I think it could be very
cheaply and simply made. I would like to hear some other views. As you
have probably noticed I ran into some issues with heat in hydraulic
system. I am now looking into 12VDC powered hydraulic modules as a
possiblity. Heat could be potentially an issue with this concept with
such high concentration and heat levels at the collector. But I would
think this could be overcome by spacing the sensor tubes equally
further from the collector. I also think because of the high
temperatures involved it might mean the system could work quite well?
There would not be much mistaking the mirrors werent aimed correctly
with 400F on the sensor tubes- it is a pretty distinctive/ definate
signal. I guess the same could be achieved with thermal switches like
fire sensors?
I also have some question about the accuracy possible being that you
mentioned gas refrigerants like propane etc. This would essentially
make it a pnuematic system, which will always suffer from less
precision due to gasses being compressable. But I believe it should be
possible to use other liquids or solids. Wax, used in car radiator
thermostats, mercury, oil, alcohol (propably too low boiling point).
Even bi metalic strips which are used in many applications like fire
detector switches.
I have done another drawing of this system and added it as a document
below called "Thermal Hydraulic solar tracking device".
I dont know if it is a doable concept, but great suggestion. Thinking
outside the box! I love it. It is easy to get caught up in a tunnel
vision. Even if it doesnt prove viable for this it may well be able to
be used for another application to come. We are going to have to think
differently to achieve a different outcome.
Please keep the ideas coming.
Cheers.
On Mar 10, 10:13 pm, "..." <offonoffoffon...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Many tracking options are electronic. It is even possible to have a
> hydraulic actuator that is electronically controlled.
>
> It is possible to have a tracking controller that is not electric. Here,
> the "sensors" use the heat energy of correctly aimed sunlight to generate
> the hydraulic pressure to move or firmly stablize the mirror array.
>
> The system I am suggesting uses two tubes of oiled refrigerant (or propane)
> which are surrounded by mirrors to concentrate sunlight or shade the tube
> depending on the direction of light coming from the aiming mirror.
>
> http://solar-turbine.googlegroups.com/web/hydraulic_tracker.jpg?gsc=5...