CPC F24S 50/20 (2018.05) [F24S 20/20 (2018.05); F24S 23/71 (2018.05); F24S 30/452 (2018.05); F24S 60/10 (2018.05); F24S 2020/23 (2018.05); F24S 2030/134 (2018.05); F24S 2030/145 (2018.05); F24S 50/80 (2018.05); Y02E 10/40 (2013.01); Y02E 10/47 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |
1. A solar energy system comprising:
a support frame;
a thermal energy storage device supported by said support frame, said thermal energy storage device including a solar energy receiving surface operative to convert solar energy incident thereon into thermal energy and to transmit said thermal energy to a thermal storage medium within said thermal energy storage device;
a shutter movable with respect to said solar energy receiving surface and including an aperture to expose different regions of said solar energy receiving surface to solar energy depending on the relative orientation of said shutter and said thermal energy storage device;
a solar energy concentrator adjustably coupled to said support frame to direct solar energy to said solar energy receiving surface through said aperture;
an elevation adjustment system coupled to adjust an elevational angle of said solar energy concentrator and said orientation of said shutter in a coordinated manner; and
an insulating structure at least partially surrounding said thermal energy storage device, said insulating structure defining an opening; and wherein
said shutter is movably disposed in and fills said opening of said insulating structure.
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