US 12,111,079 B2
Enclosed solar thermal energy generation system and methods of operation
Apostol Ivanov Radev, Calgary (CA); Samuel DeSaulniers, Calgary (CA); and Robert Garth, Calgary (CA)
Assigned to SolarSteam Inc., Calgary (CA)
Filed by SolarSteam Inc., Calgary (CA)
Filed on Dec. 18, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/543,227.
Application 18/543,227 is a continuation of application No. PCT/CA2023/050159, filed on Feb. 7, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/308,363, filed on Feb. 9, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0117999 A1, Apr. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. F24S 40/10 (2018.01); F24S 10/70 (2018.01); F24S 23/70 (2018.01); F24S 23/74 (2018.01); F24S 30/00 (2018.01); F24S 30/425 (2018.01); F24S 25/00 (2018.01)
CPC F24S 40/10 (2018.05) [F24S 10/70 (2018.05); F24S 23/74 (2018.05); F24S 23/745 (2018.05); F24S 23/82 (2018.05); F24S 30/425 (2018.05); F24S 2025/017 (2018.05); F24S 2030/11 (2018.05); F24S 2030/133 (2018.05); F24S 2030/15 (2018.05)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A solar reflector system comprising:
a building enclosing at least a portion of a thermal pipe;
a reflector assembly comprising a support frame and a parabolic reflector, wherein the support frame is configured to support the parabolic reflector via a plurality of support members interconnected by cross members, wherein the cross members are rotatably interconnected via one or more connector nodes such that plurality of support members and cross members are (i) collapsible and (ii) expandable for forming the support frame;
a flexible membrane, wherein the parabolic reflector comprises a first attachment system configured to attach the flexible membrane to the parabolic reflector;
a tensioning system configured to hold the flexible membrane substantially taut along a top of the parabolic reflector, wherein the tensioning system comprises at least one of the one or more connector nodes, wherein the at least one of the one or more connector nodes allows for an individual support member to be set to at least one angle of a plurality of angles when the support frame is formed; and
an actuation system configured to move the reflector assembly within the building in manner suitable to move the parabolic reflector within the building while maintaining the reflector assembly at a distance from the thermal pipe that is sufficient for the parabolic reflector to focus solar radiation received by the parabolic reflector onto the thermal pipe.