CAI for Minimizing Movement of Solar Tracking Concentrators

Abstract

Computer-Aided Innovation (CAI) has proven useful for creative problem solving, particularly when faced with opposing restrictions. The work presented is faced with such restrictions in terms of solar tracking concentrators. The targeted low cost regarding the tracking system is opposed to the need of a constant precise and controlled movement. The literature revised will be discussed and then areas of opportunity found. The proposal involved the use of computer simulation for concept selection and validation trough a ray-trace method and mathematical models interrelationship for minimizing movement of a solar tracking concentrator. Trace Pro software from Lambda Research is used for ray-trace simulation. This method consists on the projection of a large number of rays over the optical system, and even by reflection or refraction, system's efficiency can be determined. In the end, an optimal solution is found depending on the conditions considered and conceptual designs are proposed.