A double line focusing solar energy collection apparatus of the present invention includes a heat collector, a secondary concentrator, and a bracket. The heat collector includes a primary concentrator and a heat collection tube, in which the primary concentrator has a focus line. The secondary concentrator has a focus line. The bracket supports the primary concentrator, the heat collection tube, and the secondary concentrator. The heat collection tube is located between the primary and secondary concentrators and located on the focus lines of the secondary and primary concentrators. The primary concentrator is a paraboloid reflector or Fresnel reflector. The secondary concentrator is a paraboloid reflector or Fresnel reflector. By adding the secondary concentrator, it achieves low light loss and high heat collection efficiency, and erosion of the heat collection tube by sand, rain, and snow can be effectively prevented, thereby extending the lifetime of the heat collection tube effectively.

A fluidic solar actuation system comprising a plurality of fluidic solar actuators that each include a first fluidic inflatable actuator, and a second fluidic inflatable actuator. The system also includes a fluidic routing system configured to covey a fluid originating from a fluid source to: the respective first fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the first fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the first fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the second fluidic inflatable actuators, and the respective second fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the second fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the second fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the first fluidic inflatable actuators.

A fluidic solar actuation system comprising a plurality of fluidic solar actuators that each include a first fluidic inflatable actuator, and a second fluidic inflatable actuator. The system also includes a fluidic routing system configured to covey a fluid originating from a fluid source to: the respective first fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the first fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the first fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the second fluidic inflatable actuators, and the respective second fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the second fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the second fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the first fluidic inflatable actuators.

A gas processing system includes an input gas supply, an output gas storage container and/or an inlet to a secondary reactor, and a solar-thermal reactor. The solar-thermal reactor uses a solar collector to focus sunlight onto a reactor, the reactor having a housing that encloses a reaction chamber, a catalyst arranged therein, an inlet for receiving the input gas and an outlet for expelling the output gas. Sunlight is focused by the solar collector to heat the reactor and thereby chemically convert the input gas from the gas supply into the output gas that can be stored in the output gas container or directed towards the secondary reactor.

A gas processing system includes an input gas supply, an output gas storage container and/or an inlet to a secondary reactor, and a solar-thermal reactor. The solar-thermal reactor uses a solar collector to focus sunlight onto a reactor, the reactor having a housing that encloses a reaction chamber, a catalyst arranged therein, an inlet for receiving the input gas and an outlet for expelling the output gas. Sunlight is focused by the solar collector to heat the reactor and thereby chemically convert the input gas from the gas supply into the output gas that can be stored in the output gas container or directed towards the secondary reactor.

A parabolic trough collector module with an absorber tube with a central axis; a parabolic reflector which focuses solar radiation onto the absorber tube and which includes a reflector surface; and a stand device, on which the parabolic reflector is pivotally mounted, the stand device having at least one stand post and the absorber tube being mounted on the stand post. In the reflector surface, the parabolic reflector has a cut-out section running perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, and a support device extends through the cut-out section and has an absorber tube mount that forms a linear guide, on which mount the absorber tube is slidingly mounted in the longitudinal direction.

A parabolic trough collector module with an absorber tube with a central axis; a parabolic reflector which focuses solar radiation onto the absorber tube and which includes a reflector surface; and a stand device, on which the parabolic reflector is pivotally mounted, the stand device having at least one stand post and the absorber tube being mounted on the stand post. In the reflector surface, the parabolic reflector has a cut-out section running perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, and a support device extends through the cut-out section and has an absorber tube mount that forms a linear guide, on which mount the absorber tube is slidingly mounted in the longitudinal direction.

A solar actuator system comprising at least one actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes: a top coupler; an angled bottom coupler having a top-end and respective first and second faces on opposing first and second sides of the top-end, the angled bottom coupler coupled to the top coupler via a one-degree-of-freedom joint between the top coupler and the angled bottom coupler; and at least a first and second actuator, with the first actuator disposed on the first side of the angled bottom coupler and the second actuator disposed on the second side of the angled bottom coupler.

A solar actuator system comprising at least one actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes: a top coupler; an angled bottom coupler having a top-end and respective first and second faces on opposing first and second sides of the top-end, the angled bottom coupler coupled to the top coupler via a one-degree-of-freedom joint between the top coupler and the angled bottom coupler; and at least a first and second actuator, with the first actuator disposed on the first side of the angled bottom coupler and the second actuator disposed on the second side of the angled bottom coupler.

The invention relates to a device for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising an inflatable concentrator cushion, which comprises a cover film element comprising a light-permeable entry window for coupling in solar radiation and a reflector film, which sub-divides the concentrator cushion into at least two hollow spaces, for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising a pivoting apparatus, by means of which the concentrator cushion can be pivoted, in particular about its longitudinal axis, and comprising a retaining apparatus mounted to the pivoting apparatus, for retaining the concentrator cushion, which retaining apparatus comprises an upper longitudinal member extending in the longitudinal direction of the concentrator cushion, for suspending the absorber, wherein the upper longitudinal member is arranged on a substantially air-tight closed upper passage opening of the concentrator cushion.