STUDY, DESIGN, AND FABRICATION OF SOLAR ENERGY CONCENTRATOR MODELS,

Abstract

Six nonreflective, all-metal monocoque segment electroformed petals of a 44 1/2-foot-diameter parabolic reflector were designed, fabricated, and tested. The interrelationships between weight, accuracy, and some structural characteristics were relatively inexpensively investigated. Fabrication techniques and process parameters were identified and evaluated for future use. Replication accuracy was related to concentrator system performance by means of a solar raytracing technique. Simple structural comparisons were made by means of bending and torsinal spring rate determinations. Petal fabrication and test gear, including all of the required patterns and attendent electroforming equipment were designed and fabricated. Recommendations for certain features of more sophisticated future programs involving large lightweight electroformed structures were derived. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1963
Accession Number
AD0439838

Entities

People

  • L. M. Springer

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Diameters
  • Electroforming
  • Energy
  • Fabrication
  • Lightweight
  • Material Forming Processes
  • Monocoques
  • Reflectors
  • Shells (Structural Forms)
  • Solar Energy
  • Structural Components
  • Weight

Readers

  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.
  • Structural Dynamics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design