FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10 and rule 13]
1. Title: SYSTEMS FOR LOWERING AND RAISING OF REFLECTOR AND TILTING OF RECEIVER OF SOLAR CONCENTRATOR
2. APPLICANT:
(a) NAME: A.T.E. ENTERPRISES PRIVATE LIMITED
{b) NATIONALITY: INDIAN
(c) ADDRESS: 43, Dr. V B Gandhi Marg, Fort, Mumbai 400 023 India
The following specification describes the invention

SYSTEMS FOR LOWERING AND RAISING OF REFLECTOR AND TILTING OF RECEIVER OF SOLAR CONCENTRATOR
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The invention generally relates to a solar concentrator system. More specifically, the invention relates to a solar concentrator system having a reflector lowering and raising unit for facilitating movement of a reflector assembly and a receiver tilting unit for facilitating an angular movement of the receiver.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Solar concentrator systems are used for collection and utilization of solar energy. Solar energy incident on a solar concentrator system are concentrated via a paraboloidal shaped dish and then split through a prism to focus wavelengths onto a receiver optimized for a predefined spectrum. The paraboloidal shaped dish allows efficient collection of solar rays around a focal point of the paraboloidal dish shape. Additionally, these solar concentrator systems provide point focus of the solar energy incident on the paraboloidal shaped dish. Therefore, loss of the solar energy due to geometrical limitations during collection is minimized.
[0003] Solar concentrator systems generally include various constructional members, such as, but are not limited to, supporting structures, a reflector support structure, a rotating unit, a receiver, and a support stand. These constructional members, such as the receiver and the reflector support structure, require regular maintenance due to constant exposure to the sun and different environmental conditions. The maintenance activities may be for example, painting, coating of black surface, replacement of defective constructional members, fixing of leakages, and alignment of reflector holding channels. Typically, in order to perform such maintenance tasks, a crane or any other lifting mechanism may be used.

100041 There is a need to perform regular maintenance tasks for different constructional members in a solar concentrator system. Thus, these different constructional members need to be accessed by humans for performing maintenance activities. Therefore, there is a need to conveniently move various parts such as, a reflector support structure and a receiver of the solar concentrator system to perform the maintenance activities with ease.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0005] The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the invention.
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a solar concentrator system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate a reflector lowering and raising unit for facilitating movement of a reflector assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates working of wire rope drum of reflector lowering and raising unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B illustrate a solar concentrator systemhaving a receiver tilting unit to facilitate the angular movement of a receiver in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates a receiver pulley arrangement for tilting receiver in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components related to a solar concentrator system. Accordingly, the apparatus components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
[00121 As required, detailed embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.
[0013] The terms "first," "second," "top", "bottom" and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

[0014] Various embodiments of the invention provide a solar concentrator system having a reflector lowering and raising unit and a receiver tilting unit. The solar concentrator system includes reflector lowering and raising unit mounted on a support stand fixedly positioned on ground, a reflector support structure mounted on the reflector lowering and raising unit, a receiver connected to the reflector support structure using one or more receiver connecting arms, and the receiver tilting unit. The receiver is aligned with respect to an axis of a reflector surface in the reflector support structure and positioned at a distance of a focal length of the reflector support structure. The reflector lowering and raising unit facilitates movement of the reflector support structure along the support stand. For example, the reflector support structure may be raised or lowered along the support stand. Whereas, the receiver tilting unit facilitates an angular movement of the receiver. The receiving tilting unit connects the receiver to the reflector support structure, the reflector lowering and raising unit, or a combination thereof.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a solar concentrator system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Solar concentrator system 100 is constructed by arranging various constructional members. In an embodiment, solar concentrator system 100 may be implemented as a solar dish. Solar concentrator system 100 may be, for example a paraboloidal solar concentrator system. Solar concentrator system 300 includes a reflector lowering and raising unit 102 mounted on a support stand 104, and a reflector assembly (not numbered in FIG. 1) mounted on reflector lowering and raising unit 102. The reflector assembly includes a reflector support structure 106 mounted on reflector lowering and raising unit 102, and a reflector surface 108 mounted on reflector support structure 106. Support stand 104 is fixedly positioned on ground. Support stand 104 may have one of a circular cross section, a square cross section, a rectangular cross section, or a triangular cross section. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that support stand 104 may have any other cross sectional shapes.
[00161 Solar concentrator system 100 also includes a receiver 110 placed at a distance of a focal length of a reflector support structure 106. Receiver 110 is connected to reflector support structure 106 using one or more receiver connecting arms such as, a receiver

connecting arm 112. In an embodiment, reflector support structure 106 may resemble a three-dimensional surface of a paraboloidal shape. However, reflector support structure 106 may also resemble three-dimensional surface of one of, a cylindrical shape, a conical shape, a spherical shape, or a built-in Fresnel shape. It would be readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that a reflector support structure of any shape may be used In solar concentrator system 100.
[0017] Reflector lowering and raising unit 102 of solar concentrator system 100 facilitates movement of reflector support structure 106 in order to adjust radiation that falls on reflector surface 108 to focus on receiver 110. Reflector lowering and raising unit 102 may include a single axis movement or a double axis movement for moving reflector support structure 106 and for adjusting the radiation that falls on reflector surface 108 to focus on receiver 110. Working of reflector lowering and raising unit 102 is described in detail in conjunction with FIG. 3.
[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, reflector surface 108 may be constructed with a single reflector piece or a plurality of reflector pieces. The plurality of reflector pieces may be made from reflecting materials, such as but not limited to, glass, sheet metal, acrylic, and silver foil. Further, reflecting pieces of different shapes, such as but not limited to, square, rectangular, triangular, and trapezoidal may be used for designing reflector surface 108. In an embodiment, a flexible sheet material may be used to prepare the plurality of reflectors, such that, the plurality of reflectors may be bent based on the paraboloidal dish shape of reflector surface 108. In another embodiment, a rigid material may be.used to prepare the plurality of reflectors. Geometric profile of the plurality of reflectors may be straight or curved.
[0019] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 1, receiver 110 is connected to reflector structure 106 using the one or more receiver connecting arms. In an embodiment, solar concentrator system 100 may include four receiver connecting arms for holding receiver 110. In another embodiment, solar concentrator system 100 may include only two receiver connecting arms for holding receiver 110. Examples of receiver 110 may

include, but are not limited to, a thermal heat exchanger, photovoltaic cells and an external combustion engine. Solar concentrator system 100 also includes the receiver tilting unit for facilitating an angular movement of receiver ] 10. Receiver 110 is moved angularly downwards and upwards so that receiver 110 is accessible to people for performing maintenance activities on receiver 110. Working of the receiver tilting unit is described in further detail in conjunction with FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B.
[0020] Solar concentrator system 100 may have to track the sun to efficiently utilize the solar rays. To this end, reflector lowering and raising unit 102 may be utilized for enabling solar concentrator system 100 to track the sun. Reflector lowering and raising unit 102 of solar concentrator system 100 includes one or more rotating structures mounted on support stand 104. A rotating structure of the one or more rotating structures may be positioned with respect to either a horizontal axis of reflector lowering and raising unit 102. a vertical axis of reflector lowering and raising unit 102, or a polar axis of reflector lowering and raising unit 102. The one or more rotating structures facilitate alignment of reflector surface 108 with respect to the sun and focusing receiver 110 to receive radiation from the sun. The rotating structures may include elements known in the art for enabling a solar concentrator system to track the sun.
[0021] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate a reflector lowering and raising unit 200 of a solar concentrator system 202 for facilitating movement of a reflector support structure 204 of a reflector assembly (not numbered in FIG. 1) mounted on reflector lowering and raising unit 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, solar concentrator system 200 may be a solar dish. More specifically, reflector lowering and raising unit 200 moves reflector support structure 204 vertically down for maintenance purposes and vertically up to achieve an operational position. The operational position indicates the position of reflector support structure 204, when reflector support structure 204 may be used for tracking and receiving the solar rays.
[0022] In an embodiment, solar concentrator system 202 includes a support stand 206 with a wire rope drum 208 mounted on support stand 206. However, reflector lowering

and raising unit 200 may also be mounted on the ground and positioned with respect to a horizontal axis or a polar axis of reflector lowering and raising unit 200. In an embodiment, wire rope drum 208 may be a shaft of a reflector lowering and raising unit such as, reflector lowering and raising unit 200 or reflector lowering and raising unit 102 that facilitates solar concentrator system 202 to track the sun to receive the sunrays. The shaft may be used for varying an angular orientation of reflector support structure 204 for tracking the sun. The shaft of the reflector lowering and raising unit is explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 4. In addition to reflector support structure 204, the reflector assembly also includes a reflector surface 210 mounted on reflector support structure 204. The reflector lowering and raising unit includes one or more rotating structures such as, a rotating structure 212 for focusing reflector surface 210 to receive the sunrays or radiation from the sun by rotating reflector support structure 204 in a desired direction. A reflector lowering and raising unit such as, reflector lowering and raising unit 102 is explained in detail in conjunction FIG. 1.
10023] Rotating structure 212 includes one or more supporting members such as, a supporting member 214 to which wire rope drum 208 may be connected. Thus, the one or more supporting members hold wire rope drum 208 in a position as illustrated in FIG. 3. Wire rope drum 208 is driven by a speed change unit 216 and a drive unit 218. The operation of speed change unit 216 and drive unit 218 is explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 4.
[0024] The reflector lowering and raising unit 200 may further include a plurality of pulleys mounted on support stand 206. Plurality of pulleys include a pulley 220 and a pulley 222. In an embodiment, the plurality of pulleys may be mounted at a top end of a central pole 224 of support stand 206 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.
[00251 In order to facilitate the movement of reflector support structure 204, reflector lowering and raising unit 200 also includes a plurality of wire ropes. The plurality of wire ropes include a wire rope 226 and a wire rope 228. Each wire rope of the plurality of wire ropes may have a first end connected to reflector support structure 204 and a second end

operatively connected to wire rope drum 208. Each wire also passes over a corresponding pulley of the plurality of pulleys. For example, wire rope 226 may have a first end connected to reflector support structure 204 and a second end connected to wire rope drum 208. Wire rope 226 also passes over pulley 220. Similarly, wire rope 228 may have a first end connected to reflector support structure 204 and a second end connected to wire rope drum 208. Wire rope 228 also passes over pulley 222. This arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.
[0026] Once wire rope drum 208 operates, the plurality of wire ropes are pulled and retractably released. Subsequently, the plurality of ropes pass over the plurality of pulleys to move reflector support structure 204 vertically up and down. In an embodiment, the plurality of wire ropes may be wound on wire rope drum 208. In this embodiment, wire rope drum 208 may rotate in a first direction to unwind wire rope 226 and wire rope 228 thereby moving reflector support structure 204 in a vertically downward direction. Consequently, reflector support structure 204 may be moved in the downward direction so that reflector support structure 204 may be positioned at a height accessible to an operator for performing the maintenance activities. Once the maintenance activities are accomplished, wire rope drum 208 may rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction. While rotating in the second direction, wire rope drum 208 winds up wire rope 226 and wire rope 228 around wire rope drum 208. Consequently, reflector support structure 204 may move vertically upward direction to achieve the operational state for receiving the solar rays.
[0027] While moving vertically up and down, reflector support structure 204 moves along support stand 206. Support stand 206 includes an opening 230 that enables support stand 206 to pass through reflector support structure 204 during the vertical movement of reflector support structure 204. Opening 230 may have a predetermined dimension. For example, the dimension of opening 230 may be determined based on cross-sectionai dimensions of support stand 206 and an angle of tilt of reflector support structure 204. Opening 230 may have a shape such as, circular, square, rectangular, triangular and a parallelogram.

[0028] In an embodiment, a plurality of movable members (not shown in FIG. 2) may be movably mounted on sides of reflector support structure 204 to facilitate movement of reflector support structure 204 along support stand 206. A movable member of the plurality of movable members may be a roller. The roller may have a wheel like structure. For example, a plurality of rollers may be mounted on sides of opening 230. Then the plurality of rollers may move along a track (not shown in FIG. 2) mounted on the sides of support stand 206. Thus, one or more rollers of the plurality of rollers enable reflector support structure 204 to be smoothly guided along the sides of support stand 206. The presence of the plurality of rollers provide additional support to reflector support structure 204 while vertically moving up and down along support stand 206.
[0029] Alternatively, a movable member of the plurality of movable members may be a sliding unit or a slider (not shown in FIG. 2). In this case, for example, a plurality of sliding units may be mounted on the sides of opening 230 to facilitate movement of reflector support structure 204. Then the plurality of sliding units may move along a sliding track (not shown in FIG. 2) mounted on the sides of support stand 206. Thus, the plurality of sliding units enable reflector support structure 204 to be smoothly guided along the sides of support stand 206. The presence of the plurality of sliding units provide additional support to reflector support structure 204 while vertically moving up and down along support stand 206. Further, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that solar concentrator system 202 may include any other mechanisms known in the art for facilitating the movement of reflector support structure 204 along the sides of support stand 206.
[0030] Now moving on to FIG. 4, the working of wire rope drum 208 of reflector lowering and raising unit 200 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Wire rope drum 208 of reflector lowering and raising unit 200 is mounted on a horizontal axis X-X: of reflector lowering and raising unit 200 or the polar axis of reflector lowering and raising unit 200. Central pole 224 having the plurality of pulleys are aligned with respect to a vertical axis Y-Y' of reflector lowering and raising unit 200. As described in conjunction with FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, each wire rope of the plurality of

wire ropes pass over a corresponding pulley of the plurality of pulleys to move reflector support structure 204 in a vertically upward and downward direction. Reflector support structure 204 may be vertically moved downwards in response to rotating wire rope drum 208, to retractably release wire rope 226 and wire rope 228 from wire rope drum 208. Alternatively, reflector support structure 204 may be vertically moved upwards in response to rotating wire rope drum 208 in an opposite direction, to retrieve wire rope 226 and wire rope 228 into wire rope drum 208. This is explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.
[0031] Wire rope drum 208 is rotated or driven using speed change unit 216 and drive unit 218. FIG. 4 illustrates speed change unit 216 and drive unit 218 connected to wire rope drum 208 through speed change unit 216. Speed change unit 216 may be capable of controlling speed of the movement ofreflector support structure 204 in an upward direction or in a downward direction. In an embodiment, speed change unit 216 may include a gear arrangement 400 connected to drive unit 218 for driving wire rope drum 208.
[00321 Drive unit 218 is connected to wire rope drum 208 through speed change unit 216 for driving wire rope drum 208. In an embodiment, gear arrangement 400 may include two or more gears for rotating wire rope drum 208 at different speeds in a predefined direction.
[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, gear arrangement 400 may include a driven gear 402 and one or more driving gears (not shown in FIG. 4). Driven gear 402 may be mounted on wire rope drum 208 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The one or more driving gears may engage with driven gear 402 to rotate wire rope drum 208. The one or more driving gears may be operatively connected to drive unit 218. For example, driven gear 402 may be engaged with a driving gear. The driving gear may be driven by drive unit 218. Once the driving gear rotates, driven gear 402 also rotates thereby rotating wire rope drum 208 in a desired direction to move reflector support structure 204 vertically upwards and downwards. The speed of the driving gear may be adjusted to control the speed of

movement of reflector support structure 204. Alternatively, speed change unit 216 may include multiple gears capable of interchangeably engaging with driven gear 402 for varying the speed of movement of reflector support structure 204. In this case, speed change unit 216 may include a gear shifting unit (not shown in FIG. 4) for shifting the multiple gears to be engaged with driven gear 402 in order to change speed of rotation of wire rope drum 208. These multiple gears may vary in size and their size may be dependent on a speed at which these gears can drive driven gear 402.
[00341 For example, driven gear 402 may be engaged with a first driving gear connected to drive unit 218. The first driving gear transmits rotational energy to driven gear 402 in order to deliver the rotational energy to rotate wire rope drum 208. Thereafter, a gear shifting unit (now shown in FIG. 4) may be operated to disengage the first driving gear from driven gear 402 and engage a second driving gear with driven gear 402. The second driving gear may be rotated at a different speed as compared to a speed of the first driving gear. Thus, the rotational energy of the second driving gear is transferred to wire rope drum 208 through driven gear 402 thereby resulting in a change of speed of rotation of wire rope drum 208.
[0035] Alternatively, speed change unit 216 may include a pulley arrangement (not shown in FIG. 4) connected to drive unit 404 for driving wire rope drum 208. In this embodiment, a driven pulley may be mounted on wire rope drum 208. The driven pulley may be connected to one or more driving pulleys using one or more wire ropes or one or more belt members. The one or more driving pulleys may drive the driven pulley. The speed of rotation of the one or more driving pulleys may be varied to vary the speed of rotation of the driven pulley. Alternatively, the driven pulley may be interchangeably connected to different driving pulleys to vary the speed of rotation of the driven pulley. Thus, by varying the speed of rotation of the driven pulley, speed of the movement of reflector support structure 204 can be varied.
[0036J Speed change unit 216 is driven by drive unit 218 as explained earlier. Drive unit 218 may be operated automatically by a motor. In this embodiment, drive unit 218 may
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include one or more motor drives for driving wire rope drum 208 at a predefined speed and in a predefined direction.
[00371 For example, a first motor drive may be connected to a driving gear engaged with driven gear 402. The first motor drive may rotate a first driving gear to drive wire rope drum 208 through driven gear 402 at a particular speed. Thereafter, a second motor drive connected to a second driving gear may be engaged with driven gear 402. In this case, upon operating the second motor drive, the second driving gear may rotate to drive driven gear 402. Driven gear 402 then drives wire rope drum 208 at a different speed. By varying the speed using different gears or motor drives, a speed of movement of reflector support structure 204 may be varied. The speed of movement may be defined by an operator of a solar concentrator system such as, solar concentrator system202.
[0038] In an embodiment, drive unit 218 may be operated manually. In this embodiment, drive unit 218 may be a pulley arrangement (not shown in FIG. 4) connected to speed change unit 216. The pulley arrangement may be operated manually using a hand by the operator of the solar concentrator system. Alternatively, the pulley arrangement may be operated by a motor or an engine. The pulley arrangement may include one or more wire ropes or one or more belt members connecting the pulley arrangement to speed change unit 216. Thus, speed change unit 216 may be operated by rotating the pulley arrangement at a desired speed by the operator. In another embodiment, drive unit 218 may be operated automatically by an engine.
[0039] In an embodiment, one or more locking members may be provided in solar concentrator system 202. The one or more locking members such as, a locking member 404-1, a locking member 404-2, a locking member 404-3 and a locking member 404-4. may be unlocked prior to moving reflector support structure 204 upwards and downwards. The one or more locking members are used as support to reflector support structure 204 while executing angular movement or tilting of reflector support structure 204 for tracking the sun. Reflector support structure 204 may be angularly tilted using the shaft such as, wire rope drum 208 of solar concentrator system 202. Wire rope drum 208

may be rotated by drive unit 218 through speed change unit 216 for angularly tilting reflector support structure 204. Thus, while executing the angular tilting movement, the one or more locking members are used and prior to moving reflector support structure 204 upwards and downwards, the one or more locking members are removed or unlocked.
[0040] In addition to moving a reflector support structure such as, reflector support structure 204 of the solar concentrator system for maintenance, a receiver also requires frequent maintenance. Thus, a receiver tilting unit may be used for tilting the receiver to a convenient position for maintenance activities. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B illustrate a solar concentrator system 500 having a receiver tilting unit 502 to facilitate the angular movement of a receiver 504 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Solar concentrator system 500 include one or more receiver connecting arms having a first end connected to receiver 504 and a second end pivoted to one of a reflector support structure 506 and a reflector lowering and raising unit 508. In an embodiment, the one or more receiver connecting arms may be pivotally connected to reflector support structure 106 and reflector lowering and raising unit 102. For example, a receiver connecting arm 510 may have a first end connecting receiver 510 and a second end pivoted to one of a reflector support structure 506 and a reflector lowering and raising unit 508. Similarly, a receiver connecting arm 512 may have a first end connecting receiver 504 and a second end pivoted to one of reflector support structure 506 and reflector lowering and raising unit 508. However, it is readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that any number of receiver connecting arms holding receiver 504 may be pivoted to one or more of reflector support structure 506 and reflector lowering and raising unit 508.
[00411 The second end of receiver connecting arm 510 and receiver connecting member 512 may be connected pivotally using a plate with one or more bolts and a pivot. For example, receiver connecting arm 510 may be connected to reflector support structure 506 using a pivot connection 514. Thus, prior to tilting receiver 504, the plate and the one or more bolts may be removed or loosened thereby enablmg receiver connecting arm 510 and receiver connecting member 512 to angularly move for tilting receiver 504. Further,

it will be apparent to a person in skilled in the art that the one or more receiver connecting arms may be connected to one or more of reflector support structure 506 and reflector lowering and raising unit 508 using any other connection means known in the art.
[0042] Receiver tilting unit 502 includes one or more receiver pulleys and a plurality of receiver wire ropes. The one or more receiver pulleys may be mounted on one of the ground, reflector support structure 506, reflector lowering and raising unit 508 and a support stand 516. The plurality of receiver wire ropes may include a receiver wire rope 518 and a receiver wire rope 520.
[0043] In an embodiment, receiver tilting unit 502 includes a receiver wire rope drum 522. Receiver wire rope drum 522 may be mounted on one of support stand 516, the ground, the horizontal axis of reflector lowering and raising unit 508, or the polar axis of reflector lowering and raising unit 508. One or more receiver wire ropes of the plurality of receiver wire ropes may have a first end connected to receiver 504 and a second end operatively connected to receiver wire rope drum 522. For example, receiver wire rope 518 may have a first end connected to receiver 504 and a second end operatively connected to receiver wire rope drum 522. Further, receiver wire rope 520 have a first end connected to receiver 504 and a second end connected to reflector support structure 506. Receiver wire rope 520 may be hingedly connected to a side of reflector support structure 506.
[0044] The one or more receiver wire ropes also pass over a corresponding receiver pulley of the one or more receiver pulleys. For example, a receiver pulley arrangement 524 may be mounted on reflector support structure 506. Receiver pulley arrangement 524 may include the one or more receiver pulleys. Receiver pulley arrangement 524 is explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 6.
[0045] During operation, the one or more receiver wire ropes are retractably released from receiver wire rope drum 522 in response to operating receiver wire rope drum 522

in a particular direction. For example, wire rope drum 522 may be rotated in a clockwise direction thereby releasing receiver wire rope 518 from receiver wire rope drum 522 to downwardly tilt or angularly lower receiver 504. When receiver wire rope 518 is released, receiver wire rope 518 passes over one or more receiver pulleys of receiver pulley arrangement 524. This is explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 6. In an embodiment, receiver wire rope 518 may be wound on receiver wire rope drum 522. In this case, when receiver wire rope drum 522 is rotated, receiver wire rope 518 unwinds from receiver wire rope drum 522 thereby tilting receiver 504. While tilting, receiver 504 may rotate around pivot connections of the one or more receiver connecting arms such as, receiver connecting arm 510 and receiver connecting arm 512.
[0046] In an embodiment, a receiver connecting arm of the one or more receiver connecting arms may be locked using one or more locking arrangements at its pivot connection. The one or more locking arrangements may be released in order to tilt receiver 504. In response to tilting receiver 504j receiver wire rope 520 slacks from an original position as illustrated in FIG. 5B. Now when, receiver wire rope drum 522 is operated in an opposite direction, the one or more receiver wire ropes may be retrieved into receiver wire rope drum 522 thereby tilting receiver 504 upwards around the pivot connections of the one or more receiver connecting arms. For example, receiver wire rope drum 522 may be operated in an anticlockwise direction in order to retrieve wire rope 518 into receiver wire rope drum 522 to tilt receiver 504 upwards around the pivot connections. In an embodiment, when receiver wire rope drum 522 is rotated in the anticlockwise direction, wire rope drum 522 may be wounded again around wire rope drum 522 to tilt receiver 504 upwards to achieve an operational state. The operational state indicates that receiver 504 has reached the position to receive the sunrays.
[0047] Furthermore, in an embodiment, receiver tilting unit 502 includes a receiver speed change unit (not shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B) and a receiver drive unit (not shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B). The receiver drive unit is connected to receiver wire rope drum 522 through the receiver speed change unit for driving receiver wire rope drum 522. The receiver speed change unit is capable of controlling the speed of angular movement of

receiver 504. The receiver speed change unit may include one of a gear arrangement and a pulley arrangement. In an embodiment, the gear arrangement is connected to the receiver drive unit for driving receiver wire rope drum 52^. Alternatively, the pulley arrangement is connected to the receiver drive unit for driving receiver wire rope drum 522. The receiver drive unit may be operated manually or operated automatically by a motor, or operated automatically by an engine.
[0048] In another embodiment, one or more receiver wire ropes of the plurality of receiver wire ropes may have a first end connected to receiver 504 and a second end operatively connected to a wire rope drum such as, wire rope drum 208 used for moving the reflector support structure of the solar concentrator system. In this case, the wire rope drum may be utilized for tilting receiver 504 and moving the reflector support structure simultaneously. The process of operating the wire rope drum such as, wire rope drum 208 is explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Once the wire rope drum is operated, the one or more receiver wire ropes may be pulled and released to tilt receiver 504. The method of tilting receiver 504 is explained earlier.
[0049] Now moving to FIG. 6 illustrating receiver pulley Arrangement 524 for tilting receiver 504 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Receiver pulley arrangement 524 includes a receiver pulley 602 mounted on reflector support structure 506. Receiver pulley 602 may be mounted on a side of reflector support structure 506. As illustrated, a receiver wire rope 518 passes over receiver pulley 602. Receiver pulley arrangement 524 also includes one or more receiver wire rope locks for locking the receiver wire rope against the one or more receiver pulleys to prevent tilting movement of receiver 504. The one or more receiver wire rope locks are unlocked prior to tilting receiver 504. For example, a receiver wire rope lock 604 m.ay be a tension adjustment nut as shown in FIG. 6. Receiver wire rope lock 604 may be loosened for example, by loosening the tension adjustment nut, while tilting receiver 504 upwards or downwards to attain a desired position. By loosening receiver wire rope lock 604, the tension applied on wire rope 518 may be reduced. Once a desired position is attained, receiver wire rope lock 604 is tightened to hold receiver 504 securely in the desired position.

[0050] Further, receiver tilting unit 502 may include a guiding member 606 positioned adjacent to receiver pulley 602 for securely placing wire rope 518 over receiver pulley 602. Guiding member 606 may prevent wire rope 518 from slipping away from receiver pulley 602 when wire rope 518 sliding over receiver pulley 602 to tilt receiver 504 upwards and downwards.
[0051] Various embodiments of the invention provide a solar concentrator system. The solar concentrator system includes a reflector lowering and raising unit for facilitating movement of a reflector support structure and a receiver tilting unit for facilitating an angular movement of the receiver. Therefore, the reflector lowering and raising unit and the receiver tilting unit facilitate access to different constructional members of the solar concentrator system to an operator for regular maintenance activities in a convenient manner. Overall, the reflector lowering and raising unit and the receiver tilting unit enable regular maintenance tasks for different constructional members in the solar concentrator system to be carried out efficiently and in a cost effective manner.
[0052] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention

[0053] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The present invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. A solar concentrator system comprising:
a reflector lowering and raising unit mounted on a support stand fixedly positioned on ground;
a reflector support structure mounted on the reflector lowering and raising unit, wherein the reflector lowering and raising unit facilitates movement of the reflector support structure along the support stand;
a receiver connected to at ieast one of the reflector support structure and the reflector lowering and raising unit using at least one receiver connecting arm, wherein the receiver is aligned with respect to an axis of the reflector support structure and positioned at a distance of focal length of the reflector support structure; and
a receiver tilting unit for facilitating an angular movement of the receiver, wherein the receiving tilting unit connects the receiver to at least one of the reflector support structure and the reflector lowering and raising unit.
2. The solar concentrator system of claim 1, wherein the reflector support structure resembles three dimensional surface of one of paraboloidal shape, cylindrical shape, conical shape, spherical shape, and built-in Fresnel shape.

3. The solar concentrator system of claim I, wherein the reflector lowering and raising unit comprises at least one rotating structure mounted on the support stand, the at least one rotating structure positioned with respect to at least one of a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, and a polar axis of the reflector lowering and raising unit, wherein the at least one rotating structure facilitates in aligning the reflector support structure with respect to Sun and focusing the receiver to receive radiation from the sun.
4. The solar concentrator system of claim 1, wherein the reflector lowering and raising unit comprises:
a wire rope drum mounted on one of the support stand, the ground, and the reflector lowering and raising unit along one of a horizontal axis and a polar axis of the reflector lowering and raising unit;
a plurality of pulleys mounted on the support stand; and
a plurality of wire ropes, each wire rope of the plurality of wire ropes having a first end connected to the reflector support structure and a second end operatively connected to the wire rope drum, the each wire rope passing over a corresponding pulley of the plurality of pulleys;
whereby in response to operating the wire rope drum in a direction, at least one wire rope is retractably released from the wire rope drum to move the reflector support structure downwards, and

whereby in response to operating the wire rope drum in an opposite direction, the at least one wire rope is retrieved to the wire rope drum to move the reflector support structure upwards.
The solar concentrator system of claim 4, wherein the reflector lowering and raising unit further comprises:
a speed change unit; and
a drive unit connected to the wire rope drum through the speed change unit for driving the wire rope drum, wherein the speed change unit is capable of controlling the speed of movement of the reflector Support structure.
The solar concentrator system of claim 5, wherein the speed change unit comprises at least one of:
a gear arrangement connected to the drive unit for driving the wire rope drum; and
a pulley arrangement connected to the drive unit for driving the wire rope drum.
The solar concentrator system of claim 5, wherein the drive unit is one of: operated manually;
operated automatically by a motor; and operated automatically by an engine.

8. The solar concentrator system of claim 4 further comprising:
an opening in the reflector support structure, wherein the opening enables the support stand to pass through the reflector support structure in response to moving the reflector support structure; and
a plurality of movable members mounted on sides of the reflector support structure wherein at least one movable member of the plurality of movable members guides the reflector support structure to move along the sides of the support stand.
9. The solar concentrator system of claim 4, wherein a receiver connecting arm of the at least one receiver connecting arm having a first end connected to the receiver and a second end pivoted to one of the reflector support structure and the reflector lowering and raising unit.
10. The solar concentrator system of claim 9, wherein the receiver tilting unit comprises:
at least one receiver pulley, wherein the at least one receiver pulley is mounted on one of the ground, the reflector support structure, the reflector lowering and raising unit and the support stand;
a plurality of receiver wire ropes, at least one receiver wire rope of the plurality of receiver wire ropes having a first end connected to the receiver and a second end operatively connected to the wire rope drum, the at least one receiver

wire rope passes over a corresponding receiver pulley of the at least one receiver pulley;
whereby in response to operating the wire rope drum in a direction, the at least one receiver wire rope is retractably released from the wire rope drum to tilt the receiver around the pivot of the at least one receiver connecting arm thereby lowering the receiver; and
whereby in response to operating the wire rope drum in an opposite direction, the at least one receiver wire rope is retrieved to the wire rope drum to tilt the receiver around the pivot thereby raising the receiver.
11. The solar concentrator system of claim 1, wherein a receiver connecting arm of the at least one receiver connecting arm having a first end connected to the receiver and a second end pivoted to one of the reflector support structure and the reflector lowering and raising unit.
12. The solar concentrator system of claim 11, wherein the receiver tilting unit comprises:
a receiver wire rope drum mounted on one of the supporting stand, the ground, and the reflector lowering and raising unit along one of a horizontal axis and a polar axis of the reflector lowering and raising unit;
at least one receiver pulley, wherein the at least one receiver pulley is mounted on one of the ground, the reflector support structure, the reflector lowering and raising unit and the support stand; and

a plurality of receiver wire ropes, at least one receiver wire rope of the plurality of receiver wire ropes having a first end connected to the receiver and a second end operatively connected to the receiver wire rope drum, the at least one receiver wire rope passes over a corresponding receiver pulley of the at least one receiver pulley;
whereby in response to operating the wire rope drum in a direction, the at least one receiver wire rope is retractably released from the receiver wire rope drum to tilt the receiver around the pivot of the at least one receiver connecting arm thereby lowering the receiver; and
whereby in response to operating the wire rope drum in an opposite direction, the at least one receiver wire rope is retrieved to the receiver wire rope drum to tilt the receiver around the pivot thereby raising the receiver.
13. The solar concentrator system of claim 12, wherein the receiver tilting unit further
comprises:
a receiver speed change unit;
a receiver drive unit connected to the receiver wire rope drum through the receiver speed change unit for driving the receiver wire rope drum, wherein the receiver speed change unit is capable of controlling the speed of angular movement of the receiver.
14. The solar concentrator system of claim 13, wherein the speed change unit
comprises one of:

a gear arrangement connected to the receiver drive unit for driving the receiver wire rope drum; and
a pulley arrangement connected to the receiver drive unit for driving the receiver wire rope drum.
15. The solar concentrator system of claim 13, wherein the receiver drive unit is at
least one of:
operated manually;
operated automatically by a motor; and
operated automatically by an engine.
16. The solar concentrator system of claim 12, wherein the receiver tilting unit further comprises at least one receiver wire rope lock for locking the wire rope against the at least one of receiver pulley of the at least one receiver pulley and the reflector support structure to prevent tilting movement of the receiver, wherein the at least one receiver wire rope lock is unlocked prior to tilting the receiver.
17. The solar concentrator system of claim 11 further comprising at least one locking arrangement for the at least one receiver connecting arm, wherein the at least one locking arrangement is released for tilting the receiver.