Center-Oriented Aiming Strategy for Heliostat With Spinning-Elevation Tracking Method

Abstract

Abstract Spinning-elevation (SE) tracking system produces a decent image on the receiver surface; however, it is subjected to large variations in tracking speed. In this research, a graphical ray tracing (GRT) model for center-oriented spinning-elevation (COSE) tracking method is developed to evaluate tracking angles. Instead of a target, a heliostat is pointed toward the on-field center point of the tower. Therefore, a spinning-axis of rotation is a line joining a heliostat, and a center of the tower and elevation-axis is perpendicular to it. This aiming strategy has shown a substantial reduction in rotations of spinning-motor. In contrast, the elevation-motor runs at slightly higher rotations than the target-oriented SE method for the same application. Also, COSE tracking method obtains better shape of the reflected image with less aberration on the receiver surface as compared with SE and the traditional Azimuth-elevation (AE) method.