CPC F24S 23/31 (2018.05) [F24S 20/30 (2018.05); H02S 40/22 (2014.12); F24S 2020/23 (2018.05)] | 20 Claims |
1. A solar heating system, comprising:
a container configured to enclose contents within the container in a closed configuration; and
a solar refraction device comprising a lens array assembly having a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies, the lens array assembly configured to refract solar energy impinging on the lens array assembly to focus refracted solar energy at a plurality of focal points positioned to heat the contents enclosed within the container in the closed configuration, each of the plurality of focal points corresponding to a corresponding lens array sub-assembly of the plurality of lens array sub-assemblies, and wherein the solar refraction device forms a canopy having a curved shape;
the solar heating system further comprising one or more reflectors positioned to reflect at least a portion of the refracted solar energy toward the container;
wherein the solar heating system is configured to heat or melt materials inside the container;
wherein the container includes an elongated pipe segment with a round cross section;
wherein the lens array assembly is contoured to a shape of the elongated pipe segment such that the plurality of focal points are positioned within the elongated pipe segment along a length of the elongated pipe segment; and
wherein a plurality of support structures connect and support the lens array assembly relative to the elongated pipe segment along the length of the elongated pipe segment.
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