Parabolic Solar Concentrator
Description
An idea that's been kicking around in the back of my mind forever. I first made one out of cardboard and aluminum foil that worked adequately. The goal is to make a Really Big one some day with a flash boiler at the focal point. Print the segment six times and hold them together with glue or a hose clamp about the raised center segment. Coat parabolic surface with tinfoil or reflective paint. Pump water thru a coil of copper tube at the focal point. Mount the whole thing on something that tracks the sun. The flange will aid mounting to an equatorial mount. NOTE: the curvature is a GUESS and a better curve will probably work better. Got math? At 100% scale the segments print in about 2 hrs apiece with support. At 300% scale the entire parabola prints in 1-1/2 days without support. Let me know if you make progress with the design.
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