Solar Parabolic-Trough Hybrid

by Brad
(Las Vegas, NV)

I've been working on a parabolic idea, after I purchased a parabolic burner (and saw how great it was), and watched this you-tube video, on building a solar trough cooker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGq1XOXg1G0

My idea was to take a few large foam-boards, which I bought for $6.30 at the local Hobby shop, cut them in half, and bend them into a parabola. While they were bent, I taped aluminum foil tape to one side. This helped hold the shape but I need to test the shape and adjust, so I then punched a hole on each end and used a small nut, cork and wire...to hold the shape and adjust it as needed. When I found the light line, I copied the shape with two others. This is a very simple idea. No math, just a simple dial-in approach.

I then took the boards outside and with wooden pegs, connected them so that I could swivel them and find the vertical focal points to couple with the already established horizontal focal points. I put a wooden planter with a wine glass of water as my target. As I was focusing, the sunlight went into the glass and exited downward onto the wooden planter in a focal point that burned the wood within seconds. Obviously, the idea is working well.

Now it's just a matter of adding "reflective canoes" into the gaps and taping it up.

I think the adjustable-bow is an excellent idea which is why I posted this story and the pictures. Hopefully this helps others get ideas.



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Greetings Again Brad,

This is great, an excellent and innovative means of making a parabolic with the most basic of materials.
Yes, this is exactly why we invite all to share their own solar cooking experiences so that all may benefit from it.
We'll be interested in seeing more as you finish it up.

Thank you for sharing this with us.
I like it.

Nathan
Admin.