Sunreign Reference: Lets Build 'em !

Lets Build 'em !

Open Top Design

Parabolictrough.org project version 1.
Reuk.uk
Parabolic HotDog Cooker
Kaligorou Lloyd
300degrees
STG international
Pgirl’s blog
George Workshops
Water Distiller
A wooden version
Infinitherm

Closed Top Design

Gang Xiao

How to Calculate a Parabola

Parabola Theory

We have a page devoted to the formula used to calculate parabolic collectors here. To simply calculate the curve you can use the suggestions below.

Geobra

You can use a tool like Geobra to calculate arbitrary parabolic shapes. The Formula for a parabola is y=x*x.
If you want to specify the focal length you can use the formual y=(x*x)/4*F where F is the focal length you want.

Wolfram

Another way is this Wolfram demonstration. It is not 100% correct, it calculates the concentration ratio from the apperture devided by the circumference of the tube. the tube however is mostly lit from the sides and bottom, so that doubles the concetration ratio.

Sunreign Reference : ParabolicTroughDIYLinks