Mechanical solar tracking and solar concentrator

An apparatus for mechanically tracking the Sun and concentrating the Sun's rays, comprising:

• a Fresnel lens that concentrates the Sun's rays at a focal point;
• a frame having a first end and a second end with the Fresnel lens secured near the first end and a solar collector near the second end, wherein the solar collector is located at a distance from the Fresnel lens that is generally equal to a focal length of the Fresnel lens, the frame further including a vertical pivoting axis and a horizontal pivoting axis;
• a tracking guide proximate the second end of the frame, the tracking guide having a plurality of stopping members at predetermined intervals and at least one guiding member in mechanical communication with the plurality of stopping members;
• a retaining/releasing mechanism attached to the second end of the frame, the retaining/releasing mechanism adapted to engage and disengage with the plurality of stopping members;
• the retaining/releasing mechanism having a piston rod that has a first position of repose and a second actuated position, wherein the movement of the piston rod between the first and second positions is controlled by an actuator;
• the first position of repose including the piston rod extended outward away from the lens at a distance that results in the piston rod contacting one of the plurality of stopping members when the frame rotates the piston rod into contact with one of the plurality of stopping members;
• the second actuated position including the piston rod retracted inward towards the lens such that the piston rod is incapable of contacting one of the plurality of stopping members;
• the actuator in communication with the retaining/releasing mechanism, the actuator adapted to control whether the retaining/releasing mechanism engages or disengages with the plurality of stopping members;
• a timer in communication with the actuator, the timer controlling the actuation of the actuator;
• a biasing member applying a constant biasing force on the frame causing the frame to rotate about the vertical axis of the frame when the retaining/releasing mechanism is disengaged with the plurality of stopping members;
• the tracking guide having two guide members extending generally in parallel relation to each other with the plurality of stopping members intersecting a plane extending perpendicularly between the two guide members;
• the stopping members located distally from the lens at a distance greater than a distance between the lens and the two guide members;
• and
• the retaining/releasing mechanism extending distally beyond the two guide members such that the retaining/releasing mechanism at least partially resides between the two guide members.