US 2009/0151712 A1 · APPARATUS FOR TRACKING SOLAR RADIATION

Abstract

The tracking apparatus (2) comprises a frame (4) mounted on a rigid stand that is orientated such that the longitudinal axis (6) of the frame is at an angle above horizontal. The frame (4) comprises opposite frame members (8 and 10) between which is mounted reservoirs in the form of hollow side tanks (12 and 14). Each of the tanks is partially filled with a liquid refrigerant. The interior of the tank (12) is connected to flexible bellows (16) through the passageway of a conduit (18). The interior of the tank (14) is connected to flexible bellows (20) through the passageway of a further conduit (22). An actuating mechanism (24) is secured to frame member (10) of the frame. The actuating mechanism comprises a further frame (26) to which the outer ends of bellows (16 and 20) are fastened. The inner ends of the bellows are connected by a rigid shaft (28) which is driven back and forth by the bellows (16 and 20) to effect rotation of drive wheel (30) of the actuating mechanism. The drive wheel is fixedly secured to an inner axle (32) comprising output drive means and defining the longitudinal axis (6), such that rotation of the drive wheel rotates the inner axle. The inner axle is received within an outer axle (34) extending through the opposite frame members of (8 and 10) of the frame (4) of the tracking apparatus. First shade means comprising an elongate shade (36) and opposite inner and outer shade arms (38 and 40), to which the shade (36) is fixed, is mounted on the inner axle (32). The outer shade arm (40) is fixed to the drive wheel (30) for rotation of the shade with the drive wheel and the inner axle. Second shade means comprising a further elongate shade (42) lying parallel with respect to tank (14) and opposite inner and outer shade arms (44 and 46) to which that shade is fixed, is mounted on the outer axle (34). As the sun rises, tank (12) is progressively shaded by shade panel (36) while tank (14) is heated by the solar radiation. The pressure of the refrigerant in tank (12) thereby decreases and the resulting differential refrigerant pressure between tank (12) and tank (14) causes bellows (20) to partially extend and bellows (16) to partially contract. The extension of bellows (20) and contraction of bellows (16) drives shaft (28) laterally forcing the ever arm (48) of the actuating mechanism to pivot about pivot pin (50) and the drive wheel (30) to rotate. The rotation of the drive wheel raises shade (36) in a westerly direction exposing tank (12) to the incident solar radiation. Both of the tanks are thereby heated equally once more, and the refrigerant pressure in the tanks equalises stopping rotation of the drive wheel.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A tracking apparatus for tracking solar radiation from the sun, the device comprising:

first shade means rotatable about an axis of rotation;
second shade means rotatable about the axis of rotation;
a first reservoir for a fluid and which is arranged to one side of the axis of rotation;
a second reservoir for a fluid and which is arranged to an opposite side of the axis of rotation;
an actuating mechanism for rotating the first shade means about the axis of rotation;
a driving mechanism disposed for fluid communication with the fluid in the first reservoir and the fluid in the second reservoir, for driving the actuating mechanism to effect the rotation of the first shade means about the axis of rotation in one direction with the heating of the second reservoir by the solar radiation and in an opposite direction about the axis of rotation with heating of the first reservoir by the solar radiation;
and
output drive means adapted for being coupled to a solar device to synchronously rotate the solar device with the first shade means when the first shade means is rotated in the one direction for tracking of the solar radiation by the solar device;
wherein the first shade means is arranged for progressive rotation in the one direction to shade the first reservoir with the heating of the second reservoir by the solar radiation, and the second shade means is arranged for rotation in the one direction from an initial position with the first shade means to a final position for shading the second reservoir during a further daylight period to effect return of the first shade means and the second shade means in the opposite direction with heating of the first reservoir by the solar radiation during the further daylight period.

6 more elements

A tracking apparatus for tracking solar radiation from the sun, comprising:

a solar device arranged for being exposed to the solar radiation;
first shade means rotatable about an axis of rotation;
second shade means rotatable about the axis of rotation;
a first reservoir for a fluid and which is arranged to one side of the axis of rotation;
a second reservoir for a fluid and which is arranged to an opposite side of the axis of rotation;
an actuating mechanism for rotating the first shade means about the axis of rotation;
a driving mechanism disposed for fluid communication with the fluid in the first reservoir and the fluid in the second reservoir, for driving the actuating mechanism to effect the rotation of the first shade means about the axis of rotation in one direction with the heating of the second reservoir by the solar radiation and in an opposite direction about the axis of rotation with heating of the first reservoir by the solar radiation;
and
output drive means for driving rotation of the solar device synchronously with the rotation of the first shade means when the first shade means is rotated in the one direction for tracking of the solar radiation by the solar device;
wherein the first shade means is arranged for progressive rotation in the one direction to shade the first reservoir with the heating of the second reservoir by the solar radiation, and the second shade means is arranged for rotation in the one direction from an initial position with the first shade means to a final position for shading the second reservoir during a further daylight period to effect return of the first shade means and the second shade means in the opposite direction with heating of the first reservoir by the solar radiation during the further daylight period.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for tracking solar radiation

Life of this patent

Apparatus for tracking solar radiation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17