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US 2015/0085390 A1Published application
Incident and Reflective Mirror Array Focusing by Kinematic Function Control
OwnerAustin R. Gurleyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An array of Fresnel reflectors is presented with an adjustable focus. The focus of the array is controlled by only a few mechanical parts and simple inputs. One preferred embodiment of this device is to collect sunlight and focus it onto a photovoltaic (PV) cell or a boiler, for the purpose of collecting solar energy. This solar collector, or heliostat, is easily adjusted so that it always directs the sun's rays onto the PV cell or boiler.
Claims15
A mirror control structure, comprising
- a plurality of interconnected mirror motion elements, each of which rotates one or more mirrors, and which rotate together, with a combination of equal rotations and rotations proportional to their respective locations, said mirror motion elements rotating a plurality of mirrors in a desired formation to reflect light from a source to a desired focal point,
- a mirror control element, which actuates said mirror motion elements in order to move said mirrors equally and/or proportionally to adjust the focal points of the array of said mirrors,
- expanding means, to transfer the controlling motion of said mirror control element appropriately to said mirror motion elements, in order to rotate said mirrors in desired pattern.
A mirror array, comprising
- one or more mirror control structures,
- one or more mirrors attached to each rotating axle, such that said mirrors rotate concurrently with said axles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.