Solar energy collector and sun tracking concentrator

In combination with an energy collector receiving radiant energy from a moving source, automatic tracking means including means mounting said collector for movement along a predetermined path, fluid sensing means for producing a differential fluid pressure in response to reception of said radiant energy from the source reflecting movement thereof, and gravitational drive means connected to the fluid sensing means for imparting said movement to the collector in response to said differential fluid pressure, said fluid sensing means including a pair of fluid chambers continuously receiving radiant energy in different directions from the source, insulating means nonconductively separating said fluid chambers to maintain differential pressures therein, and outlet tubes respectively connecting said chambers to the drive means for applying said differential pressures to the drive means.

In combination with an energy collector receiving radiant energy from a moving source, an energy concentrator, automatic tracking means including means mounting said concentrator for movement along a predetermined path, fluid pressure sensing means responsive to differential heating by said radiant energy emitted from the source in different directions for producing a displacing force, and gravity operated means for multiplying said displacing force to impart movement to the concentrator.

In combination with an energy collector receiving radiant energy from a moving source, an energy concentrator, automatic tracking means including means mounting said concentrator for movement along a predetermined path, fluid pressure means responsive to differential heating by said radiant energy for producing a displacing force, and gravity operated means for multiplying said displacing force to impart movement to the concentrator, said gravity operated means comprising a balancing tube having opposite inlet ends, means pivotally mounting the tube for angular movement about a fixed axis, a separating mass displaceably retained within said tube intermediate said inlet ends, conduit means connecting the fluid pressure sensing means to the inlet ends of the tube for displacement of said mass to shift the center of gravity of the tube relative to said fixed axis, and gear means drivingly connecting the tube to the concentrator for transmitting said angular movement of the tube in response to the differential fluid pressure applied to the inlet ends of the tube.

In combination with an energy collector receiving radiant energy from a moving source, an energy concentrator, automatic tracking means including means mounting said concentrator for movement along a predetermined path, fluid pressure means responsive to differential heating by said radiant energy for producing a displacing force, and gravity operated means for multiplying said displacing force to impart movement to the concentrator, said collector including a transparent housing having a longitudinal axis about which said concentrator is angularly displaceable by the automatic tracking means said concentrator including a curved reflector disposed within said housing, a transparent panel connected to said reflector to enclose a heat receiving chamber and a heat absorbing tube suspended from said panel in parallel relation to said longitudinal axis within the heat receiving chamber.

In combination with a transparent housing having a longitudinal axis, an energy concentrator comprising a curved reflector, a transparent panel connected to said reflector to enclose a heat receiving chamber, a heat absorbing tube and means connected to said panel for suspending the tube therefrom in parallel relation to said longitudinal axis within the heat receiving chamber.