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US 4,108,154 AGranted
Solar energy collection system
AssigneesHomer Van Dyke, Mark Dorian, Dave Van Dyke, George Lerg
InventorDavid H. Nelson
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AssigneesHomer Van Dyke, Mark Dorian, Dave Van Dyke, George Lerg
InventorDavid H. Nelson
Estimating the term…
A solar energy collection system is provided in which a parabolic trough is oriented by a drive mechanism to reflect the rays of the sun onto an energy collector located at the parabolic focus. The system is constructed to track the sun to maintain focusing of reflected solar radiation during daylight hours. A counterweight is employed in association with the drive mechanism to effectuate tracking and to maintain gravitational equilibrium of the reflector trough despite changes in elevation of the center of the gravity of the trough. Shock absorbers are provided which inhibit disorientation of the trough by gusts of wind, yet which allow the trough to track the sun. Coaxial construction of the solar energy collector with an evacuated sleeve of parabolic configuration positioned thereabout allows a heat collection medium to circulate in the collector, yet minimizes radiant heat loss. The trough is selectively inclined at an angle relative to the earth's surface in accordance with the latitude of the location of the trough and the azimuth of the sun above the earth's horizon.
In a solar energy collection mechanism in which a solar collector or a reflector trough is mounted upon a support to rotate about an axis under the control of a drive mechanism, thereby varying the elevation of the center of gravity of said collector or trough, to maintain reflected rays of the sun in focus on a solar energy collection means, the improvement comprising a transverse guide, "a counterweight mounted on said collector or trough and laterally movable along said transverse guide relative to said collector or trough to maintain said collector or trough in stabilized" gravitational equilibrium, and damping means connected between said solar collector or said reflector trough and said support to inhibit spurious rotation of said mechanism.
A solar energy collection device comprising:
In a solar energy collection system in which a solar energy absorbing structure is mounted to rotate about a longitudinal axis to maintain an orientation to face the sun, the improvement wherein said absorbing structure includes a cradle means mounted upon said axis and arranged to receive a plate collector solar absorbtion panel, said cradle means comprises opposing brackets having a shaft extending longitudinally outward from the center of said solar energy absorbing structure for alignment along said axis, each having a shelf extending longitudinally inward toward the center of said structure and displaced from said axis to provide support to said structure, and each having lateral restraining means for restricting transverse movement of said panel relative to said axis and comprising a counterweight mounted on a transverse guide for movement therealong, whereby the center of weight acting upon said solar energy absorbing structure is arranged in transverse displacement from said axis to impart a rotational moment to said absorbing structure tending to turn said structure from an orientation facing east to an orientation facing west, and further comprising rotation restraining means for resisting said moment to arrest rotation from east facing to west facing orientation, and control means for allowing the weight acting upon said structure to overcome said rotation restraining means to allow controlled rotation of said absorbing structure from an east facing to a west facing orientation.
In a solar energy collection mechanism in which a solar radiation collector is mounted upon a support to rotate about an axis under the control of a drive mechanism, thereby maintaining an orientation facing the sun, the improvement comprising a transverse guide, and a counterweight mounted on said collector and laterally movable along said transverse guide relative thereto by said drive mechanism to maintain said collector in stabilized gravitational equilibrium throughout its rotation, and damping means connected between said collector and said support to inhibit spurious rotation of said collector.
A solar energy collection device comprising:
In a solar energy collection system in which a solar energy absorbing structure is mounted upon a support to rotate about a longitudinal axis to maintain an orientation to face the sun, the improvement wherein a counterweight acting upon said solar energy absorbing structure is shifted in transverse displacement from said axis along a transverse guide to impart a rotational moment to said absorbing structure tending to turn said structure to an orientation facing the sun, and rotation damping means connected between said solar energy absorbing structure and said support and arranged to suppress rapid rotation of said absorbing structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.