US 4,306,540 A · Solar collector mounting and support apparatus

Abstract

A solar collector system of the type having a movable surface for receiving solar radiation having improved means for rotatably supporting the movable surface and for rotating the collector surface. A support axle for the collector includes a ball at one end which is carried within a cylindrical sleeve in the solar collector to support the weight of the collector. A torque transmitting arm comprising a flexible flat strip is connected at one end to the axle and at the other end to the collector surface. An improved rotational drive mechanism includes a first sprocket wheel carried on the axle and a second sprocket wheel supported on a support pylon with a drive chain engaging both sprockets. A double acting piston also supported by the pylon is coupled to the chain so that the chain may be driven by a hydraulic control system to rotate the collector surfaces as required. An improved receiver tube support ring is also provided for use with the improved mounting and support apparatus to improve overall efficiency by reducing thermal losses.

Claims15

Dependent claims

In a solar collector system of the type having a plurality of movable solar collector surfaces supported on rotation axles which are carried on a plurality of spaced apart support means, improved driving means for rotating said collector surfaces comprising:

a rotation axle for coupling to a solar collector surface,
a first pulley means carried by said rotation axle,
a second pulley means rotatably carried by said support means in alignment with said first pulley,
a flexible belt means passing around both said first and second pulley means and engaging said first pulley means,
a hydraulic cylinder supported by said support means and coupled to said belt means, and
means for selectively adding and removing hydraulic fluid to and from said cylinder to drive said belt means relative to said support and to thereby selectively rotate said solar collector surfaces.

3 more elements

A solar collector system comprising:

a movable solar collector surface,
rotation axle means coupled to said solar collector surface for supporting said solar collector surface, and
means for coupling said rotation axle means to said solar collector surface comprising a ball connected to said rotation axle means, a socket sleeve formed in said solar collector surface internally engaging and permitting axial movement of said ball, and at least one torque coupling arm comprising a flat flexible strip having its surface position substantially perpendicular to the axis of said rotation axle means, said strip having a first end rigidly connected to said axle means and a second end connected to said solar collector surface,
whereby torque may be coupled from said axle means to said solar collector surface while said solar collector surface is misaligned with the axis of said axle means.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Solar collector mounting and support apparatus

Life of this patent

Solar collector mounting and support apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15