Water-borne azimuth-altitude tracking solar concentrators

A heat exchange means comprising:

• a floating structure,
• means for positioning said structure for circular movement through a given path when floating on a liquid,
• a plurality of altitude tracking arrays of juxtapositioned lenses, each mounted on the top of said structure, the lenses of each array receiving solar rays,
• at least one solar ray collector panel provided with a plurality of photovoltaic cells mounted adjacent each array and disposed with its axis in the focal zone of said lenses of the associated array, and
• actuating means for moving said structure about a circular path for tracking the sun in an azimuth mode,
• said array of lenses comprising pairs of similar lenses, one arranged on each side of an associated collector panel for directing the solar rays toward the collector panel in a direction away from the sun,
• said floating structure comprising a plurality of individual floating panels each supporting at least one array of said lenses and interconnected to form a spaced array of floating panels,
• said floating structure comprising at least one arcuate shaped trough having a plurality of ballest spacedly positioned to extend longitudinally of its length for controlling its pivotal movement in an altitude tracking mode,
• said floating panels being hingedly mounted on said floating structure, and
• said altitude tracking array of lenses comprising at least one rod pivotally moving said floating panels in unison in a reciprocal manner.