Two-axis tracking solar collector mechanism

A tracking solar collector mechanism comprising:

• 1.1 a stationary base structure which supports the tracking components;
• 1.2 two parallel rows of uniformly spaced axial polar bearings attached to the base structure, each row comprising at least one bearing, wherein each member bearing of each row is coaligned with an associated bearing of the other row, the line joining each pair of coaligned bearings defining an associated polar tracking axis wherein the pairs' polar axes are mutually parallel;
• 1.3 at least one tracking module, each of which is supported by and turns on one of the pairs of coaligned polar bearings and which comprises
• 1.3.1 a first structural member attached to and spanning the space between the module's two polar bearings,
• 1.3.2 a first mechanical coupling means for coupling the structural member to a polar drive mechanism, wherein the structural member's position is constrained by its two supporting polar bearings and by the coupling means,
• 1.3.3 two rows of evenly spaced axial declination bearings attached to the structural member, wherein both rows are parallel to the module's polar axis and are disposed alongside the structural member with the structural member between them, and each member bearing of each row is coaligned with an associated bearing of the other row, the line joining each pair of coaligned declination bearings defining an associated declination tracking axis wherein the pairs' declination axes are mutually parallel and are preferably aligned perpendicular to the module's polar axis,
• 1.3.4 a set of declination-tracking concentrator units, each of which is supported by and turns on one of the pairs of coaligned declination bearings and which comprises
• 1.3.4.1 a second structural member which is attached to each of the unit's two supporting declination bearings, and which straddles and bridges over said first structural member,
• 1.3.4.2 a second mechanical coupling means for coupling said second structural member to a declination drive mechanism, wherein said second structural member's position in relation to said first structural member is constrained by its two supporting declination bearings and by said second coupling means, and
• 1.3.4.3 two lens-receiver assemblies, each comprising a focusing lens and a small solar energy receiver, wherein the two assemblies are rigidly attached to said second structural member with said second structural member being disposed between them;
• 1.4 polar drive means whereby each module's polar tracking position is controlled by a polar tracking actuator, wherein the actuator's motion is transmitted to at least one module through the module's first coupling means:
• and
• 1.5 declination drive means whereby each concentrator unit's declination tracking position is controlled by a declination tracking actuator, wherein the actuator's motion is transmitted to at least one unit through the unit's second coupling means.