Lightweight, distributed force, two-axis tracking, solar radiation collector structures

A solar radiation collector system, comprising:

• at least one curved rim;
• structural means passing through the plane of and connected with said rim, and
• mutual stabilization means interconnecting said rim and said structural means, said mutual stabilization means offering negligible interference to the solar radiation and providing mutual stabilization of said rim and said structural means and together with said curved rim and said structural means forming an integral, distributed force, tension-compression unit which is stable in all orientations;
• at least one solar radiation transducer means carried by said structural means for providing for a desired utilization of the solar radiation;
• receiver means disposed at a point of focus of said solar radiation transducer means for receiving solar radiation directed to it by said solar radiation transducer means;
• ground support and stabilization means arranged and constructed for rotatably supporting said integral, distributed force, tension-compression unit from the ground with stabilization in three dimensions and to allow for rotation of said tension-compression unit of at least ninety degrees with respect to the ground,
• said ground support and stabilization means including first and second ground support means each having one end rollingly engaging said rim at circumferentially spaced-apart locations on only one side of a diameter of said rim and the opposite ends of said first and second ground support means arranged to be secured to the ground for rotatably supporting said tension-compression unit at said rim to the ground, and a third ground support means, separate from said first and second ground support means, having one end fixed to said rim and the opposite end extending from said rim and arranged for connection to a ground support pier located outside the plane of said rim and including bearing means for rotatably supporting said tension-compression unit from the ground at said ground support pier outside the plane of said rim;
• first drive means for imparting rotational movement for said integral tension-compression unit with respect to the ground to effect a desired primary tracking motion to adjust for the apparent motion of the sun;
• and
• second drive means for moving said solar radiation transducer means to provide for a second dimension adjustment for the apparent motion of the sun.

A solar radiation collector system, comprising:

• a main integral, distributed force, tension-compression support structure including:
• at least one curved rim;
• a frame connected with said rim and extending through the plane of said rim parallel with the axis of rotation of said rim and having an extending end disposed at a location outside the plane of said rim;
• a hub rotatably near said extending end of said frame;
• and
• a plurality of main tension members connected in distributed bicycle wheel-type arrangement between said rim and said hub for forming together with said curved rim, said hub, and said frame an open, integral, distributed force, tension compression support structure and providing mutual stabilization of said rim and said frame in all orientations;
• a plurality of solar radiation transducer elements carried by said frame and arranged and constructed to form a dynamic Fresnel paraboloidal surface;
• a receiver means disposed at a point of focus of said paraboloidal surface for receiving the solar radiation directed to it from said paraboloidal surface;
• ground support and stabilization means for rotatably supporting said main integral, distributed force, tension-compression support structure from the ground for rotation of said main support structure of at least ninety degrees with respect to the ground and with stabilization in three dimensions,
• said ground support and stabilization means including first ground support means having an end extending from the ground and arranged and constructed for rollingly engaging said rim for rotatably supporting said support structure from said rim to the ground through said first ground support means and second ground support means, separate from said first ground support means and including a ground support pier disposed outside the plane of said rim and having an end extending from the ground and arranged and constructed to be rotatably connected with said hub for rotatably supporting said support structure from the ground at said ground support pier outside the plane of said rim;
• first drive means drivingly engaging said rim for imparting rotational movement for said main integral, distributed force, tension-compression support structure to effect a desired primary tracking motion to adjust for the apparent motion of the sun;
• and
• second drive means for selectively moving said solar radiation transducer elements with respect to said frame to provide for a second dimension adjustment for the apparent motion of the sun.