Tracking reflector assembly having means for accurately synchronizing the movement thereof and for providing quick access to system switches for inspection and repair

Abstract

An improved system for synchronizing the positioning of a reflector assembly used in solar lighting apparatus for illuminating the interior of a roofed building. The reflector assembly is rotatable about a vertical access for tracking daily movements of the sun. The assembly includes return, track and seek sensors, the return sensor, in the turn-on mode, generating a signal corresponding to sensed sunlight, which energizes the systems motor. The system comprises the master tracking assembly and a plurality of follower units. Each motor shaft extends into a gear box and is coupled to a worm gear. A radial worm gear is mounted to a shaft member and is driven by the worm gear. The shaft member in turn drives the mirror reflector assembly. A stepper wheel having a plurality of indentations formed thereon is also mounted to the shaft member. The roller wheel of an associated switch coacts with the stepper wheel, the motor being intermittently turned off each time the roller wheel falls into a stepper wheel indentation as the shaft member is rotated. The system switches are mounted on a removable plate positioned within a gear box. A cover member encloses the gear box and is removable to allow access to the plate whereby the switches can be inspected and repaired, if necessary, without disassembly of the reflector mirror assemblies or removal of the reflector assembly from the skylight.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.