Solar concentrator

A solar concentrator including a plurality of movable frameworks, a plurality of mirrors on each framework, a central receiver a selected distance apart from said frameworks, and positioning means to position each framework to focus the rays of the sun on the central receiver, comprising:

• a) a plurality of concentric tracks with the vertical axis of the receiver at the center, and
• b) a plurality of vehicles each having one or more wheels operatively engaging one of said tracks, and
• c) a plurality of frameworks each pivotally mounted on two of said vehicles for pivoting about two axes, and
• d) means of attaching a plurality of mirrors to each framework which in combination comprises a multi-faceted surface with a predetermined concavity, and
• e) means of moving the vehicles and the pivoting of the frameworks whereby the mirrors continuously focus sunlight on the receiver.

A method of handling rigid mirrors whereby they focus sunlight on a receiver during clear days and become enclosed at night and during inclement weather and comprising the steps of:

• a) moving the mirrors in concentric paths about the vertical axis of the receiver at the center synchronized with the changing azimuth of the sun whereby the mirrors remain on the opposite side of the receiver from the sun, and
• b) pivoting groups of the moving mirrors about approximately vertical axes which move with the mirrors whereby each group pivots about a different moving vertical axis, and whereby sunlight reflected from the mirrors remains focused on the vertical axis of the receiver, and
• c) pivoting groups of the moving mirrors about approximately horizontal axes which move with the mirrors whereby each group pivots about a different moving horizontal axis, and whereby sunlight reflected from the mirrors remains focused on the receiver, and
• d) nesting the mirrors compactly, and
• e) enclosing said nested mirrors at night and during inclement weather.