Tracking solar panel mount
OwnerJames Theodore Hoffmaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solar panel mount that tilts the panel about one or more axes toward the direction facing the sun when it is shining, through the action of one or more mechanical means, each effecting tilt about at least one of the axes, and each responding to a particular direction of sunlight with respect to the base or panel, through directionally-sensitive solar radiation absorbing means. In one set of preferred embodiments the mechanical means are length-changing actuators in which a temperature-responsive working fluid drives levers to lift a side of the panel. In a second set of embodiments, the mechanical means are tension-changing actuators in which temperature-responsive folded springs retract to pull the panel to a side.
Claims5
A solar panel mount that uses solar thermal energy to orient a solar panel, the solar panel mount comprising:
- a rectangular panel frame and a supporting rectangular pivot frame articulated to each-other by at least one pivot mechanism;
- the rectangular panel frame comprising:
- a panel frame right edge and a panel frame left edge;
- the rectangular pivot frame comprising:
- a pivot frame left edge and a pivot frame right edge;
- wherein the panel frame right edge and the pivot frame right edge are correspondingly positioned with respect to each other, and a first pivot mechanism comprising:
- a right tilt axis along the panel frame right edge that pivotally articulates the panel frame right edge with respect to the pivot frame right edge;
- and a solar thermal lifter of variable length having an upper articulation to the panel frame left edge, a lower articulation to the pivot frame left edge, and a lift engine comprising:
- a radiant energy capture paddle having a front surface configured to absorb direct incident solar energy as heat and a thermal mechanical device that lengthens the solar thermal lifter in response to temperature increases, increasing a distance between the upper and lower articulations and pivoting the solar panel about the right tilt axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.