# US 9,753,264 B2 · Assembly for collecting light > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,753,264 B2 - Document ID: US9753264B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/651,959 - Filed: 2012-10-15 - Published: 2014-04-17 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-10-15 - Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation - Applicants: International Business Machines Corporation; Lynn Karidis - Inventors: John P. Karidis; Mark N. Wegman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9753264B2 ## CPC - G02B 19/0042: {for use with direct solar radiation} - F24S 25/10: extending in directions away from a supporting surface - F24S 30/48: with three or more rotation axes or with multiple degrees of freedom - G02B 7/183: specially adapted for very large mirrors, e.g. for astronomy, {or solar concentrators} - G02B 17/002: {Arrays of reflective systems} - H02S 20/10: Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground (H02S20/30 takes precedence) - H02S 20/30: Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment - H02S 20/32: specially adapted for solar tracking - H02S 40/36: characterised by special electrical interconnection means between two or more PV modules, e.g. electrical module-to-module connection - F24S 2030/133: {in the form of flexible elements, e.g. belts, chains, ropes} - F24S 2030/136: {for moving several solar collectors by common transmission elements} - Y02E 10/47: Mountings or tracking - Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00) - H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract Disclosed is a novel solar collecting assembly that in which more than one mirror and/or photovoltaic is linked mechanically so that many mirrors share a few actuators, rather than equipping each mirror with individual actuators. One example includes a set of structures, such as poles or pipes. Each of the support structures has a first end and a second end, and each of the support structures is associated with at least one solar collecting assembly. A first set of cables is arranged to move the solar collecting assemblies in a first direction, each of the first set of cables includes a set of first alignment fittings disposed thereon. The first end of each of the solar collecting assemblies is attached to one of the first alignment fittings in the first set of cables. A second set of cables arranged to move the solar collecting assemblies in a second direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An assembly for collecting light, comprising: a set of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubular support structures, each of the PVC tubular support structures with a first end and a second end, and each of the PVC tubular support structures being associated with but separate from at least one solar collecting assembly; at least one solar collecting assembly mechanically coupled to at least one of the PVC tubular support structures; a first set of cables arranged in a substantially perpendicular to each other in an x-direction and y-direction in a first plane substantially parallel to earth, the first set of cables forming a grid of cables in which at least one cable in the x-direction intersects with at least one cable in the y-direction at the first end of each of the PVC tubular support structures thereby permitting the PVC tubular support structures to move in a first direction, each of the first set of cables includes a first set of swage alignment fittings, each of the swage alignment fittings in the first set securely hydraulically fastened with a hydraulic press at a predetermined position along the first set of cables, and the first end of each of the PVC tubular support structures attached to one of the swage alignment fittings in the first set of cables; a set of a plurality of winches; a set of cable segments each with a first end coupled to one of the winches in the set of the plurality of winches and a second end of the cable segments coupled to one of the first set of cables, whereby exerting a pulling force on one of the set of cable segments by one of the set of the plurality of winches changes a pitch between adjacent cables in the first set of cables in the x-direction, the y-direction, or both; and a second set of cables arranged in a substantially perpendicular to each other in an x-direction and y-direction in a second plane substantially parallel to earth, the first set of cables forming a grid of cables in which at least one cable in the x-direction intersects with at least one cable in the y-direction at the second end of each of the PVC tubular support structures thereby permitting the PVC tubular support structures to move in a second direction, each of the second set of cables includes a second set of swage alignment fittings, each of the swage alignment fittings in the second set securely hydraulically fastened with a hydraulic press at a predetermined position along the second set of cables, and the second end of each of the PVC tubular support structures attached to one of the second alignment fittings in the second set of cables, and the first set of cables and the second set of cables are independently moveable. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the set of PVC tubular support structures includes one or more support poles. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the set of first swage alignment fittings disposed thereon on a cable in the first set of cables are disposed at non-uniform distances therebetween. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one solar collecting assembly is one of a mirror and a photovoltaic. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a first actuator for moving at least one cable in the first set of cables along the first direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a second actuator for moving at least one cable in the first set of cables along the second direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end of each of the PVC tubular support structures attached to a cable in the first set of swage alignment fittings securely fastened to the first set of cables includes being attached between a threaded cap and a head of a first attachment pin in a first set of attachment pins to provide a position tolerance of the swage alignment fittings on the first set of cables of less than 1 mm. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The assembly of claim 7, wherein the second end of each of the PVC tubular support structures attached to a cable in the second set of swage alignment fittings securely fastened to the second set of cables includes being attached between a threaded cap and a head of a second attachment pin in a second set of attachment pins. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a first perimeter cable coupled in proximity to a first end of each cable in the first set of cables. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The assembly of claim 7, further comprising: a second perimeter cable coupled in proximity to a second end of each cable in the first set of cables. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The assembly of claim 10, further comprising: a third perimeter cable coupled in proximity to a first end of each cable in a first end of the second set of cables. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The assembly of claim 11, further comprising: a fourth perimeter cable coupled in proximity to a second end of the second set of cables. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of solar collecting assembly, with each of the solar collecting assemblies having an opening therethrough, and at least one of the PVC tubular support structures passing through the opening and the solar collecting assemblies mechanically coupled to the PVC tubular support structures. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a set of support structures with a first end and a second end, the second end of each of the support structures pivotably attached to the first end of each of the PVC tubular support structures; and a third set of cables arranged parallel along a first direction to the first set of cables, and the first end of each of the support structures attached to a cable in the third set of cables. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first set of cables arranged along generally radial direction from a given center point, and wherein the second set of cables arranged in a circumferential direction around the center point. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: at least one solar collecting assembly mechanically coupled to at least one of the PVC tubular support structures at an angle between 20 and 80 degrees with respect to at least one of the solar collecting assemblies. ### Claim 17 An assembly for collecting light, comprising: a two-dimensional array of solar collecting assemblies each connected to a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubular support structure with a top end and a bottom end; a first set of cables connecting the solar collecting assemblies in a row sequence, the first set of cables contain a first set of swage alignment features, each of the swage alignment features in the first set securely hydraulically fastened with a hydraulic press fastened at a predetermined position along the first set of cables and attached to each of the PVC tubular support structure of each solar collecting assembly in the row; a set of a plurality of winches; a set of cable segments each with a first end coupled to one of the winches in the set of the plurality of winches and a second end of the cable segments coupled to one of the first set of cables, whereby exerting a pulling force on one of the set of cable segments by one of the set of the plurality of winches changes a pitch between adjacent cables in the first set of cables in the x-direction, the y-direction, or both; a second set of cables connecting the solar collecting assemblies in a column sequence, the second set of cables contain a second set of swage alignment features, each of the swage alignment features in the second set securely hydraulically fastened with a hydraulic press at a predetermined position along the second set of cables and attached to each of the PVC tubular support structure of each solar collecting assembly in the column, and the first set of cables and the second set of cables are independently moveable, wherein at each intersection in which the first set of cables and the second set of cables cross, the top end of each solar collecting assembly is attached thereto; a third set of cables connecting the solar collecting assemblies in a row sequence, the third set of cables contain a third set of swage alignment features, each of the swage alignment features in the third set securely hydraulically fastened with a hydraulic press fastened at a predetermined position along the third set of cables and attached to each of the PVC tubular support structure of each solar collecting assembly in the row; and a fourth set of cables connecting the solar collecting assemblies in a column sequence, the fourth set of cables contain a second set of swage alignment features, each of the swage alignment features in the fourth set securely hydraulically fastened with a hydraulic press at a predetermined position along the second set of cables and attached to each of the PVC tubular support structure of each solar collecting assembly in the column, and the third set of cables and the fourth set of cables are independently moveable, wherein at each intersection in which the third set of cables and the fourth set of cables cross, the bottom end of each solar collecting assembly is attached thereto. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The assembly of claim 17, wherein the solar collecting assemblies are one of a mirror and a photovoltaic. ### Claim 19 An assembly for collecting light, comprising: a two-dimensional array of solar collecting assemblies formed from an aluminized sheet of plastic held by a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) frame, each solar collecting assembly including a PVV tubular support structure with a first end and a second end and the PVC tubular support structure separate from the solar collecting assemblies and attached to the PVC frame; a pyramid shaped base structure having a hole in an apex thereof to receive the first end of the PVC tubular support structure; a set of x-y cables arranged in a substantially x-direction and y-direction in a plane substantially parallel to earth connecting the second end of the-support structure, the set of cables contain a set of swage alignment fittings, each of the swage alignment fittings securely hydraulically fastened with a hydraulic press at a predetermined position along the set of cables and attached to each of the PVC tubular support structure of each solar collecting assembly a set of a plurality of winches; and a set of cable segments each with a first end coupled to one of the winches in the set of the plurality of winches and a second end of the cable segments coupled to one of the set of x-y cables, whereby exerting a pulling force on one of the set of cable segments by one of the set of the plurality of winches changes a pitch between adjacent cables in the x-y set of cables in the x-direction, the y-direction, or both. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The assembly of claim 19, wherein the solar collecting assemblies are one of a mirror and a photovoltaic.