Cable tensioned membrane solar collector module with variable tension control

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:865663

Murphy, Lawrence M ^[1]

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1. Lakewood, CO

Disclosed is a solar collector comprising a membrane for concentrating sunlight, a plurality of elongated structural members for suspending the membrane member thereon, and a plurality of control members for adjustably tensioning the membrane member, as well as for controlling a focus produced by the membrane members. Each control member is disposed at a different corresponding one of the plurality of structural members. The collector also comprises an elongated flexible tensioning member, which serves to stretch the membrane member and to thereafter hold it in tension, and a plurality of sleeve members, which serve to provide the membrane member with a desired surface contour during tensioning of the membrane member. The tensioning member is coupled to the structural members such that the tensioning member is adjustably tensioned through the structural members. The tensioning member is also coupled to the membrane member through the sleeve members such that the sleeve members uniformly and symmetrically stretch the membrane member upon applying tension to the tensioning member with the control members.

• Research Organization: Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, MO (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-83CH10093
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4552438
• OSTI ID: 865663
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

cable
tensioned
membrane
solar
collector
module
variable
tension
control
disclosed
comprising
concentrating
sunlight
plurality
elongated
structural
suspending
thereon
adjustably
tensioning
controlling
focus
produced
disposed
corresponding
comprises
flexible
serves
stretch
thereafter
hold
sleeve
serve
provide
desired
surface
contour
coupled
uniformly
symmetrically
applying
elongated flexible
collector comprising
solar collector
surface contour
variable tension
desired surface
concentrating sunlight
/359/343/