Solar tracking system employing inertial coasting
Patent
·
OSTI ID:5279546
A solar tracking system is disclosed which includes a solar powered motor coupled to a rotatable collector using a high reduction gear arrangement. The collector rotates about pivot bearings and is counterbalanced about such bearings by counterweights. A light sensor which actuates the motor when illuminated by sunlight is mounted in relation to one of the counterweights so that the counterweight casts a shadow over the sensor when the collector has moved to a position slightly before the position where the sun is aligned with the collector. At this point, the motor is de-energized and the inertia of the motor, collector and counterweights in cooperation with the gear arrangement causes the collector to coast into alignment with the sun.
- Assignee:
- Mattel Inc.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4510385
- OSTI ID:
- 5279546
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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