Solar tracking device

Patent · Tue May 13 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:5564341

Volna, W M

Apparatus for directing a pointing axis at the position of the sun, and for tracking the relative motion of the sun from an observation point on earth from horizon to horizon with a single, constant speed driving mechanism. The apparatus comprises a first member aligned along the local vertical axis, a second member aligned along an intersecting polar axis, a rotatable shaft member which is pivotal in a horizontal plane about the intersection point of the vertical and polar axes, a number rotatable about the polar axis along a circular path about the intersecting point of the two axes, and a solar pointing member fixedly attached to the rotatable shaft member at the point of intersection of the foregoing two axes and movably attached to the member which is rotatable about the polar axis member, wherein the constant speed drive mechanism is coupled to the polar axis member for rotating said member about the polar axis. When the pointing member is initially adjustably set to point toward the sun, the constant speed drive mechanism will thereafter cause the pointing member to continually track the movement of the sun relative to the earth from horizon to horizon.

• Assignee: EDB-82-094150
• Patent Number(s): US 4202321
• OSTI ID: 5564341
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
HELIOSTATS
MOTION
ROTATION
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR TRACKING
SPEED REGULATORS