Reflective solar tracking system

Patent · Tue May 06 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:5580891

Noto, V H

A reflector for reflecting light rays from the sun onto the collector is described which includes: a mounting assembly for mounting the reflector relative to the collector so that the reflector is rotatable about a first axis pointing at the collector, and about a second axis transverse to the first for controlling elevational tilt of the reflector; sensor means for pointing at the sun and sensing directional changes in the sun's position, the sensor means including means for producing control signals in response to the directional changes; the mounting assembly including means for mounting the sensor means so that it is rotatable about the first axis to control its azimuthal pointing direction and about a third axis parallel to the second axis for controlling its altitudinal pointing direction; and a drive mechanism for rotating the reflector and sensor means about the respective axes of rotation in response to the control signals so that the sensor means tracks the sun and the reflector moves so as to reflect light rays from the sun onto the collector; the mounting assembly comprising a cylindrical member adapted to be fixed in position to point along the first axis through the center of the plane of the reflector, and a sleeve rotatably mounted on the member, a mounting shaft for the reflector extending transversely along the second axis through the sleeve and being secured to the reflector on opposite sides of the sleeve, the shaft being rotatably mounted in the sleeve to control tilt of the reflector, the reflector having an opening extending transverse to the shaft through which the sleeve projects to point at the collector.

• Assignee: NOV; EDB-86-126749; NOV-85-013208
• Patent Number(s): US 4586488
• OSTI ID: 5580891
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
ALTITUDE
AZIMUTH
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
EQUIPMENT
HELIOSTATS
INCLINATION
MACHINE PARTS
MOTION
RADIATIONS
REFLECTION
ROTATION
SHAFTS
SIGNALS
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR RADIATION
SOLAR REFLECTORS
SOLAR TRACKING
SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEMS
STELLAR RADIATION