skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Cable tensioned membrane solar collector module with variable tension control

Abstract

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.

Inventors:
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
5904589
Patent Number(s):
US 4552438
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: Filed date 9 Jan 1984; Other Information: PAT-APPL-569085
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
14 SOLAR ENERGY; CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS; DESIGN; CONTROL EQUIPMENT; FILTERS; FOCUSING; SLEEVES; SOLAR RADIATION; SUPPORTS; SYMMETRY; EQUIPMENT; MECHANICAL STRUCTURES; RADIATIONS; SOLAR COLLECTORS; SOLAR EQUIPMENT; STELLAR RADIATION; 141000* - Solar Collectors & Concentrators

Citation Formats

Murphy, L M. Cable tensioned membrane solar collector module with variable tension control. United States: N. p., 1985. Web.
Murphy, L M. Cable tensioned membrane solar collector module with variable tension control. United States.
Murphy, L M. 1985. "Cable tensioned membrane solar collector module with variable tension control". United States.
@article{osti_5904589,
title = {Cable tensioned membrane solar collector module with variable tension control},
author = {Murphy, L M},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5904589}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Nov 12 00:00:00 EST 1985},
month = {Tue Nov 12 00:00:00 EST 1985}
}