Automatic biaxial sun tracking mechanism for solar energy utilization devices

Patent · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5979899

Hansen, P A

The instant invention is an automatic biaxial sun tracking mechanism for use with solar energy utilization devices. Said devices are mounted on said invention, said devices forming no specific part of said invention. The invention is comprised of three principal parts: (1) a polar shaft; (2) a declination disk; and (3) a mount structure for positioning and supporting said solar energy utilization devices. Operation of the invention is as follows: said declination disk, which is rotatably connected to said polar shaft, causes said mount structure, which is pivotly connected to said polar shaft and also has moving contact with said declination disk, to move in its proper declination course while said mount structure simultaneously moves in its proper right ascension course about the longitudinal axis of said polar shaft. The invention may incorporate compensating means to improve tracking accuracy. Proper operating movements are provided by suitable gearing and drive mechanisms. Said mount structure for positioning and supporting said solar energy utilization devices has three principal configurations in order to provide adequate options for receiver target location, said receiver target location being either integral with said solar energy utilization device (Moving target) or external to said solar energy utilization device (Stationary target).

• Assignee: IFI; EDB-82-038821
• Patent Number(s): US 4195905
• OSTI ID: 5979899
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
AUTOMATION
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
HELIOSTATS
MOTION
ROTATION
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR REFLECTORS
SOLAR TRACKING