Tensioning device for a stretched membrane collector

Patent · Tue Nov 20 00:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6041916

Murphy, L M

Disclosed is a solar concentrating collector comprising an elastic membrane member for concentrating sunlight, a frame for holding the membrane member in plane and in tension, and a tensioning means for varying the tension of the membrane member. The tensioning means is disposed at the frame and is adapted to releasably attach the membrane member thereto. The tensioning means is also adapted to uniformly and symmetrically subject the membrane member to stretching forces such that membrane stresses produced therby are distributed uniformly over a thickness of the membrane member and reciprocal twisting moments are substantially prevented from acting about said frame.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): US 4483323
• OSTI ID: 6041916
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 8 Nov 1982; Other Information: PAT-APPL-440205
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
MEMBRANES
SUPPORTS
BENDING
ELASTICITY
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
STRESSES
SYMMETRY
TENSILE PROPERTIES
DISTRIBUTION
EQUIPMENT
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
141000* - Solar Collectors & Concentrators