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

Title: Sun tracking device employing displaced heating surfaces for automatic morning reorientation

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6132827

The present invention is a device for rotating a collector of solar energy in such a way as to keep it constantly oriented during the day in the best direction for interception of radiation and for returning it to a position from which it will begin collecting radiation again in the morning. Whereas a previously disclosed device for automatic return to morning position relies upon changing the rate of heat loss from the surfaces of the interconnected canisters which power it, the present invention removes the heat-collecting surfaces whose differential heating by the west-moving sun controls the tilting of the collector from the canisters themselves to plates located below and on sides opposite the canisters served so as to give these surfaces a larger view of the sky and enable them to find the sun from almost any position.

Assignee:
IFI; EDB-81-129186
Patent Number(s):
US 4275712
OSTI ID:
6132827
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: Filed date 25 Oct 1979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English