Rim-drive cable-aligned heliostat collector system

Patent · Tue Aug 21 04:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:6318804

Dolan, J E; Sands, T D

Disclosed is a heliostat collector apparatus comprising at least one heliostat suspended from a plurality of longitudinally extending linkage means. An enclosure structure is disposed adjacent the heliostat and provides a means for allowing th heliostat to be substantially protected from weathering. A first drive means is operatively connected to the heliostat to effect steering thereof in at least one of first and second predetermined directions. Finally, a frame member is adapted for supporting the heliostat at an inner portion thereof. The frame includes a plurality of outer expandable portions. Each one of the expandable portions is adapted to slidably engage a corresponding one of the plurality of linkage means. The expandable portions are further adapted to allow the heliostat to be slidably moved along the linkage means in directions away from and towards the enclosure structure and to substantially reduce stress acting on the heliostat during steering.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): US 4466423
• OSTI ID: 6318804
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140702* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems-- Central Receiver
141000 -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
CENTRAL RECEIVERS
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
COVERINGS
DESIGN
EQUIPMENT
HELIOSTATS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
POWER PLANTS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SOLAR RECEIVERS
SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS
SUPPORTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TOWER FOCUS POWER PLANTS
WEAR RESISTANCE