Solar tracking apparatus and system
A solar tracking apparatus and system for supporting and use with solar devices. The apparatus is comprised of a pair of concentric shafts oriented parallel to the earth's rotational axis with one shaft being rotated by a motor at one revolution per day, so that a yoke rigidly attached to this shaft will follow the diurnal motion of the sun. The second concentric shaft is rotated at a rate relative to the first shaft and by means of a spherical four-bar linkage will automatically produce a rotational oscillation of a support or gimbal mounted on the yoke equal to the yearly declination of the sun. A means is also provided for advancing or retarding the diurnal motion of the yoke at specific times of the year so as to correct for anomalies in the motion of the sun, commonly known as ''the equation of time''. A means is also provided for coupling a large array of solar tracking yokes to a single central drive unit.
- Assignee:
- EDB-83-066248
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4368962
- OSTI ID:
- 6491471
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 30 Jan 1981; Other Information: PAT-APPL-229667
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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