Support and maneuvering device

Patent · Tue Aug 09 00:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:6536708

Wood, R L

This paper describes a support and maneuvering device securable to a ground surface and adapted for mounting a mechanism to receive solar energy from the sun. The device consists of: a. flexible, inflatable enclosure having a fixed end and a movable end, the movable end of the enclosure being collapsible toward the fixed end to a contracted position when the enclosure is in a noninflated condition, and the movable end being movable away from the fixed end to an extended position when the enclosure is in an inflated condition; b. means for mounting the solar energy receiving mechanism to the movable end; c. means for inflating the enclosure to any selected position between the contracted position and a fully extended position; d. at least three position controlling means disposed about the movable end to adjust the movable end in conjunction with the inflation means by predetermined amounts to control the angle and attitude at which the solar energy receiving mechanism is oriented relative to the position of the sun and the ground surface, the position controlling means limiting a number of degrees of freedom of the movable end to continuously control the angular position thereof; and e. at least two of the position controlling means comprising adjustable, position controlling means each adjustable position controlling means being connected to different corresponding portions of the movable end.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4762298
• OSTI ID: 6536708
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 23 Mar 1987
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEMS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
DESIGN
FASTENERS
INSTALLATION
OPERATION
ORIENTATION
POSITIONING
SUPPORTS
TILT MECHANISMS
EQUIPMENT
HELIOSTATS
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR TRACKING
141000* - Solar Collectors & Concentrators