Water-borne azimuth-altitude tracking solar concentrators

Patent · Tue Sep 20 04:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:6901187

Cluff, C B

This patent describes a heat exchange means comprising: a floating structure means for positioning the structure for circular movement through a given path when floating on a liquid, altitude tracking arrays of juxtapositioned lenses, each mounted on the top of the structure, the lenses of each array receiving solar rays, at least one solar ray reflector panel provided with photovoltaic cells mounted adjacent each array and disposed with its axis in the focal zone of the lenses of the associated array, and actuating means for moving the structure about a circular path for tracking the sun in an azimuth mode, the array of lenses comprising pairs of similar lenses, one arranged on each side of an associated collector panel for directing the solar rays toward the collector panel in a direction away from the sun. The floating structure consists of individual floating panels each supporting at least one array of the lenses and interconnected to form a spaced array of floating panels. The floating structure consists of at least one arcuate shaped trough having ballest spacedly positioned to extend longitudinally of its length for controlling its pivotal movement in an altitude tracking mode. The floating panels are hingedly mounted on the floating structure, and the altitude tracking array of lenses comprising at least one rod pivotally moving the floating panels in unison in a reciprocal manner.

• Assignee: NOV; NOV-89-033494; EDB-89-007102
• Patent Number(s): US 4771764
• OSTI ID: 6901187
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EQUIPMENT
FLUID MECHANICS
FLUIDS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
HELIOSTATS
HYDRODYNAMICS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LENSES
MECHANICS
OPERATION
ORIENTATION
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR TRACKING
SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEMS
WATER