Solar receiver heliostat reflector having a linear drive and position information system

Patent · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:863524

Horton, Richard H ^[1]

---

1. Schenectady, NY

A heliostat for a solar receiver system comprises an improved drive and control system for the heliostat reflector assembly. The heliostat reflector assembly is controllably driven in a predetermined way by a light-weight drive system so as to be angularly adjustable in both elevation and azimuth to track the sun and efficiently continuously reflect the sun's rays to a focal zone, i.e., heat receiver, which forms part of a solar energy utilization system, such as a solar energy fueled electrical power generation system. The improved drive system includes linear stepping motors which comprise low weight, low cost, electronic pulse driven components. One embodiment comprises linear stepping motors controlled by a programmed, electronic microprocessor. Another embodiment comprises a tape driven system controlled by a position control magnetic tape.

• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4192583
• OSTI ID: 863524
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/353/126/
adjustable
angularly
assembly
azimuth
components
comprise
comprises
continuously
control
controllably
controlled
cost
drive
driven
efficiently
electrical
electrical power
electronic
electronic pulse
elevation
embodiment
embodiment comprises
energy
energy fuel
energy utilization
focal
forms
fueled
generation
heat
heat receiver
heliostat
heliostat reflector
improved
information
light-weight
linear
magnetic
magnetic tape
microprocessor
motors
position
position control
position information
power
power generation
predetermined
programmed
pulse
rays
receiver
receiver heliostat
reflect
reflector
reflector assembly
solar
solar energy
solar receiver
stepping
stepping motor
sun
tape
track
utilization
weight
zone