Cable tensioned membrane solar collector module with variable tension control

Patent · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:865663

Murphy, Lawrence M ^[1]

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1. Lakewood, CO

Disclosed is a solar collector comprising a membrane for concentrating sunlight, a plurality of elongated structural members for suspending the membrane member thereon, and a plurality of control members for adjustably tensioning the membrane member, as well as for controlling a focus produced by the membrane members. Each control member is disposed at a different corresponding one of the plurality of structural members. The collector also comprises an elongated flexible tensioning member, which serves to stretch the membrane member and to thereafter hold it in tension, and a plurality of sleeve members, which serve to provide the membrane member with a desired surface contour during tensioning of the membrane member. The tensioning member is coupled to the structural members such that the tensioning member is adjustably tensioned through the structural members. The tensioning member is also coupled to the membrane member through the sleeve members such that the sleeve members uniformly and symmetrically stretch the membrane member upon applying tension to the tensioning member with the control members.

• Research Organization: MIDWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-83CH10093
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4552438
• OSTI ID: 865663
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/359/343/
adjustably
applying
cable
collector
collector comprising
comprises
comprising
concentrating
concentrating sunlight
contour
control
controlling
corresponding
coupled
desired
desired surface
disclosed
disposed
elongated
elongated flexible
flexible
focus
hold
membrane
module
plurality
produced
provide
serve
serves
sleeve
solar
solar collector
stretch
structural
sunlight
surface
surface contour
suspending
symmetrically
tension
tensioned
tensioning
thereafter
thereon
uniformly
variable
variable tension