Two-axis tracking solar collector mechanism
Abstract
This invention is a novel solar tracking mechanism incorporating a number of practical features that give it superior environmental resilience and exceptional tracking accuracy. The mechanism comprises a lightweight space-frame assembly supporting an array of point-focus Fresnel lenses in a two-axis tracking structure. The system is enclosed under a glass cover which isolates it from environmental exposure and enhances tracking accuracy by eliminating wind loading. Tracking accuracy is also enhanced by the system's broad-based tracking support. The system's primary intended application would be to focus highly concentrated sunlight into optical fibers for transmission to core building illumination zones, and the system may also have potential for photovoltaic or photothermal solar energy conversion.
- Inventors:
-
- 201 W. California Ave., #401, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 867586
- Patent Number(s):
- 4968355
- Assignee:
- Johnson, Kenneth C. (201 W. California Ave., #401, Sunnyvale, CA 94086)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F24 - HEATING F24S - SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS
H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01L - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- two-axis; tracking; solar; collector; mechanism; novel; incorporating; practical; features; superior; environmental; resilience; exceptional; accuracy; comprises; lightweight; space-frame; assembly; supporting; array; point-focus; fresnel; lenses; structure; enclosed; glass; cover; isolates; exposure; enhances; eliminating; wind; loading; enhanced; broad-based; support; primary; intended; application; focus; highly; concentrated; sunlight; optical; fibers; transmission; core; building; illumination; zones; potential; photovoltaic; photothermal; energy; conversion; tracking accuracy; solar collector; optical fibers; optical fiber; solar energy; energy conversion; solar tracking; highly concentrated; assembly supporting; novel solar; mechanism comprises; concentrated sunlight; glass cover; two-axis tracking; intended application; fresnel lens; primary intended; collector mechanism; mechanism incorporating; tracking solar; tracking mechanism; superior environmental; frame assembly; exceptional tracking; environmental resilience; practical features; /136/126/359/
Citation Formats
Johnson, Kenneth C. Two-axis tracking solar collector mechanism. United States: N. p., 1990.
Web.
Johnson, Kenneth C. Two-axis tracking solar collector mechanism. United States.
Johnson, Kenneth C. Mon .
"Two-axis tracking solar collector mechanism". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/867586.
@article{osti_867586,
title = {Two-axis tracking solar collector mechanism},
author = {Johnson, Kenneth C},
abstractNote = {This invention is a novel solar tracking mechanism incorporating a number of practical features that give it superior environmental resilience and exceptional tracking accuracy. The mechanism comprises a lightweight space-frame assembly supporting an array of point-focus Fresnel lenses in a two-axis tracking structure. The system is enclosed under a glass cover which isolates it from environmental exposure and enhances tracking accuracy by eliminating wind loading. Tracking accuracy is also enhanced by the system's broad-based tracking support. The system's primary intended application would be to focus highly concentrated sunlight into optical fibers for transmission to core building illumination zones, and the system may also have potential for photovoltaic or photothermal solar energy conversion.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990},
month = {Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990}
}