Rim-drive cable-aligned heliostat collector system

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:865135

Dolan, James E ^[1]; Sands, Timothy D ^[2]

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1. Denver, CO
2. Berkeley, CA

Disclosed is a heliostat collector apparatus comprising at least one heliostat suspended from a plurality of longitudinally extending linkage means. An enclosure structure is disposed adjacent the heliostat and provides a means for allowing the heliostat to be substantially protected from weathering. A first drive means is operatively connected to the heliostat to effect steering thereof in at least one of first and second predetermined directions. Finally, a frame member is adapted for supporting the heliostat at an inner portion thereof. The frame includes a plurality of outer expandable portions. Each one of the expandable portions is adapted to slidably engage a corresponding one of the plurality of linkage means. The expandable portions are further adapted to allow the heliostat to be slidably moved along the linkage means in directions away from and towards the enclosure structure and to substantially reduce stress acting on the heliostat during steering.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: EG-77-C-01-4042
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4466423
• OSTI ID: 865135
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

rim-drive
cable-aligned
heliostat
collector
disclosed
apparatus
comprising
suspended
plurality
longitudinally
extending
linkage
means
enclosure
structure
disposed
adjacent
provides
allowing
substantially
protected
weathering
drive
operatively
connected
effect
steering
predetermined
directions
finally
frame
adapted
supporting
inner
portion
outer
expandable
portions
slidably
engage
corresponding
allow
moved
towards
reduce
stress
acting
inner portion
linkage means
disposed adjacent
longitudinally extending
apparatus comprising
operatively connected
substantially reduce
drive means
slidably engage
collector apparatus
heliostat collector
predetermined direction
/126/353/359/