Solar collector with altitude tracking
First Claim
1. A device for turning a solar energy collector about an east-west axis between at least two positions so that the frontal face of the collector is directed approximately towards the sun as the altitude of the sun varies, comprising:
- axle means upon which the collector is mounted free to rotate thereabout with the frontal face directed skyward, said axle means being aligned so that rotation of the collector thereabout is in a north-south direction, a frame, a first heat responsive element which with solar radiation incident thereupon assumes a first stable state, and fixed shadow means for shading said first element from the sun'"'"'s radiant energy with the sun within a first range of altitudes of the sun and for allowing the sun'"'"'s radiant energy to be incident upon said first element within a second range of altitudes of the sun, said first element being responsive to being shaded by said shadow means to assume a second stable state, said first element being so coupled to the collector and said frame that in response to said first element being in said first state due to being radiated by said sun within said second range, the collector is rotated about said axle means to assume a first position whereby the collector'"'"'s frontal face is approximately directed towards said second range of altitudes of the sun, and that in response to said first element being in said second state due to being shaded by said shadow means with the sun within said first range the collector is rotated about said axle means to assume a second position whereby the collector'"'"'s frontal face is approximately directed towards said first range of altitudes of the sun.
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Abstract
A device is provided for turning a solar collector about an east-west horizontal axis so that the collector is tilted toward the sun as the EWV altitude of the sun varies each day. It includes one or more heat responsive elements and a shading means aligned so that within a range of EWV altitudes of the sun during daylight hours the shading means shades the element or elements while during the rest of the daylight hours the elements or elements are heated by the sun to assume heated, stable states. Mechanical linkage between the collector and the element is responsive to the states of the element or elements to tilt the collector in accordance with variations in the EWV altitude of the sun.
35 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A device for turning a solar energy collector about an east-west axis between at least two positions so that the frontal face of the collector is directed approximately towards the sun as the altitude of the sun varies, comprising:
axle means upon which the collector is mounted free to rotate thereabout with the frontal face directed skyward, said axle means being aligned so that rotation of the collector thereabout is in a north-south direction, a frame, a first heat responsive element which with solar radiation incident thereupon assumes a first stable state, and fixed shadow means for shading said first element from the sun'"'"'s radiant energy with the sun within a first range of altitudes of the sun and for allowing the sun'"'"'s radiant energy to be incident upon said first element within a second range of altitudes of the sun, said first element being responsive to being shaded by said shadow means to assume a second stable state, said first element being so coupled to the collector and said frame that in response to said first element being in said first state due to being radiated by said sun within said second range, the collector is rotated about said axle means to assume a first position whereby the collector'"'"'s frontal face is approximately directed towards said second range of altitudes of the sun, and that in response to said first element being in said second state due to being shaded by said shadow means with the sun within said first range the collector is rotated about said axle means to assume a second position whereby the collector'"'"'s frontal face is approximately directed towards said first range of altitudes of the sun. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Specification