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Electromechanical solar tracking apparatus

  • US 4,274,394 A
  • Filed: 04/17/1979
  • Issued: 06/23/1981
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1979
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for controlling orientation of a solar collector comprising;

  • a member rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof;

    a first bimetallic element having one end fixedly positioned at a first location spaced from said member and another end secured to said member, heat-induced flexing of said first element effecting rotation of said member;

    a second bimetallic element having one end secured to said member at a position spaced from said first element for movement in response to rotation of the member, heat induced flexing of said second element effecting movement of another end thereof to enhance or cancel the effects of the movement on said end;

    a pair of electric terminals spaced from opposing sides of the other end of said second element;

    shade means for selectively exposing said elements to the sun, the elements being equally exposed to the sun when in a desired orientation and unequally exposed to the sun when in an undesired orientation, equal exposure to the sun effecting substantially equal heatings and compensatory flexings of the bimetallic elements, and unequal exposure to the sun effecting substantially unequal heatings and unequal flexings of the bimetallic elements thereby causing contact by the other end of said second element with one said terminals.

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