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Solar energy concentrator

  • US 4,318,394 A
  • Filed: 01/11/1980
  • Issued: 03/09/1982
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/11/1980
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A solar energy apparatus, comprising:

  • (a) absorber means for absorbing solar flux;

    (b) flexible reflective means for receiving incident solar flux and concentrating same on said absorber means;

    (c) means for mounting said sheet of reflective material on a surface to receive solar flux;

    (d) means for moving the position of said absorber means with respect to said flexible reflective means according to the flux distribution of the solar flux received by said absorber means; and

    (e) means for adjusting the shape of said flexible reflective means according to the position of said absorber means, said means for adjusting comprising;

    (1) a plurality of adjacent compartments formed beneath a plurality of adjacent sections of said flexible reflective means;

    (2) means for controlling the pressure in said compartments to control the curvature of said sections of said flexible reflective means;

    (3) means for adjusting the cross length of said flexible reflective means relative to the width between said mounting means; and

    (4) computer means for coordinating said means for adjusting the cross length and said means for controlling the pressure to control the shape of said flexible reflective means, and(f) means for pressure isolation between said compartments.

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