초록 ▼

A solar energy reflector formed of a rigid frame that supports a thin reflective sheet and retains the sheet in a parabolic or like concave shape notwithstanding severe wind or like loads. The frame includes rigid end plates that define slots that have portions concentric with the focal axis of the

A solar energy reflector formed of a rigid frame that supports a thin reflective sheet and retains the sheet in a parabolic or like concave shape notwithstanding severe wind or like loads. The frame includes rigid end plates that define slots that have portions concentric with the focal axis of the parabolic surface so that the reflector can be installed onto and removed from a fixed water carrying pipe without disturbing the plumbing connections to the pipe. A drive system and solar energy sensor circuit connected thereto for assuring that the reflector is aimed at the sun throughout its traverse of the sky from dawn to dusk. A protective cover for the solar collector which both protects the highly reflective surface against deterioration and contributes to the overall strength of the collector.

대표청구항 ▼

A solar collector comprising first and second substantially identical rigid end plates which respectively define congruent convex edges and define in a portion remote from said edges a slot that has an arcuate portion concentric with the focus of the convex edge, said slots each having a linear port

A solar collector comprising first and second substantially identical rigid end plates which respectively define congruent convex edges and define in a portion remote from said edges a slot that has an arcuate portion concentric with the focus of the convex edge, said slots each having a linear portion extending from said arcuate portion to an edge of respective said end plates remote from said convex edges, first and second rigid elongate side pieces joined to respective said side edge portions and extending between said end plates to form a generally rectangular frame, a sheet of reflective material secured to said convex edges and said side pieces so as to form a concave surface intermediate said end plate and said side pieces, a rigid pipe extending through the slots in respective said end plates, support means exterior of said rectangular frame for immovably mounting said pipe, bushing means for rotatively supporting said end plates relative said rigid pipe so that said pipe coincides with the focus of the concave surface, a bushing retainer substantially coextensive with said linear slot portion and having a radiused portion cooperable with said arcuate portion to define a circular opening concentric with the focus of the concave sheet surface, said bushing means including a split bushing having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of said rigid pipe and an outer diameter corresponding to said circular opening, means for removably mounting said bushing retainer in said slot to afford installation and removal of said rectangular frame onto and from said rigid pipe without affecting the pipe, and means for pivoting said frame relative said pipe so that said concave surface tracks the sun throughout its traverse. In a solar energy collector of the class including a reflective trough having a reflective surface of concave cross-sectional shape, a heat absorbing element supported at the focus of the reflective surface, said heat absorbing element being elongated along an axis and lying so that said axis is directed along a substantially north-south line, and means for rotatively driving the reflective surface only toward a westward pointing direction so to expose the reflective surface and the element to solar rays, the improvement comprising a photoelectric sensor mounted on said reflective surface proximate the vertex thereof, an opaque shield secured to said reflective surface laterally adjacent said sensor and extending substantially parallel to the axis of said reflective surface on the eastward side thereof, and means connecting said sensor to said driving means to activate said driving means when said sensor is not shaded by said shield or said heat absorbing element.