초록 ▼

For use with a building having a transparent wall, a method, and a solar energy collection apparatus for performing the method, is provided by which the temperature and amount of sunlight within the building can be regulated during daylight hours, and the energy collected can be used for heating if

For use with a building having a transparent wall, a method, and a solar energy collection apparatus for performing the method, is provided by which the temperature and amount of sunlight within the building can be regulated during daylight hours, and the energy collected can be used for heating if required at nighttime. The apparatus includes an elongated solar collector that can be rotated about its longitudinal axis to vary the amount of sunlight that is permitted to enter the building.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for controlling temperature and sunlight within a structure having a transparent wall, said apparatus comprising: a movable solar energy collector including a collector surface and a fluid passage; a light sensor and a first temperature sensor within said structure; means for moving sai

An apparatus for controlling temperature and sunlight within a structure having a transparent wall, said apparatus comprising: a movable solar energy collector including a collector surface and a fluid passage; a light sensor and a first temperature sensor within said structure; means for moving said collector in response to said light sensor thereby increasing or decreasing the amount of light admitted into said structure through said wall; a subterranean tank for storing a fluid to be circulated through said passage, said tank having a first outlet at a first level within said tank and a second outlet at a second level, above said first level, and a second temperature sensor at each of said levels within said tank; pump means for circulating said fluid from said tank through said collector in response to said first and second temperature sensors; and a control means associated with said first and second temperature sensors for activating said pump, said control means being further arranged to activate a valve associated with said pump and said first and second outlets, to cause low temperature fluid to circulate through said collectors in response to a high temperature measured by said first temperature sensor, and to cause high temperature fluid to circulate through said collector in response to a low temperature measured by said first temperature sensor.