초록 ▼

A unified heliostat array for reflecting the rays of the sun upon a central collector. The heliostats are driven by a single pair of drive motors that are coupled to a sun tracker and to the individual heliostats by a common pair of drive cables. The common drive capability is made practical through

A unified heliostat array for reflecting the rays of the sun upon a central collector. The heliostats are driven by a single pair of drive motors that are coupled to a sun tracker and to the individual heliostats by a common pair of drive cables. The common drive capability is made practical through the use of a novel rotational element defined as a transaxial link.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus comprising: a pedestal, a link providing a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation, said first axis of rotation being substantially horizontal and said second axis of rotation being substantially perpendicular to said first axis of rotation, said link being mounted upon sai

An apparatus comprising: a pedestal, a link providing a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation, said first axis of rotation being substantially horizontal and said second axis of rotation being substantially perpendicular to said first axis of rotation, said link being mounted upon said pedestal so as to be rotatable about said first axis of rotation, said link comprising a flat arcuate, disc-shaped portion having a first gear formed around at least a part of its periphery and a wedge-shaped portion extending therefrom, said first axis of rotation extending through the center of said disc-shaped portion and said second axis of rotation extending through an edge of said wedge-shaped portion. a panel for receiving rays of the sun, said panel being mounted upon said link and rotatable about said second axis of rotation, a first means for rotating said link about said first axis of rotation, and a second means for rotating said panel about said second axis of rotation, whereby said first means and said second means move said panel as appropriate to track and receive rays of the sun.