초록 ▼

The solar tracking mechanism is utilized in connection with a solar energy collection system. The collection system includes a light reflective shell shaped to focus solar radiation on a radiation absorbing segment of a tube which carries a heat transfer fluid. The shell is pivotally mounted on a su

The solar tracking mechanism is utilized in connection with a solar energy collection system. The collection system includes a light reflective shell shaped to focus solar radiation on a radiation absorbing segment of a tube which carries a heat transfer fluid. The shell is pivotally mounted on a support frame. An actuator mounted between the support frame and the shell rotatably the shell. A solar sensor is mounted deep within a sighting tube which is fixed to the shell such that a line of sight through the sighting tube is at least parallel to the optical axis of the shell. The solar sensor generates a sensor signal which is used as a control input to an actuator control system. End limit switches generate a limit stop signals when the shell reaches maximum angular positions. The actuator control system generates fluid flows to the actuator based the solar sensor signal and the limit stop signals. The method of tracking the sun includes providing a solar cell array, activating the solar collection system when solar radiation illuminating the array exceeds a predetermined threshold, providing a solar sensor shielded from the solar radiation except for direct, aligned radiation, pivotally rotating the shell westward based upon the solar sensor signal, stopping the shell at a maximum angular positions, and rotating the shell westward if the shell does not reach the maximum westward angular orientation during a predetermined daylight time period. The solar energy collection system may be further configured to include a bisected shell, which are hinged together. The shell halves can be collapsed onto each other thereby protecting the light reflective surface and the radiation absorbing segment of the tube carrying heat transfer fluid.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A solar energy collection system comprising:a light reflective shell having a concave cross-section, an optical axis and shaped to focus solar radiation on a radiation absorbing segment of a tube carrying fluid adapted to be heated by said solar radiation, said shell being pivotally mounted on a

1. A solar energy collection system comprising:a light reflective shell having a concave cross-section, an optical axis and shaped to focus solar radiation on a radiation absorbing segment of a tube carrying fluid adapted to be heated by said solar radiation, said shell being pivotally mounted on a support frame having a pair of uprights such that said shell is disposed between said frame uprights; said shell being two elongated, bisected, complementary shell halves, said shell halves being hinged together and supported at either elongated end by bisecting members, said bisecting members being pivotally mounted to said frame uprights at a position within the concave space formed by said shell and beneath said radiation absorbing tube segment; removable struts spanning said shell and maintaining said shell in an open configuration; an actuator mounted between said support frame and said pivotally mounted shell having a mechanical output which moves said shell relative to said support frame dependent upon control signals applied to said actuator; a solar sensor indicating alignment with said shell's optical axis and solar radiation and generating a sensor signal thereat; means for generating a limit stop signal when said shell reaches a maximum angular position; an actuator control system, coupled to said actuator, said solar sensor and to said means for generating, generating control signals applied to said actuator based upon said sensor signal and said limit stop signal; and whereby said shell halves are adapted to collapse over said radiation absorbing segment of said tube carrying fluid after removal of said struts and thereafter are adapted to rotate due to the pivotal mount between said bisecting members of said shell and said frame uprights.