US3861379A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low profile solar ray concentrator
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-03-05
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Granted: 1975-01-21
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Expires: 1994-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A solar ray collector having the ability to track the diurnal path of the sun, concentrate its rays upon a single field while maintaining a low structural profile for easy incorporation into present dwelling architecture. Solar concentration is accomplished by focusing a plurality of parallel reflectors, rotatable about parallel longitudinal axes, upon a single field parallel to the reflectors. A photo-electric device attached to the mechanism tracks the sun, accounts for its diurnal variation, and through use of an electro-magnetic device, causes the reflectors to rotate about their axes to maintain the focus of the sun on the single field.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Henry Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/785; G01S3/786; G01S3/7861; F; F24; F24S; F24S23/00; F24S23/70; F24S23/77; F24S30/00; F24S30/40; F24S30/42; F24S30/425; F24S2023/87; F24S2023/872; F24S2030/10; F24S2030/13; F24S2030/131; F24S2030/136; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/20; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/47
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
A solar ray concentrator comprising: a fixably mounted framework; a plurality of parallel reflectors pivotably mounted on said framework for rotation about their longitudinal axes; collector means for intercepting and collecting reflected solar rays from said reflectors; and means coupled to said reflectors for individually and uniformly rotating said reflectors to track the sun whereby said solar rays are reflected toward said collector means, said rotating means comprising: a sun detector having a focal line in the reflective plane between said collector means and a first reflector for supplying an output signal upon the lack of detection of a reflected solar ray from said first reflector, said sun detector comprising a cylindrical lens independently mounted to said framework between said first reflector and said collector means, and a first photoelectric device independently mounted to said framework between said lens and said collector means, said first photoelectric device situated in the focal line of said lens, whereby reflected solar rays from said first reflector, if properly directed at said collector means, would cause illumination of said first photoelectric device while reflected solar ray from said first reflector not causing illumination of said first photoelectric device would cause said first photoelectric device to supply said output signal; and an electromagnetic device coupled to receive said output signal and supply a signal to said reflectors for rotating said reflectors in the direction of the sun''s apparent motion until said sun detector detects reflected solar rays from said first reflector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
A solar ray concentrator comprising: a fixably mounted framework; a plurality of parallel reflectors pivotably mounted on said framework for rotation about their longitudinal axes; collector means for intercepting and collecting reflected solar rays from said reflectors; and means coupled to said reflectors for individually and uniformly rotating said reflectors to track the sun whereby said solar rays are reflected toward said collector means, said rotating means comprising: a sun detector having a focal line in the reflective plane between said collector means and a first reflector for supplying an output signal upon the lack of detection of a reflected solar ray from said first reflector, said sun detector comprising a cylindrical lens independently mounted to said framework between said first reflector and said collector means, and a first photoelectric device independently mounted to said framework between said lens and said collector means, said first photoelectric device situated in the focal line of said lens, whereby reflected solar rays from said first reflector, if properly directed at said collector means, would cause illumination of said first photoelectric device while reflected solar ray from said first reflector not causing illumination of said first photoelectric device would cause said first photoelectric device to supply said output signal; and an electromagnetic device coupled to receive said output signal and supply a signal to said reflectors for rotating said reflectors in the direction of the sun''s apparent motion until said sun detector detects reflected solar rays from said first reflector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A solar ray concentrator as recited in claim 1 further including: a second photo-electric device coupled to said electromagnetic device for preventing said first photo-electric device from supplying said output signal upon occurrence of a lack of output from said second photo-electric device indicating clouds or nightfall obstructing the solar rays from the sun.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A solar ray concentrator as recited in claim 2 wherein said collector means comprises a medium containing boiler tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A solar ray concentrator as recited in claim 3 wherein said framework is fixably mounted perpendicular to the declination plane of the sun on a structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
A solar ray concentrator as recited in claim 2 wherein said rotating means further includes: an alignment bar coupled to said electromagnetic device; a plurality of collar and lever assemblies equidistantly pinned to said alignment bar; and a plurality of shafts equi-distant from each other and pinned to respective collar and lever assemblies and coupled to respective reflectors: whereby each of said reflectors rotates through the same angle until said first photo-electric device stops supplying said output signal indicating that said reflectors are properly aligned to reflect solar rays at said collector means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A solar ray concentrator as recited in claim 2 further including means to return said reflectors at the end of the day to a morning position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A solar ray concentrator as recited in claim 6 wherein said reflectors comprise mirrors, and said electromagnetic device comprises a motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
A solar ray concentrator as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the said reflectors is mounted to said framework and pre-focused upon said collector means according to equation phi Alpha /2 - Tan 1/2 y/x wherein: phi is the angle between the line normal to said framework and the line normal to said reflector, Alpha is the angle between said framework and an incident ray from the sun onto said reflector, x is the distance along the horizontal between said collector means and said reflector and y is the distance along the vertical between said collector means and said reflector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A solar ray concentrator as recited in claim 8 wherein said reflectors are rotated in the same apparent direction as the sun and at one-half the rate of rotation of the sun.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A solar ray concentrator as recited in claim 9 wherein said reflectors are rotated at a rate of approximately seven and one-half degrees per hour.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
163 words
A solar ray concentrator comprising a fixably mounted framework; a plurality of parallel reflectors pivotably mounted on said framework for rotation about their longitudinal axes; collector means for intercepting and collecting reflected solar rays from said reflectors; a sun detector including a first photoelectric device, said detector having a focal line in the reflective plane between said collector means and a first reflector for supplying an output signal only upon lack of detection of reflected solar rays from said reflector; an electromagnetic device coupled to receive said output signal uniformly and individually rotate said reflectors to track the sun until said sun detector detects reflected solar rays from said solar rays whereby rays are reflected toward said collector means; and a second photoelectric device coupled to said electromagnetic device for preventing said first photoelectric device from supplying said output signal upon occurrence of a lack of output from said second photoelectric device indicating clouds or nightfall obstructing the solar rays from the sun.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
163 words
A solar ray concentrator comprising a fixably mounted framework; a plurality of parallel reflectors pivotably mounted on said framework for rotation about their longitudinal axes; collector means for intercepting and collecting reflected solar rays from said reflectors; a sun detector including a first photoelectric device, said detector having a focal line in the reflective plane between said collector means and a first reflector for supplying an output signal only upon lack of detection of reflected solar rays from said reflector; an electromagnetic device coupled to receive said output signal uniformly and individually rotate said reflectors to track the sun until said sun detector detects reflected solar rays from said solar rays whereby rays are reflected toward said collector means; and a second photoelectric device coupled to said electromagnetic device for preventing said first photoelectric device from supplying said output signal upon occurrence of a lack of output from said second photoelectric device indicating clouds or nightfall obstructing the solar rays from the sun.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
A solar ray concentrator as recited in claim 11 further including a cylindrical lens located between said first photoelectric device and said first reflector and in the reflective plane between said collector means and said first reflector, wherein reflected solar rays, if properly directed at said collector means, would cause illumination of said first photoelectric device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
101 words
A solar ray concentrator as recited in claim 12 wherein each of the said reflectors is mounted to said framework and pre-focused upon said collector means according to equation phi Alpha /2 - Tan 1/2 y/x wherein; phi is the angle between the line normal to said framework and the line normal to said reflector, Alpha is the angle between said framework and an incident ray from the sun onto said reflector, x is the distance along the horizontal between said collector means and said reflector and y is the distance along the vertical between said collectors means and said reflector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
A solar ray concentrator as recited in claim 12 further including means to return said reflectors at the end of the day to a morning position and wherein said reflectors comprise mirrors, said collector means comprises a medium containing boiler tube, and said framework is fixably mounted perpendicular to the declination plane of the sun on a structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
93 words
A solar ray concentrator as recited in claim 12 wherein said rotating means further includes: an alignment bar coupled to said electromagnetic device; a plurality of collar and lever assemblies equidistantly pinned to said alignment bar; and a plurality of shafts equi-distant from each other and pinned to respective collar and lever assemblies and coupled to respective reflectors; whereby each of said reflectors rotates through the same angle until said first photo-electric device stops supplying said output signal indicating that said reflectors are properly aligned to reflect solar rays at said collector means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |