US3924604A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar energy conversion system
Assignee: GT Schjeldahl Co
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Filing: 1974-05-31
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Granted: 1975-12-09
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Expires: 1994-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A solar energy concentrator system which includes a centrally disposed column supporting a solar receiver means, and having an array of pivotally mounted support pads disposed circumferentially therearound. Each of the support pads retains a plurality of pivotally mounted solar reflective elements which are arranged to tilt about the axis of the pivotal mounting means and thereby direct reflected solar energy upon the solar receiver. The solar reflective elements are preferably generally planar, and are provided with means for tiltable as well as lateral adjustment so as to produce a Fresnel approximation of a large area reflector, and thereby increase the portion of solar energy reflected by the reflective elements onto the solar receiver.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald E Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:53
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C32/00; F24; F24S; F24S20/00; F24S20/20; F24S23/00; F24S23/70; F24S30/00; F24S30/40; F24S2023/83; F24S2023/833; F24S2023/87; F24S2030/10; F24S2030/13; F24S2030/131; F24S2030/134; F24S2030/136; F24S2030/14; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/47
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
Solar energy concentrator means, comprising in combination: a. a centrally disposed column means having solar receiver means arranged at an elevated disposition thereon and having means defining a central system axis, pivotally mounted support pads, each pad supportably retaining an array of solar reflective elements, with each of said pivotally mounted support pads being disposed about said column and spaced outwardly from said central system axis; b. means supportably mounting said support pads for axial rotation about the central axis thereof, and first drive means for controllably rotating each of said pads about the central axis of each of said pads; c. said solar reflective elements being mounted upon said support pads for pivotal arcuate rotation of said reflective elements about a generally horizontal support axis; d. said solar reflective elements having at least one surface reflective to solar radiation, with said reflective surface being mounted upon support frame means, second drive means providing rotational movement of a plurality of said support frame means about said generally horizontal support axis; e. said second drive means positioning said support frame means to provide substantially concurrent reflection of incident solar radiation from each individual solar reflective surface on each of said support frame means onto said solar receiver means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
Solar energy concentrator means, comprising in combination: a. a centrally disposed column means having solar receiver means arranged at an elevated disposition thereon and having means defining a central system axis, pivotally mounted support pads, each pad supportably retaining an array of solar reflective elements, with each of said pivotally mounted support pads being disposed about said column and spaced outwardly from said central system axis; b. means supportably mounting said support pads for axial rotation about the central axis thereof, and first drive means for controllably rotating each of said pads about the central axis of each of said pads; c. said solar reflective elements being mounted upon said support pads for pivotal arcuate rotation of said reflective elements about a generally horizontal support axis; d. said solar reflective elements having at least one surface reflective to solar radiation, with said reflective surface being mounted upon support frame means, second drive means providing rotational movement of a plurality of said support frame means about said generally horizontal support axis; e. said second drive means positioning said support frame means to provide substantially concurrent reflection of incident solar radiation from each individual solar reflective surface on each of said support frame means onto said solar receiver means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The solar energy concentrator means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said pivotally mounted support pads are arranged generally coaxially about said central system axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The solar energy concentrator means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said solar reflective elements are generally planar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The solar energy concentrator means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said second drive means is arranged to pivotally rotate said solar reflective elements into generally horizontal disposition opposed to the surface of said support pads.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The solar energy concentrator means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that third drive means are provided for rotational movement of a plurality of said support frame means about a generally vertical pivot axis normal to said first generally horizontal support axis for achieving second-order positioning of certain support frame means upon said support pads.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The solar energy concentrator means as defined in claim 5 being particularly characterized in that said third drive means provides motion about said vertical pivot axis in a generally horizontal direction normal to said pivot axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The solar energy concentrator means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said support pads are supported buoyantly upon fluid supports.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The solar energy concentrator means as defined in claim 7 being particularly characterized in that said fluid is a liquid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The solar energy concentrator means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said solar reflective elements comprise a metallic film applied to the surface of a flexible clear plastic film, and wherein said films are arranged as a taut membrane on said support frame means.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-06-09 | 1979-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-08 | 1983-06-09 | 1983-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-08 | 1987-06-09 | 1987-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |