Patent US4050789A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4050789A
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US
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Tracking lens system for solar collectors and skylights
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-04-15
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Granted: 1977-09-27
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Expires: 1996-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A tracking lens system for solar collectors or skylights comprises a first array of condensing lenses, a movable array of diverging lenses, and a second array of condensing lenses. By moving the array of diverging lenses, sunlight incident from any small angle can be tracked. The light leaving the tracking lens system can be parallel rays coaxial with the lens system, or can be focused upon a collecting means.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward Herbert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:17
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B13/00; F; F24; F24S; F24S23/00; F24S23/30; F24S30/00; F24S30/20; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/47
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A tracking lens system capable of tracking incident sunlight over any small angle, comprising a condensing lens a diverging lens, the diverging lens forming a compound lens with the condensing lens such that the focal point of the compound lens is virtual, and is located at the condensing lens, position means to move the diverging lens so that the center of the diverging lens intercepts the axis of the incident sunlight beam, and additional focusing means to concentrate the sunlight upon a focal point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A tracking lens system capable of tracking incident sunlight over any small angle, comprising a condensing lens a diverging lens, the diverging lens forming a compound lens with the condensing lens such that the focal point of the compound lens is virtual, and is located at the condensing lens, position means to move the diverging lens so that the center of the diverging lens intercepts the axis of the incident sunlight beam, and additional focusing means to concentrate the sunlight upon a focal point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
A tracking lens system capable of tracking incident sunlight over any small angle, comprising a first condensing lens, a diverging lens, the diverging lens forming a compound lens with the first condensing lens such that the focal point of the compound lens is virtual, and is located at the first condensing lens, positioning means to move the diverging lens so that the center of the diverging lens intercepts the axis of the incident sunlight, and a second condensing lens having its front focal point colocated with the virtual focal point of the compound lens combination of the first condensing lens and the movable diverging lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
A tracking lens system capable of tracking incident sunlight over any small angle, comprising a first condensing lens, a diverging lens, the diverging lens forming a compound lens with the first condensing lens such that the focal point of the compound lens is virtual, and is located at the first condensing lens, positioning means to move the diverging lens so that the center of the diverging lens intercepts the axis of the incident sunlight, and a second condensing lens having its front focal point colocated with the virtual focal point of the compound lens combination of the first condensing lens and the movable diverging lens.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3206608A
Cited
US3254227A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-09-26 | 1981-03-28 | 1981-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-26 | 1985-03-28 | 1985-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-26 | 1989-03-28 | 1989-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |