Two axis solar tracking system

Abstract

A modular two axis solar tracking system contemplates a first fixed base and a slidable/rotatable arm fixed to the first fixed base. The fixed base includes a primary linear actuator and a first movable element movable along a fixed axis. A second linear actuator is fixed at one end of the first movable element and an inverted J-shaped element is movable along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. A second fixed base is disposed in an open area surrounded by an open area defined by a U-shaped lower portion of the inverted J-shaped element. A slidable rotatable arm includes a projection coupled to the inverted J-shaped element that together with the first and second actuator move collection at the ends of the slidable/rotatable arm or arms to track the sun.

Claims

1. A two axis solar tracking system comprises: a first fixed base and a primary linear actuator disposed on said first fixed base and having a first computer programmable motor; a first linearly movable element that is movable along a first axis; a second linear actuator disposed on one end of said first movable element and including a second computer programmable motor; a second linear movable element in the shape of an inverted J is movable by said second actuator along a second axis that is perpendicular to said first axis; and a second fixed base disposed in an open area defined by a U-shaped portion of said inverted J-shaped element and said U-shaped portion including a relatively short elongated opening in the outer short end of said J-shaped element; a linearly rotatable actuator disposed on said second fixed base and a slidable/rotatable arm disposed in said linearly/rotatable actuator and having an upwardly extending L-shaped end and a downwardly extending projection generally parallel to said upwardly extending end and into said elongated opening; and wherein rotational movement of said arm is controlled by said computer programmable first and second motors for solar tracking, and wherein said slidable/rotatable arm is rotated by the primary and second linear actuators by moving the first and second linear movable elements.

2. The two axis solar tracking system according to claim 1, which includes a solar collector at the end of said slidable/rotatable arm.

3. The two axis solar tracking system according to claim 2, in which said solar collection includes a lens between an outer portion of said collector and the sun for concentrating the sun's rays on said collector.

4. The two axis solar tracking system according to claim 3, which includes a plurality of slidable/rotatable arms and a solar collector attached and movable to receive the direct rays of the sun at the end of each of said slidable/rotatable arms.

5. The two axis solar tracking system according to claim 4, which includes between 9 and 36 slidable/rotatable arms.

6. A two axis solar tracking system consisting of: a first fixed base and a primary linear actuator disposed on said first fixed base and having a first computer programmable motor; a first linearly movable element that is movable along a first axis; a second linear actuator disposed on one end of said first movable element and including a second computer programmable motor; a second inverted J-shaped linear movable element movable by said second actuator along a second axis that is perpendicular to said first axis; and a second fixed base disposed in an open area defined by a U-shaped portion of said inverted J-shaped element and said U-shaped portion including a relatively short elongated opening in the outer short end of said J-shaped element; a linearly rotatable actuator disposed on said second fixed base and a slidable/rotatable arm disposed in said linearly/rotatable actuator and having an upwardly extending L-shaped end and a downwardly extending projection generally parallel to said upwardly extending end and into said elongated opening; and wherein rotational movement of said arm is controlled by said computer programmable first and second motors for solar tracking, and wherein said slidable/rotatable arm is rotated by the primary and second linear actuators by moving the first and second linear movable elements.

7. The two axis solar tracking system according to claim 6, in which said system further consists of a plurality of slidable/rotatable arms and a solar collector adjustable to receive the direct rays at the end of each of said arms and a lens disposed in front of each of said collectors for concentrating the rays of the sun on said collector.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a modular two axis solar tracking system in accordance with the present invention;

(2) FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c are schematic illustrations of the modular two axis solar tracking system of FIG. 1 but illustrating the rotational motion of a sliding rotating arm;

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the modular solar tracking system of FIGS. 1 and 2 with a J-shaped member in an opposite position;

(4) FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f are schematic illustrations of the modular two axis solar tracking system of FIGS. 1 and 2 but illustrating the full rotation of the sliding/rotating arm;

(5) FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c are schematic illustrations of a mechanism to move a plurality of solar collectors in two axis using only two motors; and

(6) FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the system applied to a parabolic dish tracking the sun from sunrise to sunset, where the angular motions (azimuth and elevation) are tracked by two linear displacements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(7) Referring now to FIG. 1, a modular two axis scalar tracking system 20 includes a first fixed base 22 and a first primary linear actuator 24 disposed on said first fixed base 22. The linear actuator 24 includes a first computer programmable motor and a mechanism such as a gear box or gear train for linear movement of a primary movable element 26 along a first axis.

(8) A second linear actuator 28 includes a second computer programmable motor that is fixed at one end of the movable element 26. A second movable element 30 in the form or shape of an inverted J-shape is movable by the second linear actuator 28 along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The inverted J-shaped element 30 includes a relatively long vertical portion 27 and a relatively short vertical portion 29 that includes a slightly elongated opening 32 near its open end 31.

(9) A second fixed base 34 is disposed in an open area between the relatively long vertical portion 27 and relatively short vertical portion 29 and partially defined by a transverse link 33. The second fixed base 34 includes a rotatable element 36 and an outwardly extending arm 38 that is rotatable about the second fixed base 34 by movements of the primary movable element 26 and the second inverted J-shaped element 30.

(10) As illustrated the outwardly extending arm 38 includes an outer L-shaped end 35 and a downwardly extending projection 37 that extends downwardly at about 90° angle from the arm 38. The downwardly extending projection 37 passes through the elongated opening 32. By contrast the L-shaped end 35 relates to a receiver/collector that is movable in two axis.

(11) Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the sliding/rotating arm 38 is rotated by the primary linear actuator 24 and second linear actuator 28 by moving the second movable element 30 in an upward direction and subsequently or at about the same time moving the primary movable element 26 to the right by the primary linear actuator 24. As shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b this rotates the sliding rotating arm in a clockwise manner.

(12) FIG. 4 illustrates the applicator of the system with the J-shaped movable element 30 arranged to rotate the arm 38 in a clockwise direction.

(13) As illustrated in FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c a plurality of 9, 18 and 36 slidable/rotatable arms 38 for moving collectors to track the sun to thereby maximize the output of each collector.

(14) While the invention has been described in connection with its accompanying drawings, it should be recognized that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.