Sun tracking solar energy collector

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As object of this invention is to provide a solar tracking and energy collecting system which has a substantially low manufacturing and maintenance cost.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved two axis sun tracking solar energy collection system which has a lower cost per kilowatt of output energy than presently known systems.
The foregoing and other objects of the invention may be achieved in an arrangement whereby a parabolic reflector, which collects the energy, is supported on an elevation frame which in turn is supported upon an azimuth frame.
The azimuth frame has a triangular support system wherein it pivots about one point of the triangle and has wheels at the other two points of the triangle which ride on a peripheral circular track.
The elevation structure is supported on the azimuth structure and has two curved rails describing a vertical arc and extending sufficiently so that the parabolic reflector which rides on wheels captured in the rails can be moved from a horizontal to substantially a vertical position.
Suitable propulsion means are provided for the azimuth frame so that it can describe a 360.
degree.
rotation.
The means for moving the parabolic reflector include a counter balance to reduce the amount of energy required to move the reflector from one end to the other of its curved rails.
Suitable and well known sun tracking circuits are provided to generate the signals required to drive the azimuthal and elevation motors to maintain the parabolic reflector facing the sun.
A heat engine or solar flux receiver is mounted separately on a small tower so as to be positioned at the focal point of the parabolic reflector.
The heat engine may be mounted in a gimbal and tethered to the parabola structure by a system of cables in order to keep the receiver pointed along the axis of the parabola.
The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.
The invention will best be understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings