Optical: systems and elements – Mirror – Plural mirrors or reflecting surfaces
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-02
2001-05-08
Shafer, Ricky D. (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Mirror
Plural mirrors or reflecting surfaces
C359S855000, C359S872000, C359S877000, C359S223100, C126S685000, C126S689000, C126S696000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227673
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an adjustable reflector having several rotatable reflector elements, each of these reflector elements having a reflective surface.
2. Description of Related Art
Reflectors are generally used to deflect electromagnetic radiation such as light. Reflectors are frequently used for advertising purposes, in connection with signaling systems or for the purpose of directing sunlight in a particular direction, for example, to a solar collector. The reflectors, or its reflector elements, must be rotated in order to change the angle of reflection, for instance, to adjust to the changing position of the sun.
An adjustable reflector of the above type is generally disclosed in the U.K. Patent Application GB 2 255 195 A. In such adjustable reflectors, it is not necessary to align the entire reflector, which is frequently very bulky, in order to change the direction of the surface normal of the reflector surface and thereby the direction of the reflected rays. This can be accomplished by adjusting the individual rotatable reflector elements of this type of reflector in such a way that the surface normal of their respective reflector surfaces are rotated to a particular direction thereby obtaining the required reflection angle. This type of reflectors are also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,304,218 and in the French reference FR 2 688 601-A1.
In these prior art adjustable reflectors, mechanically connecting the reflector elements in order to rotate them together in parallel has proven to be a major technical problem. The requirements of precision and speed when changing the direction of the reflector elements could only be met to a limited extent in these prior art reflectors because of the relatively complicated structure of their reflector elements and/or their operating mechanism. In addition, such prior art reflectors do not provide a quick response time so that they could not be effectively used in applications where an objective was to change the performance of a solar collector by quickly adjusting and/or “de-adjusting” the reflector within a short span of time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In light of the above noted shortcomings and problems with the prior art reflectors, the primary object of the present invention is to create an adjustable reflector that overcomes these deficiencies.
In this regard, another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable reflector which is cost-effective with comparatively few expensive components.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable reflector which is sturdy, robust and is comparatively small in size.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide and adjustable reflector with a quick response time so that it can be aligned and adjusted within a short span of time.
These objectives are achieved by an adjustable reflector having reflector elements which are substantially spherical in shape which are at least partially transparent. Each of these reflector elements also have a reflective surface and are mounted between two parallel plates. At least one of the two plates is substantially transparent and at least one of the two plates can be moved relative to the other while maintaining the distance from the other plate. Because one of the two plates can be moved relative to the other, the spherical reflector elements mounted between the two plates are mechanically connected together and are rotated in the same direction by moving the movable plate appropriately. This allows the adjustment or alignment of surface normals of the reflector surfaces of each reflector element.
A relative movement between the two plates equivalent to the circumference of the reflector elements permits a rotation of the surface normals of the reflector surface through 180°. This means that with a reflector element having a diameter of 2.5 cm and a circumference of approx. 7.85 cm, the entire adjustment range of 180° will be covered when a plate is moved by as little as 7.85 cm. In practice, however, much smaller adjustment ranges are adequate. Owing to the short adjustment distances, the adjustment can be made within a few seconds. Consequently, the adjustable reflector in accordance with the present invention may be used in applications where quick response time is required such as when it is desirable to quickly change the performance of a solar collector by adjusting and/or “de-adjusting” the reflector within a short period of time.
In one particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the reflector elements can be rotated in at least two directions so that surface normal of the reflector surfaces can cover almost any direction in a hemispherical range. Moreover, the present invention is particularly advantageous since the reflector elements are mechanically connected and can be rotated together, preferably in a synchronized manner. This eliminates the need for individual adjustment of each reflector element.
The reflective surface of the reflector element may be made of an aluminum foil or a silver foil, especially if the adjustable reflector is to be used reflect visible light. The reflector elements may be made of glass or plastic. Glass is preferable because of its optical properties while plastic reflector elements are less expensive to manufacture.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, each reflective surface may be positioned in an equatorial plane of each reflector element. From a technical manufacturing perspective, this can best be done if the reflector element is two hemispheres with the reflective surface being positioned on a flat surface of one of the two hemispheres.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a first driving device is provided to move at least one of the two plates in one direction relative to the other one of the two plates. A further advantageous embodiment of the present invention would be obtained if a second driving device is provided which facilitates moving one of the two plates in another direction perpendicular to the first direction. With two such driving devices, the surface normal of the reflection surface can be aligned and adjusted to any direction.
The driving device and/or devices for moving at least one of the two plates relative to one another, may be a simple, manually operated threaded spindles. However, in a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the driving device is a motorized device which may be used to facilitate the alignment and adjustment of at least one of the two plates in one or more directions. The motorized device should preferably be a linear or step motor with gears. This embodiment of the invention will facilitate easy setting of the surface normal of the reflective surface and allow the adjustable reflector in accordance with the present invention to be remotely controlled or controlled by a computer-supported system. With a computer-supported system, for example, where the adjustable reflector is used in conjunction with a solar collector, the reflection angle could be adjusted in accordance with the changing position of the sun so as to precisely direct the sun's rays at the solar collector. The computing power of a standard personal computer (PC) has proven to be sufficient in providing this type of control, even if control of an array of several adjustable reflectors is required.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the two plates may be coated with an elastic substance such as a foam material to enhance friction and to ensure even pressure on the reflector elements mounted between the two plates.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the adjustable reflector may be provided with a housing frame.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 895761 (1908-
Nixon & Peabody LLP
Shafer Ricky D.
Studebaker Donald R.
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