Electricity: motive power systems – Automatic and/or with time-delay means – Radiant energy
Patent
1995-07-24
1998-06-02
Masih, Karen
Electricity: motive power systems
Automatic and/or with time-delay means
Radiant energy
318469, 318 17, 1601681, 160188, G05B 500
Patent
active
057605580
ABSTRACT:
A system for automatic operation of venetian blinds and similar window coverings. A preferred embodiment, system 30, can be retrofitted to any conventional venetian blind without tools, removal of the blind, or installation of wiring (FIG. 10A). System 30 is attached to a blind 15 by a bracket 80, which engages a headrail 16 of blind 15, and is secured by a thumbscrew 84 (FIG. 4C). System 30 includes a gearmotor 85 which drives a coupling tube 91; coupling tube 91 is attached to a tilt-adjustment shaft 18 of blind 15 (FIG. 3A). The mechanical coupling between gearmotor 85 and coupling tube 91 includes a flexible coupling and an extensible coupling, which enable gearmotor 85 to rotate shaft 18 over a wide range of sizes and configurations of blind 15 (FIGS. 5A and 5B). System 30 also includes a photovoltaic source 31 mounted on a flexible member 99. Member 99 provides electrical connections to source 31, and supports it in an advantageous position to receive solar radiation (FIGS. 8B and 8C), regardless of the size and mounting arrangement of blind 15. System 30 also includes four momentary-contact electrical switches 38 to 41 and an actuating body 94, to which a tilt-control wand 19 of blind 15 can be attached. Together, actuating body 94 and switches 38 to 41 enable system 30 to be conveniently controlled by rotary and axial movements of wand 19 (FIG. 10A).
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Advertisement for the Mariposa.TM. solar collector assembly manufactured by Solardyne Corporation, 20 South Main Street, Gainesville, FL, 32601 USA, (904) 372-0333, appearing in Solar Today, vol, 9, No. 6, Nov./Dec. 1995, p. 12. Shows patent-pending solar collector assembly which includes an array of rectangular, copianar photovoltaic regions, with non-coplanar reflectors interspersed between the regions.
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