Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric – Photoelectric – Panel or array
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-19
2001-09-04
Diamond, Alan (Department: 1753)
Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric
Photoelectric
Panel or array
C136S259000, C126S600000, C126S605000, C126S601000, C126S602000, C126S603000, C250S203400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06284968
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a system for changing the orientation of a solar-dependent system, such as solar-heating apparatuses, solar-generators, solar concentrators, telescopes, and the like. Prior-art systems have depended upon azimuth, or vertical, axis-tracking, which can lead to erroneous results, and which are difficult to achieve. This lack of a reliable, accurate and appealing solar-tracking systems has been a major stumbling block to the success and expansion of the solar industry.
Examples of prior-art solar-tracking systems are shown in the following U.S. patents. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,145, the solar-tracking system uses a loop-control tracking with two linear actuators to control elevation, or latitude, and to control rotation. The system of this patent has a maximum of 120-degree rotational tracking that translates to eight hours per day maximum, and has a vertically-oriented support.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,739 discloses a similar system also using a perfectly-vertical support shaft.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,124 discloses a sun-tracking system using cam and roller principle and gravity. Like the other systems, a perfectly vertical support shaft is used.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,377 discloses a solar collector having photovoltaic panels that track the latitude of the sun. In this system, also, the support shaft is perfectly vertically-oriented.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,637 discloses a sun-tracking system based on a linear actuator for elevational tracking, and another linear actuator for azimuthal axis. The support is also vertically-oriented.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a solar-tracking apparatus based on the tracking of the two components of the earth-to-sun motion: To wit, polar rotation and orbital rotation.
Toward these and other ends, the solar-tracking system of the present invention provides a polar rotation at a constant velocity of 366.25 revolutions clockwise per year, and an orbital revolution that is slightly variable of one revolution per year in the counter-clockwise direction. The support for the orbital system is tilted in in respect to polar axis at an angle of 23.45 degrees, and is constant, which angle is equal to the earth's tilt, which is in contrast to prior-art systems which do not utilize polar-axis based tracking.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3305686 (1967-02-01), Carter et al.
patent: 4172739 (1979-10-01), Tassen
patent: 4202321 (1980-05-01), Volna
patent: 4995377 (1991-02-01), Eiden
patent: 5253637 (1993-10-01), Maiden
patent: 5317145 (1994-05-01), Corio
patent: 5600124 (1997-02-01), Berger
patent: 5632823 (1997-05-01), Sharan
Diamond Alan
Gerstein Milton S.
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