Patent ID: 8707949
Filing Date: 2014-04-29
Classification: F24S,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A solar panel mount that uses solar thermal energy to orient a solar panel, the solar panel mount comprising: a rectangular panel frame and a supporting rectangular pivot frame articulated to each-other by at least one pivot mechanism; the rectangular panel frame comprising: a panel frame right edge and a panel frame left edge; the rectangular pivot frame comprising: a pivot frame left edge and a pivot frame right edge; wherein the panel frame right edge and the pivot frame right edge are correspondingly positioned with respect to each other, and a first pivot mechanism comprising: a right tilt axis along the panel frame right edge that pivotally articulates the panel frame right edge with respect to the pivot frame right edge; and a solar thermal lifter of variable length having an upper articulation to the panel frame left edge, a lower articulation to the pivot frame left edge, and a lift engine comprising: a radiant energy capture paddle having a front surface configured to absorb direct incident solar energy as heat and a thermal mechanical device that lengthens the solar thermal lifter in response to temperature increases, increasing a distance between the upper and lower articulations and pivoting the solar panel about the right tilt axis.