Patent ID: 6123067
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: F24S,G01S,H02S,Y02E

Abstract:
A solar collector tracking system comprising:an elongated vertically oriented tower having a vertically oriented Z-axis, a top end and a bottom end; a tower cap rigidly secured to said top end of said tower;a horizontally oriented azimuth platform assembly formed by a front structural beam, a rear structural beam, a left side structural beam and a right side structural beam; said respective structural beams define a major frame having an open central chamber for housing structural members used to rotate said azimuth platform assembly about said vertical Z-axis;an elongated drive head having a top surface, a bottom surface, an inner end and an outer end; a tubular post is rigidly secured to said bottom surface of said drive head adjacent said inner end; said tubular post being rigidly connected to said tower cap; a rigid pivot pin having a vertical X-axis extends upwardly from said top surface of said drive head adjacent said outer end;a horizontally oriented primary azimuth hydraulic actuator having a front end, a rear end, and a primary piston rod having a front end; a connecting link is rigidly secured to said front end of said primary piston rod and said connecting link is journaled on said pivot pin that is located adjacent said outer end of said drive head; said rear end of said primary azimuth hydraulic actuator being pivotally secured to the interior of said major frame about a vertically oriented S-axis;a horizontally oriented secondary azimuth hydraulic actuator having a front end, a rear end, and a secondary piston rod having a front end; a bifurcated coupling is rigidly secured to said front end of said secondary piston rod and said bifurcated coupling is pivotally secured to a vertically oriented pin passing through said connecting link, said pin having a vertical y-axis that is laterally spaced from said X-axis of said pivotal pin; said rear end of said secondary azimuth hydraulic actuator being pivotally secured to the interior of said major frame about a vertically oriented T-axis;means journaling said azimuth platform assembly on said top end of said tower;at least one solar collection device having a front surface and a rear surface;means pivotally securing said solar collection device to said front end of said azimuth platform assembly so that said solar collection device can be pivoted about a horizontal axis from a vertical operating position to a horizontal storage position; said means comprising a hydraulic activator having a front end, a rear end and a piston rod; a bracket is mounted on the front end of said piston rod and said bracket is pivotally secured to said rear surface of said collection device; said front end of said elevation actuator is pivotally mounted in said azimuth platform assembly.