Combined pressurized air solar heat sensing head assembly and a pressurized water drive system used to move solar energy collectors in tracking the sun

In moving solar energy collectors to track the sun, there are combined: PA0 a pressurized air solar heat sensing head assembly, utilizing compressed air in adjacent and opposing chambers, each chamber having a flexible diaphragm closely contacting an actuator of a four way valve of a pressurized water drive system, with these chambers being located on opposite sides of a sunshade assembly; PA0 a pressurized water drive system having the four way valve moved by the pressurized solar heat sensing head assembly, whereby water under pressure from this valve is directed to one side or the other of an actuator utilizing compact and collapsible hoses, which in expanding to receive the pressurized volume of water, move a power take off connector, in turn attached to a cable of a pulley drive subassembly, in turn rotatably secured to solar energy collectors to adjustably position them; and PA0 solar energy collectors selected from many types each of which is mountable about one structurally supported axis assembly, to make automatic daily adjustments, and about another structurally supported axis assembly, to make seasonal adjustments of these solar energy collectors in tracking the sun to gain the benefits of maximum solar energy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,892, Frederick H. Little and David C. Little in 1981 
described their heat sensing means, particularly used with solar water 
heating apparatus. They provide temperature differential sensing means for 
sensing temperatures at the respective opposite sides of a heat shield in 
turn supporting a solar collector. By so doing they monitor the alignment 
of the heat shield and solar collector with respect to the sun to maintain 
the heat shield and solar collector in operative aligned relationship with 
the sun throughout each day. Their temperature sensing chambers are filled 
with air and connected to pressure sensitive pilot actuators, each 
actuator having a diaphragm commonly connected to the other diaphragm. The 
diaphragms move only in response to changes in temperature between the air 
filled sensing chambers, and not to variations in ambient temperatures. 
The common connection between the diaphragms is also connected at its 
midpoint to an actuating lever of a three way valve assembly. This valve 
assembly moves to admit or to drain water from a servo actuator, which 
moves the solar heat collector and its heat shield about an axis 
alternately in both east and west directions. 
Some other patents which illustrate and describe the use of two pressurized 
temperature sensors, utilizing the expansion of fluids under pressure and 
temperature, which sensors are spaced apart in locations differently 
receiving the heat from the sun, when their associated solar collector is 
not closely tracking the sun, and whereby the differential of pressures 
created by these temperature sensors effectively acts through an 
associated actuator assembly to cause realignment of the solar collector 
with the moving sun, are: 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,307 L. W. Michalec's Heat Energy Transfer Device; 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,710 G. Prast's Solar Collector Comprising Solar 
Tracking Means; 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,185,615 E. W. Bottum's Solar Collector Structure; 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,198,954 R. J. Meijer's Solar Collector Comprising Solar 
Tracking Means 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,211,212 R. J. Braun's Solar Refrigeration System; and 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,654 C. J. Ward's Solar Energy Powered Sun Tracker 
Some other patents which illustrate and describe the use of resilient 
and/or compactable and collapsible hoses or tubes, which in expanding to 
receive the pressurized volume of fluids, move related components, are: 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,987,004 J. L. Murray's Fluid Pressure Device; 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,014,459 J. A. Gustair's Reciprocating Motion Device; 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,045,611 J. L. Murray's Fluid Pressure Devices; 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,417,942 E. M. VanAlstyne's Projectable Structure; 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,494,260 J. L. Critcher's Actuator; and 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,673,924 S. Zakrzewski's Fluid Motors. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
This combined pressurized air solar heat sensing head assembly and a 
pressurized water drive system used to move solar energy collectors in 
tracking the sun, operates very reliably and without incurring any 
operating costs, when the comparatively small quantity of water drained 
from the drive system during a day's operation is essentially recycled for 
other purposes. Most of the components are commercially available, and 
other components are fabricated and/or derived from commercially available 
materials and products all of comparatively low cost. Moreover, air is 
always available and generally water from pressurized mains of 
municipalities' tank systems, or pressurized well systems, is essentially 
available throughout the world. 
This combination is readily producible in subassemblies. The heat sensing 
head assembly could be produced and shipped separately. Or the combined 
heat sensing head assembly and the pressurized water drive system could be 
produced and shipped separately. Moreover, the entire combination 
completed, or partially completed, could be shipped readily throughout the 
world to help many persons receive the benefits of the energy of the sun. 
Also this combination is readily producible in various sizes for 
automatically moving one or more solar energy collectors of one or more 
different types. At all times each combination operates to accurately move 
solar energy collectors in tracking the sun. 
This combination for tracking the sun always involves the close 
arrangement: of the respective grouping of the pressurized air solar heat 
sensing head assembly; of the respective grouping of the pressurized water 
drive system; and of the respective sole or group solar energy collectors. 
Such close arrangement keeps frictional losses at a minimum, places the 
operational components for very convenient observation, adjustment, and 
maintenance, and locates these operational components for their convenient 
securement from unwanted manipulatons, when necessary. 
This combination in utilizing the energy from the sun, via pressurized air 
chambers incorporating diaphragms, and energy from water systems, 
incorporates only a minimum number of hydraulic and mechanical components 
keeping their related operating frictional losses to a minimum. By using 
the compact and collapsible hoses, in respect to some embodiments such 
hoses being garden hoses, there occurs the substantially direct 
utilization of the water volume under pressure to create the actuation 
forces used in moving the solar energy collectors. Also by using the 
pressurized air chambers with their respective diaphragms directly and 
closely connected to the movable water four way valve, there occurs the 
substantially direct utilization of sun related energy changes in the 
pressurized air to sense the daily movement of the sun in an east to west 
direction, and in the morning to sense the sun in the east for an 
automatic quick return from the west to east positioning of the solar 
energy collectors.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
General Overall Arrangement 
In FIGS. 1 through 8, the arrangement of the preferred embodiment is 
illustrated of the combined pressurized air solar heat sensing head 
assembly 20 and the pressurized water drive system 22 used together, to 
move solar energy collectors 24 in their automatic tracking of the sun in 
an east to west direction and return. As necessary, this overall 
combination 30, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a firmly positioned base 32 
oriented in a north south direction, a pivotal frame 34 rotatably and 
selectively positioned on the base 32. 
Selective rotation 36 of pivotal frame 34 is undertaken periodically 
throughout the seasons, to place the solar energy collectors at their best 
inclinations, to receive the maximum energy of the sun, when they are 
excellently and automatically tracking the sun, during its daily east to 
west travel and automatically returned each morning when the sun rises. To 
maintain a selected position of the pivotal frame 34 for a definite time, 
two cross bars of 36 of several arcuately spaced cross or transverse bars 
36 on the pivotal frame 34, are positioned, selectively and respectively, 
in two pairs of several oppositely and transversely horizontally spaced 
receiving slots 38 on the base 32, as shown in FIG. 1. Thereafter during 
other seasons, i.e. winter, spring, summer or fall, different sets of 
pairs of cross bars 36 and receiving slots 38 are selected and utilized. 
The pivotal frame 34 includes front and back transverse supports 42, 44 
supported centrally by a longitudinal open box frame 46 and at each side 
by longitudinal rods 48. These front and back transverse supports 42, 44 
have bearings 50 to receive the extending shafts 54 of the solar energy 
collectors 24. 
As also shown in FIG. 1, the front transverse support 42 serves as the 
mounting locale for the compact and collapsible flat hose subassembly 62 
of the pressurized water drive system 22. Moreover, this front transverse 
support 42, on pivotal frame 34, rotatably supports on bearings, not 
shown, the pressurized air solar energy sensing head assembly 20. 
The water line 64, one a supply 66, and the other a drain 68, are connected 
below the box frame 46, as shown in FIG. 1. Other water lines 64 are 
illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, and 9, which extend between the four way valve 
70, the manifold 72 and beyond, inclusive of the subassembly 62 of the 
compact collapsible hose 60, and the supply 66 and drain 68 lines. 
In FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the sun shield subassembly 74 is illustrated 
positioned between the pressurized air solar heat sensing chambers 76, 78 
which each have flexible diaphragms 80. The frame 84 of the sun shield 
subassembly 74 serves as a mounting structure to receive the: sensing 
chambers 76, 78; the four way valve 70; the manifold 72; the sun shield 
86; the shaft, not shown, about which the sun shield subassembly 74 
rotates; and the diaphragms 80 and their pins 137 operatively relating, 
via contact with the valve stem, i.e. shaft 138, with the four way valve 
70. 
GENERAL OVERALL OPERATION 
In FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, the general overall operation is schematically 
illustrated. In this embodiment the ultimate objective is to gain as much 
solar radiation as possible in the solar energy collectors 24 illustrated 
as solar heat collectors 24, and conduct this heat away via a circulating 
water system 94, inclusive of a heat transfer unit 96. Portions 98 and 100 
of this water system 94 are part of the respective solar heat, i.e. 
energy, collectors. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the solar energy collectors 
24 are positioned accurately in tracking the sun to receive the maximum 
solar radiation. The pressure air solar heat sensing head assembly 20 has 
both of its pressurized chambers 76, 78 receiving the same solar heat i.e. 
radiation, and they are thus at the same pressure. Therefore there is no 
movement of their respective diaphragms 80. In turn then there is no 
movement of the four away valve 70. Therefore the compact, collapsible, 
flat host 60 is in a balanced pressure condition, with its power take off 
102 so positioned. There is no force then tending to move the cable and 
pulley drive system 104 of the overall pressurized water drive system 22. 
As illustrated in FIG. 8, the sun has moved sufficiently, so one of the 
pressurized chambers 78 is receiving more solar heat, i.e. radiation, than 
the other chamber 76. The latter is being shaded by the sun shield 86. 
Therefore, as also shown in FIG. 2, there is movement of the diaphragms 
80, commencing the follow on movements of the four way valve 70, the 
expansion of the hose 60, movement of the power take off 102, movement of 
the translating drive rod 108 of the cable-pulley drive system 104, and 
via the rotation of its various pulleys 110, 112, 113, 114, 116 and the 
transmitting shaft 118, utilizing the cables 120, 121, 122, there is the 
wanted movement of the solar heat collectors 24 in their accurate tracking 
of the sun. 
PRESSURIZED AIR SOLAR HEAT SENSING HEAD ASSEMBLY 
In FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 the arrangement, location, and operation of the 
pressurized air solar heat sensing head assembly 20 are illustrated. Also 
this assembly 20 has been previously described. However in FIG. 4, more of 
the internal components are illustrated. Each chamber 76 and 78 has a 
valve 130 through which pressurized air is admitted. Both chambers are 
initially filled at their null diaphragm positions with equal pressure 
air. Changes thereafter will only be undertaken, if necessary, to equalize 
and/or raise the air pressures of these chambers 76, 78. Environmental air 
temperature changes do not affect the capability of this pressurized air 
solar heat sensing head assembly 20 to always accurately sense the need 
for moving the solar energy collectors 24 to track the sun. 
The heat transmitting shells 132 of each chamber 76, 78, and the diaphragms 
80 are held in place adjacent the frame 84 by fasteners 134. The bearings 
136 of frame 84 support the diaphragm pins 137 of the diaphragms 80, of 
each of the chambers 76, 78, and the movable valve stem 138, i.e. shaft or 
sleeve, of the four way valve 70. The sub frame 140 with various members 
positions the four way valve 70 within the frame 84. In this sub frame 140 
there are lateral adjustment slots 139 and cooperating fasteners 141 which 
are used initially in setting the valve 70 in its null position. 
The shielding of the sun rays is via the sun shield subassembly 74 which 
includes the frame 84, and the encompassing surface structure 142. A water 
manifold 72 is positioned on this surface structure 142 and by frame 84. 
Water lines 64 are connected between the ports of the valve 70 and the 
manifold 72. 
As so arranged and rotatably secured by a shaft and bearing assembly, not 
shown, this pressurized solar heat sensing head assembly 20 operates as 
illustrated in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, to initiate, when necessary, the 
operation of the pressurized water drive system 22, to move the solar heat 
collectors 24 in their accurate tracking of the sun. 
PRESSURIZED WATER DRIVE SYSTEM 
In all the figures the embodiments of the pressurized water drive system 22 
are illustrated in part with FIG. 2 indicating schematically this overall 
drive system 22. Also this drive system 22 has been previously described. 
However, in FIGS. 5 and 6, more of the components are illustrated. In this 
first embodiment, the compact, collapsible, flat hose 60 is folded back 
and forth about an intertwined light gauge wire 148 wound in rectangular 
cross sections 149. When pre-assembled, the hose 62 and wire 148 are 
inserted endwise in the tube 150 and the tube ends are closed and sealed, 
leaving only a top longitudinal slot 152 open along this subassembly 62 of 
the compact collapsible flat hose 60. At the midpoint of the left 154 and 
right 156 operating volumes of this subassembly 62 a power take off 
structure 102, which also seals the hoses, is installed using fasteners 
160. During operations water is used within the tube as a lubricant. 
In FIGS. 9 and 10, another embodiment of a flat hose pressurized water 
drive system 162 is illustrated. One, two, three, or more water powered 
two way strokes, which supplement each other, are provided by passing the 
hose 60 over rollers 164 with sufficient tension so water seals are 
created. At the initial neutral position of each two way stroke, as 
illustrated in FIG. 9, the hose portions are connected to valves 168 which 
are supplied with water through water lines 64. As water flows in one 
direction in water lines 64 respective hose portions are filled with water 
under pressure and the other respective hose portions on opposite sides of 
the valves 168 are drained. When water flows in the other direction in 
water lines 64, the formerly filled, i.e. expanded, hose portions are 
drained, and those previously drained are filled, i.e. expanded. Such 
movements are transmitted via a power take off, not shown, to a pulley 
system, not shown, in this embodiment of a pressurized water drive system 
162. 
In FIG. 11, another embodiment of a flat hose pressurized water drive 
system 170 is illustrated which is made to control the expanding and 
contracting movements of a large flat hose like a fire hose 171. Spaced 
guide rails 172 guide and position rollers 174 transversely connected to 
opposite rollers 174 by shafts 176. The variable longitudinal spacing of 
the various combined units 178 of rollers 174 and shaft 176 is controlled 
by links 180 of an overall parallel linkage system 182. The large flat 
hose 171 is threaded through this linkage system being passed over and 
under the respective top and bottom shafts 176. Although not shown, there 
will be a like power take off, which is initially located midway, when 
this large flat hose pressurized water drive system 170 is in its neutral 
position. 
All these pressurized water drive systems 22, 162, and 170 are sufficiently 
powered by water available through municipal water sources. The systems 22 
and 162, in addition are sufficiently powered by water available both 
through municipal and private water sources. 
As illustrated in FIG. 2, a main water valve 184 is installed to turn on 
and off the water coming from a municipal pressurized water system, or 
another water system. This valve 184 is selectively opened to set the 
return water flow rate of the water flowing to the water actuators 62, 
etc., when the solar energy collectors 24 in the early morning are 
comparatively rapidly returning, while seeking the morning sun to obtain 
the maximum radiant energy then available. 
During the daily east to west movement of the solar energy collectors 24, a 
flow rate valve 186 is set to keep the water flow rate at a lower rate to 
the water actuators 62, etc. When the early morning more rapid return of 
solar energy collectors 24 is undertaken, then a check valve 188 opens and 
the discharging water flows rapidly through bypass 190, unhindered by 
valve 186. 
OTHER USES OF THE ASSEMBLIES, SYSTEMS, AND COMPONENTS 
The pressurized air solar heat sensing head assembly, although specifically 
described as sensing changes in solar radiant heat, could be used in other 
locations where radiant heat from other sources was to be monitored. 
The pressurized water drive systems, although specifically described as 
driving solar energy collectors, could be used in other equipment to power 
other components. 
SOME OF THE MATERIALS USED IN THE EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 1 
The flat hose is commercially available. From one supplier, "Richco", the 
source is designated by the trademark "Ultra Hose". It is specified as a 
five eighths inch inside diameter flat hose. The hose has a solid non 
toxic liner which is surrounded by a woven fabric covering. As shown in 
FIGS. 5 and 6, this hose 60 is arranged in two inch folds, which are 
intertwined with a light gauge wire 148 wound in rectangular cross 
sections 149. The hose and wire are placed in a tube having a rectangular 
cross section of one and one sixteenth inches high and two inches wide. By 
way of example, when water at 40 p.s.i. is tapped, a 40 pound force is 
available at midstroke. 
Plywood of various thickness and/or light gauge metals are used throughout 
the supporting structures. 
The quantity of water used is comparatively small and a plastic supply hose 
of only one sixteenth of an inch in inside diameter is used. In the 
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, only a pint of water is drained during a full 
day's east to west tracking the sun.