Patent ID: 7878192

Claim:
A solar collector for redirecting solar radiation, the solar collector comprising: a first reflective panel having a first reflective panel inner surface for reflecting solar radiation and a first reflective panel outer surface, the first reflective panels shiftable between first and second folding positions with respect to an axis of rotation; a second reflective panel having a second reflective panel inner surface for reflecting solar radiation and second reflective panel outer surface, the second reflective panel shiftable between first and second folding positions with respect to the axis of rotation; a first lift arm operably coupled to the first reflective panel; a second lift arm operably coupled to the second reflective panel; a first actuator operably coupled to the first lift arm, the first actuator operable to provide infinitely adjustable positioning of the first reflective panel from the first folding position to the second folding position and further operable to substantially secure the first reflective panel in the first folding position, the second folding position, and infinite positions between the first and second folding positions; a second actuator operably coupled to the second lift arm, the second actuator operable to provide infinitely adjustable positioning of the second reflective panel from the first folding position to the second folding position and further operable to substantially secure the second reflective panel in the first folding position, the second folding position, and infinite positions between the first and second folding positions; a third actuator operably coupled to the first and second reflective panels, the third actuator operable to substantially simultaneously rotate the first and second reflective panels about the axis of rotation from a first rotational position to a second rotational position and further operable to substantially secure the first and second reflective panels in the first rotational position, the second rotational position, and infinite positions intermediate the first and second rotational positions; wherein the first and second reflective panels are configured to form a substantially parabolic trough in a parabolic position intermediate the first and second folding positions, the parabolic trough presenting a focus line.