Patent · US Active

Solar power harvester

US8766091B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
34References
27Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 29, 2007
Grant dateJul 1, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 7, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/60
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A solar energy harvester comprises: an elongated stationary solar irradiance converter assembly; a concentrator comprised of a substantially flat array of flat reflective heliostatic slats disposed at tilt angles to concentrate the sun onto the converter assembly, said slats each rotating in elevation about a north-south axis; sun sensor detecting the efficacy of concentration as the sun traverses; and control circuitry and drive motor positioning the collector in elevation according to the sun sensor so that the slat array tracks and faces the sun whenever the solar incident energy is greater than a selectable threshold level.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.