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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to solar collectors and more
particularly to a solar concentrator which utilizes a particularly
designed point focusing solar concentrating panel and particular means for
supporting the panel in a sun tracking mode.
There are many different types of solar energy systems disclosed in and
made available by the prior art. One such system includes a point focusing
solar concentrating panel which is operated in a solar tracking mode, that
is, which is moved along with the sun for maintaining a constant alignment
therewith. While the general operating principles underlying the solar
tracking panel of this general type are sound, the panels themselves and
associated equipment as disclosed in the prior art have not been
completely satisfactory. For the most part, the panels have been circular
(and in some cases rectangular) and have been bulky and massive in design,
thereby resulting in relatively high wind load problems which in turn has
required the use of relatively heavy duty and expensive support structure.
In addition, by the very nature of its massive design, this type of prior
art panel cannot be economically mass produced, relatively speaking and it
cannot be easily transported to the operating site, and, once at the
operating site, it cannot be easily installed.
As will be seen hereinafter, the present invention is directed to the
utilization of a point focusing solar concentrator which overcomes the
various drawbacks just recited as well as including other advantages not
found in the prior art. For example, the point focusing solar concentrator
disclosed herein is one which includes a relatively light weight point
focusing panel designed to reduce wind load and, as a result of the panel
design, a less massive and more economical support structure. Moreover,
the panel itself is modularized and, hence, lends itself to mass
production and may be economically delivered to the operating site and
easily assembled once there. Other features of the present invention will
become apparent hereinafter.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide a point focusing solar
concentrating panel which is uncomplicated in design, economical to
provide and reliable in use.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a point focusing
solar concentrating panel which is light weight and structurally sound and
which is designed to reduce wind load during operation.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a modularized
point focusing panel and particularly one which lends itself to mass
production, which can be economically delivered to its ultimate operating
site and which can be easily and rapidly assembled and installed.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an uncomplicated
yet reliable solar concentrator system including a panel of the above
recited type and a light weight and economical arrangement for supporting
the panel in a solar tracking mode.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an overall
system which is operated to minimize the possibility of wind damage to its
panel during operation.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a panel
support arrangement which accurately and reliably drives the panel in a
solar tracking mode.
As will be seen hereinafter, the point focusing solar concentrating panel
disclosed herein is one which includes an overall reflecting surface of
parabolic cross sectional configuration having a predetermined focal point
and an outermost triangular periphery or a periphery which approximates a
triangle. In this regard, the outermost points of the triangle could be
omitted without compromising the attendent advantages of a triangle to any
appreciable degree. This reflecting surface serves to interrupt solar
energy and reflect and focus it into a receiver which, along with the
panel comprises part of an overall solar concentrator or concentrating
system. In this regard, the receiver itself could comprise part of a
separate solar power tower physically unconnected with the panel and, in
this case, the panel would serve as a heliostat. In any event, this system
also includes means for pivotally mounting the triangular panel while
maintaining one side parallel with a fixed planar surface, means for
tilting the panel about a horizontal axis, and means for rotating it about
a vertical axis, whereby to track the position of the sun from sunrise to
sunset. Other aspects of the overall solar concentrating system and the
panel itself will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an overall solar concentrating apparatus of
the point focusing type which is constructed in accordance with the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the solar concentrating apparatus
of FIG. 1 in a stowed position.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the solar concentrating apparatus
in a particular operating position.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the solar concentrating apparatus taken
generally along line 4--4 in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the solar concentrating apparatus taken
generally along line 5--5 in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the solar concentrating apparatus taken
generally along line 6--6 in FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the solar concentrating apparatus
taken generally along line 7--7 in FIG. 4.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the solar concentrating apparatus taken
generally along line 8--8 in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view, in section, of the solar
concentrating apparatus, taken generally along line 9--9 in FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration, in plan view, of a point focusing
solar concentrating panel which comprises part of the overall apparatus
illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9 and which, in and by itself, is constructed in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of the panel assembly as viewed
along lines 11--11 in FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of a hydraulic control arrangement
comprising part of the overall solar concentrating apparatus.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an electrical control arrangement comprising
part of the overall apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Turning now to the drawings, wherein like components are designated by like
reference numerals throughout the various figures, attention is
specifically directed to FIG. 1 which illustrates an overall solar
concentrating apparatus 10 constructed in accordance with the present
invention. This overall apparatus includes a point focusing solar
concentrating panel 12, a receiver 14 and receiver support arrangement 16
fixedly connected with the panel and a panel support arrangement 18. As
will be discussed in more detail hereinafter, solar concentrating panel 12
serves to interrupt and reflect solar energy and focus it into receiver 14
which is adapted to convert this energy into another form. Arrangement 18
serves a number of purposes. First, it physically supports the panel,
receiver and receiver support arrangement over a fixed foundation 20
defining an uppermost, horizontally extending surface 22 and an upwardly
projecting annular track 24. Arrangement 18 also serves to rotate panel 12
and its associated carrier along track 24 while simultaneously pivoting
the panel and carrier in order to provide a two axis solar tracking mode.
As will be seen hereinafter, panel 12 and interconnected receiver 14 are
pivotally movable between two extreme positions, a substantially
horizontally extending stowed position illustrated in FIG. 2 and an
extreme upright, almost vertical operating position illustrated in FIG. 3.
The panel is maintained in its stowed position in response to and during
extreme wind conditions in order to reduce the possibility of damage
thereby. During solar tracking the panel is maintained in an operating
position that is in a position between its upright position shown in FIG.
3 and its stowed position of FIG. 2, depending upon the location of the
sun. At the same time, the panel is moved along track 24.
Turning specifically to FIGS. 6 to 11 in conjunction with FIG. 1, attention
is specifically directed to the structural details of point focusing panel
12. This panel includes an overall reflector 26 defining an overall
reflecting surface 28 of parabolic cross sectional configuration having a
predetermined focal point 30 (see FIG. 11) and an outermost triangular
periphery 32. In an actual working embodiment, this overall reflector
extends approximately forty feet on each side, which corresponds to a
nominal aperture of 690 FT.sup.2 with an estimated thermal output of
26KW.sub.th to 33KW.sub.th for expected ranges of performance related
parameters. In other words, the reflector in an actual working embodiment
is quite large. Nevertheless, by virtue of its triangular shape, the
reflector can be supported so that most of its frontal area is close to
the ground, that is, to horizontal surface 22 of foundation 20, where the
wind velocity is lower. More specifically, due to what is known as the
"boundary layer effect", the force exerted by the wind increases rapidly
with height so that a triangle experiences a much lower wind load than a
circle of equivalent area. The use of a triangular structure may also
result in lower weight since triangles are inherently more efficient
structurally (higher stiffness to weight ratio) than many other shapes. It
is to be understood that these advantages would for the most part still
exist if the extreme points of the triangle were eliminated so that the
outer periphery only approximated a triangle.
As illustrated best in FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 10, overall
reflector 26 is comprised of a plurality of individual surface reflecting
modules 34 which are also triangular in shape. In the preferred
embodiment, each module is an equilateral triangle fabricated from a
bonded structure including a drawn aluminum face sheet 36 located over a
paper honeycomb core 38, as best illustrated in FIG. 9. In this way, the
individual modules can be manufactured economically and with relatively
little weight. In an actual working embodiment sheets 36 carry outer
reflective surfaces of aluminized acrylic film which together define
overall parabolic reflecting surface 28 having fixed focal point 30.
However, as will be seen, this overall surface is actually three distinct
parabolic reflecting surfaces, each having a different focal length but
the same focal point, specifically focal point 30.
In the embodiment illustrated, 16 individual reflecting modules 34 are
utilized to construct reflector 26. In actual working embodiments where
the overall reflector extends forty feet on each side, each individual
module extends ten feet on each side. As stated above, these individual
modules together define three distinct parabolic reflecting surfaces which
together define the overall surface 28. This is best illustrated in FIGS.
10 and 11. As seen in FIG. 10, the various modules can be subdivided into
three groups, a first group consisting of modules a, b and c, a second
group consisting of modules d, e, f and so on, to and including module 1
and a third group consisting of modules m, n, o and p. As seen best in
FIG. 11, these three groups of modules define three distinct parabolic
reflecting surfaces, all sharing the same focal point 30. The modules a, b
and c together define a first parabolic reflecting surface having the
focal length F1. The second group consisting of modules d, e, f and so on,
together define a second parabolic surface having the focal length F2. The
third group consisting of modules m, n, o and p together define a third
parabolic surface having the focal length F3. In an actual working
embodiment this requires only six different modules. The modules a, b and
c form one identical group, modules m, n and o another, modules e, h and k
still another, modules d, i and 1 het another, modules f, h and g a
further identical group and finally p by itself.
The utilization of individual modules to define multiple parabolic surfaces
in the overall reflecting scheme has a number of advantages. In the first
place, this technique has been used to compress the depth of the
paraboloid dish (the entire reflecting surface) to 61% of its normal value
in an actual working embodiment of the present invention. More
specifically, for a 45.degree. rim angle and a nominal forty feet triangle
(the total reflecting surface), a single paraboloid reflector has a depth
of 4.78 feet whereas the compressed reflector designed in accordance with
the present invention, that is, with three distinct reflecting surfaces,
has an overall depth (generally indicated at D) of only 2.91 feet. This
has the distinct advantage of reducing lateral aerodynamic loading during
operation of the overall panel and also while it is stowed. In addition,
as a result of providing these different parabolic surfaces, empty or
axial clearance areas occur at the transitions between paraboloids (that
is, between adjacent modules from different groups) as best illustrated in
FIGS. 1, 4 and 8. These empty spaces or axial clearances, generally
indicated at 38, serve as vent areas which also act to reduce wind loading
laterally across the reflector. This reduced wind loading due to the vents
and reduced lateral profile permit the overall reflector to be supported
by a lighter, more economical support structure, as will be seen
hereinafter.
Having described reflector 26, attention is now directed to a reflector
support structure 40 which also comprises part of panel 12 and which is
provided for supporting the various surface reflecting modules 34 in the
positions described above. As best illustrated in FIG. 6, this support
structure is actually a triangular framework of welded tubes, preferably
steel tubes having square cross-sections. This triangular frame may be
separated into three shop-fabricated equilateral triangular frames 40a,
40b and 40c, each of which includes three side defining tubes 42 and
central cross tubes (center bracing) 44. The frame 40a is shown alone in
FIG. 7 supporting four modules 34. From FIG. 6, it can be seen that these
three triangular frames are welded together along with center bracing to
form the overall triangular framework illustrated. In an actual working
embodiment, this overall framework is forty feet on each side (the same as
the reflector) and each individual triangular frame is twenty feet each
side and support four modules (a total of twelve) with four being
supported in one center triangle (a total of sixteen).
The overall reflector support structure just described is modularized to
allow simple mass-producable sections to be field assembled into a rigid
large-scale structure. All three frame sections are identical with the
exception of three pivot welds to be discussed hereinafter. The sections
are easily joined by dowels generally indicated at 46 in FIG. 7 to
minimize alignment error, field welding, and labor.
As stated above, structure 40 is provided for supporting the individual
modules 34 in their necessary positions to provide the three distinct
parabolic surfaces previously described. Accordingly, the overall panel
includes a module-to-structure connecting arrangement 50 associated with
each module. One such arrangement is specifically illustrated in FIG. 9
and, as will be seen, is provided for connecting its associated module to
a corresponding part of the structure 40 at three points. This connecting
arrangement preferably should be of the type which allows simple
adjustment of the module relative to the frame for more accurately placing
the module in its proper position relative to the other modules,
especially in the field. In this way, the modules can be "fine tuned" to
more accurately provide the previously described parabolic surfaces. In
the embodiment illustrated, each connecting arrangement is comprised of
three ball and socket type of interconnect mechanisms 52a, 52b and 52c. As
illustrated in FIG. 9, each of the interconnect mechanisms 52a, and 52b is
connected at one end to a side tube 42 and extends towards the back of the
module, actually to the back of core 38 at an angle where its ball joint
is connected thereto. The interconnect mechanism 52c also extends at an
angle but does so between the center brace 44 and the back of core 38. All
of the modules are connected to the overall framework in this manner which
allows each to be individually adjusted positionally relative to the
others. The primary advantage to this is that the panel can be adjusted or
fine tuned in the field using the solar image formed by each module as an
alignment aid. This fine tuning capability will minimize the adverse
effects resulting from manufacturing the frame assembly outside design
tolerances or otherwise allow the tolerances to be changed.
Having described both reflector 26 and its support structure 40, attention
is now directed to receiver 14. This receiver may be of any conventional
type which is capable of converting focused solar energy to another form.
For example, this receiver may be a steam turbine boiler, a water heater
or the like. While not shown, this receiver necessarily includes an
absorber which is located at focal point 30 in confronting relationship
with reflecting surface 28. The receiver is supported in this position by
means of support structure 16, as stated previously. As best illustrated
in FIG. 1, this support structure is comprised of three tubular struts 54
and a receiver support ring 56 bolted around and fixed to the receiver.
The support struts are fixedly connected with the support ring and
respectively extend to and are fixed with three points on triangular frame
40. The receiver support struts 54, like structure 40, are preferably
modularized to the extent that they can be readily assembled in the field
by attachment to suitable dowels (not shown) provided with the overall
frame. Similar dowels can be provided on receiver ring 56.
Having described overall panel 12, receiver 14 and receiver support
arrangement 16, attention is now directed to arrangement 18 which, as
stated previously, is provided for supporting the panels between an
inoperative (stowed) position and a solar tracking mode. The structural
aspect of this arrangement is best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 in
conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3. As seen in these figures, arrangement 18
includes a panel pivoting assembly 60 and a panel rotating assembly 62 for
providing the two axis movement of panel 12 described previously with
respect to FIGS. 1 to 3. More specifically, assembly 60 is provided for
pivoting the panel between its stowed position in FIG. 2 and its upright
position in FIG. 3 while assembly 62 is provided for simultaneously
rotating the panel about track 24.
As illustrated best in FIG. 4, pivoting assembly 60 includes a hydraulic
cylinder 64. The cylinder is attached to foundation 20 by means of a pivot
post 66 which is provided within a center pivot anchor embedded within the
foundation at the center of track 24. A roller bearing 70 is utilized in
connecting the cylinder to the pivot post so as to allow rotation of the
cylinder (during rotation of the panel) regardless of the angle between
the cylinder and the pivot post. A cylinder rod generally indicated at 72
is pivotally attached to the reflector support structure 40 by means of a
pivot flange 74 which is fixedly connected with the reflector support
structure 40 and located inwardly of its outer periphery as best seen in
FIG. 6. The overall pivot assembly also includes two additional pivot
flanges 76 and 78 which are fixedly located to structure 40 on opposite
sides thereof and spaced from flange 74, as also best seen in FIG. 6. Two
vertically extending uprights or posts 80 are fixedly connected at their
lower ends to rotating assembly 62 and are pivotally connected with
flanges 76 and 78 for supporting structure 40 and hence the entire panel
for the pivotal movement described previously, specifically for pivotal
movement about a horizontal axis through the flanges 76 and 78. The
hydraulic cylinder provides the drive for this movement. When the panel is
in its stowed position, the cylinder is fully retracted and the reflector
surface is aimed substantially vertically, offering minimum wind
resistance. When the cylinder is fully extended, the reflector is in its
upright position.
Turning to rotating assembly 62, attention is specifically directed to FIG.
5 in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 4. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the rotating
assembly includes a triangular frame 82 which, like previously described
frame structure 40, is modularized, that is, it includes a number of
innerconnecting tubes 84. This assembly also includes three wheel
assemblies, two hydraulically driven wheel assemblies 86, and a
stabilizing assembly 88. The two hydraulic assemblies actually rotate the
triangular structure 82 about previously described track 24 which, in
turn, rotates panel 12 by means of interconnecting uprights or posts 80.
The utilization of hydraulics in both pivoting and rotating panel 12 has a
number of advantages. First, hydraulics have the advantage of low
maintenance and low initial cost. Second, hydraulics have the advantage of
high reliability, precision position control and fast response. Moreover,
by driving from the wheels rather than from the center pivot, extremely
precise azimuthal control is possible. The elevation adjustment cylinder,
that is, cylinder 64, permits rapid, safe stowing of the collector when
high winds are encountered.
The overall solar concentrating system 10 has been described thus far from
a structural and operational standpoint. It is to be understood that this
system also includes suitable controls including a conventional two axis
shadow band tracker (not shown) appropriately mounted on the panel. These
controls including the shadow band tracker are provided for operating
pivot assembly 60 and rotating assembly 62, specifically the hydraulic
cylinder 64 and the hydraulic drive wheels 86 for moving the solar panel
between its stowed position and its solar collecting position and for
rotating it for providing two-axis solar tracking. A more detailed
discussion of these controls will be provided hereinafter with respect to
FIGS. 12 and 13. For the moment, it should suffice to say that the
controls in a preferred embodiment, provide automatic tracking from
sunrise to sunset. However, when average wind speeds exceed a certain
velocity, for example, thirty miles per hour for a predetermined period of
time, the system is automatically stowed. In an actual working embodiment,
the panel is rotated .+-.120.degree. from the due south for azimuth
tracking, and elevationally adjusted from vertical to 5.degree. from the
horizontal. During periods of cloudiness, the panel is moved without
guidance from the sun, that is, without the shadow detector.
Turning now to FIG. 12, attention is directed to the hydraulic control
scheme, generally indicated at 70, for operating pivoting assembly 60 and
rotating assembly 62. As illustrated, this control scheme includes a small
hydraulic pump 72 which is driven by an electric motor 73 and which is
linked to an accumulator 74 through a check valve 76. With the low flow
rate requirements of the overall tracking system, the pump will primarily
serve to keep the accumulator charged. A pressure switch 76 at the
accumulator energizes the pump only when the accumulator pressure falls
below a certain limit so as to pump additional hydraulic fluid to the
accumulator from a reservoir 78 through a strainer 80 located within the
reservoir.
The previously described hydraulic cylinder 64 which is provided for
pivoting panel 12 for adjusting its elevation is diagramatically
illustrated in FIG. 12. This hydraulic cylinder is operatively connected
with accumulator 74 through a number of control devices to be described
including three electrically operated solenoids, a cylinder extending
solenoid 82, a cylinder retracting solenoid 84 and a cylinder stowing
(retracting) solenoid 86. As illustrated in FIG. 12, while the two
solenoids 82 and 84 remain deenergized, the primary lines 88 and 90
between the cylinder and accumulator remain closed as do these lines
between the cylinder and hydraulic return generally indicated at 92. While
not shown, this return, like the other returns illustrated in FIG. 12,
redirects the hydraulic fluid back to reservoir 78 through a filter 94.
With solenoid 86 deenergized, the secondary lines 96 and 98 between the
cylinder and accumulator and another return 92, respectively, remain open,
that is, hydraulic fluid is capable of passing therethrough.
In order to extend cylinder 64 so as to pivot or raise panel 12 to its
elevated position, solenoid 82 is energized. This supplies hydraulic fluid
into the main line 90 where it passes through the poppet valve 100 and
into the back end of cylinder 64. At the same time, energized solenoid 82
opens line 88 to return 92 so that the hydraulic fluid passing into the
back end of cylinder 64 thereafter passes into line 88 through poppet
valve 102 and a rate adjustement valve 104 provided for adjusting the rate
of movement of the cylinder for adjusting the rate of pivoting movement of
the panel. A pressure relief valve 106 is provided between lines 88 and
90, as illustrated in FIG. 12. When solenoid 84 is energized, the two
lines 88 and 90 are reversed. More specifically, line 88 is opened to the
accumulator and line 90 is opened to the return. In this way, the cylinder
is retracted.
As described previously, the overall solar concentrating system 10 is
designed to move into a stowed position, especially in response to
excessive wind conditions. This stowing procedure is controlled by means
of solenoid 86. In normal non-stowing operation, this solenoid is
energized and the secondary lines 96 and 98 are maintained closed so that
hydraulic fluid cannot pass therethrough. Upon command from the control
logic, to be described with respect to FIG. 13, or during a power failure,
this solenoid is deenergized causing the lines 96 and 98 to open between
accumulator 74, the cylinder, and return 92 which forces the cylinder to
its retracted or stowed position. In this regard, the cylinder extending
solenoid 82 is interconnected with stowing solenoid 86 at the control
logic so that solenoid 82 cannot be energized so long as solenoid 86
remains deenergized, thereby preventing the two systems from working
against one another. The stowing rate is adjusted by means of rate
adjustment valve 108, preferably at a rate of 80.degree. per minute. As
the structure folds quickly towards its stowed position, a cam type
decelleration mechanical valve 110 is used to smoothly drive the structure
into its final stow position. While not shown, a limit switch system is
provided as a fail safe.
Having described the way in which cylinder 64 is hydraulically controlled
utilizing scheme 70, attention is now directed to the way in which this
scheme hydraulically controls the two hydraulically driven wheel
assemblies 86. These assemblies which are diagrammatically illustrated in
FIG. 12, are connected to accumulator 74 and reservoir 78 through two
hydraulic lines 112 and 114, as well as a number of additional hydraulic
returns 92. In order to hydraulically control the wheel assemblies, scheme
70 also includes two additional electrical solenoids, specifically a
forward drive solenoid 116 and a reverse drive solenoid 118. So long as
these two solenoids remain deenergized, lines 112 and 114 remain closed
and wheel assemblies 86 remain inoperative, which means that the solar
panel remains still. When solenoid 116 is energized, line 112 is opened to
the accumulator while line 114 is simultaneously opened to the return. In
this way, hydraulic fluid passes through line 112 and thereafter through
the wheel assemblies back to the return for driving the wheel assemblies
in a forward direction. When the solenoid 118 is energized this procedure
is reversed, that is, the line 114 is opened to the accumulator while line
112 is opened to the return. In this way, the wheel assemblies are driven
in a reverse or forward direction. A rate adjustment valve 120 is provided
for controlling the rate of speed of assemblies 86 and hence the rate of
rotation of the panel which is preferably 10.degree. per minute in an
actual working embodiment. This scheme also includes a pressure valve 122
and associated poppets 124 and 126. The poppets 128 and 130 and associated
fill valve 131 are provided for introducing hydraulic fluid into the
system.
It should be apparent from the foregoing that in order for scheme 70 to
hydraulically drive system 10 in the desired way, the various solenoids
must be controlled to that end. Accordingly, system 10 includes a control
logic scheme 132 which is adapted to energize the various solenoids at the
appropriate time, depending upon certain conditions. While these
conditions may vary, in a preferred embodiment, they include the position
of the sun, whether or not the sun is clearly visible (a clear day as
opposed to a cloudy day), the wind velocity and the temperature at the
receiver absorber. Each of these conditions may be readily sensed by a
conventional detection scheme generally indicated by the input boxes in
FIG. 13. The box indicated SOLAR RADIATION may include a photocell for
indicating whether it is light out or dark out, cloudy or sunny. The box
indicated SOLAR POSITION may comprise the previously recited shadow band
detector (actually two such detectors) for indicating the position of the
sun. The box indicated ABSORBER TEMP may be any suitable temperature
measuring device while the box indicated WIND SPEED may be a conventional
wind guage.
During operation of system 10, the condition sensing mechanisms just
described continually feed input into the master logic control which has
conventional means for processing these inputs and energizing the
appropriate solenoids. For example, during normal tracking operation on a
sunny day, when the wind velocity is low, that is, below the stowing
level, and the receiver is not overheating, the solenoids 82, 84, 116 and
118 will operate in response to the input derived from the SOLAR POSITION
sensor, that is, in an automatic tracking mode. Should the day become
cloudy so that information from the SOLAR POSITION sensor is erratic at
best, as indicated by information from the SOLAR RADIATION SENSOR, these
latter solenoids will be automatically driven in a preprogrammed way to
follow the sun as closely as possible, preferably within .+-.15% accuracy.
Should a high wind develop, this information is delivered to the logic
control by means of the WIND SPEED SENSOR. If a wind velocity at or above
a predetermined level for example, at or above thirty miles per hour is
sustained for a predetermined period of time, this information is
processed and solenoid C is automatically deenergized for stowing the
system. After the wind dies down, this latter solenoid may be energized
again so that the panel can be raised. Finally, should the receiver
overheat, this information is fed into the logic control which causes the
system to defocus relative to the sun by suitable means (not shown) in
order to cool down the receiver.
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