Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving an array or large field of solar concentrators (10) by means of pneumatic pulses of compressed air such that it tracks the movement of the sun (14) across the sky is disclosed. The drive system includes a multiplicity of gearing means (26) which is mounted to one or more solar concentrators (10) for providing the movement of said solar concentrators to track the sun (14). The multiplicity of gearing means are driven by a multiplicity of drive means (28) in response to pulses of compressed air which are selectively provided to achieve the necessary tracking. The pulses of compressed air are provided to the drive (26) means from a compressed air source (38) by means of pneumatic valving (32) which is selectively opened and closed by means of electrical drive signals. The compressed air is connected to the pneumatic valving (32) and then further connected to the drive means (26) by means of fluid conduits (34) such as for example, plastic tubing.

Abstract: An improved method of making a high precision trough shaped parabolic reflector apparatus is described. A smooth surfaced sheet of flexible material is bent and formed over a convex mold comprising a number of precision shaped parabolic arcs mounted to a base. Means are provided for clamping the flexible sheet of material and drawing it into close conformity with the convex mold. The backside or convex side of the sheet of material is then cemented to a support framework comprising a number of approximately parabolic, but not necessarily precision formed web or rib members which are joined together by a torsion tube or similar structural stiffening means. The type of cement utilized accurately fills any discontinuities and/or inaccuracies in the arcuate shape of the approximately parabolic ribs so that the ribs and the flexible sheet are bonded rigidly together as a unit without distortion or strain on the sheet.