Patents by Inventor Richard M. Beam

Richard M. Beam has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4349733
    Abstract: A sun tracker for use on a sun following device such as a concentrating solar collector. The sun tracker includes two spaced apart photosensitive elements which are separated by an opaque splitter plate so that when the splitter plate points directly at the sun the photosensitive devices are uniformly excited. The west facing surface of the splitter plate is reflective so that movement into alignment with the sun can be achieved even after long periods during which the sun is obscured by clouds. The outer edge of the splitter plate is arcuately formed so that excitation of the photocells is substantially independent of the angular orientation of the sun tracker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1982
    Assignee: Beam Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin H. Beam, Richard M. Beam