Abstract: A device for rotating solar collectors has a pulley assembly connected to an individual solar collector of a bank of such collectors for rotating the collector in synchronization with the sun. Connected to the pulley assembly by a flexible member is a drive arrangement including a rigid drive rod mounted for reciprocating movement perpendicular to the extent of a shaft on which the collector is journaled. The flexible member is disposed about a non-circular track provided on the pulley assembly and secured to the drive rod for rotating the pulley as a function of movement of the drive rod.

Abstract: A solar collector having a reflector element biased toward a parabolic shape by means of forces applied to peripheral edges of the element. The forces can be opposed straight line forces, opposite acting torsion forces, or both, and if a flexible sheet is employed as the reflector element, the forces can be supplemented by resilient elements which tension the sheet in the direction perpendicular to the curvature thereof and help retain the sheet in its desired parabolic shape.