Cable Ganged Heliostat

Abstract

A cable ganged heliostat used to focus radiation from a moving source onto a receiver is disclosed. The primary application of such an invention relates to reflecting the radiation from the sun onto a stationary target. The device orients a reflective surface to a position necessary for imaging using a mirror adjustment means. The device may be used singly or in a ganged array. The mirror and mirror adjustment means of the device may be supported by cables.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cable ganged heliostat used to focus radiation from a moving source onto a receiver.

The primary application of such an invention relates to reflecting the radiation from the sun onto a stationary target. In such an application, wherein the device is used to orient a reflective surface to reflect light onto a target, the device may be termed a “heliostat”. In another sunlight reflecting application, wherein the device is implemented in an array, wherein a plurality of reflective surfaces reflect light onto a target, the device may be termed a “ganged heliostat”. Light concentration achieved by heliostats or ganged heliostats has several uses which include thermal energy conversion, photovoltaic energy conversion, and daylighting.

In other applications, the device may be used to reflect any other type of electromagnetic radiation such as radio signals, sound waves, moonlight, etc.

PRIOR ART

A prior art exists in heliostat devices. Various heliostats of the prior art require complex computer control of encoder type servo or stepper motors such as the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,150 (Kaehler).

A prior art exists in ganged heliostats such as devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,110,010 (Hilton), U.S. Pat. No. 4,056,313 (Arbogast) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,466,119 (Francia). These devices include a high number of parts and a high complexity of parts. Various ganged heliostats of the prior art (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,110,010) require daily adjustment to compensate for the declination of the sun. Such a requirement increases operating cost of the device and the likelihood of focusing errors. The present invention, when employed in a ganged heliostat, does not require continual adjustment to compensate for solar declination and is simpler in construction than heliostats of the prior art.

Various heliostats of the prior art employ a half-angle gearing mirror adjustment means such as the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,047 (Logan et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,488 (Noto). The half-angle gearing mirror adjustment means of devices of the prior art are not readily adapted to being ganged. The present invention may employ a half-angle gearing mirror adjustment means that is readily adapted to being ganged.

Various heliostats of the prior art employ parallelogram type mirror adjustment means such as the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,203,004 (Zhang). The parallelogram type mirror adjustment means of devices of the prior art are not readily adapted to being ganged.

In general, heliostats include a mirror and a mirror adjustment means. In heliostats of the prior art, the mirror of the device is rotatable and mounted on a rigid support. In heliostats of the prior art, the mirror adjustment means of the device is mounted on a rigid support. When heliostats of the prior art are employed in an array, a rigid support if required for every mirror and mirror adjustment means. The present invention, when employed in a ganged array, does not require a rigid support for every mirror/mirror adjustment means. Each mirror/mirror adjustment means is supported by cables. This feature allows the present invention to be lightweight. This feature allows the parts of the present invention to be made inexpensively. This feature allows the present invention to be installed more easily than devices of the prior art. This feature allows the present invention to be installed in a location where space is not available for a multitude of rigid supports. This feature allows the present invention to be installed above a location that may be used for a purpose other than support of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cable ganged heliostat which can be used to orient a mirror to reflect radiation from a moving radiation source to a stationary receiver. The device can be used either singly, or implemented in a ganged array.

The device reflects radiation to a radiation receiver. The device includes a mirror and mirror aiming means that are connected to, and supported by, cables (e.g.—wire, strip, rope, tension members, etc.).

The mirror adjustment means of the device is connected to one or more cables that are collinear or parallel to the mirror centre of rotation and the radiation receiver. These cables position a component of the aiming means parallel to reflected radiation. The mirror aiming means of the device is connected to a sun aiming means by a pair of sun aiming cables. The sun aiming cables position a component of the mirror adjustment means parallel to incident radiation. The mirror adjustment means of the device positions the mirror based on the position of parts aligned with incident radiation and parts aligned with reflected radiation. The mirror adjustment means may employ a half-angle gearing means, a traversing bolt aiming means, or an elastic band aiming means.

The mirror adjustment means of the device orients the reflective surface to a position bisecting the incidence vector (i.e.—a vector through the reflective surface centre and the source of radiation) and the reflection vector (i.e.—a vector through the reflective surface centre and the stationary receiver), thus achieving the reflection of light from source to target (imaging).

When compared to heliostats of the prior art, the present invention has various benefits. The present invention is lightweight. This feature may be made inexpensively. This present invention may be installed easily. The present invention may be installed in a location where space is not available for a multitude of rigid supports. The present invention may be installed above a location that may be used for a purpose other than support of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of embodiment ‘1’ of the invention in relation to a source of radiation and a target wherein the device is implemented in a heliostat

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the heliostat of FIG. 1 in neutral position

FIG. 3 is a top view of selected parts the heliostat of FIG. 2

FIG. 4 is an elevation of embodiment ‘2’ of the invention

FIG. 5 shows several views of a selected part of the heliostat of FIG. 4

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of embodiment ‘3’ of the invention in the neutral position

FIG. 7 is a side view of the heliostat of FIG. 6 taken along the line 7-7

FIG. 8 is a top view of the heliostat of FIG. 7 taken along the line 8-8

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of the heliostat of FIG. 6 in an alternate position

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of embodiment ‘4’ of the invention in the neutral position

FIG. 11 is a side view of the heliostat of FIG. 10 taken along the line 11-11

FIG. 12 is a top view of the heliostat of FIG. 11 taken along the line 12-12

FIG. 13 is an elevation view of the heliostat of FIG. 10 in an alternate position

FIG. 14 is an elevation view of embodiment ‘5’ of the invention in the neutral position

FIG. 15 is a side view of the heliostat of FIG. 14 taken along the line 15-15

FIG. 16 is a top view of the heliostat of FIG. 15 taken along the line 16-16

FIG. 17 is an elevation view of the heliostat of FIG. 14 in an alternate position

FIG. 18 is an elevation view of embodiment ‘6’ of the invention in the neutral position

FIG. 19 is a side view of the heliostat of FIG. 18 taken along the line 19-19

FIG. 20 is a top view of the heliostat of FIG. 19 taken along the line 20-20

FIG. 21 is an elevation view of the heliostat of FIG. 18 in an alternate position

FIG. 22 an elevation view of embodiment ‘7’ of the invention in the neutral position

FIG. 23 is a side view of embodiment ‘8’ of the invention in the neutral position

FIG. 24 shows a sectional view of a selected part of the heliostat of FIG. 22

FIG. 25 is an elevation view of embodiment ‘9’ of the invention in the neutral position

FIG. 26 is a side view of the heliostat of FIG. 24 taken along the line 26-26

FIG. 27 is a top view of the heliostat of FIG. 25 taken along the line 27-27

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF USEFUL EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Nine embodiments of the invention will be described. In the following descriptions, the word cable may be used interchangeably with wire, rope, tension member, fishing wire, strand, string, etc. Mirror is used interchangeably with reflective surface. Mesh is used interchangeably with netting. All figures are illustrative and conceptual rather than exact and are prepared for the purpose of illustrating the function of the invention.

A general overview of the invention is provided in reference to embodiment ‘1’. Embodiment ‘1’ of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3.

FIG. 1 shows the heliostat reflecting sunlight from source ‘S’ to a receiver ‘R’. To achieve imaging a reflective surface, mirror 1801 is positioned such that the normal of the mirror (i.e.—a vector perpendicular to the mirror surface coincident with the mirror centre) bisects the angle between the incidence vector (i.e.—a vector from the source to the mirror centre) and the reflection vector (i.e.—a vector from the mirror centre to the receiver). FIG. 2 shows the heliostat in the “neutral position”. The heliostat is in the neutral position when the incidence vector and the reflection vector are coincident and opposite.

The mirror 1801 is linked to mirror gear 1403 via receiver cables 1701 and 1702. The mirror 1801 is linked to the receiver via receiver cable 1802. The mirror gear 1403, intermediate gear, 1402, and sun gear 1401 are mounted to a common gear plate. The sun gear 1401 is linked to intermediate sun aiming part 1202 via sun linkages 1301 and 1302. The sun linkages are linked to sun aiming sleeve 1202, which rotates freely about sun aiming part 1201. Intermediate sun aiming part 1201 is linked to primary sun aiming parts 1110, 1120, 1130 via sun aiming cable pairs 1111/1112, 1121/1112, 1131/1132 respectively. Primary sun aiming parts are mounted on a fixed support or linked by cable to a fixed support.

The mirror gear 1403, intermediate gear, 1402, and sun gear 1401 operate as a half-angle mechanism, wherein an axis of the sun gear 1401 is parallel to the incidence vector and an axis of the mirror gear 1403 is parallel to the mirror normal. When all cables of the device are placed in tension, the mirror is oriented along the normal vector. The details of the half-angle mechanism and related parts will be described with embodiment ‘3’.

The intermediate sun aiming part 1201 is supported by cables only. The intermediate sun aiming part is connected to each primary sun aiming part via sun aiming cable pairs. Each cable in a sun aiming cable pair is equal in length. The centre of rotation of primary sun aiming parts, and that of the secondary aiming part remain fixed in various positions of the device. Primary sun aiming parts and the secondary aiming part remain parallel in various positions of the device. Primary sun aiming parts and the secondary aiming part are oriented to be parallel to the incidence vector.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the primary sun aiming parts, secondary sun aiming part, and sun aiming cables when the device is in the neutral position.

Various sun aiming features of the invention are presented in reference to embodiment ‘2’. Embodiment ‘2’ of the invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 4 through 5.

Embodiment ‘2’ of the invention is similar to embodiment ‘1’. Embodiment ‘2’ differs from embodiment ‘1’ in the following ways: embodiment ‘2’ includes a different cabling arrangement than embodiment ‘1’ for linking primary and intermediate sun aiming parts, embodiment ‘2’ includes cable equalizing parts 2113, 2123, 2133, embodiment ‘2’ includes a cable tensioning spring 2803, and embodiment ‘2’ includes receiver stay cables 2804 and 2805. FIG. 4 provides an overview of embodiment ‘2’ and FIG. 5 provides various views of cable equalizing part 2113.

A single sun aiming cable 2114 is fixed at one end to primary sun aiming part 2110, looped around cable equalizing part 2113, and fixed at its other end to primary sun aiming part 2110. A single sun aiming cable 2115 is fixed at one end to secondary sun aiming part 2201, looped around cable equalizing part 2113, and fixed at its other end to secondary sun aiming part 2201. The cables 2114 and 2115 bear on, but are free to slip along the bearing surface of, cable equalizing part 2113. When either cable 2114 or cable 2115 is brought under tension, the primary sun aiming part 2110 and secondary aiming part 2201 are made parallel. The secondary aiming part is linked to primary aiming parts 2120, 2130 in a similar manner. The cable equalizing method described above may be used for any parallel, equal length cable pair of the invention.

Cable tensioning spring 2803 or the like may be installed in any cable line to makeup slack in cables over time, or to makeup slack induced in lines due to tolerances of fabricated parts, or to facilitate initial tensioning of lines during installation.

Receiver stay cables 2804 and 2805 may be employed to orient the receiver cable 2802 towards the centre of the receiver without connecting to the centre of the receiver itself.

A half-angle gearing mirror adjustment means, similar to embodiment ‘1’, is presented in reference to embodiment ‘3’. Embodiment ‘3’ will now be described with reference to FIGS. 6 through 9.

Intermediate sun aiming part 3201 is oriented along the incidence vector by a sun aiming means similar to that described in reference to embodiment ‘1’ and ‘2’. Sun aiming sleeve 3201 rotates about intermediate sun aiming part 3201. Sun aiming sleeve 3201 is oriented by the tensioned cables of the device into a plane coincident with the intermediate sun aiming part 3201, and thus the incidence vector, and the receiver. Sun aiming sleeve 3201 is connected to sun linkages 3301 and 3302 via bolts 3203 and 3204. Bolts 3203 and 3204 retain the grooved cylindrical intermediate sun aiming part 3201 in the sun aiming sleeve 3201. The sun linkages 3301 and 3302 are connected to the sun gear 3401 via bolts 3406 and 3407. The sun linkages 3301 and 3302 orient an axis of the sun gear 3401 parallel to the incidence vector.

Sun linkages 3301 and 3302 shown in the embodiment ‘3’ are of a composite coil shape. The sun linkages of other embodiments may be coil shaped, composite coil shaped, spiral shaped, helical shaped, or other shapes sufficient to prevent interference of the sun linkages with the cables of the device. Various sun linkage shapes may be employed in other embodiments of the device.

Sun gear 3401, intermediate gear 3402, and mirror gear 3403 are mounted on a common gear plate 3404. The action of sun gear 3401, intermediate gear 3402, and mirror gear 3403 is shown by comparing FIGS. 6 and 9. Tension in receiver cable 3802 orients the gears 3401, 3402, 3403 and the mirror 3801 in a plane coincident with the incidence vector and the receiver. The mirror gear 3403 moves at half the angular rate as sun gear 3401. Note the positions of the arrows on the gears in FIGS. 6 and 9. In the neutral position the mirror gear 3403 orients the normal of mirror 3801 towards the receiver. In other positions, the mirror gear 3403 orients the mirror 3801 at an angular position equal to half the angular displacement of sun gear 3401. The half-angle adjustment means orients the mirror in the same plane as the incidence vector and the receiver and at an angular position equal to half the angular displacement of the sun in said plane, thus imaging is achieved.

Note that in various positions of the device, the centres of rotation of the mirror, mirror gear, intermediate gear, sun gear, intermediate sun aiming part, and primary aiming parts remain stationary.

A traversing bolt implementation of the invention is presented in reference to embodiment ‘4’. Embodiment ‘4’ will now be described with reference to FIGS. 10 through 13.

Sun aiming sleeve 4202 is oriented along the incidence vector in plane with the receiver. Sun linkages 4301 and 4302 orient the sun connector 4501 along the incidence vector in plane with the receiver. Receiver connector 4511 is aligned along the reflection vector via receiver cable 4802. Translating linkage 4521 is bolted to sun connector 4501 by bolt 4508. Translating linkage 4522 is bolted to receiver connector 4511 by bolt 4518. Translating linkage 4521 and 4522 are connected to traversing bolt 4523. Traversing bolt 4523 passes through guides of mirror/mirror-frame 4801. Kingbolt 4811 passes through the centre of rotation of sun connector 4501, receiver connector 4511, and is fixed to mirror/mirror-frame 4801. Bolt 4508 and bolt 4518 are equidistant from the kingbolt 4811.

Traversing bolt 4523 is positioned at an angular position halfway between the incidence vector and the receiver vector, in plane with the receiver, and 90 degrees offset from the normal vector. The traversing bolt 4523 positions the mirror/mirror-frame normal between the incidence and receiver vector, thus imaging is achieved.

An ‘elastic band’ implementation of the invention is presented in reference to embodiment ‘5’. Embodiment ‘5’ will now be described with reference to FIGS. 14 through 17.

Sun linkages 5301 and 5302 orient the sun connector 5501 along the incidence vector in plane with the receiver. Receiver connector 5511 is aligned along the reflection vector via receiver cable 5802. Sun connector 5501 and receiver connector 5511 include notches 5611, 5612, 5613, 5614. An elastic band 5601 loops around notches 5611, 5612, 5613, 5614 and elastic balancer 5551 and tabs 5821 and 5822 of mirror 5801. Kingbolt 5810 passes through the centre of rotation of sun connector 5501, receiver connector 5511, elastic balancer 5551, and is fixed to mirror 5801.

The notches 5611, 5612, 5613, 5614 are equidistant from the kingbolt. The distance between each notch and the kingbolt is referred to as the notch distance. Tabs 5821 and 5822 are equidistant from kingbolt 5810. Elastic balancer 5551 includes four passages for elastic band 5601. The passages are equidistant from the kingbolt The distance between each passage and the kingbolt is referred to as the passage distance.

The elastic band 5601 may be made from any elastomer. Elastic band 5601 may have a square cross section similar to common rubber bands or a cylindrical cross section similar to industrial o-rings.

The size of elastic band 5601 is selected such that it is under tension when looped around notches 5611, 5612, 5613, 5614 and elastic balancer 5551 and tabs 5821 and 5822. If the notch distance is sufficiently large relative to the passage distance, the elastic is under minimum tension when tabs 5821 and 5822 are positioned at an angular position halfway between the incidence vector and the receiver vector, in plane with the receiver, and 90 degrees offset from the normal vector. The elastic band 5601 positions the normal of mirror 5801 between the incidence and receiver vector, thus imaging is achieved.

In other ‘elastic band’ embodiments of the invention, the elastic balancer may be fixed to the mirror. In other ‘elastic band’ embodiments of the invention, the elastic balancer may be unrestrained. In other ‘elastic band’ embodiments of the invention, an elastic balancer may include more or fewer passages than the elastic balancer of the embodiment described. In other ‘elastic band’ embodiments of the invention, an elastic balancer may not be included. In all ‘elastic band’ embodiments of the invention, an elastic is tensioned, at minimum, around a sun connector, receiver connector. In all ‘elastic band’ embodiments, an elastic is tensioned, around either a mirror or an elastic balancer.

An embodiment of the invention that does not employ an intermediate sun aiming part is presented in reference to embodiment ‘6’. Embodiment ‘6’, an alternate ‘elastic band’ implementation of the invention, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 18 through 21.

Sun linkages are connected directly to the primary sun aiming parts by cables. Sun aiming cables 6111, 6121, 6131 terminate in incidence point ‘A’. Sun aiming cables 6112, 6132, 6132 terminate in incidence point ‘B’. Sun aiming cables 6111 and 6112 are equal in length and connect to a primary sun aiming part. Sun aiming cables 6121 and 6122 are equal in length and connect to a primary sun aiming part. Sun aiming cables 6131 and 6132 are equal in length and connect to a primary sun aiming part. A vector through incidence ‘A’ and ‘B’ is parallel to each primary sun aiming part and the incidence vector.

Sun linkage cables 6311 and 6312 connect incidence point ‘A’ and ‘B’ to sun linkage parts 6301 and 6302 respectively. Sun linkage cables 6311 and 6312 equal in length. Thus sun linkage parts 6301 and 6302 align sun connectors 6501 and 6502 parallel to the incidence vector. Receiver connectors 6511 and 6512 are aligned along the reflection vector via receiver cable 6802. Sun connectors 6501/6502 are mounted to elastic sleeve 6612. Receiver connectors 6511/6512 are mounted to elastic sleeve 6611. An elastic band 6601 loops around elastic sleeves 6611 and 6612 and elastic balancer 6551. Kingbolt 6811 passes through the centre of rotation of sun connector 6501, receiver connector 6511. Kingbolt 6812 passes through the centre of rotation of sun connector 6502, receiver connector 6512. Kingbolts 6811 and 6812 are fixed to mirror 6801. Elastic balancer is grooved and slides along rails of mirror 6801.

Elastic sleeves 6611 and 6612 are equidistant from the centre lines of the kingbolts 6811 and 6812. Elastic balancer 6551 includes two passages for elastic band 6601.

The elastic band 6601 may be made from any elastomer. Elastic band 6601 may have a square cross section similar to common rubber bands or a cylindrical cross section similar to industrial o-rings.

The size of elastic band 6601 is selected such that it is under tension when looped around elastic sleeves 6611 and 6612 and elastic balancer 6551. The elastic 6601 is under minimum tension when elastic balancer 6551 positions mirror 6801 at an angular position halfway between the incidence vector and the receiver vector, in plane with the receiver, and 90 degrees offset from the normal vector. The elastic band 6601 thus indirectly positions the normal of mirror 6801 between the incidence and receiver vector, thus imaging is achieved.

A sun aiming mesh sun aiming means is presented in reference to embodiment ‘7’. Embodiment ‘7’ will now be described with reference to FIG. 22.

Sun aiming meshes 7351 and 7352 are tensioned between primary sun aiming parts. Sun linkage cable 7311 connects to sun aiming mesh 7351 at an incidence point ‘A’. Sun linkage cable 7312 connects to sun aiming mesh 7352 at an incidence point ‘B’. A vector through incidence ‘A’ and ‘B’ is parallel to each primary sun aiming part and the incidence vector. Sun linkage cable 7311 and sun linkage cable 7312 are equal in length. Sun linkage cable 7311 connects sun linkage 7301 to sun aiming mesh 7351. Sun linkage cable 7312 connects sun linkage 7302 to sun aiming mesh 7352. The sun linkages must be shaped to prevent interference with the mesh of the device. Thus sun linkage parts 7301 and 7302 align a component of the mirror adjustment means parallel to the incidence vector. The mesh must be sufficiently open to prevent interference with the parts of the device. In other embodiments, the sun aiming meshes may be tensioned between primary sun aiming parts using cable equalizing parts similar to those of embodiment ‘2’.

An embodiment of the invention that employs a sun aiming mesh and equalizing sun linkage cables is presented in reference to embodiment ‘8’. Embodiment ‘8’ will now be described with reference to FIG. 23 through 24.

Sun aiming meshes 8351 and 8352 are tensioned between primary sun aiming parts. Equalizing sun linkage cable 8321 is connected at one end to sun aiming mesh 8351 at incidence point ‘A’. Equalizing sun linkage cable 8321 is connected at one end to sun aiming mesh 8352 and incidence point ‘B’. A vector through incidence ‘A’ and B′ is parallel to each primary sun aiming part and the incidence vector. Sun linkages 8353 and 8354 are grooved. Equalizing sun linkage cable 8321 is looped around sun linkages 8353 and 8354. Equalizing sun linkage cable 8321 passes through the grooves of sun linkages 8353 and 8354. When the heliostat is placed under tension by receiver cable 8802, the distance between sun linkage 8353 and sun aiming mesh 8351 is made equal to the distance between sun linkage 8354 and sun aiming mesh 8352. Sun linkages 8301 and 8302 are mounted to sun linkages 8353 and 8354 respectively. Thus sun linkages 8301 and 8302 position an axis of sun gear 8401 is made parallel to the incidence vector and imaging is achieved. The installation of an equalizing sun linkage cable embodiment of the device is simplified in comparison to embodiments that do not include an equalizing sun linkage cable.

An alternate ‘elastic band’ implementation of the invention that employs an alternate equalizing sun linkage cable is presented in reference to embodiment ‘9’. Embodiment ‘9’ will now be described with reference to FIG. 25 through 27.

Equalizing sun linkage cable 9321 is connected at one end to sun aiming cables at incidence point ‘A’. Equalizing sun linkage cable 9321 is connected at one end to sun aiming cables at incidence point ‘B’. A vector through incidence ‘A’ and ‘B’ is parallel to each primary sun aiming part and the incidence vector. Sun linkages 9301 and 9302 are hollow in cross section. Equalizing sun linkage cable 9321 is looped through the hollow cross sections of sun linkages 9301 and 9302. When the heliostat is placed under tension by receiver cable 9802, the distance between sun linkage 9301 and incidence point ‘A’ is made equal to the distance between sun linkage 9302 and incidence point B′. Thus sun connectors 9501/9502 are made parallel to the incidence vector.

Elastic band 9601 is looped around the sun connectors 9501/9502, sleeve 9831, sleeve 9832, receiver connector 9511, elastic balancer 9551, and elastic balancer 9552. Sun connectors 9501/9502 and receiver connector 9511 are notched to accept elastic band 9601. Sun connector 9501 includes notches 9611, 9612, 9615, 9616. Sun connector 9502 includes notches 9621, 9622, 9625, 9626. Receiver connector 9511 includes notches 9613, 9614, 9623, 9624.

Elastic band 9601 passes, in a loop, through notches, around sleeves, and through elastic balancers, in the following order: 9611, 9612, 9551, 9831, 9551, 9613, 9614, 9551, 9841, 9551, 9615, 9616, 9626, 9625, 9552, 9841, 9552, 9624, 9623, 9552, 9831, 9552, 9622, 9621. Sleeve 9831 rotates freely about bolt 9832 which is fixed to mirror 9801. Sleeve 9841 rotates freely about bolt 9842 which is fixed to mirror 9801.

Note that the heliostat employs an elastic notch means (9611, 9612, 9613, 9614, 9615, 9616, 9626, 9625, 9624, 9623, 9622, 9621) to position the elastic on the sun connectors 9501/9502 and receiver connector 9511. Note than an elastic sleeve means is employed (9831, 9841) to position the elastic on the mirror 9801. In other embodiments of the invention, the sun connector and receiver connector may employ an elastic sleeve means.

Sun linkage 9301 includes a cylindrical stub that is seated in a hole in sun connector 9501. Sun linkage 9301 includes a cylindrical stub that is seated in a hole in sun connector 9502. Sun linkage 9301 is free to rotate about an axis through said cylindrical stubs.

Sun linkage 9302 includes a cylindrical stub that is seated in a hole in sun connector 9501. Sun linkage 9302 includes a cylindrical stub that is seated in a hole in sun connector 9502. Sun linkage 9302 is free to rotate about an axis through said cylindrical stubs.

The above embodiments each include one mirror/mirror adjustment means assembly. An important feature of the invention is that the invention is gangable wherein multiple mirror/mirror adjustment means assemblies are cabled to common primary sun aiming parts. In such applications, the invention is said to be ganged. Note that in a ganged array, all mirrors may be aimined to a common receiver. In other embodiments of the invention, mirrors of the ganged array may be aimed to two or more receivers.

The above embodiments include uniplanar sun aiming cables or meshes that are parallel to grade. It will be seen from the claims that the sun aiming cables or meshes need not be parallel to grade. It will be seen from the claims that the sun aiming cables or meshes need not be uniplanar.

The above embodiments, in general, include three primary sun aiming parts. Other embodiments of the invention may be constructed with more or less than three primary sun aiming parts.

The above embodiments include cables that shadow incident and reflected light. Shadowing is minimized when transparent or translucent cables are employed.

In all embodiments, the positions of the primary sun aiming parts may be limited to prevent interference between the cables of the device and the parts of the device.

Embodiments ‘7’ and ‘8’ employ hexagonal and square mesh respectively. It will be seen by the claims that a repeating mesh of any type, sufficiently open to prevent interference with sun linkages, may be employed.

Claims

1. A cable ganged heliostat wherein;

said cable ganged heliostat comprises a mirror, for reflecting incident radiation from a moving radiation source to a receiver;

said cable ganged heliostat comprises a mirror adjustment means wherein; said mirror adjustment means includes an incidence part wherein; said incidence part is aligned with the incidence vector; said mirror adjustment means includes a reflection part wherein; said reflection part is aligned with the reflection vector; said mirror adjustment means includes one or more sun linkages wherein; said sun linkages provide an incidence aiming means; said sun linkages are connected directly, or indirectly, to a primary sun aiming means; said sun linkages are connected at one end to said incidence part; said sun aiming linkages causes said incidence part to be aligned with the incidence vector; said mirror adjustment means includes a receiver cable wherein; said receiver cable provides a reflection aiming means; said receiver cable is parallel to the receiver and mirror centre; said receiver cable is connected at one end to said reflection part; said receiver cable causes said mirror connector to be aligned with the reflection vector; said incidence part and said reflection part are coplanar with the incidence vector and the reflection vector; said mirror adjustment means adjusts the position of said mirror to achieve imaging;

said mirror and said mirror adjustment means are supported by cables;

said mirror and said mirror adjustment means are gangable wherein said mirror and mirror adjustment means share said primary sun aiming means with other cable ganged heliostats;

2. A device of claim 1 wherein said mirror adjustment means is a ‘half-angle gearing’ aiming means wherein;

Said incidence part is a sun gear wherein;

Said reflection part is a gear plate;

Said half-angle gearing means includes one or more intermediate gears;

Said half-angle gearing means includes a mirror gear wherein; Said mirror gear is connected to said mirror; An axis of said mirror gear is parallel to the mirror normal; Said mirror gear is geared to said intermediate gear or gears which is geared to said sun gear;

Said mirror gear turns at half the angular rate as said sun gear;

Said sun gear, intermediate gear, and said mirror gear are mounted on said gear plate;

3. A device of claim 1 wherein said mirror adjustment means is a ‘traversing bolt’ aiming means wherein;

Said incidence part is a sun connector;

Said reflection part is a receiver connector;

Said sun connector and said receiver connector and said mirror are mounted on, and rotate about, a kingpin;

Said sun connector is connected to a sun traversing linkage at a sun traversing connection point and said receiver connector is connected to a receiver traversing linkage at a receiver traversing connection point;

Said sun traversing connection point and said receiver traversing connection point are equidistant from said kingpin;

Said ‘traversing bolt’ aiming means comprises a traversing bolt;

Said sun traversing bolt is connected to said sun traversing linkage and said receiver traversing linkage;

The distance between said sun traversing connection point and said traversing bolt and the distance between said receiver traversing connection point and said traversing bolt are equal;

Said mirror includes traversing guides that comprise one or more slots parallel to the main axis of said mirror;

Said traversing bolt travels through said guide;

4. A device of claim 1 wherein said mirror adjustment means is an ‘elastic band’ aiming means wherein;

Said incidence part is a sun connector;

Said reflection part is a receiver connector;

Said sun connector and said receiver connector and said mirror are mounted on, and rotate about, a kingpin;

Said sun connector includes a sun elastic connection point

Said receiver connector includes a receiver elastic connection point;

Said sun elastic connection point and said receiver elastic connection point are equidistant from said kingpin;

Said ‘elastic band’ aiming means includes an elastic;

Said elastic is tensioned, at minimum, around said sun elastic connection point and said receiver elastic connection point;

Said mirror is positioned by said elastic, directly or indirectly;

5. A device of claim 1 wherein said primary sun aiming means includes a pair of sun aiming meshes wherein;

Said sun aiming meshes are tensioned between said primary sun aiming means;

A first of said sun aiming meshes is connected to a first of said sun linkages;

A second of said sun aiming meshes is connected to a second of said sun linkages;

Said sun aiming meshes are sufficiently open to prevent interference with the parts of the device;

6. A device of claim 1 wherein said sun linkage or linkages are coil, composite coil, spiral, or helical shaped;

7. A device of claim 1 wherein said sun linkages are linked to said primary sun aiming means by an equalizing sun linkage cable wherein;

Said equalizing sun linkage cable is connected at a first end to said primary sun aiming means;

Said equalizing sun linkage cable is connected at a second end to said primary sun aiming means;

Said equalizing sun linkage cable is looped around said sun linkages;

Tension on said equalizing sun linkage cable aligns said incidence part with said primary sun aiming means;

8. A device of claim 2 wherein said mirror gear is connected to said mirror by cables;

9. A device of claim 4 wherein said ‘elastic band’ aiming means comprises an elastic balancer wherein said elastic is looped around said elastic wherein said elastic balancer positions said mirror.