Tracking device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar-position tracking devices face delays in tracking the sun's position due to inefficient heat transfer and temperature gradients, leading to reduced solar concentration yield, especially at low solar angles, and require external elements for orientation.
Innovation Solution
A passive solar-position tracking device with a hollow parallelepiped housing and a primary focusing lens, utilizing a discriminating reflector and radiation-absorbing side chambers to concentrate and redirect solar radiation for precise alignment, and an actuator piston system to facilitate rotational movement, allowing automatic tracking without external orientation aids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If solar radiation is concentrated onto a small common area to activate the motion camera, then the solar alignment can be detected, but the heat cannot be transmitted quickly and homogeneously to all motion cameras, causing delays in tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple radiation-absorbing side chambers (first, second, third, and fourth chambers) distributed around the optical axis. Each chamber independently absorbs solar radiation and generates pressure, eliminating the need for heat transmission through a common area. This segmentation allows parallel thermal processing and eliminates tracking delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point concentration model to a distributed volumetric arrangement. Multiple side chambers are positioned at different angular positions around the optical axis, converting a one-dimensional focal point problem into a three-dimensional distributed system. This allows simultaneous solar absorption across multiple chambers without heat transmission delays.
2Adaptability or versatility
If solar radiation penetrates at large angles (sunrise/sunset), then the device should still track, but external elements are required to orient the device which increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The reflecting side surfaces are designed with universal functionality to handle solar radiation from any angle. The combination of Fresnel profiles and lateral lenses on opposing side surfaces creates a system that automatically adapts to any solar position, eliminating the need for separate orientation mechanisms for different solar angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-orientation through its geometric design. The reflecting side surfaces and lateral lenses automatically redirect solar radiation onto the appropriate side chambers regardless of the sun's position in the sky. The system serves itself by using the incident radiation angle to automatically activate the correct chambers, eliminating external orientation aids.
3Productivity
If the housing has opposing side surfaces with Fresnel profiles and lateral lenses, then solar radiation can be directed to opposite side chambers, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing employs asymmetric geometric features (Fresnel profiles and lateral lenses) on specific opposing side surfaces rather than uniform symmetry throughout. This asymmetric design optimizes solar radiation capture from different angles while maintaining structural efficiency. The asymmetry is localized to functional surfaces rather than the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple optical functions (reflection, refraction, focusing) into integrated side surface structures. The Fresnel profiles and lateral lenses are combined with the housing walls themselves, eliminating separate optical components. This merging reduces the number of discrete parts while achieving high solar energy utilization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables fast, precise, and powerful solar-position tracking, achieving rapid and homogeneous temperature increases in the absorbing side chambers, enhancing solar energy concentration and utilization across varying solar angles without conduction through side surfaces or working fluid.
Implementation Method 1
a primary focusing lens arranged at the upper end on a discriminating reflector which is arranged at the lower end of the same housing to reflect the incoming solar radiation at different angles onto at least one radiation-absorbing side chamber
Implementation Method 2
a discriminating reflector which is arranged at the lower end of the same housing to reflect the incoming solar radiation at different angles onto at least one radiation-absorbing side chamber
Implementation Method 3
at least one radiation-absorbing side chamber... achieving rapid and homogeneous temperature increases in the absorbing side chambers
Implementation Method 4
The motion camera includes a liquid with a low boiling point or any liquid that expands when heated within the motion camera as a result of the energy of the sun's rays
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a passive tracking device for tracking the position of the sun, which comprises a hollow parallelepiped casing through which the solar radiation entering through a first lens located at the upper end of the parallelepiped casing passes towards a discriminating reflector arranged at the lower end of the same casing; the tracking device redirects as much incoming radiation as possible towards side chambers for absorbing radiation, heating a working fluid contained in the side chamber; producing a volumetric expansion in the working fluid that, communicating with shafts for the rotation of the tracking device, allows the orientation with the normal/perpendicular position with respect to the position of the sun, and to guide the alignment direction of other tracking devices for collecting energy in devices for collecting photovoltaic and/or thermal energy that are mechanically connected to the tracking device.