Positioning system for solar collection

Abstract

In some implementations, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus may include a plurality of solar reflectors; a plurality of support rods each coupled to one of the plurality of solar reflectors; a plurality of control plates including a plurality of first openings; a tension plate providing a force to position the plurality of support rods in each of the plurality of first openings; and a driver to move at least one of the plurality of control plates, the movement of the at least one of the plurality of control plates further moving the tension plate, the plurality of support rods, and the plurality of solar reflectors. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of solar reflectors;   a plurality of support rods each coupled to one of the plurality of solar reflectors;   a plurality of control plates including a plurality of first openings;   a tension plate providing a force to position the plurality of support rods in each of the plurality of first openings; and   a driver to move at least one of the plurality of control plates, the movement of the at least one of the plurality of control plates further moving the tension plate, the plurality of support rods, and the plurality of solar reflectors.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tension plate and the plurality of control plates are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force provided by the tension plate inhibits at least one of a longitudinal movement, a lateral movement, and a rotational movement of each of the plurality of support rods within a corresponding first opening. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the driver comprises one or more motors. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tension plate provides the force based on at least one spring. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tension plate provides the force based on at least one motor. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of support rods is shaped to include a first bend, a second bend, and a third bend, the first bend and the third bend each contacting the plurality of first openings of the plurality of control plates, the second bend contacting a second opening of the tension plate. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first bend and the third bend each contact the first portion of the first opening, wherein the second bend contacts a second portion of a second opening which is opposite to the first opening. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tension plate comprises a plurality of tension plates. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of solar reflectors;   a plurality of support rods each coupled to one of the plurality of solar reflectors;   a plurality of plates including a plurality of openings each including a fastener into which at least one of the plurality of support rods is inserted; and   a driver to move at least one of the plurality plates, the movement of the at least one of the plurality of plates further moving the plurality of support rods and the plurality of solar reflectors.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of plates are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the fastener further comprises at least one of a grommet and a gimbal. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the each of the fasteners positions the plurality of plates to substantially inhibit at least one of a longitudinal movement, a lateral movement, and a rotational movement of each of the plurality of support rods within a corresponding one of the openings. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the driver comprises one or more motors. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 positioning a plurality of mirrors on a fixture to align the plurality of mirrors; and   attaching the plurality of mirrors to supports such that the alignment of the mirrors is maintained.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 applying an adhesive to each of the plurality of mirrors; and   inserting a rod and plate assembly into the fixture, wherein a plurality of support rods of the rod and plate assembly are inserted into the adhesive.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 removing, when the adhesive sets, the rod and plate assembly and the affixed plurality of mirrors from the fixture.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 attaching each of the plurality of mirrors to one of the plurality of support rods, such that the relative position of the plurality of mirrors is substantially maintained by fixing the relative position of the plurality of mirrors to the plurality of support rods.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the rod and plate assembly comprises a plurality of plates and a plurality of support rods. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 receiving solar energy; and   generating, based on the received solar energy, at least one of an electrical energy and a heat energy by driving at least one of a plurality parallel plates and a plurality of support rods inserted into openings in the plurality of plates to position a plurality of solar reflectors coupled to the plurality of support rods.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the plurality of parallel plates comprises a control plate. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the plurality of parallel plates comprises a tension plate.