Heliostat joint

Abstract

A heliostat includes a joint with a range of motion in both elevation and azimuth of more than 90 degrees.

1 . A heliostat comprising:
 a joint with a range of motion in both elevation and azimuth of more than 90 degrees.   
     
     
         2 . The heliostat as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a pedestal to which said joint is mounted, said pedestal defines a first radius, said joint includes an offset in which a heliostat array azimuthal axis of rotation is displaced at least said first radius from said pedestal longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The heliostat as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said joint provides a range of motion in both elevation and azimuth of approximately 180 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The heliostat as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said joint includes no singularity point. 
     
     
         5 . The heliostat as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a drive system which positions a heliostat array relative to a pedestal. 
     
     
         6 . The heliostat as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said drive system defines two points on said heliostat array and said joint defines one point on said heliostat array. 
     
     
         7 . The heliostat as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said two points are defined in part by a respective drive rod. 
     
     
         8 . The heliostat as recited in  claim 7 , wherein each of said respective drive rods includes a lead screw. 
     
     
         9 . The heliostat as recited in  claim 7 , wherein each of said respective drive rods are mounted to said pedestal through an offset arm structure. 
     
     
         10 . A heliostat comprising:
 a pedestal which defines a longitudinal axis, said pedestal defines a first radius;   a first link movably mounted to said pedestal about a first axis; and   a second link movably mounted to said first link about a second axis, said second axis displaced from said longitudinal centerline by at least said first radius.   
     
     
         11 . The heliostat as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said first axis is a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         12 . The heliostat as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said second axis is an azimuthal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The heliostat as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said second axis is perpendicular to said first axis. 
     
     
         14 . The heliostat as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising a heliostat array mounted to said second link. 
     
     
         15 . The heliostat as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a drive system which positions said heliostat array relative to a pedestal. 
     
     
         16 . The heliostat as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said drive system includes two points attached to said heliostat array, said two points defined in part by a respective drive rod. 
     
     
         17 . A heliostat comprising:
 a joint having a first member and a second member,   wherein the first member has an axis of rotation that is skew to an axis of rotation of the second member,   wherein the axis of the first member is offset a first distance from the axis of the second member, and   wherein the second member has a radial length about the second axis at least approximately ½ of the first distance.   
     
     
         18 . The heliostat as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said radial length is at least equal to said first distance. 
     
     
         19 . The heliostat as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said joint provides a range of motion in both elevation and azimuth greater than 90 degrees. 
     
     
         20 . The heliostat as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said joint provides a range of motion in both elevation and azimuth of approximately 180 degrees.