Solar collector apparatus

Abstract

In various aspects, a solar collector apparatus includes a lens pivotally mounted about an axis thereof and adapted to gather sunlight into a focal point, and a tracking device adapted to track a position of the sun, the tracking device cooperates with the lens to pivot the lens about the axis in correspondence to the position of the sun. Related methods of use of the solar collector apparatus are disclosed herein. This Abstract is presented to meet requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) only. This Abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A solar collector apparatus, comprising:
 a lens pivotally mounted about an axis thereof and adapted to gather sunlight into a focal point; and   a tracking device adapted to track a position of the sun, the tracking device cooperates with the lens to pivot the lens about the axis in correspondence to the position of the sun.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus, as in  claim 1 , wherein the position comprises a solar azimuth such that the lens pivots in correspondence to the solar azimuth. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus, as in  claim 1 , wherein the position comprises a solar altitude such that the lens pivots in correspondence to the solar altitude. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus, as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a heat exchanger defining a generally concave surface, the focal point traverses the concave surface as the lens pivots in correspondence to the position of the sun to impart solar energy to the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus, as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a housing rotatably mounted and having the lens pivotably mounted thereto such that the lens pivots in correspondence to one of the solar azimuth and the solar altitude and the housing rotates in correspondence to the other of the solar azimuth and the solar altitude to orient the lens toward the sun.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus, as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second tracking device adapted to track a position of the sun, the second tracking device cooperates with the housing to rotate the housing in correspondence to the position of the sun.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus, as in  claim 6 , further comprising:
 an outer reservoir formed about outer portions of the housing and adapted to absorb solar energy to heat water passing therethrough.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus, as in  claim 6 , further comprising:
 conduits disposed within the housing adapted to adsorb heat radiated from a heat exchanger disposed within the housing.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus, as in  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a cover having a hemispherical shape and formed of a transparent material, the cover adapted for securement to the housing to protect the lens.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus, as in  claim 1 , wherein the lens is configured as a Fresnel lens to minimize the mass of the lens. 
     
     
         11 . A solar collector apparatus, comprising:
 a housing;   a lens, the lens gathers sunlight into a focal point, the lens pivotally mounted to the housing;   a tracking device adapted to track a position of the sun, the tracking device cooperates with the lens to pivot the lens within the housing in correspondence to the position of the sun; and   a heat exchanger disposed within the housing, the heat exchanger defining a generally concave surface oriented such that the focal point traverses the concave surface as the lens pivots in correspondence to the position of the sun to impart solar energy to the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus, as in  claim 11 , wherein the housing is rotatable such that the housing rotates in correspondence to one of the solar azimuth and the solar altitude the lens pivots in correspondence to the other of the solar azimuth and the solar altitude to orient the lens toward the sun. 
     
     
         13 . A method of solar energy collection, comprising the step of:
 tracking the position of the sun using a tracking device, the tracking device cooperating with a lens pivotally mounted about an axis thereof s to pivot the lens about the axis in correspondence to the position of the sun.   
     
     
         14 . The method, as in  claim 13 , wherein the position comprises a solar azimuth such that the lens pivots in correspondence to the solar azimuth. 
     
     
         15 . The method, as in  claim 13 , wherein the position comprises a solar altitude such that the lens pivots in correspondence to the solar altitude. 
     
     
         16 . The method, as in  claim 13 , further comprising the step of:
 traversing the focal point of the lens about a generally concave surface of a heat exchanger to impart solar energy to the heat exchanger as the lens is pivoting in correspondence to the position of the sun.   
     
     
         17 . The method, as in  claim 13 , further comprising the step of:
 mounting rotatably a housing having the lens pivotably mounted thereto such that the lens pivots in correspondence to one of the solar azimuth and the solar altitude and the housing rotates in correspondence to the other of the solar azimuth and the solar altitude to orient the lens toward the sun.