Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
296 words
A solar ray collecting device for collecting solar rays from the sun, comprising a rotatable support post having a generally vertical axis, a support post motor for rotating said support post about said vertical axis, a rod having a rod axis disposed generally perpendicular to the vertical axis of said support post, said rod having a longitudinal central portion mounted on said support post such that said rod rotates in a generally horizontal plane as said support post motor rotates said support post, a plurality of solar ray collecting elements each rotatable about a generally upright shaft, each of said collecting elements having a drive means for rotating the respective collecting element about the axis of its upright shaft, said plurality of drive means being carried by said rod and being longitudinally spaced along the longitudinal length of said rod, each of said collecting elements including a plurality of light collecting lens means and optical conductors having a light-receiving edge located at the focus of said lens means, each of said upright shafts along with said rod and said support post having hollow portions, said conductors passing from said light-receiving edge through the hollow portions of the respective upright shaft, said rod and said support post, whereby each of said drive means is operable to rotate its respective collecting element alternately in both directions while said support post motor rotates said support post alternately in both directions in a manner to preclude the shadow of one collecting element impinging on the lens means on another collecting element as the sun traverses a 360 degree path about the solar ray collecting device while also limiting the maximum twist imparted to said conductors passing through said hollow portions of said upright shaft, said rod and said support post.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
296 words
A solar ray collecting device for collecting solar rays from the sun, comprising a rotatable support post having a generally vertical axis, a support post motor for rotating said support post about said vertical axis, a rod having a rod axis disposed generally perpendicular to the vertical axis of said support post, said rod having a longitudinal central portion mounted on said support post such that said rod rotates in a generally horizontal plane as said support post motor rotates said support post, a plurality of solar ray collecting elements each rotatable about a generally upright shaft, each of said collecting elements having a drive means for rotating the respective collecting element about the axis of its upright shaft, said plurality of drive means being carried by said rod and being longitudinally spaced along the longitudinal length of said rod, each of said collecting elements including a plurality of light collecting lens means and optical conductors having a light-receiving edge located at the focus of said lens means, each of said upright shafts along with said rod and said support post having hollow portions, said conductors passing from said light-receiving edge through the hollow portions of the respective upright shaft, said rod and said support post, whereby each of said drive means is operable to rotate its respective collecting element alternately in both directions while said support post motor rotates said support post alternately in both directions in a manner to preclude the shadow of one collecting element impinging on the lens means on another collecting element as the sun traverses a 360 degree path about the solar ray collecting device while also limiting the maximum twist imparted to said conductors passing through said hollow portions of said upright shaft, said rod and said support post.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein each of said drive means comprises a drive motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein each of said drive means rotates its respective collecting element a maximum of 180 degrees.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said support motor rotates said support post a maximum of 180 degrees.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein each of said solar ray collecting elements comprises a transparent cover in which said lens means are disposed, said optical conductors having the light-receiving edges thereof located at the focus of said lens means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 1 further comprising a rod motor on said support post for rotating said rod about said rod axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of said collecting elements are disposed in a position above said rod, and another plurality of said collecting elements are disposed in a position below said rod.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein each of said upright shafts is perpendicular to the axis of said rod.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein each of said upright shafts is vertically disposed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
300 words
A solar ray collecting device for collecting solar rays from the sun, comprising a rotatable support post having a generally vertical axis, a support post motor for rotating said support post about said vertical axis, a rod having a rod axis disposed generally perpendicular to the vertical axis of said support post, said rod having a longitudinal central portion mounted on said support post such that said rod rotates in a generally horizontal plane as said support post motor rotates said support post, a plurality of solar ray collecting elements each rotatable about a generally upright shaft, each of said collecting elements having a collecting element motor for rotating the respective collecting element about the axis of its upright shaft, said collecting element motors being carried by said rod and being longitudinally spaced along the longitudinal length of said rod, each of said collecting elements including a plurality of light-collecting lens means and optical conductors having a light-receiving edge located at the focus of said lens means, each of said upright shafts along with said rod and said support post having hollow portions, said conductors passing from said light-receiving edge through the hollow portions of the respective upright shaft, said rod and said support post, whereby each of said collecting element motors is operable to rotate its respective collecting element through 180 degrees in both direction while said support post motor rotates said support post through 180 degrees in both directions in a manner to preclude the shadow of one collecting element impinging on the lens means on another collecting element as the sun traverses a 360 degree path about the solar ray collecting device while also limiting the maximum twist imparted to said conductors passing through said hollow portions of said upright shafts, said rod and said support post.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
300 words
A solar ray collecting device for collecting solar rays from the sun, comprising a rotatable support post having a generally vertical axis, a support post motor for rotating said support post about said vertical axis, a rod having a rod axis disposed generally perpendicular to the vertical axis of said support post, said rod having a longitudinal central portion mounted on said support post such that said rod rotates in a generally horizontal plane as said support post motor rotates said support post, a plurality of solar ray collecting elements each rotatable about a generally upright shaft, each of said collecting elements having a collecting element motor for rotating the respective collecting element about the axis of its upright shaft, said collecting element motors being carried by said rod and being longitudinally spaced along the longitudinal length of said rod, each of said collecting elements including a plurality of light-collecting lens means and optical conductors having a light-receiving edge located at the focus of said lens means, each of said upright shafts along with said rod and said support post having hollow portions, said conductors passing from said light-receiving edge through the hollow portions of the respective upright shaft, said rod and said support post, whereby each of said collecting element motors is operable to rotate its respective collecting element through 180 degrees in both direction while said support post motor rotates said support post through 180 degrees in both directions in a manner to preclude the shadow of one collecting element impinging on the lens means on another collecting element as the sun traverses a 360 degree path about the solar ray collecting device while also limiting the maximum twist imparted to said conductors passing through said hollow portions of said upright shafts, said rod and said support post.