JP2017096571A - Sun tracking device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the sun tracking accuracy.SOLUTION: A sun tracking device 10 comprises: an axis of rotation 12 supported by a cradle 11; a tracking part 13 rotatably supported around the axis of rotation 12; a first light receiving part 14 and a second light receiving part 15 configured to receive sunlight and fixed to the tracking part 13 so as to sandwich the axis of rotation 12 therebetween; a first drive cylinder 16 configured to rotate the tracking part 13 in a first direction using the energy generated by the sunlight received by the first light receiving part 14; and a second drive cylinder 17 configured to rotate the tracking part 13 in a second direction opposite to the first direction using the energy generated by the sunlight received by the second light receiving part 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a solar tracking device used in a device using sunlight such as a solar panel.

  A solar panel that converts solar energy into electric power has the highest conversion efficiency when its light-receiving surface faces the sun. Therefore, conventionally, a solar tracking device that causes a solar panel to follow the movement of the sun is known.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic solar tracking device that causes a solar panel supported at its center on a gantry by a spherical sliding bearing to follow a change in the incident angle of sunlight. In this apparatus, four points equidistant from the spherical sliding bearing that supports the solar panel to the east, west, south, and north are supported by rods connected to four independent air cylinders. Each air cylinder is connected by a tube to a heat collection tank installed on a frame that is symmetrical to the center of the panel (east if west, north if south). This heat collection tank expands by receiving the sunlight and the gas sealed inside is heated and pushes the piston in the air cylinder, and the rod attached to the tip of the tank is opposite to the incident direction of sunlight on the solar panel. Push the side up to face the sun. For example, when the sun rises from the east side, the heat collecting tank on the east side is exposed to sunlight and the temperature of the gas sealed in the tank rises. On the other hand, the heat collection tank on the west side is behind the pedestal and is not exposed to sunlight. Since the gas in the eastern heat collecting tank exposed to sunlight rises in temperature and expands, the piston of the west air cylinder is pushed up through the tube and the rod is pushed up, so the solar panel tilts eastward and faces the sun.

JP 2005-90889 A

  However, the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the following problems. For example, in the summertime when the sunlight is strong, the east-side heat collection tank is overheated and the piston of the west-side air cylinder connected to the heat-collection tank extends more than necessary, and the solar panel faces the sun. A situation beyond location may occur. Even in such a case, the west-side heat collection tank is shadowed by the gantry and is not exposed to sunlight, so the east-side air cylinder connected to the west-side heat collection tank does not drive, There is a possibility that the force to return to the position facing the sun does not work. Thus, the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of sun tracking accuracy.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a condition, The objective is to provide the solar tracking apparatus which improved the solar tracking precision.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a solar tracking device according to an aspect of the present invention is configured to be capable of receiving sunlight, a rotating shaft supported by a gantry, a tracking portion supported rotatably around the rotating shaft, and the like. The first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit fixed to the tracking unit, and the tracking unit configured to be rotatable in the first direction using energy generated from sunlight received by the first light receiving unit. 1 actuator and the 2nd actuator comprised so that a tracking part was rotatable in the 2nd direction opposite to the 1st direction using the energy generated from the sunlight received by the 2nd light sensing part.

  The rotating shaft can rotate with respect to the gantry, the tracking unit can rotate with respect to the rotating shaft, and the first actuator can rotate the rotating shaft and the tracking unit with respect to the gantry in the first direction. The second actuator may be capable of rotating the tracking portion in the second direction with respect to the rotation axis.

  The first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit may be provided such that the light receiving surface faces outward with respect to the rotation axis.

  The first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit may be provided so that sunlight is incident on both light receiving surfaces when the tracking unit faces the sun.

  The first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit may have a curved light receiving surface.

  When the first actuator rotates the tracking portion in the first direction, and the tracking portion exceeds the directly facing position with the sun, the second actuator rotates the tracking portion in the second direction, and conversely the second actuator When the tracking unit exceeds the directly facing position with the sun by rotating the tracking unit in the second direction, the first actuator may rotate the tracking unit in the first direction.

  The first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit may include a reflecting surface that reflects and collects sunlight, and a heat collecting tube that receives the light collected by the reflecting surface and heats an internal fluid.

  The first actuator and the second actuator may include a drive cylinder that expands and contracts the piston using the expansion force of the fluid heated by the heat collecting tube.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a representation obtained by converting the expression of the present invention between apparatuses, methods, systems, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the solar tracking apparatus which improved the solar tracking precision can be provided.

1 is a perspective view of a solar tracking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the solar tracking apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the solar tracking apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the drive mechanism of the solar tracking apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state in which both the piston of the 1st drive cylinder and the piston of the 2nd drive cylinder contracted most. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which only the piston of the first drive cylinder is extended and the piston of the second drive cylinder is still contracted from the state where both pistons shown in FIG. 5 are most contracted. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which only the piston of the second drive cylinder is extended from the state where both pistons shown in FIG. 5 are most contracted, and the piston of the first drive cylinder is still contracted. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state where only the piston of the second drive cylinder extends from the state shown in FIG. 6 and the piston of the first drive cylinder does not change. It is a figure for demonstrating the solar tracking apparatus which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the solar tracking apparatus which concerns on another embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a solar tracking device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the solar tracking device 10 mainly includes a gantry 11, a rotating shaft 12, a tracking unit 13, a first light receiving unit 14, a second light receiving unit 15, a first drive cylinder 16, A second drive cylinder 17.

  The gantry 11 is installed on the ground and has a function of supporting the tracking unit 13 that is the main body of the solar tracking device 10. If the tracking part 13 etc. can be supported stably, the shape of the mount frame 11 will not be specifically limited.

  The rotating shaft 12 is a substantially rod-shaped member supported by a rotating shaft support portion 11 a provided on the gantry 11. The tracking unit 13 is a member that displaces following the sun and can rotate around the rotation axis 12. In the present embodiment, the tracking portion 13 is formed in a substantially H shape in plan view by the first beam member 13a, the second beam member 13b, and the third beam member 13c. The 1st beam member 13a and the 2nd beam member 13b are arrange | positioned in parallel, and the center part of the 1st beam member 13a and the 2nd beam member 13b is connected by the 3rd beam member 13c perpendicular | vertical to them. The tracking unit 13 is supported by the rotary shaft 12 such that the third beam member 13 c is parallel to the rotary shaft 12. The tracking unit 13 is formed so that a tracking target object (not shown) such as a solar panel can be mounted on the upper surface thereof. In the present embodiment, the tracking portion 13 is formed in an approximately H shape in plan view. However, the shape of the tracking portion 13 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a rectangular plate member.

  The first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit have curved light receiving surfaces capable of receiving sunlight. The first light receiving unit 14 and the second light receiving unit 15 are fixed to the tracking unit 13 with the rotating shaft 12 interposed therebetween. The first light receiving unit 14 and the second light receiving unit 15 are preferably provided symmetrically with respect to the rotating shaft 12. In the present embodiment, the first light receiving unit 14 and the second light receiving unit 15 are fixed to both ends of the tracking unit 13 (in other words, both ends of the first beam member 13a and the second beam member 13b). As shown in FIG. 1, the first light receiving unit 14 and the second light receiving unit 15 are fixed to the tracking unit 13 such that the respective light receiving surfaces face the outside with respect to the rotation shaft 12. In this embodiment, the 1st light-receiving part 14 and the 2nd light-receiving part 15 are provided so that sunlight may inject into both these light-receiving surfaces, when the tracking part 13 faces the sun.

  More specifically, the first light receiving unit 14 includes a first reflecting surface formed in a substantially parabolic column shape and a first heat collecting tube disposed on the focal line of the first reflecting surface (both in FIG. 1). (Not shown). In order to increase the light collection efficiency, the first heat collecting tube is subjected to black processing. The first reflecting surface functions as the light receiving surface of the first light receiving unit 14. As the first reflecting surface, a highly reflective metal plate can be used. A fluid such as a liquid (for example, oil) or a gas (for example, air) is sealed in the first heat collecting tube. The first light receiving unit 14 is fixed to one end of the tracking unit 13 so that the longitudinal direction of the first reflecting surface is parallel to the rotation axis 12. In the 1st light-receiving part 14, a 1st reflective surface reflects and condenses the received sunlight toward a 1st heat collecting tube. The fluid in the first heat collecting tube is heated by the condensed sunlight. The first heat collecting tube is connected to the first drive cylinder 16 by the first tube 20. The same fluid as that of the first heat collecting tube is sealed in the first tube 20. When the fluid in the first heat collecting tube expands / contracts by heating / cooling, the expansion / contraction is transmitted to the first drive cylinder 16 via the first tube 20.

  The second light receiving unit 15 has the same structure as the first light receiving unit 14. That is, the 2nd light-receiving part 15 is provided with the 2nd reflective surface 15a formed in the substantially parabolic column shape, and the 2nd heat collecting tube 15b arrange | positioned on the focal line of the 2nd reflective surface 15a. In order to increase the light collection efficiency, the second heat collecting tube 15b is subjected to black processing. The second reflecting surface 15 a functions as a light receiving surface of the second light receiving unit 15. As the second reflecting surface 15a, a highly reflective metal plate can be used. A fluid such as oil is sealed in the second heat collecting tube 15b. The second light receiving unit 15 is fixed to the other end of the tracking unit 13 so that the longitudinal direction of the second reflecting surface 15 a is parallel to the rotation axis 12. In the second light receiving unit 15, the second reflecting surface 15a reflects and collects received sunlight toward the second heat collecting tube 15b. The fluid in the second heat collecting tube 15b is heated by the condensed sunlight. The second heat collecting tube 15 b is connected to the second drive cylinder 17 by the second tube 21. The same fluid as that of the second heat collecting tube 15 b is also sealed in the second tube 21. When the fluid in the second heat collecting tube 15 b expands / contracts by heating / cooling, the expansion / contraction is transmitted to the second drive cylinder 17 via the second tube 21.

  The first drive cylinder 16 is configured to be able to extend and contract the piston from the cylinder body using the expansion / contraction of the fluid transmitted through the first tube 20. The first drive cylinder 16 may be, for example, an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder. The cylinder body of the first drive cylinder 16 is connected to a first piston connection portion 24 extending from the rotation shaft support portion 11 a of the gantry 11. On the other hand, the piston of the first drive cylinder 16 is connected to a first lever 22 extending from the rotary shaft 12. When the piston of the first drive cylinder 16 extends relative to the cylinder body, the rotating shaft 12 is rotated via the first lever 22, and the tracking portion 13 is rotated in the first direction D1 with it.

  The second drive cylinder 17 is configured to be able to expand and contract the piston from the cylinder body using the expansion / contraction of the fluid transmitted through the second tube 21. The second drive cylinder 17 may be an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder, for example. The cylinder body of the second drive cylinder 17 is connected to a second piston connection part 23 extending from the third beam member 13 c of the tracking part 13. On the other hand, the piston of the second drive cylinder 17 is connected to a second lever (not shown) extending from the rotary shaft 12. When the piston of the second drive cylinder 17 extends relative to the cylinder body, the tracking portion 13 rotates around the rotation axis 12 in a second direction D2 opposite to the first direction D1.

  2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the solar tracking device 10 according to the present embodiment. 2 and 3 show a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis 12 of the solar tracking device 10. 2 and 3, the configuration of the solar tracking device 10 is illustrated in a simplified manner in order to briefly explain the operation of the solar tracking device 10.

  The sun tracking device 10 is normally arranged so that the axial direction of the rotary shaft 12 faces north and south. As shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the first reflecting surface 14 a that is the light receiving surface of the first light receiving unit 14 faces the east side, and the second reflecting surface 15 a that is the light receiving surface of the second light receiving unit 15 faces the west side. The state shown in FIG. 2 is the neutral position of the tracking unit 13, the first light receiving unit 14, and the second light receiving unit 15.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the sun S rises from the east side, the first reflecting surface 14 a of the first light receiving unit 14 is irradiated with sunlight. The first reflecting surface 14a reflects and collects sunlight on the first heat collecting tube 14b. The fluid in the first heat collecting tube 14b is heated by the sunlight collected by the first reflecting surface 14a, and the expansion force of the heated fluid is transmitted to the first drive cylinder 16 via the first tube 20. The The first drive cylinder 16 extends the piston 16b from the cylinder body 16a using the expansion force of the fluid transmitted through the first tube 20. In FIG. 2, the extension of the piston 16b is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The extension of the piston 16b generates a driving force that causes the tracking unit 13 to rotate around the rotation axis 12 in the first direction D1 (clockwise in FIG. 2) via the first piston connection unit (see FIG. 1). .

  On the other hand, since the second reflecting surface 15a of the second light receiving unit 15 faces the west side, the second reflecting surface 15a is not directly irradiated with sunlight, and the piston 17b of the second drive cylinder 17 is a cylinder body. Does not stretch with respect to 17a. Therefore, the driving force for rotating the tracking portion 13 around the rotation axis 12 in the second direction opposite to the first direction D1 (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) is not generated.

  When the driving force as described above acts on the tracking unit 13, the tracking unit 13 rotates in the first direction D <b> 1 and approaches the directly facing position with the sun S. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the tracking unit 13 and the sun S face each other.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the tracking unit 13 and the sun S face each other, sunlight irradiates both the first reflecting surface 14 a of the first light receiving unit 14 and the second reflecting surface 15 a of the second light receiving unit 15. ing. At this time, in the 1st light-receiving part 14, the sunlight condensed on the 1st heat collecting tube 14b reduces. Accordingly, the piston 16b of the first drive cylinder 16 contracts with respect to the cylinder body 16a, and the drive force for rotating the tracking portion 13 in the first direction D1 decreases.

  On the other hand, in the 2nd light-receiving part 15, since sunlight comes to be irradiated to the 2nd reflective surface 15a, the fluid in the 2nd heat collecting pipe 15b is heated. The expansion force of the heated fluid is transmitted to the second drive cylinder 17 via the second tube 21. The second drive cylinder 17 extends the piston 17b from the cylinder body 17a using the fluid expansion force transmitted through the second tube 21. In FIG. 3, the extension of the piston 17b is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The extension of the piston 17b generates a driving force that causes the tracking portion 13 to rotate around the rotation axis 12 in the second direction D2 (counterclockwise in FIG. 3) via the second piston connecting portion (see FIG. 1). To do.

  When the tracking unit 13 rotates in the first direction D1 and exceeds the directly facing position with the sun S, the amount of sunlight irradiated to the second light receiving unit 15 is the amount of sunlight irradiated to the first light receiving unit 14. Therefore, since the driving force by the second driving cylinder 17 exceeds the driving force by the first driving cylinder 16, the tracking unit 13 is prevented from rotating in the first direction D1, and the tracking unit 13 is directly facing the sun S. Returned to

  When the tracking unit 13 is rotated in the second direction D2 by the driving force generated by the second driving cylinder 17 and the tracking unit 13 exceeds the directly-facing position with the sun S, the sunlight to the first light receiving unit 14 is now generated. Is greater than the amount of sunlight irradiated to the second light receiving unit 15, the driving force by the first driving cylinder 16 exceeds the driving force by the second driving cylinder 17. As a result, the tracking unit 13 is prevented from rotating in the second direction D2, and the tracking unit 13 is returned to the position facing the sun S again.

  While repeating the rotation in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 as described above, the tracking unit 13 finally has a position where the first light receiving unit 14 and the second light receiving unit 15 receive sunlight evenly, That is, the tracking unit 13 and the sun S are adjusted to a directly facing position.

  Thus, in the solar tracking device 10 according to the present embodiment, the first light receiving unit 14 and the second light receiving unit 15 are fixed to the tracking unit 13 so as to sandwich the rotating shaft 12 therebetween. Thereby, according to the tracking to the sun S of the tracking part 13, the irradiation amount of the sunlight with respect to each of the 1st light-receiving part 14 and the 2nd light-receiving part 15 can be changed. As a result, for example, even when the tracking unit 13 rotates beyond the directly facing position with the sun S, it is possible to give the tracking unit 13 a driving force that returns the tracking unit 13 to the facing position with the sun S. Tracking accuracy can be improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first light receiving unit 14 and the second light receiving unit 15 are fixed to the tracking unit 13 so that the respective light receiving surfaces face the outside with respect to the rotation shaft 12. Since the light collection surface is directed outward with respect to the rotation axis 12 in this manner, the condensing range of the sun's elevation angle is widened, so that the time tracking range of the sun can be widened.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a drive mechanism of the solar tracking device 10 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the rotating shaft 12 is supported by the gantry 11 via the first bearing 26 and the second bearing 27. Therefore, the rotating shaft 12 can rotate with respect to the gantry 11. The tracking unit 13 is supported by the rotating shaft 12 via the third bearing 28 and the fourth bearing 29. Accordingly, the tracking unit 13 can rotate with respect to the rotating shaft 12.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the first lever 22 and the second lever 25 are extended from the rotary shaft 12. The first lever 22 and the second lever 25 are spaced apart from each other in the direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft 12. The cylinder body 16a of the first drive cylinder 16 is connected to the gantry 11 via the first piston connection portion 24 (see FIG. 1), and the piston 16b of the first drive cylinder 16 is connected to the first lever 22. ing. The cylinder body 17a of the second drive cylinder 17 is connected to the tracking portion 13 via the second piston connection portion 23 (see FIG. 1), and the piston 17b of the second drive cylinder 17 is connected to the second lever 25. It is connected to the.

  Next, the operation of the drive mechanism of the solar tracking device 10 will be described. FIG. 5 shows a state in which both the piston 16b of the first drive cylinder 16 and the piston 17b of the second drive cylinder 17 are most contracted. At this time, the tracking unit 13 is horizontal as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which only the piston 16b of the first drive cylinder 16 extends and the piston 17b of the second drive cylinder 17 remains contracted from the state in which both pistons shown in FIG. When the piston 16b of the first drive cylinder 16 extends, the first lever 22 is pushed up by the piston 16b, whereby the rotary shaft 12 rotates in the first direction D1 with respect to the gantry 11. As the rotary shaft 12 rotates, the tracking unit 13 rotates in the first direction D1 about the rotary shaft 12. FIG. 4 shows a tracking portion 13 ′ (one-dot chain line) rotated in the first direction D <b> 1 when the piston 16 b of the first drive cylinder 16 extends.

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which only the piston 17b of the second drive cylinder 17 is extended and the piston 16b of the first drive cylinder 16 is still contracted from the state where both pistons shown in FIG. 5 are most contracted. When the piston 17b of the second drive cylinder 17 extends, the tracking unit 13 rotates in the second direction D2 with respect to the rotation shaft 12. At this time, the rotating shaft 12 does not rotate.

  FIG. 8 shows a state in which only the piston 17b of the second drive cylinder 17 extends from the state shown in FIG. 6, and the piston 16b of the first drive cylinder 16 does not change. In this case, since the piston 16b of the first drive cylinder 16 has not changed, the rotating shaft 12 does not rotate. However, the tracking portion 13 moves relative to the rotating shaft 12 as the piston 17b of the second drive cylinder 17 extends. Rotate in two directions D2. FIG. 4 shows the tracking portion 13 ″ (dotted line) rotated in the second direction D2 when the piston 17b of the second drive cylinder 17 extends.

  Thus, in the drive mechanism of the solar tracking device 10 according to the present embodiment, the rotating shaft 12 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the gantry 11 and the tracking unit 13 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the rotating shaft 12. . Furthermore, in this drive mechanism, the first drive cylinder 16 is connected to the rotary shaft 12 and the gantry 11, and the second drive cylinder 17 is connected to the rotary shaft 12 and the tracking unit 13. If the rotating shaft can rotate with respect to the gantry but the tracking unit cannot rotate with respect to the rotating shaft (that is, the tracking unit is fixed to the rotating shaft), the tracking unit 13 of the two drive cylinders Since the rotations cancel each other, the tracking unit 13 may not be able to follow the sun suitably. In that respect, according to the present drive mechanism, the first drive cylinder 16 and the second drive cylinder 17 do not cancel the rotation of the tracking unit 13 by the other drive cylinder by having the above-described configuration. . As a result, the tracking part 13 can be made to follow the sun suitably.

  In the above-described embodiment, the driving force for rotating the tracking unit 13 is generated by extending the first driving cylinder 16 and the second driving cylinder 17, but the first driving cylinder 16 and the second driving cylinder 17 are contracted. Thus, a driving force for rotating the tracking unit 13 may be generated.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a solar tracking device 40 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the sun tracking device 40 shown in FIG. 9, the same or corresponding components as those of the solar tracking device 10 shown in FIG.

  The solar tracking device 40 shown in FIG. 9 is different from the solar tracking device 40 shown in FIG. 1 in that a driving force for rotating the tracking unit 13 is generated using a shape memory alloy. Also in this embodiment, the 1st light-receiving part 14 and the 2nd light-receiving part 15 are being fixed to the both ends of the tracking part 13 so that the rotating shaft 12 may be pinched | interposed. Here, in the present embodiment, on the focal lines of the first reflecting surface 14a and the second reflecting surface 15a formed in a substantially parabolic columnar shape, the first stretchable portion 14c formed of a shape memory alloy, respectively, The 2nd expansion-contraction part 15c is arrange | positioned. The 1st expansion-contraction part 14c is connected to the center shaft link 43 fixed to the rotating shaft 12 via the 1st tube wire 41 for transmitting the stroke of the 1st expansion-contraction part 14c. Moreover, the 2nd expansion-contraction part 15c is connected to the center shaft link 43 via the 2nd tube wire 42 for transmitting the stroke of the 2nd expansion-contraction part 15c.

  In the solar tracking device 40 configured as described above, when the sunlight is reflected and collected by the first reflecting surface 14a of the first light receiving unit 14 on the first expanding and contracting unit 14c, the first expanding and contracting unit 14c expands and contracts. The extension / contraction of the first extension / contraction part 14c is transmitted to the center shaft link 43 via the first tube wire 41, and a driving force for rotating the tracking part 13 in the first direction is generated. Further, when sunlight is reflected and collected by the second reflecting surface 15a of the second light receiving unit 15 on the second expanding / contracting part 15c, the second expanding / contracting part 15c expands and contracts. The extension / contraction of the first extension / contraction part 14c is transmitted to the center shaft link 43 via the second tube wire 42, and a driving force for rotating the tracking part 13 in the second direction opposite to the first direction is generated.

  Also in the present embodiment, similarly to the solar tracking device 10 shown in FIG. 1, the amount of sunlight irradiated to each of the first light receiving unit 14 and the second light receiving unit 15 is changed in accordance with the tracking of the tracking unit 13 to the sun. Therefore, the sun tracking accuracy can be improved.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a solar tracking device 50 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The sun tracking device 50 according to the present embodiment has the two tracking axes 13 (azimuth angle tracking rotation axis 52 and elevation angle tracking rotation axis 53) as described in FIG. And different. According to the sun tracking device 50 according to the present embodiment, the sun can be tracked not only with respect to the azimuth angle but also with respect to the elevation angle.

  In the sun tracking device 50 according to the present embodiment, the tracking unit 13 is supported so as to be rotatable around the orthogonal azimuth tracking rotation shaft 52 and the elevation tracking tracking rotation shaft 53. As shown in FIG. 10, the east-side light receiving portion 51E and the west-side light receiving portion 51W are fixed to both ends of the rectangular tracking portion 13 in the short direction, and the north-side light receiving portions are fixed to both ends of the tracking portion 13 in the longitudinal direction. The portion 51N and the south light receiving portion 51S are fixed. The east light receiving part 51E is connected to the east drive cylinder 55E via the east tube 54E, and the west light reception part 51W is connected to the west drive cylinder 55W via the west tube 54W. The east side drive cylinder 55E and the west side drive cylinder 55W can rotate the tracking portion 13 around the azimuth tracking rotation shaft 52. Further, the north side light receiving portion 51N is connected to the north side drive cylinder 55N via the north side tube 54N, and the south side light reception portion 51S is connected to the south side drive cylinder 55S via the south side tube 54S. The north side drive cylinder 55N and the south side drive cylinder 55S can rotate the tracking portion 13 around the rotation shaft 53 for elevation angle tracking.

  Since the tracking unit 13 can be rotated around the azimuth angle tracking rotation shaft 52 and the elevation angle tracking rotation shaft 53 as in the present embodiment, the sun can be tracked in the east-west and north-south directions. Can be further improved.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. is there.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 40, 50 Solar tracking device, 11 mount, 12 rotating shaft, 13 tracking part, 14 1st light-receiving part, 15 2nd light-receiving part, 16 1st drive cylinder, 17 2nd drive cylinder, 19 Heat collecting tube, 20th 1 tube, 21 2nd tube, 22 1st lever, 24 1st piston connection part, 25 2nd lever, 26 1st bearing, 27 2nd bearing, 28 3rd bearing, 29 4th bearing, 43 center shaft link, 52 Rotation axis for azimuth tracking, 53 Rotation axis for elevation tracking.

Claims (8)

A rotating shaft supported by the gantry,
A tracking unit supported rotatably about the rotation axis;
A first light receiving unit and a second light receiving unit configured to receive sunlight and fixed to the tracking unit;
A first actuator configured to rotate the tracking unit in a first direction using energy generated from sunlight received by the first light receiving unit;
A second actuator configured to be able to rotate the tracking unit in a second direction opposite to the first direction using energy generated from sunlight received by the second light receiving unit;
A solar tracking device comprising: The rotating shaft is rotatable with respect to the gantry,
The tracking unit is rotatable with respect to the rotation axis,
The first actuator is capable of rotating the rotating shaft and the tracking portion in a first direction with respect to the gantry,
The solar tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the second actuator is capable of rotating the tracking unit in a second direction with respect to the rotation axis.   The solar tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit are provided such that a light receiving surface faces outward with respect to the rotation axis.   The said 1st light-receiving part and the said 2nd light-receiving part are provided so that sunlight may inject into both of those light-receiving surfaces when the said tracking part faces the sun. The solar tracking device according to any one of the above.   5. The solar tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit have a curved light receiving surface.   When the first actuator rotates the tracking unit in the first direction, and the tracking unit exceeds a direct facing position with the sun, the second actuator rotates the tracking unit in the second direction. On the other hand, when the tracking unit exceeds the direct facing position with the sun due to the second actuator rotating the tracking unit in the second direction, the first actuator moves the tracking unit to the second position. The solar tracking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the solar tracking device is rotated in one direction.   The first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit include a reflecting surface that reflects and collects sunlight, and a heat collecting tube that receives light collected by the reflecting surface and heats an internal fluid. The solar tracking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that   The solar tracking device according to claim 7, wherein each of the first actuator and the second actuator includes a drive cylinder that expands and contracts a piston using an expansion force of a fluid heated by the heat collecting tube.

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