Self-tracking mechanisms for solar collectors

摘要

A self-tracking mechanism for a solar collector comprises a plurality of sensor concentrators arranged side by side and a plurality of shape memory alloy coils each located at a position coincident with the focal line of the corresponding one of sensor concentrators. The shape memory alloy coil is treated so as to shrink into a memorized shape when heated. Each of a plurality of tension wires have one end connected to one end of the shape memory alloy coil and the other end wound up on a wire drum which is mounted on a drive shaft. A transfer mechanism is operatively connected to the drive shaft for transferring the rotation of the drive shaft to a rotatable main collector.