The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 02, 1976
Filed:
Sep. 15, 1975
Robert Neidigh, Bremen, IN (US);
Wheelabrator-Frye, Inc., Mishawaka, IN (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for producing mechanical energy utilizing the sun's rays is disclosed. The apparatus includes a continuously rotating structure having a plurality of thermally actuated pump units, consisting of a temperature sensitive cell and a piston assembly, mounted thereon. A focusing means concentrates solar rays on a number of the cells causing the expansion of material contained in each cell, resulting in the extension of a piston rod, the compression of a cylinder within the piston assembly and the transfer of fluid contained therein to a high pressure accumulator for operating hydraulic motors or the like. When rotated from under the focusing means, the cell cools resulting in a decrease in volume of the expansible material and a retraction of the piston rod causing fluid to enter the piston assembly from a reservoir. The pump unit is thus prepared for another cycle of operation beginning when the rotatable structure has completed a full revolution and the cell is again exposed to the focused rays of the sun.