High torque solar motor

Abstract

A frame having two or more thin elongate vanes mounted thereon and a shaft for supporting the frame for rotation so that each of the two opposite surfaces of the vanes is sequentially exposed to heat energy from the sun or the like. One surface is an absorbtive surface, exposure of which effects heating and expansion of the vane. The other surface is reflective surface, exposure of which permits cooling and contraction of the vane. When the vane contracts, the contraction sets up substantial tensile forces within the vane, and the invention includes a linkage interlinking the vane and the shaft so that the tensile force is converted to rotative force to sustain rotation of the frame. The frame has a power takeoff so that useful work is produced. Two mechanisms for interlinking the tensile force in the vanes to rotative motion are disclosed. One mechanism includes a spring which urges the vane to a deflected condition and when the vane contracts during cooling the tensile force is transmitted through a gear train to store energy in the spring and to effect rotation through a first overrunning clutch mechanism. When the vane heats and expands due to exposure to solar energy, the vane expands and the spring moves the linkage in the opposite direction, such movement being coupled to the shaft through a second overrunning clutch of opposite orientation to the first one. The second mechanism converts the tensile force in the vane through a lever to a roller and cam arrangement which produces rotary movement.