Kirigami-based multi-axis tracking devices and systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11831272-B2
Application number	US-202117396110-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 6, 2021
Priority date	Aug 6, 2020
Publication date	Nov 28, 2023
Grant date	Nov 28, 2023

Abstract

A device includes a support structure having a plurality of concentric cuts through the support structure that define a set of structure sections. The device also includes an insert assembly supported by the support structure at an inner structure section of the set of structure sections. The inner structure section is configured to tilt the insert assembly at a tilt angle in accordance with a displacement of a first outer structure section of the set of structure sections.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device comprising:
a support structure having a plurality of concentric cuts through the support structure that define a set of structure sections; and
an insert assembly supported by the support structure at an inner structure section of the set of structure sections, the inner structure section being disposed between two substantially parallel outer structure sections of the set of structure sections,
wherein the inner structure section is configured to tilt the insert assembly at a tilt angle in accordance with a displacement along a plane of a first outer structure section of the two substantially parallel outer structure sections, and wherein the insert assembly is configured to tilt along one or more axes based on a deformation of the inner structure section.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first outer structure section is configured to be displaced in one or more lateral directions, and wherein the inner structure section is configured to be deformed based on a displacement of the first outer structure section.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the first outer structure section is planar shaped and wherein the one or more lateral directions are along the plane of the first outer structure section.

4. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a second outer structure section of the two substantially parallel outer structure sections, the second outer structure section being substantially parallel to the first outer structure section.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the first or second outer structure section is a fixed outer structure section and the other outer structure section of the first or second outer structure section is configured to be displaced in one or more lateral directions relative to the fixed outer structure section.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the insert assembly is configured to tilt to perform optical tracking.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the optical tracking is solar tracking.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the insert assembly comprises an active device and a concentrator, the concentrator being a reflective device configured to concentrate emissions from a source to a focal point.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the active device of the insert assembly is positioned at the focal point and configured to capture the concentrated emissions.

10. The device of claim 8 , wherein the concentrator and the plurality of concentric cuts have a common central axis.

11. The device of claim 8 , wherein a geometry of the concentrator corresponds to a geometry of the inner structure section, such that the inner structure section is configured to receive the concentrator.

12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a compliant mechanism having a collapsible cone-like spring structure.

13. The device of claim 8 , wherein the active device comprises a photovoltaic cell.

14. The device of claim 1 , wherein the insert assembly comprises an emission device and a reflector, the reflector being a reflective device configured to reflect emissions from the emission device.

15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the emission device comprises a light emitting diode.

16. The device of claim 14 , wherein the emission device comprises an acoustic transmitter.

17. The device of claim 1 , wherein the insert assembly comprises a lens, the lens being configured to focus emissions from a source to a focal area.

18. The device of claim 17 , further comprising an active device positioned at the focal area and configured to capture the focused emissions.

19. The device of claim 18 , wherein the focal area is positioned on the first outer structure section.

20. A tracking system comprising:
a processor;
a memory in which tracking instructions, emission source data, and calibration data are stored;
a plurality of tracking modules, each tracking module of the plurality of tracking modules comprising:
a kirigami support structure having a plurality of concentric cuts through the kirigami support structure, the kirigami support structure having a base portion and a top portion parallel to the base portion; and
an insert assembly supported by the kirigami support structure between the top portion of the kirigami support structure and the base portion of the kirigami support structure, the insert assembly being operable to tilt based on a displacement along a plane of the base portion of the kirigami support structure or the top portion of the kirigami support structure, the insert assembly comprising a concentrator and an active device, the concentrator being a reflective device configured to concentrate emissions from a source to a focal point, wherein the active device is positioned at the focal point and configured to capture the concentrated emissions; and

an actuator coupled to the plurality of tracking modules,
wherein execution of the tracking instructions by the processor causes the actuator to displace the plurality of tracking modules based on the emission source data and calibration data.

21. The tracking system of claim 20 , wherein the displacement of the plurality of tracking modules comprises a lateral displacement of the base portion of the kirigami support structure or the top portion of the kirigami support structure in one or more lateral directions, such that the insert assembly is operable to tilt along one or more axes.

22. The tracking system of claim 20 , further comprising a plurality of electrodes connecting respective active devices and respective kirigami support structures of the plurality of tracking modules, the plurality of electrodes being routed between adjacent cuts of the plurality of concentric cuts of the respective kirigami support structures.

23. The tracking system of claim 22 , wherein the active device comprises a photovoltaic cell, and wherein the plurality of electrodes are configured to transmit electricity generated by the respective active devices of the plurality of tracking modules.

24. The tracking system of claim 20 , further comprising a first transparent pane attached to the top portion of the kirigami support structure and a second transparent pane attached to the base portion of the kirigami support structure.

25. A solar tracking device comprising: a kirigami spring having a plurality of concentric cuts that define a cone-shaped structure;
a concentrator supported by a middle portion of the kirigami spring;
a solar sensor arranged in a central portion of the concentrator; and
a panel coupled to a top surface of the kirigami spring,
wherein a bottom portion of the kirigami spring is configured to translate along a plane parallel to the panel in one or more lateral directions,
wherein the concentrator and the solar sensor are configured to tilt at a tilt angle along one or more axes depending on a translation of the bottom portion of the kirigami spring and based on a deformation of the middle portion of the kirigami spring, such that the solar sensor is operable to track solar radiation.

Assignees

• Univ Michigan Regents

Inventors

• Shtein Max
• Evke Erin
• Arwashan Michael
• Huang Chao

Classifications

• H02S20/32 Primary

  specially adapted for solar tracking · CPC title

• F24S50/20

  for tracking · CPC title

• F24S50/80

  for controlling collection or absorption of solar radiation · CPC title

• F24S2030/10

  Special components · CPC title

• F24S30/00

  Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules · CPC title