OEM/ODM Manufacturer TU-1J02 thermal wax actuator for electric switch valve for Finland Factory

Also see my new video where I show a use with a parabolic dish mirror.

Here is an idea of how to possibly steer a heliostat mirror onto a fixed receiver/collector.

If anyone has built one (usually a basic “solar tracker” for a PV panel) that tracks the sun reasonably well using leds, photocells (ie. photoresistors) , or silicon photovoltaic cells, then that is the practically the same electronic sensor and steering mechanism in mind for this heliostat idea, except that it takes the sensors and places them near/on the collector/receiver/target – hopefully eliminating the more complex electronics necesssary to aim the sunlight onto the collector. The main reason is wholesale cost. This needs to be cheap for people to be interested, to save money, and possibly a “home kit” or do-it-yourself system to even make it cheaper.

I’m thinking that it may or may not need a basic “logic gate” (like AND, OR, etc) circuit/chip for the light/shade signals and combinations. Probably not, but it could enhance the system if needed.

What’s the big deal about this? If could mean taking your 1500W solar air heater (what I had in mind when I thought of this idea…and a one heliostat system per feedback loop) and turning it into one that has between 1500W and3000W of free heat. Think of the other uses: solar photovoltaic electricity, solar water heating, solar lighting, solar cooking, solar drying, did I miss anything?

Using a fixed small mirror on the side of a parabolic dish, it can reflect the light to some sensors (obviously not at the focus, but out of the way of the light to the parabolic reflector) that can be used to determine how the dish should be steered. Perhaps an initial manual adjustment would be necessary at the start of each day to reduce the cost of the system.

It’s always possible it’s been published elsewhere, so I’ll have to try to find where (ie. one thats not currently been placed on their own websiste, but one of unafiliated national publication, and dated and then known about), it seems to be possibly the simplest and cheapest electrical system possible without advanced computer control. If so, then at least this is my version/addition of it for the green energy community here on YouTube.

More: https://www.pi-usa.us/blog/
Positioning Technologies to Move the Nano World
In Astronomy, what appears to be a question of unfathomable distances microscopically small movements play the crucial role, keeping the telescope perfectly aligned with stars over long periods of time requires high precision motion and advanced control systems.
PI hexapods, six legged platforms offer highly accurate adjustment in all 6 degrees of freedom to achieve this.
A more down-to-earth example for precision motion: machining of automotive engine parts. The continuously higher demands on efficiency and environmental protection require higher precision components. Here, non-circular (out-of-round) turning of pistons, requires a level of accuracy and high-speed coordination, that can now easily be reached by solid-state piezoceramic drive technology.
The mass production of electronic components continues to shrink structures down to the nanometer realm. Silicon chip production and now silicon photonics production is the commercialization of nanotechnology on a large scale.
Biotech, nanotech and neuroscience and medicine research and development happen in the sub molecular realm. Sometimes it’s a question of displacing or manipulating individual atoms here the Nano world becomes tangible and it would also be fiction without Nanopositioning technology from PI.
Piezo technology is crucial for moving the Nano world.
At the heart of piezo electric positioning technology is that piezo ceramic actuator. It has a crystalline structure which expands slightly when an electric potential is applied.
Known as the inverse piezo electric effect this property is exploited by Nanopositioning technology. Changing the drive voltage applied, very precisely controlled motion can be performed.
Most of PI’s precision piezo mechanics use the prize-winning PICMA series multi-layer actuators, that are also employed on the Mars Rover.
Friction free flexure guidelines combined with lever-motion-amplification increases travel ranges to over thousand microns and also makes possible guiding accuracies in the nanometer range.
An example where this type of precision is required is the fine adjustment of microscope lenses. They exceed the speed and precision of conventional motor drives many times over
PI precision positioning systems are available in many variations with travel ranges from a few too many hundreds of millimeters with parallel kinematics and with up to six motion axis, and with air bearings.
PI motion systems are also used in dynamics applications for example in digital image processing.
Extended travel ranges can be achieved with a number of different piezo motor designs, e.g. PiezoWalk drives. Where highest resolution, dynamics and lifetime are prime requirements, such as for the semiconductor industry, the innovative NEXLINE piezo walking drives provide benefits.
For high-speed applications, ultrasonic piezo motors provide advantages which derive motion from inaudible high-speed nanometric oscillations generated by a piezo transducer and converted into linear or rotary motion
Now returning to the unfathomable distances where parallel kinematics from PI are what make possible the highly precise motion of this astronomical telescope.
The parent company PI owns subsidiaries in most highly industrialized countries around the world plus is a represented by a comprehensive global network of distributors
PI’s roots and headquarters are to be found in Karlsruhe, Germany a region known for high-tech development and the company’s new tech center with its inspiring atmosphere are centered virtually all the enterprises strategic fields of activity.
Research development and production profit from the synergy that comes from close proximity to one of the world’s leading regions for precision engineering.

Experienced and highly specialized know-how are used to develop and build the positioning systems system. Behavior can be predicted with precision even before the first prototype is built
As modern as the products themselves as the manufacturing department of PI. Production units called Fractals operate freely doing their own warehousing procurement production and metrology.
The advantages of this structure are not only organizational, it also strengthens motivation and team spirit.
PI’s piezo ceramic research, development and manufacturing activities are located in the town of Lederhose, Thuringia, in region with 100 years of ceramics manufacturing history.
Providing not only the motion engines for PI’s positioning systems, PI Ceramic also manufactures piezo transducers for completely different applications such as vibration sensing, level sensing and distance gauging.

ISO 9001 quality standards provide the basis for all activities, a fundamental principle at PI and an important pillar of worldwide technological leadership.