Abstract
A multi-mirror solar cooker using a new tracking mechanism having an integrated structure for collectively driving plural reflectors is discussed, and prototypes are prepared. The solar cooker consists of the reflectors having respective vertical bars for rotating the reflectors around respective fulcrums, driving plates for collectively driving the vertical bars, a guide plate which guides the vertical bars, and a central pole for holding a pan. Because the solar cooker can be easily assembled or dismantled by a user, it can be compactly packed for transportation. Sunlight is concentrated to the pan in the focal area above the center of the guide plate, in which the bottom part of the pan is mainly heated by the concentrated sunlight even when the altitude angle of the sun is low, which facilitates solar cooking in winter. The heating power or the temperature can be adjusted in a defocusing mode by shifting each driving plate. One target is a handy compact solar cooker. Another target is a high-power central-receiver multi-minor solar cooker, in which a number of reflectors are arranged in lines and rows.
