LIGHT SOURCE TRACKER
First Claim
1. Apparatus for tracking a light source comprising:
- a support column;
a platform rotatably mounted to said support column and having a sight axis extending perpendicular from said platform;
a base slidably received on said support column for motion along an axis thereof;
a plurality of linear actuators equally angularly spaced about said column, each actuator rotatably mounted at one location to said platform and rotatably mounted at a second location to said base;
at least one sensor for each actuator, each sensor responsive to incident radiant energy, said sensors arranged to directly receive energy from said light source in different lateral sectors of said platform when said sight axis intersects the light source and not having line-of-sight access to any other of said sensors; and
a controller for each associated sensor and actuator, each controller generating a signal to extend an associated actuator when incident radiant energy above a predetermined level is received by said sensor and to retract when incident radiant energy is below said predetermined level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tracking device for automatically following a moving light source that is detectable in the presence of ambient light. A carrier platform including one or more radiant energy conversion devices and a sensor array is mounted to an upright support column with a universal joint. Three independently-operated, linear actuators are equally angularly spaced about the support column with an upper end connected to the carrier platform with a universal hinge and a lower end connected to a floating base with a spherical hinge. A sensor array carried by the carrier platform includes a primary sensor associated with each actuator. During operation, when a primary sensor is not receiving direct radiant energy, the actuator retracts, and when it is receiving radiant energy directly, the actuator extends. The result is that the platform will directly track the sun across the horizon.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. Apparatus for tracking a light source comprising:
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a support column; a platform rotatably mounted to said support column and having a sight axis extending perpendicular from said platform; a base slidably received on said support column for motion along an axis thereof; a plurality of linear actuators equally angularly spaced about said column, each actuator rotatably mounted at one location to said platform and rotatably mounted at a second location to said base; at least one sensor for each actuator, each sensor responsive to incident radiant energy, said sensors arranged to directly receive energy from said light source in different lateral sectors of said platform when said sight axis intersects the light source and not having line-of-sight access to any other of said sensors; and a controller for each associated sensor and actuator, each controller generating a signal to extend an associated actuator when incident radiant energy above a predetermined level is received by said sensor and to retract when incident radiant energy is below said predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification