System and method for determining orientation based on solar positioning
First Claim
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1. A system for determining the orientation of an object relative to a source of electromagnetic radiation comprising:
- a two-dimensional array of sensors, each of the sensors producing a corresponding output signal when placed in the path of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source;
a radiation director that directs the electromagnetic radiation from the source onto the two-dimensional array of sensors; and
a controller that receives the output signals of the sensors, and that determines the orientation of the object relative to the source based on the output signals of the sensors.
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Abstract
Determination of the orientation of a unit is based on solar positioning. An actual measurement of the position of the sun is taken and compared to a theoretical determination of the position of the sun. By comparing the actual and theoretical positions, the orientation of the unit is determined in an accurate, reliable, and economical manner.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A system for determining the orientation of an object relative to a source of electromagnetic radiation comprising:
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a two-dimensional array of sensors, each of the sensors producing a corresponding output signal when placed in the path of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source; a radiation director that directs the electromagnetic radiation from the source onto the two-dimensional array of sensors; and a controller that receives the output signals of the sensors, and that determines the orientation of the object relative to the source based on the output signals of the sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for determining the orientation of an object relative to a source of electromagnetic radiation comprising:
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a housing constructed and arranged to be positioned at a stationary, earth-based location; a two-dimensional array of sensors positioned in the housing, each of the sensors producing a corresponding output signal when placed in the path of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source; a radiation director on the housing that directs the electromagnetic radiation from the source onto the two-dimensional array of sensors; and a controller that receives the output signals of the sensors, and that determines the orientation of the object including the housing relative to the source based on the output signals of the sensors. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for determining the orientation of an object relative to a source of electromagnetic radiation comprising:
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positioning the object at a stationary, earth-based location; directing electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source through a radiation director onto a two-dimensional array of sensors contained in the object, each of the sensors producing a corresponding output signal when placed in the path of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source; determining the orientation of the object relative to the source based on the sensor output signals. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification