Self-calibrating solar position sensor
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing accurate and real-time azimuth and elevation signals to a solar device for improved efficiency comprising:
- a solar position sensor having a pin hole disk separated from a position sensing diode by an extension tube of a known length, said sensor capable of generating voltage signals that are indicative of the sun'"'"'s measured Y centroid value, measured Y intensity value, measured X centroid value and measured X intensity value; and
a computing device having a clock for generating a time signal, a non-transitory memory for storing the voltage signal values from said solar position sensor and storing the time signal value from the clock that is indicative of the time that the voltage signal values are generated, a processor for analyzing the fidelity of the voltage signal values, and an output device for delivering output signals to the solar device that are indicative of a calculated azimuth and a calculated elevation of the sun for accurate and real-time positioning of the solar device during all sun visibility conditions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sun positioning sensor and method of accurately tracking the sun are disclosed. The sensor includes a position sensing diode and a disk having a body defining an aperture for accepting solar light. An extension tube having a body that defines a duct spaces the position sensing diode from the disk such that the solar light enters the aperture in the disk, travels through the duct in the extension tube and strikes the position sensing diode. The extension tube has a known length that is fixed. Voltage signals indicative of the location and intensity of the sun are generated by the position sensing diode. If it is determined that the intensity values are unreliable, then historical position values are used from a table. If the intensity values are deemed reliable, then actual position values are used from the position sensing diode.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing accurate and real-time azimuth and elevation signals to a solar device for improved efficiency comprising:
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a solar position sensor having a pin hole disk separated from a position sensing diode by an extension tube of a known length, said sensor capable of generating voltage signals that are indicative of the sun'"'"'s measured Y centroid value, measured Y intensity value, measured X centroid value and measured X intensity value; and a computing device having a clock for generating a time signal, a non-transitory memory for storing the voltage signal values from said solar position sensor and storing the time signal value from the clock that is indicative of the time that the voltage signal values are generated, a processor for analyzing the fidelity of the voltage signal values, and an output device for delivering output signals to the solar device that are indicative of a calculated azimuth and a calculated elevation of the sun for accurate and real-time positioning of the solar device during all sun visibility conditions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification