Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Photocell controls its own optical systems
Patent
1978-06-16
1980-08-26
Nelms, David C.
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Photocell controls its own optical systems
126425, 126439, G01J 120
Patent
active
042197295
ABSTRACT:
A method of surveying a solar field which has a large number of heliostats using a laser beam which originates directly below the heat receptor on the tower and can be controlled to aim towards any one of the mirrors in the field. The reflected light from this mirror is analyzed, with an array of photocells which are mounted on the doors which close across the window of the heat receptor, to control both the azimuth and elevation of both the mirror and the laser gun in order to cause the beam to be aimed at the center of the mirror and the laser image centered on the receptor. This permits surveying the field for the purpose of using computer control of the mirror during normal daytime operation.
Moreover, not only is the array of photocells on the window used for surveying the field during night time operation, but they are also used to determine the coordinate transformation between the geometry of the field and the geometry of the earth by tracking the sun during daytime operation. Lastly the system with a microprocessor on each heliostat is used for tracking the sun in an open control mode for all normal hours of operation of the power plant.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3432671 (1969-03-01), Edmonds
patent: 3470377 (1969-09-01), Le Febre et al.
patent: 3494699 (1970-02-01), Gloge
patent: 3549890 (1969-01-01), Keller
patent: 4144505 (1979-03-01), Angelbeck et al.
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