초록

A solid-state control system for the control of a collector array, the system incorporating a sun-tracking mode, de-focusing at excessive temperatures, returning to a stand-by position after sunset, and prepositioning at sunrise.

대표청구항 ▼

A sun-tracking system for controlling the position of one or more solar collectors comprising: motor means for moving one or more solar collectors in unison to follow the sun, a control system for said motor means comprising a pair of light sensitive photo diodes for mounting on the solar collector,

A sun-tracking system for controlling the position of one or more solar collectors comprising: motor means for moving one or more solar collectors in unison to follow the sun, a control system for said motor means comprising a pair of light sensitive photo diodes for mounting on the solar collector, said diodes being isolated from each other such that when one of said diodes is directionally aligned with the sun the associated collector is directed toward the sun, the other of said diodes being directly aligned with the sun when the associated collecTor is in a non-aligning position with the sun, first and second directional sensing amplifiers connected to receive output signals from said first and second diodes, respectively, a night shut-down amplifier, a pre-positioning amplifier, a summing amplifier having a plurality of input terminals for receiving positive or negative output signals from said first and second directional sensing amplifier, said night shut-down amplifier and said pre-positioning amplifier and generating an output signal at an output terminal in response thereto, an inverting amplifier circuit and a non-inverting amplifier circuit, the output of said summing amplifier being connected to said inverting amplifier and to said non-inverting amplifier, a pair of motion limit control circuits having input terminals one connected to an output terminal of each of said inverting amplifier circuit and said non-inverting amplifier circuit for energizing either depending on the polarity of the output of said summing amplifier, a directional relay driver connected to an output terminal of said inverting amplifier circuit, a first motor control circuit for causing said motor means connected to said inverting amplifier circuit to rotate in a given direction when said inverting amplifier circuit generates a given output signal, said non-inverting amplifier when generating a given output signal energizing said motor means causing said motor means to rotate in a reverse direction, the output terminals of said pair of motion limit control means being connected to said motor means for controlling said motor means to cause movement of the associated collector in opposing directions, said night shut-down amplifier energizing said pre-positioning amplifier when a signal representing lack of sun rays is sensed, said pre-positioning amplifier actuating said summing amplifier to energize said motor means to rotate the associated collectors in said reverse direction to a given position for receiving the morning sun rays the following day.