Sunlight intensity or cloud detection with variable distance sensing
US10234596B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 2015 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02A90/10
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Certain aspects pertain to a cloud detector comprising a first detector module directed to a first region of the sky and a second detector module directed to a second region of the sky. Each detector module has a tube enclosing one or more sensing elements. The one or more sensing elements of the first detector module are configured to take weather condition readings from the first region of the sky. The one or more sensing elements of the second detector module are configured to take weather condition readings from the second region of the sky. In one aspect, the cloud detector is configured to detect cloud cover based on these weather condition readings. In some cases, the one or more sensing elements comprise an infrared radiation detector (e.g., thermopile) for measuring infrared radiation intensity and a photosensor element for measuring sunlight intensity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.