Patent · US Expired

Solar energy device and method

US4218139A · kind A · utility

44Cited by
1References
5Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 5, 1978
Grant dateAug 19, 1980
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 5, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01J1/42
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A device and method are disclosed for measuring solar energy during a testing period which uses a cell to provide an electrical signal in response to received solar energy and a resistor connected to the cell for providing an adjusted electrical signal at a valve chosen to represent a specified value of solar energy. A pulse train is provided which has a reduced frequency proportional to the adjusted electrical signal, the number of pulses are counted and this accumulated number is displayed, the number being representative of the solar energy received by the cell during the testing period. Batteries are used to supply power to the device and a normally open switch activates the display which is normally inactive during the testing period to conserve the life of the battery.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.