Method and apparatus for controllably positioning a solar concentrator
US6704607B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/47
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method, apparatus, control system and computer program product are provided for controllably positioning the solar concentrator. The method, apparatus, control system and computer program product determine the respective errors generated by more and different error sources than prior techniques, including error sources selected from the group consisting of a gravitational residue error, an elevation transfer function error and an error attributable to atmospheric refraction. Based upon the respective errors, the method, apparatus, control system and computer program product determine an elevation command and an azimuth command to compensate for the vertical error and the horizontal error between the centerline of the solar concentrator and the sun reference vector such that the solar concentrator can be more precisely positioned, thereby improving the efficiency with which the solar concentrator collects solar energy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.