Patent · US Active

Shadow detection apparatus using fiber optics for solar-based power generation plants

US8395279B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by

6References

20Claims

0Family size

Assignee

General Electric Company · US

Inventors

Yaru Najem Mendez Hernandez · Bad Abbach, DE
Oliver Mayer · Munich, DE
Marcus Zettl · Bayern, DE
Omar Stern · Garching bei München, DE
Toby Ferenczi · London, GB
Michael Schmidt · Boston, US

Key dates

Filing date	Jun 15, 2011
Grant date	Mar 12, 2013
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Sep 14, 2031

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY02E10/56
WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A solar-based power generation system may include an array of components responsive to solar radiance. The components may be disposed over respective locations on a field. The system may further include a plurality of optical fibers having respective first ends coupled to the array of components and arranged to receive solar radiance. The plurality of optical fibers may have respective second ends arranged to output respective optical signals indicative of respective levels of solar radiance over the respective locations of the field. Opto-electrical circuitry may be coupled to receive the respective optical signals from the plurality of optical fibers and generate a respective signal indicative of a shadow condition present over at least one or more of the respective locations of the field.

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