Stabilization of a heliostat output mirror using an inertial reference beam
US9158045B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 10, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N23/60
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A heliostat including a mirror configured to reflect light directed towards a first surface of the mirror, the light being external to the heliostat, the first surface being opposite a second surface of the mirror. A control mechanism is connected to the mirror and configured to change at least two angles of the mirror. An inertial reference unit is in communication with the control mechanism and configured to produce a beam and use the beam to optically sample the second surface of the mirror, the beam at least reflecting from the second surface. The control mechanism is configured to use data from the beam and the inertial reference unit to control the least two angles such that a virtual beam from the inertial reference unit remains about co-aligned with a line of sight vector of the mirror when the heliostat is subjected to an exogenous disturbance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.