System and method for detecting heliostat failures using artificial light sources
US9372159B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jun 21, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 10, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/47
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method for detecting heliostat failures in a concentrating solar plant, the system comprising a plurality of stationary lights and cameras mounted to towers that surround, or are situated within, a field of heliostats. Heliostats may be commanded via a control system to move to a position wherein light may be expected to be reflected from a given stationary light to a given camera, whereupon a first set of images of the heliostat are taken. Heliostats may then be commanded via the control system to move to a position wherein light may no longer be expected to be reflected from said stationary light to said camera, whereupon a second set of images of the heliostat are taken. An image processor may search the first and second set of images to determine if reflected light is present. If reflected light from said stationary light is not found in the images, the heliostat may be determined to have experienced a failure mode. Failed heliostats may then be flagged for inspection, repair, or replacement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.