Solar timer circuit
AssigneeTexand Corporation
InventorJohn T. Thorngren
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A timing circuit is provided comprising a light sensing component operable to generate a raw solar signal, a solar signal regulator comprising a voltage regulator and a low-pass filter, the solar signal regulator coupled to the raw solar signal and generating a regulated solar signal, a comparator coupled to the regulated solar signal and a reference value, the comparator configured to assert a solar output signal when the regulated solar signal exceeds the reference value, and a timing circuit coupled to the solar output signal and configured to assert a timer output signal a preset delay duration after the solar output signal is asserted, and to maintain the timer output signal for a preset output duration.
Claims20
A timing circuit comprising:
- a light sensing component operable to generate a raw solar signal,
- a solar signal regulator comprising a voltage regulator and a low-pass filter, the solar signal regulator coupled to the raw solar signal and generating a regulated solar signal,
- a comparator coupled to the regulated solar signal and a reference value, the comparator configured to assert a solar output signal when the regulated solar signal exceeds the reference value,
- a timing circuit coupled to the solar output signal and configured to:
- assert a timer output signal a preset delay duration after the solar output signal is asserted, and
- to maintain the timer output signal for a preset output duration, and
- a battery charging voltage regulator coupled between the raw solar signal and a battery connection terminal operable to supply a battery charging current.
A timing circuit comprising:
- a light sensing component operable to generate a raw solar signal,
- a solar signal regulator comprising a voltage regulator and a low-pass filter, the solar signal regulator coupled to the raw solar signal and generating a regulated solar signal,
- a processor with an input coupled to the regulated solar signal and an output representing a solar output signal, and
- a non-transient memory coupled to the processor comprising instructions that when executed on the processor perform steps comprising:
- determining a dawn event based at least in part on a non-transient regulated solar signal,
- waiting a preset delay duration after the dawn event, and
- after the preset delay, asserting the solar output signal for a preset output duration.
A method of timing comprising:
- receiving a solar signal generated by a light sensing component,
- comparing the solar signal to a predetermined threshold to regulate the solar signal,
- applying a low-pass filter to the solar signal to eliminate transient values,
- determining a dawn event based at least in part on the non-transient regulated solar signal,
- waiting a preset delay duration after the dawn event, and
- after the preset delay, asserting a solar output signal for a preset output duration.
A timing circuit comprising:
- a light sensing component operable to generate a raw solar signal,
- a solar signal regulator comprising a voltage regulator and a low-pass filter, the solar signal regulator coupled to the raw solar signal and generating a regulated solar signal,
- a comparator coupled to the regulated solar signal and a reference value, the comparator configured to assert a solar output signal when the regulated solar signal exceeds the reference value,
- a timing circuit coupled to the solar output signal and configured to:
- assert a timer output signal a preset delay duration after the solar output signal is asserted, and
- to maintain the timer output signal for a preset output duration, and
- an electrical isolation interface coupling the timer output signal with a power supply to drive a motor control output operable to drive a motor for throwing feed wherein the electrical isolation interface protects the timing circuit from induced power spikes produced by the motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.