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US 11,629,521 B2Granted
Sun tracking canopy structure for autonomous shade control
AssigneeUNM Rainforest Innovations
InventorsPayman Zarkesh-Ha, Tim Pressnail
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sun tracking canopy structure having a canopy positionable to maintain a shaded area based on calculated solar elevation and azimuth.
Claims15
A sun tracking canopy structure, comprising:
- a canopy;
- a processor adapted to calculate a first solar elevation and azimuth based on the latitude and longitude coordinates of the structure at a first period of time;
- said processor adapted to calculate a second solar elevation and azimuth based on the latitude and longitude coordinates of the structure at a second period of time;
- said second period of time is later in time than said first time period and said;
- said calculated second solar elevation and azimuth is different than said first calculated solar elevation and azimuth;
- a plurality of cables, each cable having one end attached to said canopy and an opposing end connected to one of a plurality of motorized platforms and wherein each cable has a cable length defined by the distance between the motorized platform and said canopy;
- said cable length of each of said cables is different at said first period of time than at said second period of time;
- said cables are attached to self-limiting springs that are mounted to said canopy;
- said processor uses said first calculated solar elevation and azimuth and said processor uses said second calculated solar elevation and azimuth to position said canopy in a location to shade the same predetermined area at said first period of time and said second period of time;
- and
- wherein each of said motorized platforms includes a brake configured to keep said canopy stationary when said canopy is not being adjusted.
8 more elements
A method of maintaining a predetermined shaded area overtime, comprising the steps of:
- providing a processor, and a canopy connected to motorized platforms by cables;
- said processor adapted to calculate a first solar elevation and azimuth based on the latitude and longitude coordinates of a predetermined area to be shaded at a first period of time, and based on said calculation, said processor provides commands to each motorized platform to change the length of each cable so as to position said canopy to shade said predetermined area;
- later in time, said processor calculates a second solar elevation and azimuth based on the latitude and longitude coordinates of a predetermined area to be shaded at a second period of time, and based on said calculation, said processor provides commands to each motorized platform to change the length of each cable so as to position said canopy to shade said predetermined area;
- and
- wherein two of said cables form a double stranded connection point and both of said cables forming said double stranded connection point are used to position said canopy.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.