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US 11,630,179 B2Granted
Systems and methods of calibrating a heliostat
AssigneeLight Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorWilliam Quinn Marsh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heliostat calibration system having a system controller, and a heliostat having a heliostat controller, wherein: the system controller is configured to receive a calibration data point and initial calibration offset angle guess, calculate a tracking error, identify a calibration offset angle, and the heliostat controller configured to transmit a calibration data point, receive adjustment instructions, and execute the adjustment instructions.
Claims10
A heliostat calibration system comprising:
- a system controller, and
- a heliostat having a heliostat controller that is in communication with the system controller, wherein:
- the system controller is configured to receive a calibration data point and an initial calibration offset angle estimation, calculate a tracking error, identify a calibration offset angle, and transmit adjustment instructions to the heliostat controller,
- the heliostat controller is configured to record and transmit a calibration data point to, and receive adjustment instructions from, the system controller, and execute the adjustment instructions,
- either the system controller or the heliostat controller is configured to receive a maximum tracking error value or value range inputted by a user,
- the heliostat controller is also configured to record and transmit at least one subsequent calibration data point, which is recorded at a different time than a previous calibration data point, and
- the system controller is also configured to calculate at least one subsequent tracking error, identify a calibration offset angle, and transmit adjustment instructions to the heliostat controller until the calculated tracking error matches or is within the maximum tracking error value or value range,
- wherein the system controller is configured to calculate the tracking error by utilizing a modified reflection equation that includes an error term that is the calibration offset angle.
5 more elements
A method for calibrating a heliostat, the method comprising the steps of:
- by a system controller in communication with a heliostat controller, receiving a calibration data point, receiving an initial calibration offset angle estimation, calculating a tracking error, identifying a calibration offset angle, and transmitting adjustment instructions to the heliostat controller, and
- by the heliostat controller,
- recording and transmitting a calibration data point,
- receiving adjustment instructions from the system controller, and
- executing the adjustment instructions,
- wherein further by either the system controller or the heliostat controller, receiving a maximum tracking error value or value range inputted by a user,
- wherein further by the heliostat controller, recording and transmitting at least one subsequent calibration data point, which is recorded at a different time than a previous calibration data point,
- wherein further by the system controller, calculating at least one subsequent tracking error, identifying a calibration offset angle, and transmitting adjustment instructions to the heliostat controller until the calculated tracking error matches or is within the maximum tracking error value or value range,
- wherein the method further comprises the step of, by the system controller, calculating the tracking error by utilizing a modified reflection equation that includes an error term that is the calibration offset angle.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.