Tilt Sensor and Method of Use
OwnerDavid Correia, Jim Braig +1inventors
InventorsDavid Correia, Jim Braig, Arthur M. Shulenberger
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Abstract
This invention relates to a system for tracking a solar energy collector and diagnosing the solar collector's operational status. More specifically, it relates to a system employing a 3-axis accelerometer to determine the orientation of a solar collector, the vibration experienced by that solar collector, whether that solar collector has experienced an impact, and initiating system position control and diagnostics based on that information.
Claims18
A sensor system for a solar collector, the system comprising:
- an accelerometer and a microprocessor;
- wherein said accelerometer is mounted on a solar collector and provides data to said microprocessor, and said microprocessor employs an algorithm and said data to determine the orientation of said solar collector.
A solar collector assembly, the system comprising:
- A plurality of mechanically linked solar collectors, an accelerometer, and a microprocessor;
- wherein said accelerometer is mounted on one of said plurality of solar collectors and provides data to said microprocessor, and said microprocessor employs said data to determine the orientation of said solar collector.
A sensor system for a moveable structure, the system comprising:
- an accelerometer, a microprocessor, and an algorithm;
- wherein said accelerometer is mounted on a structure and provides data to said microprocessor, and said microprocessor employs said algorithm and said data to determine the orientation of said structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.