US 2012/0266938 A1Published application

Solar tracking system and method for concentrated photovoltaic (cpv) systems

AssigneeAspect Solar Pte Ltd

InventorsESMOND T. GOEI, TAO ZHAO

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Abstract

A system and method for tracking a position of the Sun includes a solar tracker controller that generates directional control signals responsive to sensing signals. A solar tracking algorithm controls operation of the solar tracker controller responsive to the sensing signals. The solar tracking algorithm includes a rough tracking mode of operation for causing a pointing axis of at least one solar receiver to point generally in a direction of the Sun as indicated by the sensing signals. A searching mode of operation positions the at least one solar receiver such that sunlight falls on at least one solar cell of the receiver. A fine tracking mode of operation positions a pointing axis of the at least one solar receiver responsive to the feedback signal from the at least one solar receiver.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A system, comprising:

at least one solar receiver including at least one solar cell, the at least one solar receiver having a pointing axis associated therewith and generating a feedback signal;
a solar tracker driver for positioning the at least one solar receiver to direct the pointing axis in a selected direction responsive to directional control signals;
at least one tracking sensor for tracking a parameter relating to a position of a Sun and generating a sensing signal responsive thereto;
a solar tracker controller for generating the directional control signals responsive to the sensing signals;
and
a solar tracking algorithm for controlling operation of the solar tracker controller responsive to the sensing signals and the feedback signal, the solar tracking algorithm including a rough tracking mode of operation for causing the pointing axis of the at least one solar receiver to point generally in a direction of the Sun as indicated by the sensing signals, the solar tracking algorithm further including a searching mode of operation to position the at least one solar receiver such that sunlight falls on at least one of the at least one solar cells, the solar tracking algorithm further including a fine tracking mode of operation for positioning the pointing axis of the at least one solar receiver responsive to the feedback signal from the at least one solar receiver.

3 more elements

A method for tracking a position of a Sun with at least one solar receiver, comprising:

receiving sensor data from at least one tracking sensors that tracks a position of a Sun;
positioning a pointing axis of the at least one solar receiver responsive to the sensor data, the step of positioning further comprising:
positioning the pointing axis in a rough tracking mode generally in a direction of the sun responsive to the sensor data;
searching for a position of the at least one solar receiver placing sunlight on a solar cell of the at least one solar receiver;
and
positioning the pointing axis in a fine tracking mode responsive to at least one feedback signal from the at least one solar receiver.

3 more elements

A method for tracking a position of a Sun with at least one solar receiver, comprising:

receiving sensor data from at least one tracking sensors that tracks a position of a Sun;
initiating a rough tracking mode of operation, the rough tracking mode of operation further including the steps of:
(a) detecting a light energy at each of the at least one tracking sensors;
(b) moving the pointing axis to a position associated with a tracking sensor detecting a strongest level of light energy if the light energy is not substantially equal at each of the at least one tracking sensors and repeating step (a);
and
(c) exiting the rough tracking mode of operation if the light energy is substantially equal at each of the at least one tracking sensors for a predetermined period of time;
initiating a search mode of operation, the search mode of operation further including the steps of:
determining if sunlight is falling on a solar cell of the at least one solar receiver;
driving the pointing axis through a search pattern until it is determined the concentrated sunlight is falling on the solar cell of the at least one solar receiver;
ceasing the search pattern when it is determined that sunlight is falling on the solar cell of the at least one solar receiver;
initiating a fine search mode of operation, the fine search mode further including the steps of:
moving the pointing axis along a first axis of the solar receiver to determine a first position providing a first maximum value of the at least one feedback signal;
moving the pointing axis along a second axis of the solar receiver to determine a second position providing a second maximum value of the at least one feedback signal, the second axis being perpendicular to the first axis;
and
maintaining the pointing axis at the second position for a period of time.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/445,624Filed 12 Apr 2012
Priority: 25 Apr 2011
Published: 25 Oct 2012
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

H10F 77/488
Directly associated or integrated with photovoltaic cells, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means: reflecting…
F24S 30/452
With two rotation axes: vertical primary axis
F24S 40/55
Preventing overheating or overpressure: arrangements for cooling, e.g. by using external heat dissipating means or internal cooling circuits
F24S 50/20
Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors: for tracking

Family

Application61/478,597Us provisional application · filed 25 Apr 2011
US 2012/0266938 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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