Solar access measurement device
AssigneeSolmetric Corporation
InventorWillard S. MacDonald
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A Solar Access Measurement Device (“SAMD”) located at a predetermined position is disclosed. The SAMD may include a skyline detector enabled to detect a skyline of a horizon relative to the SAMD, an orientation determination unit enabled to determine the orientation of the skyline detector, and a processor in signal communication with the skyline detector and orientation determination unit.
Claims28
A Solar Access Measurement Device (“SAMD”) located at a predetermined position, the SAMD comprising:
- a skyline detector enabled to detect a skyline of a horizon relative to the SAMD;
- an orientation determination unit enabled to determine magnetic orientation and inclination of the skyline detector;
- and
- a processor in signal communication with the skyline detector and the orientation determination unit, the processor enabled to determine the solar access of the predetermined location by calculating the position of the sun at different times of the day and year relative to the skyline.
A method for determining solar radiation access at a predetermined location with a Solar Access Measurement Device (“SAMD”), the method comprising:
- capturing an image that includes a skyline;
- measuring magnetic orientation and inclination of the captured image;
- processing the captured image to locate the skyline in the captured image;
- determining paths of the sun throughout a range of times of day and days of year for a particular latitude of the predetermined location;
- and
- determining the amount of solar radiation that will impinge the predetermined location throughout the range.
A method for determining solar radiation exposure at a predetermined location utilizing a Solar Access Measurement Device (“SAMD”), the method comprising:
- course adjusting an orientation of the SAMD to within a designated window;
- capturing an image with the SAMD;
- establishing latitude of the SAMD;
- locating exposed sky in the image;
- calculating sun paths over one or more designated time periods based on the latitude;
- and
- mapping the sun paths onto the captured image.
A Solar Access Measurement Device (“SAMD”) comprising:
- a skyline detector;
- a latitude input;
- a three-dimensional orientation of the SAMD within a designated window;
- a processor operable for determining solar exposure of a location of the SAMD by analyzing the position of the sun at different times of day and days of year relative to the skyline;
- and
- an output device for conveying the solar exposure.
An apparatus comprising:
- a skyline detector enabled to detect a skyline;
- a position input;
- a three-dimensional orientation of the apparatus;
- a database of satellite locations;
- a processor in communication with the database and operable for analyzing the skyline to determine if a satellite is obstructed by the skyline;
- and
- an output device for conveying results of the determination.
An apparatus comprising:
- a calibrated electronic camera in communication with a first processor operable for capturing an image from the electronic camera;
- an orientation determination unit in communication with the calibrated electronic camera and enabled to determine the orientation of the calibrated electronic camera;
- a second processor in communication with the orientation determination unit and operable for determining elevation and azimuth angles of objects in the captured image;
- and
- an output device for conveying the elevation and azimuth angles of one or more objects in the captured image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.