Shadow band pyranometer with shadow band support
AssigneeAccuFlux Inc.
InventorRobert Dolce
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A shadow band assembly includes a platform and an arcuate shadow arm extending upward from the platform and terminating in a free end above the platform. A sun sensor mounting location is located below the free end of the shadow arm. The arm is preferably further supported by a vertical strut. According to other embodiments, the arm is hollow and contains a fluid conduit and/or an electrical cable. A sun sensor may be mounted on top of the free end of the arm and a fluid nozzle may be mounted under the free end. A shadow band pyranometer includes the shadow band assembly, a sun sensor mounted at the mounting location and a motor drive coupled to the platform for azimuth tracking Additional sensors with zenith tracking may also be provided.
Claims9
A pyranometer shadow band assembly comprising:
- a motor driven platform;
- an arcuate shadow band fixed to and extending away from the motor driven platform;
- and
- a stabilizer strut including a first end secured to the motor driven platform in a fixed relationship to the arcuate shadow band and a second end secured to a portion of the arcuate shadow band that is distal from the motor driven platform.
An apparatus for measuring solar radiation, comprising:
- a pyranometer;
- and
- the pyranometer including:
- a motor driven platform;
- an arcuate shadow band fixed to and extending away from the motor driven platform;
- and
- a stabilizer strut including a first end secured to the motor driven platform in a fixed relationship to the arcuate shadow band and a second end secured to a portion of the arcuate shadow band that is distal from the platform.
A pyranometer shadow band apparatus, comprising:
- a motor driven platform;
- an arcuate shadow band secured to and extending away from the motor driven platform;
- a stabilizer strut secured to and extending away from the motor driven platform and intersecting and secured to a portion of the arcuate shadow band that is distal from the motor driven platform;
- and
- a sun sensor secured to the motor driven platform in a fixed relationship to the arcuate shadow band and stabilizer strut.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.