US4168124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for measuring the solar energy received at a particular place
Assignee: Centre National d'Études Spatiales
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Filing: 1977-07-13
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Granted: 1979-09-18
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Expires: 1997-07-13
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring and recording the amount of solar energy falling at a place over a given period of time, comprising means for producing a frequency signal representative of the energy falling at the place, the provision of the frequency signal being controlled in response to the level of solar energy falling exceeding a morning threshold and falling below an evening threshold, and the frequency signal being applied to a counter, preferably fitted with print-out means, whereby the counter may record the total energy falling between the morning and evening thresholds.
Inventors
- 👤 Gilbert Pizzi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/42; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A device for measuring the solar energy received at a particular place, comprising a pick-up which is arranged to receive solar energy and supply a corresponding electric signal, a threshold circuit connected to receive said corresponding signal and arranged to provide a dawn signal corresponding to the morning threshold of energy falling on said pick-up and a dusk signal corresponding to the evening threshold of energy falling on said pick-up, a night-day detector connected to receive said dawn signal and said dusk signal in order to detect the transition from night to day and produce a corresponding night-day transition signal, a day-night detector connected to receive said dawn signal and said dusk signal in order to detect the transition from day to night and produce a corresponding day-night transition signal, a voltage controlled-frequency oscillator energizable from a supply, said supply being connected to said detectors in order that said night-day transition signal starts the energization of the oscillator by said supply and that said day-night transition signal discontinues said energization, said oscillator being connected to said pick-up in order to convert said corresponding electric signal into a representative frequency signal, and a counter circuit connected to said night-day detector to be reset to zero by said night-day transition signal and connected to said oscillator in order to count the cycles of said representative frequency signals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
225 words
A device for measuring the solar energy received at a particular place, comprising a pick-up which is arranged to receive solar energy and supply a corresponding electric signal, a threshold circuit connected to receive said corresponding signal and arranged to provide a dawn signal corresponding to the morning threshold of energy falling on said pick-up and a dusk signal corresponding to the evening threshold of energy falling on said pick-up, a night-day detector connected to receive said dawn signal and said dusk signal in order to detect the transition from night to day and produce a corresponding night-day transition signal, a day-night detector connected to receive said dawn signal and said dusk signal in order to detect the transition from day to night and produce a corresponding day-night transition signal, a voltage controlled-frequency oscillator energizable from a supply, said supply being connected to said detectors in order that said night-day transition signal starts the energization of the oscillator by said supply and that said day-night transition signal discontinues said energization, said oscillator being connected to said pick-up in order to convert said corresponding electric signal into a representative frequency signal, and a counter circuit connected to said night-day detector to be reset to zero by said night-day transition signal and connected to said oscillator in order to count the cycles of said representative frequency signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the frequency produced by said oscillators of the voltage applied to it is adjusted so that the frequency is 1 Hz when the solar energy received at ground level is 1 W/m 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device according to claim 1, including a frequency divider interposed between said oscillator and said counter circuit for dividing the frequency by 3,600 so that each counting unit represents 1 Wh/m 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said threshold circuit is arranged so that the morning and the evening threshold are independently adjustable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said threshold circuit provides said dawn signal when the solar energy falling an said pick-up passes through a value chosen from the range 15-20 W/m 2 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said threshold circuit provides said dusk signal when the solar energy falling on said pick-up passes through a value of approx. 5 W/m 2 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 1 including a printer connected to said counter in order to record the contents thereof and connected to said day-night detector to be actuated by said day-night transition output signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said detector are monostables.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-09-17 | 1983-03-19 | 1983-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-09-17 | 1987-03-19 | 1987-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-09-17 | 1991-03-19 | 1991-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |