US4355896A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cloud cover sensor
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1980-06-27
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Granted: 1982-10-26
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Expires: 2000-06-27
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is described which provides a numerical indication of the cloudiness at a particular time of a day. The apparatus includes a frame (18) holding several light sensors such as photovoltaic cells, with a direct sensor (12) mounted to directly face the sun and indirect sensors (13-16) mounted to face different portions of the sky not containing the sun. A light shield (30) shields the direct sensor from most of the sky except a small portion containing the sun, and also shields each of the indirect sensors from direct sunlight. The relative values of the outputs from the direct and indirect sensors, enables the generation of a numerical indication (56) of the degree of cloudiness at a particular time of day.
Inventors
- 👤 with respect to an invention of Frosch Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- 👤 Eric G. Laue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01W; G01W1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
Cloud cover detector apparatus comprising: a frame which has a predetermined axis that can extend towards the sun; a plurality of indirect sensors, which sensors generate outputs dependent upon the amount of sunlight incident thereon, mounted on said frame to face along lines which are angled by less than 90° from said axis and are also angled from one another so as to extend in different directions; shield means mounted on said frame, for shielding each of said indirect sensors from direct sunlight when said frame is oriented so that said axis extends towards the sun; and means responsive to the output of said indirect sensors for indicating the cloudiness of the sky.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
Cloud cover detector apparatus comprising: a frame which has a predetermined axis that can extend towards the sun; a plurality of indirect sensors, which sensors generate outputs dependent upon the amount of sunlight incident thereon, mounted on said frame to face along lines which are angled by less than 90° from said axis and are also angled from one another so as to extend in different directions; shield means mounted on said frame, for shielding each of said indirect sensors from direct sunlight when said frame is oriented so that said axis extends towards the sun; and means responsive to the output of said indirect sensors for indicating the cloudiness of the sky.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 including: means for positioning and moving said frame so that said predetermined axis points substantially towards the sun to follow movement of the sun across the sky.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein: said shield means comprises a plurality of substantially planar members, each of which extends along a plane positioned between said axis and said one line, but at a smaller angle to said axis than to said one line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 including: a direct sunlight sensor mounted on said frame to face along said axis, said means for indicating cloudiness constructed to generate an indication based upon the output of said direct sensor as well as said indirect sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
97 words
Cloud cover detector apparatus comprising: a frame; a direct solar sensor mounted on said frame to face along a predetermined axis; a plurality of indirect solar sensors mounted on said frame to face along lines angled by less than 90° from said axis and with the lines extending in different directions as seen in a view taken along said axis; and a shield mounted on said frame and having a plurality of shield portions substantially in the form of plates, each portion extending between and at an angle to said axis and to one of said lines.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
Cloud cover detector apparatus comprising: a frame; a direct solar sensor mounted on said frame to face along a predetermined axis; a plurality of indirect solar sensors mounted on said frame to face along lines angled by less than 90° from said axis and with the lines extending in different directions as seen in a view taken along said axis; and a shield mounted on said frame and having a plurality of shield portions substantially in the form of plates, each portion extending between and at an angle to said axis and to one of said lines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus described in claim 5 wherein: each of said shield portions extends along a plane which makes an angle with respect to said axis that is smaller than the angle between said plane and the one of said lines.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for sensing cloudiness comprising: positioning a first sunlight sensor so it faces the sun; positioning a group of additional light sensors so they face most of the sky areas around the sun; shielding each of the additional sensors from direct sunlight and shielding the first sensor from most of the sky area away from the sun; and comparing the output of said first sensor with the output of said group of additional sensors.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for sensing cloudiness comprising: positioning a first sunlight sensor so it faces the sun; positioning a group of additional light sensors so they face most of the sky areas around the sun; shielding each of the additional sensors from direct sunlight and shielding the first sensor from most of the sky area away from the sun; and comparing the output of said first sensor with the output of said group of additional sensors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method described in claim 7 wherein: said step of comparing includes generating an output representing the ratio of the output of said first sensor to the outputs of said additional sensors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
142 words
Cloud cover detector apparatus comprising: a frame which has a predetermined axis that can extend towards the sun; a direct sunlight sensor mounted on said frame to face along said axis; a plurality of indirect sensors mounted on said frame to face along lines which are angled from said axis and also angled from one another to extend in different directions; shield means mounted on said frame, for shielding each of said indirect sensors from direct sunlight when said frame is oriented so that said axis extends towards the sun; said direct and indirect sensors having electrical terminals and each sensor producing an electrical output of a magnitude substantially proportional to the amount of light incident thereon; and an electrical circuit connected to said sensors for generating an output indicating substantially the ratio of the outputs of said indirect and direct sensors.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
142 words
Cloud cover detector apparatus comprising: a frame which has a predetermined axis that can extend towards the sun; a direct sunlight sensor mounted on said frame to face along said axis; a plurality of indirect sensors mounted on said frame to face along lines which are angled from said axis and also angled from one another to extend in different directions; shield means mounted on said frame, for shielding each of said indirect sensors from direct sunlight when said frame is oriented so that said axis extends towards the sun; said direct and indirect sensors having electrical terminals and each sensor producing an electrical output of a magnitude substantially proportional to the amount of light incident thereon; and an electrical circuit connected to said sensors for generating an output indicating substantially the ratio of the outputs of said indirect and direct sensors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
123 words
Cloud cover detector apparatus comprising: a frame; a direct solar sensor mounted on said frame to face along a predetermined axis; a plurality of indirect solar sensors mounted on said frame to face along lines which are angled from said axis and which lines extend in different directions as seen in a view taken along said axis; a shield mounted on said frame and having a plurality of substantially planar shield portions, each shield portion extending between and at an angle to said axis and to one of said lines; each of said sensors producing an electrical output proportional to the amount of light incident thereon; and a circuit which indicates the ratio between the outputs of said direct and indirect solar sensors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
123 words
Cloud cover detector apparatus comprising: a frame; a direct solar sensor mounted on said frame to face along a predetermined axis; a plurality of indirect solar sensors mounted on said frame to face along lines which are angled from said axis and which lines extend in different directions as seen in a view taken along said axis; a shield mounted on said frame and having a plurality of substantially planar shield portions, each shield portion extending between and at an angle to said axis and to one of said lines; each of said sensors producing an electrical output proportional to the amount of light incident thereon; and a circuit which indicates the ratio between the outputs of said direct and indirect solar sensors.
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) | 1985-10-25 | 1986-04-26 | 1986-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-10-25 | 1990-04-26 | 1990-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-10-25 | 1994-04-26 | 1994-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |