US4549078A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic tracking system with infrared and ultraviolet detection
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-10-18
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Granted: 1985-10-22
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Expires: 2003-10-18
Abstract
Abstract An automatic tracking system for tracking the sun on a path across the sky, comprising a reflector, a pre-programmed, automatic timed drive mechanism connected to the reflector for driving it on a given path, both ultraviolet and infrared sensors positioned on the reflector, means for comparing the amount of light detected by opposing sensors, and means for tilting the reflector about a horizontal and a vertical axis until the amount of light detected by each pair of sensors is equalized.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel E. Monahan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:46
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B3/00; C01B3/02; C01B3/04; C01B3/042; C01B3/045; B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/08; B01J19/12; B01J19/122; B01J19/127; B01J19/18; B01J19/20; C01B3/0005; C01B3/001; C01B3/0018; C01B3/0026; C01B3/0031; C01B3/0047; C01B3/0057; F; F24; F24S; F24S20/00; F24S20/20; F24S23/00; F24S23/70; F24S23/71; F24S30/00; F24S30/40; F24S30/45; F24S30/452; F24S50/00; F24S50/20; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/18; B01J2219/182; B01J2219/19; B01J2219/194; B01J2219/1941; B01J2219/1942; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/47; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/32; Y02E60/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
An automatic tracking system for tracking the sun on a path across the sky, comprising: a reflector; a pre-programmed, automatic timed drive mechanism connected to said reflector for driving said reflector on a given path, both ultraviolet and infrared sensors positioned on said reflector; means for comparing the amount of light detected by each opposing pair of sensors; and means responsive to said comparing means for tilting the reflector about a horizontal and a vertical axis until the amount of light detected by each pair of sensors is equalized.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
An automatic tracking system for tracking the sun on a path across the sky, comprising: a reflector; a pre-programmed, automatic timed drive mechanism connected to said reflector for driving said reflector on a given path, both ultraviolet and infrared sensors positioned on said reflector; means for comparing the amount of light detected by each opposing pair of sensors; and means responsive to said comparing means for tilting the reflector about a horizontal and a vertical axis until the amount of light detected by each pair of sensors is equalized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein both ultraviolet and infrared sensors are positioned at each of four points spaced equidistant around the rim of said reflector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said comparing means is a programmable logic controller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
177 words
An automatic preprogrammed tracking system for tracking the sun on a given path across the sky, comprising: (a) a reflector; (b) programmable logic control unit; (c) an automatic continuous timed drive mechanism connected to said reflector, whereby initial daily movements of said automatic continuous timed drive mechanism are initiated by said programmable logic control unit according to known preprogrammed ephemeris data regarding time and position of sun for each day of the year for a given latitude and longitude, and whereby movements of said reflector are controlled by said programmable logic control unit; (d) both ultraviolet and infrared sensors positioned at one or more predetermined locations on said reflector; (e) means for comparing the amount of light detected by each opposing pair of sensors; (f) means connected to said sensors and to said comparing means for communicating output signals of each detector to said comparing means; and (g) means responsive to said comparing means for tilting the reflector about a horizontal and vertical axis until the amount of light detected by each pair of sensors is equalized.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
177 words
An automatic preprogrammed tracking system for tracking the sun on a given path across the sky, comprising: (a) a reflector; (b) programmable logic control unit; (c) an automatic continuous timed drive mechanism connected to said reflector, whereby initial daily movements of said automatic continuous timed drive mechanism are initiated by said programmable logic control unit according to known preprogrammed ephemeris data regarding time and position of sun for each day of the year for a given latitude and longitude, and whereby movements of said reflector are controlled by said programmable logic control unit; (d) both ultraviolet and infrared sensors positioned at one or more predetermined locations on said reflector; (e) means for comparing the amount of light detected by each opposing pair of sensors; (f) means connected to said sensors and to said comparing means for communicating output signals of each detector to said comparing means; and (g) means responsive to said comparing means for tilting the reflector about a horizontal and vertical axis until the amount of light detected by each pair of sensors is equalized.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4086485A
Cited
US4424801A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-10-21 | 1989-04-22 | 1989-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-21 | 1993-04-22 | 1993-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-21 | 1997-04-22 | 1997-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |