Apparatus for controlling the directional orientation of a radiation receiver device to a light source

Patent 4612488 Issued on September 16, 1986. Estimated Expiration Date:

June 20, 2005. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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2981843

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3496367

Radiation detection apparatus
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Inventors

Assignee

Kernforschungsanlage Julich Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung

Application

No. 06/746961 filed on 06/20/1985

US Classes:

318/582, Celestial navigation244/3.18, Celestial navigation250/203.4, Sun318/640Photoelectric or optical-type measuring instruments

Examiners

Primary: Dobeck, B.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Ljungman; Nils H.

International Classes

G01S 3/786 (20060101)
G01S 3/78 (20060101)
G01S 3/787 (20060101)

Foreign Application Priority Data

1984-06-20 DE

Abstract

A controller for a tracking system which tracks the sun. The controller has a rotatable disc with a light transmitting portion and an opaque portion. The solar radiation, transmitted through the disc when rotating, falls on optically sensitive sensor detecting the light intensity. Two optical emitter/receiver pairs which are oriented with respect to two coordinate axes at the periphery of the disc detect the position of the light spot on it. The solar radiation is directed by the rotating disc to generate two signals which are related to the two coordinate axes and the tracking error of the tracking system. The signals energize motors in the tracking system whereby the sun is tracked.