Granted Patent B2

US 7,895,017 · App. 12/179,179 · Granted Feb 22, 2011

Assignee: Solfocus, Inc.

Abstract

Claims (59)

1. A method comprising:

acquiring power information from a signal line in accordance with a first signal characteristic, the power information associated with power generated by a solar collector,

wherein the first signal characteristic is substantially orthogonal to a corresponding signal characteristic of at least one noise source associated with the signal line.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the first signal characteristic comprises a first frequency that is substantially orthogonal to an operating frequency of a control servo of an inverter coupled to the signal line.

3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the first frequency is substantially orthogonal to a frequency of a power grid coupled to the signal line.

4. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

determining a solar tracking error associated with the solar collector based on the acquired power information.

5. A method according to claim 4 , further comprising:

determining a servo feedback signal based on the acquired power information,

wherein determining the solar tracking error comprises determining the solar tracking error based on the servo feedback signal.

6. A method according to claim 5 , wherein determining the solar tracking error further comprises:

determining the solar tracking error based on the servo feedback signal and on a relationship between a response of the solar collector and tracking error.

7. A method according to claim 6 , wherein determining the solar tracking error comprises:

determining a servo feedback signal based on the acquired power information and on a servo feedback signal equation; and

determining the solar tracking error based on the servo feedback signal and on a determined relationship between servo feedback signals and tracking error, the determined relationship associated with the solar collector and based on the servo feedback signal equation and the relationship between the response of the solar collector and tracking error.

8. A method according to claim 4 , wherein acquiring power information comprises:

estimating a first solar position corresponding to a first time;

aligning the solar collector with a first position at the first time, the first position offset from the estimated first solar position in a first direction;

determining a first power generated while the solar collector is aligned with the first position;

estimating a second solar position corresponding to a second time;

aligning the solar collector with a second position at the second time, the second position offset from the estimated second solar position in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction; and

determining a second power generated while the solar collector is aligned with the second position, and

wherein determining the solar tracking error comprises determining a solar tracking error based on the first power and the second power.

9. A method according to claim 8 , wherein determining the solar tracking error comprises:

determining the solar tracking error based on the first power, the second power, and on a relationship between a response of the solar collector and tracking error, the relationship associated with the solar collector.

10. A method according to claim 9 , wherein determining the solar tracking error comprises:

determining a servo feedback signal based on the first power, the second power, and a servo feedback signal equation; and

determining the solar tracking error based on the servo feedback signal and on a determined relationship between servo feedback signals and tracking error, the determined relationship associated with the solar collector and based on the servo feedback signal equation and the relationship between the response of the solar collector and tracking error.

11. A system comprising:

a solar collector to generate power;

a signal line to carry power generated by the solar collector; and

a device to acquire power information associated with power generated by the solar collector from the signal line in accordance with a first signal characteristic,

wherein the first signal characteristic is substantially orthogonal to a corresponding signal characteristic of at least one noise source associated with the signal line.

12. A system according to claim 11 , further comprising:

an inverter coupled to the signal line,

wherein the first signal characteristic comprises a first frequency that is substantially orthogonal to an operating frequency of a control servo of the inverter.

13. A system according to claim 12 , wherein the first frequency is substantially orthogonal to a frequency of a power grid coupled to the signal line.

14. A system according to claim 11 , further comprising:

a processor to determine a solar tracking error associated with the solar collector based on the acquired power information.

15. A system according to claim 14 , the processor further to determine a servo feedback signal based on the acquired power information,

wherein determination of the solar tracking error comprises determination of the solar tracking error based on the servo feedback signal.

16. A system according to claim 15 , wherein determination of the solar tracking error further comprises:

determination of the solar tracking error based on the servo feedback signal and on a relationship between a response of the solar collector and tracking error.

17. A system according to claim 16 , wherein determination the solar tracking error comprises:

determination of a servo feedback signal based on the acquired power information and on a servo feedback signal equation; and

determination of the solar tracking error based on the servo feedback signal and on a determined relationship between servo feedback signals and tracking error, the determined relationship associated with the solar collector and based on the servo feedback signal equation and the relationship between the response of the solar collector and tracking error.

18. A system according to claim 14 , the processor further to:

estimate a first solar position corresponding to a first time;

align the solar collector with a first position at the first time, the first position offset from the estimated first solar position in a first direction;

determine a first power generated while the solar collector is aligned with the first position;

estimate a second solar position corresponding to a second time;

align the solar collector with a second position at the second time, the second position offset from the estimated second solar position in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction; and

determine a second power generated while the solar collector is aligned with the second position, and

wherein determination of the solar tracking error comprises determination of a solar tracking error based on the first power and the second power.

19. A system according to claim 18 , wherein determination of the solar tracking error comprises:

determination of the solar tracking error based on the first power, the second power, and on a relationship between a response of the solar collector and tracking error, the relationship associated with the solar collector.

20. A system according to claim 19 , wherein determination of the solar tracking error comprises:

determination of a servo feedback signal based on the first power, the second power, and a servo feedback signal equation; and

determination of the solar tracking error based on the servo feedback signal and on a determined relationship between servo feedback signals and tracking error, the determined relationship associated with the solar collector and based on the servo feedback signal equation and the relationship between the response of the solar collector and tracking error.

Assignments (12)

Continuity (1)