Inclinometer for a solar array and associated systems, methods, and computer program products

摘要

Embodiments of the invention relate to an inclinometer for use in tracking movement of a moveable structure such as a solar array. The inclinometer includes a magnetometer for sensing changes in a magnetic field indicative of movement of the movable structure. This movement information is then used to determine a current position/orientation of the moveable structure. In the context of a solar array, this information is used to determine the current position/orientation of the solar array. In some embodiments where the movable structure is a solar array, sun position data either from a database listing sun position information for different times of day or data based on algorithmic calculations may be used to determine a difference between current position of the sun and a current position/orientation of the solar array. The solar array may then repositioned based on this determined difference.

主权项

1. A system for monitoring/controlling a position of a solar array comprising:
one or more inclinometers coupled to the solar array, wherein said inclinometers are positioned to sense rotation of the solar array, wherein each of said inclinometers comprises one or more magnetometers configured to sense positional changes of the solar array about an axis based on changes in a direction of a sensed magnetic field generated by one or more magnets co-located with the magnetometers at a substantially fixed position relative to the one or more magnetometers, where said changes in a direction of a sensed magnetic field are caused by positional changes of the one or more magnetometers relative to the magnetic field of the one or more magnets, as either the one or more magnetometers or one or more magnets rotate with the solar array; and one or more processing devices in communication with said one or more inclinometers, wherein said one or more processing devices receive output from the one or more inclinometers and update position information regarding the position of the solar array.