Modular low cost trackerless spectral sensor
| DWPI Title: Photodiode sensor device for sensing discrete wavelength of the diffused light, includes a housing portion having a cylindrical enclosure, a window arranged at a first end of housing portion and filter wheel arranged in the housing portions |
| Abstract: A photodiode sensor device and systems. The photodiode sensor device includes a housing portion. The housing portion includes a cylindrical enclosure. A window is disposed at a first end of the housing portion. A filter wheel is within the housing portion. A motor positioned within the housing is adjacent the filter wheel opposite the window. The motor is attached to the filter wheel. A photodiode sensor within the housing portion intermediate the first photodiode sensor and the window. The first photodiode sensor receives filtered light incident on the window and transmit a signal associated with sensed parameters of the filtered light. Also, a hemispherical dome for diffusing the light to a collimating lens has a grating, a focusing lens, and a linear detector array. An exit port transmits light to the collimating lens. The sensor array is opposite the grating for sensing the diffused light. |
| Use: Photodiode sensor device for sensing discrete wavelength of the diffused light. |
| Advantage: The photodiode sensor device is a novel, an inexpensive spectral sensor suitable for outdoor use that accurately monitors the solar spectrum to optimize solar power generation and better predict photovoltaic (PV) performance. The weather forecasting can also greatly be aided as the device can help address radiative forcing impacts that directly affect the weather by airborne particulates such as pollution and dust. |
| Novelty: The photodiode sensor device includes a housing portion (11) having a cylindrical enclosure, a window arranged at the first end of the housing portion. A filter wheel (12) is arranged in the housing portion. A motor (17) is positioned in the housing adjacent to the filter wheel opposite the window. The motor is attached to the filter wheel for rotating a position of the filter wheel. A first photodiode sensor (14) is arranged in the housing portion. The filter wheel is positioned intermediate the first photodiode sensor and the window. The first photodiode sensor is arranged to receive filtered light incident on the window. A second photodiode sensor (16) is placed on an exterior of the housing portion and arranged to sense an unfiltered light from above. The photodiode sensor is configured to measure between one and twelve light frequency bands. |
| Filed: 12/7/2017 |
| Application Number: US15834964A |
| Tech ID: SD 13350.0 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
| Data from Derwent World Patents Index, provided by Clarivate All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Clarivate content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Clarivate. Clarivate and its logo, as well as all other trademarks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners and used under license. |