DIGITAL CONTROL SYSTEM APPLIED TO THE SOLAR TRACKING OF HELIOSTATS.

摘要

The present invention describes a digital control system applied to the solar tracking of heliostats. A microcontroller is used for programming a mathematical algorithm for calculating the apparent position of the sun along the year and moving the angles of the heliostat for reflecting the sun beams in a specific target, in the scheme of central tower technology. The present invention uses a technology of embedded systems based on microcontrollers. The invention is different from current systems, since the conventional solar tracking algorithms are programmed in a computer or in commercial control systems, and the inventive system is completely developed in microcontrollers. The design is tailored according to the needs of the heliostats used in central towers and consequently the cost of the solution is much less. An open-loop scheme is used and does not require sensors for performing the solar tracking in a satisfactory manner. Another advantage of the invention is that it may be ea sily installed in heliostats and is much resistant to environmental conditions particular of the central tower technology.