Sunlight seeking device used for e.g. controlling solar panels, comprises tube containing LED's for operating switch relay for motors controlling tube azimuth and altitude

摘要

The device comprises a rectilinear tube (1) with a matt inner surface which is oriented at an angle of 45 deg. so that it acts as a window, allowing sunlight to shine into it in its length direction. The closure plate (2) at the bottom end of the tube contains holes (3) in each corner for mounting LED's and the front end (4) of the tube is covered with a glass plate to prevent rain entering. The LED's are arranged in an anti-parallel arrangement of two opposing pairs. If one of the LED's is in the shade and the LED opposite is receiving sunlight then a small voltage with a given polarity is generated, which attracts a switch relay by means of an amplifier and transistors, causing a first azimuth motor to move the tube in a horizontal direction and a second altitude motor to move the tube in a vertical direction until both LED's are receiving sunlight, at which point the two voltages cancel each other out, causing the switch relay to be deactivated and the motors to be turned off.