For the tracking and positioning of one- or two-axial sun & daylight brightness deflect & control-systems. As well suitable to control shadow giving facilities.

The mathematical correct tracking of a horizontally positioned parabol trough is known as a very special task. A special version provides this function, too.

Automatic computer control to drive off-the-shelf gear-motors electrically (as well heavy duty types) via an external power relay. For each axial a dual feedback pulse transmitter and a reference switch is required .

All the input can be performed comfortably using the frontsided keys and the 40 characters display. You simply have to type in the respective pulse rate for the drive back angle. Once the sun and the panel are synchronized, the system is ready for operation.

• with quartz controlled calendar clock
• auto protocol function
• auto start after power failure
• most comfortable in installation and operation
• superior to integrate into existing equipment
• single axis operation also
• horizon-to horizon operation (AZ up to 360° & EL up to 90°)
• resolution of max. 65,000 steps, each axis
• low-voltage version (for buffered battery operation) (optional)
• control for heavy rotor motors (e. g. 3-phase models) and monster
• astronomic-mathematical program
• with wind-sensor-interface
• with load/power-depending position-optimizing (optional)
• thereby the modes "autofocus" and "autotracking" can be performed
• RS-232C interface (optional)
• 19" rack mount version (optional)
• manuals in English language!

Energy gathering out of an inexhaustible reserve. Deflect energy. Concentrate energy in focus. Collect energy without cost collects over years – easier, more comfortable, more effective!

And increasing energy (comparison between yield – power). Get knowledge and recognize the sun in science, research and education by precise positioning, and easy – comfortable probe tracking!

The indoor unit consists out of a complete computer with rotor power supply. These electronics are established in a metal casing with front sided operating elements and a 40 digit LC-Display (image B). On the rear you will find the connection-clamps for the cable serving the rotor and the connectors for RS 232 C-interface and analog input, and the wind sensor interface as well (image G).

Task of the system: direct, synchronized following and tracking the sun's course. The drive and therewith the object mounted onto the gear (solar-collectors, photovoltaik-panel, parabolic or spherical collector, radio measuring sonde etc.) are looking "directly" into the sun. This direct-tracking is implemented in this system very easily, but as well you can achieve a targeted, precise "offset".

Basis version:

SOLAR-AUTO-CONTROLLER

is a micro-processor-guided controller which contains the positioning logic as well as the power unit for the relais and also for smaller motors. It is possible to drive two seperate relais/motors (max 2.5 A/axis) with dual backfeed-pulse-sensors – one for the elevation axis, one for the azimuth axis. The relais/motors are actuated by relais (semiconductor-version on request).
The positioning procedures onto the sun are calculated with a comprehensive astronomical program. Therefor the Kepler data of sun and earth as well as date and time and the system's location have been involved.

Features:

• with up to 90 degrees elevation-swing
• with up to 360 degrees azimuth turn angle
• with 40 characters LC display
• with lots of dynamic operational information in the display:

  mode time optional analog-level

  date AZ-angle      and many more

  direction of move EL-angle

• with quartz controlled calendar clock
• with programmable angle limits
• with battery-backed buffered memory
• with auto-start after mains failure
• with wind-sensor-interface

The complete control is implemented in the frontsided key panel (image B).
This device can be delivered for use with 230/115 V AC or 24 V DC.

Motor-/Gear requirements:

• linear feedback pulse for movement angle ratio (Optional by a collecting system for nonlinear "feedback pulse for movement angles" can be provided.)
• dual bipolar feedback pulse system
• feedback pulse frequency: max. 200 Hz
• feedback pulse length: min. 2.5 mSek.
• max. resolution: 65000 pulses/axis (speak with us about the choice for a resolution!)
• one orientation-switch per axis

Installation sequence: When mounting the load to be positioned mechanically (PV-panel, collector, measuring sonde etc.), the mechanical assembly has to be aligned roughly into the north-south direction only. Merely 4 parameters are to be entered after that:
1. The motor's "pulse to movement angle ratio".
2. The geographical coordinates of the installations location (longitude and latitude).
3. Time and date (UT). (The consideration of leap-years, the true local time calculation and the calculation of the sun-coordinates are performed full-automatically. Any re-adjustment of the internal clock is not required, when the time shifts from summertime to wintertime).
4. Tracking-frequency/-intervals or tracking-angles selection (max. allowable angle-deviation).
The load to be positioned now is turned/driven directly into the sun-optimum with the four keys (UP/DOWN/EAST/WEST).
Installation completed.

After starting the system follows the sun day by day – completely automatic. If the sun leaves the angle-limits set by you, the rotor waits in his night-inoperative position for the next day and starts again his daily work in the right moment and at the right spot.
To use the rest-light after sunset, the user determinates, how long the system holds out in this position after sunset. This happens correspondingly at sunrise. Equally any park/night position can be programmed freely.

By clever setting the max. allowable angle-deviation or the next search-cycle, the system can be influenced motor sparing.
Of course, you may drive to any desired position with such a system: Look at the display, watch AZ- and EL-angle; push – right-left – up-down – as you like. Min. step size 0.1°!

Wind-sensor-pulses can be transmitted to the control logic via the wind-sensor-interface for an automatic evaluation. This is used to drive to a programmable motor-/gear-position automatically, when a selectable wind speed threshold is exceeded (image G)!

If the control system should drive the 24 V DC motors directly, a semiconductor-relais-version instead of mechanical relais can be delivered. This version then allows:

• softer starting and stopping of the motors
• no loss of contact due to contactless mechanical switching
• less vulnerable to operational interruptions due to no switching or tear off spark formation
• noiseless control device due to no movable parts
• accomplished two-speeds-operation, because semiconductors can be switched on and off highfrequently,
• because it is possible to drive different speeds using semiconductor switches