公开(公告)号：US09372159B2

公开(公告)日：2016-06-21

申请号：US14850916

申请日：2015-09-10

Applicant: eSolar Inc.

Inventor： Maximilian Zavodny

IPC: G01N21/88 ,  G01N21/55

CPC classification number: G01N21/8851 ,  F24S40/00 ,  F24S50/20 ,  G01N21/55 ,  G01N2021/8887 ,  G01N2201/062 ,  Y02E10/47

Abstract: A system and method for detecting heliostat failures in a concentrating solar plant, the system comprising a plurality of stationary lights and cameras mounted to towers that surround, or are situated within, a field of heliostats. Heliostats may be commanded via a control system to move to a position wherein light may be expected to be reflected from a given stationary light to a given camera, whereupon a first set of images of the heliostat are taken. Heliostats may then be commanded via the control system to move to a position wherein light may no longer be expected to be reflected from said stationary light to said camera, whereupon a second set of images of the heliostat are taken. An image processor may search the first and second set of images to determine if reflected light is present. If reflected light from said stationary light is not found in the images, the heliostat may be determined to have experienced a failure mode. Failed heliostats may then be flagged for inspection, repair, or replacement.

Abstract translation: 一种用于检测聚光太阳能设备中的定日镜故障的系统和方法，该系统包括安装在围绕或位于定日镜场中的塔的多个固定灯和照相机。 可以通过控制系统命令定日镜以移动到可以预期光可以从给定的固定光反射到给定的照相机的位置，由此拍摄定日镜的第一组图像。 然后可以通过控制系统命令定日镜移动到其中不再期望将光从所述固定光反射到所述相机的位置，由此拍摄定日镜的第二组图像。 图像处理器可以搜索第一和第二组图像以确定是否存在反射光。 如果在图像中没有发现来自所述固定光的反射光，则可以确定定日镜已经经历了故障模式。 然后可能将失效的定日镜标记为检查，维修或更换。

公开(公告)号：US20160069817A1

公开(公告)日：2016-03-10

申请号：US14850916

申请日：2015-09-10

Applicant: eSolar Inc.

Inventor： Maximilian Zavodny

IPC: G01N21/88 ,  G01N21/55

CPC classification number: G01N21/8851 ,  F24S40/00 ,  F24S50/20 ,  G01N21/55 ,  G01N2021/8887 ,  G01N2201/062 ,  Y02E10/47

Abstract: A system and method for detecting heliostat failures in a concentrating solar plant, the system comprising a plurality of stationary lights and cameras mounted to towers that surround, or are situated within, a field of heliostats. Heliostats may be commanded via a control system to move to a position wherein light may be expected to be reflected from a given stationary light to a given camera, whereupon a first set of images of the heliostat are taken. Heliostats may then be commanded via the control system to move to a position wherein light may no longer be expected to be reflected from said stationary light to said camera, whereupon a second set of images of the heliostat are taken. An image processor may search the first and second set of images to determine if reflected light is present. If reflected light from said stationary light is not found in the images, the heliostat may be determined to have experienced a failure mode. Failed heliostats may then be flagged for inspection, repair, or replacement.

Abstract translation: 一种用于检测聚光太阳能设备中的定日镜故障的系统和方法，该系统包括安装在围绕或位于定日镜场中的塔的多个固定灯和照相机。 可以通过控制系统命令定日镜以移动到可以预期光可以从给定的固定光反射到给定的照相机的位置，由此拍摄定日镜的第一组图像。 然后可以通过控制系统命令定日镜移动到其中不再期望将光从所述固定光反射到所述相机的位置，由此拍摄定日镜的第二组图像。 图像处理器可以搜索第一和第二组图像以确定是否存在反射光。 如果在图像中没有发现来自所述固定光的反射光，则可以确定定日镜已经经历了故障模式。 然后可能将失效的定日镜标记为检查，维修或更换。

公开(公告)号：US20160025591A1

公开(公告)日：2016-01-28

申请号：US14806627

申请日：2015-07-22

Applicant: esolar Inc.

Inventor： Jeremy Risner ,  Maximilian Zavodny

IPC: G01M11/00 ,  G06T7/00 ,  G06T7/60 ,  G06K9/62 ,  G06T7/40 ,  G06K9/46 ,  H04N17/00 ,  G01B11/24 ,  G06K9/52

CPC classification number: G01M11/005 ,  F24S23/70 ,  F24S40/00 ,  F24S2201/00 ,  G01B11/24 ,  G06T7/001 ,  Y02E10/40

Abstract: An automated deflectometry system and method for assessing the quality of a reflective surface for use in a concentrating solar power plant. The deflectometry system comprises a holding fixture for mounting a heliostat reflector opposite a target screen having a known pattern. Digital cameras embedded in the target screen take pictures of the known pattern as reflected in the surface of the reflector. Image processing software then detects the features of the pattern in the reflector images and calculates the slope profile of the reflective surface. The slope field can be calculated by comparing the images of the reflective surface to those of a reference surface. Based on the slope profile of the reflective surface, a ray tracing calculation can be performed to simulate flux as reflected from the reflective surface onto a receiver and a quality metric can be ascribed to the heliostat reflector. The result of the quality assessment can displayed using a graphical user interface on an automated assembly line.

Abstract translation: 一种用于评估在聚光太阳能发电厂中使用的反射表面的质量的自动偏光测量系统和方法。 偏转系统包括用于安装与具有已知图案的目标屏幕相对的定日反射器的保持夹具。 嵌入在目标屏幕中的数码相机拍摄反射器表面反射的已知图案。 图像处理软件然后检测反射器图像中的图案的特征并计算反射表面的斜率分布。 可以通过将反射表面的图像与参考表面的图像进行比较来计算斜率场。 基于反射表面的斜率分布，可以执行光线跟踪计算，以模拟从反射表面反射到接收器上的通量，并且质量度量可归因于定日镜反射器。 质量评估的结果可以使用自动装配线上的图形用户界面显示。