Abstract:
A solar sensor that utilizes a blocking element and curved reflective element between the sun and a photo-sensitive electronic device to provide high signal levels and the ability to shape the angular response of the overall sensor. A particular angular response can be achieved by combining the attenuating affects of the blocking element with the increased response affects of the curved reflector. These two elements may be combined into one physical structure, or may be separate. Further, the present invention contemplates the use of multiple blocking elements and multiple reflectors.
Abstract:
A source discriminator comprises a diffusing surface (10) provided to receive radiant energy over a wide field of view. Radiant energy received is transmitted from the diffusing surface (10) along an optical fiber (12) of a preselected numerical aperture to a radiant energy filter or grating (18). The numerical aperture of the optical fiber is preselected to provide an acceptable half-cone of arrival of radiant energy at the filter or grating (18). From the radiant energy filter or grating (18), the radiant energy passes to photosensors, the output signals of which are used; is the source discriminator system.
Abstract:
An instrument for measuring radiation including a probe for collecting light. The probe includes a diffusive reflective surface at the forward end of the probe and an aperture block containing a pair of apertures to direct light reflected from the reflector to an optical waveguide and then to a light sensor and display unit.
Abstract:
A sensor housing and cosine diffuser are provided for the detection and measurement of ultraviolet (UV) irradiance. The cosine diffuser has a tiered structure to efficiently receive and transmit incident light that passes over and/or through the sensor housing structure. The sensor housing structure can be configured to have an irregular, serrated, castellated, and or repeating prong and/or tooth sequence to form a cutoff comb, through which incident light is attenuated. The attenuation of light in turn reduces measurement error caused when too much or too little incident light, relative to the actual intensity and irradiance of ambient incident light, reaches and transmits through a cosine diffuser due to the variation of the zenith angle of incident light over the course of a day.
Abstract:
There is described an optical radiation sensor device for detecting radiation in a radiation field. The device comprises a sensor element capable of detecting and responding to incident radiation from the radiation field and a radiation window interposed between the sensor element and the radiation field. The radiation window comprises a non-circular (preferably square) shaped radiation transparent opening. The optical radiation sensor device can be used in a so-called dynamic manner while mitigating or obviating the detection errors resulting from the use of a circular-shaped attenuating aperture and/or angular (even minor) misalignment of the sensor device with respect to the array of radiation sources when multiple such circular-shaped attenuating apertures are used.
Abstract:
A solar sensor that utilizes a blocking element and curved reflective element between the sun and a photo-sensitive electronic device to provide high signal levels and the ability to shape the angular response of the overall sensor. A particular angular response can be achieved by combining the attenuating affects of the blocking element with the increased response affects of the curved reflector. These two elements may be combined into one physical structure, or may be separate. Further, the present invention contemplates the use of multiple blocking elements and multiple reflectors.
Abstract:
A temperature control system has a light intensity detection device for providing temperature compensation in accordance with the variation in angle of incident sunlight. The light intensity detection device includes a photoelectric device having a light receiving surface and which produces an electrical output signal in accordance with the intensity of received light. An optical device is disposed between a light source and the light receiving surface. Incident light transmitted through the optical device is re-directed to the light receiving surface by a plurality of prism surfaces disposed on the optical device facing the photoelectric device. The prism surfaces may be concentrically arranged around the optical axis of the photoelectric device. The surface area and angle of orientation of respective prism surfaces are predetermined such that the output electrical signal of the photoelectric device corresponds to a predetermined function in accordance with the thermal energy produced in the vicinity of the light intensity detection device as a function of the angle of incidence of incident light. Thus, the temperature, for example, in an automobile cabin may be precisely and accurately controlled and any variation in thermal energy within the interior of the cabin due to incident light may be compensated for.
Abstract:
An infrared collector which employs a non-directive concentrator to concentrate the infrared radiation received in the collector on a detector. In a preferred embodiment, the concentrator is a plastic hemisphere which has an array of PIN diodes glued to its flat side. The hemisphere may have any radius which is greater than or equal to a value dN, where N is the index of refraction of the plastic making up the hemisphere is N and d is the distance from the center of the array of diodes to the most remote part of the infrared-sensitive material. The fact that the concentrator is non-directive obviates the need to aim receivers employing the concentrator at transmitters. The receivers and transmitters need only be in line of sight of each other. The concentrator may further be used generally to concentrate infrared and visible radiation.
Abstract:
A light probe for use with a photometer includes a silicon photo-voltaic sensor mounted behind a specially designed lens which accurately corrects the sensor to a cosine distribution curve. A light-blocking eyebrow is disposed around the lens to control the light relative to the lens surface. The measured light distribution as detected by the sensor is a function of the curvature, diffusion factor, and surface roughness of the lens, and the relationship of the eyebrow to the lens.
Abstract:
A sensor housing and cosine diffuser are provided for the detection and measurement of ultraviolet (UV) irradiance. The cosine diffuser has a tiered structure to efficiently receive and transmit incident light that passes over and/or through the sensor housing structure. The sensor housing structure can be configured to have an irregular, serrated, castellated, and or repeating prong and/or tooth sequence to form a cutoff comb, through which incident light is attenuated. The attenuation of light in turn reduces measurement error caused when too much or too little incident light, relative to the actual intensity and irradiance of ambient incident light, reaches and transmits through a cosine diffuser due to the variation of the zenith angle of incident light over the course of a day.