Self-learning solar collector orientation control system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling the orientation of a sun collector (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ), with a heat collecting element ( 10 ) respectively arranged in the focal line. The temperature and/or the heat quantity of the heat transfer medium flowing through the heat collecting element ( 10 ) are measured in the region of a sun collector (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ) in such a way that they can be associated with same, and the determined temperature values (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4 ; T′ 1 , T′ 2 , T′ 3 ; T′ 4 , T′ 5 ) and/or heat quantity values are supplied to a control unit controlling the orientation of each sun collector (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ) and orienting the respective sun collector (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ) according to a determined orientation parameter. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: a) the heat quantity collected in each sun collector is determined; b) an orientation parameter of each sun collector (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ) is modified by an increment in the direction of the movement of the sun or a decrement away from the movement of the sun; c) the heat quantity collected in step a) is compared with the heat quantity collected in each sun collector after step b) has been carried out, and d) the orientation parameter modified by the increment or the decrement is stored as a new nominal value for the orientation control of each sun collector in the control unit, when it is determined that the heat quantity determined in step c) is higher than the heat quantity determined in step a).

1 . A method for controlling orientation of a solar collector (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ) and/or of a plurality of solar collectors (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ) arranged in a row, having a heat collecting element arranged on a focal line, wherein the temperature and/or the collected amount of heat in a heat carrier medium flowing through the heat collecting element is measured in the area of each solar collector (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ) such that it can be associated therewith, and wherein the determined temperature values (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4 ; T′ 1 , T′ 2 , T′ 3 , T′ 4 , T′ 5 ) and/or heat amount values are supplied to a control unit which that controls the orientation of the respective solar collector (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ) and orients the respective solar collector (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ) within the scope of a defined orientation parameter with respect to the sun, wherein the method comprises:
 a) determining a heat amount collected in a respective solar collector (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ); 
 b) varying an orientation parameter of the respective solar collector by an increment in the direction of the solar movement or a decrement in a direction opposite to the direction of the solar movement; 
 c) comparing the heat amount collected in step a) with the heat amount collected in the respective solar collector after carrying out step b) and 
 d) if the heat amount detected in step c) is greater than the heat amount determined in step a), storing the orientation parameter, which has been modified by the increment or the decrement, as a new nominal value for the orientation control of the respective solar collector in the control unit. 
 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 finding a reduced heat amount in step c), and   adusting the orientation parameter by two decrements or two increments to the opposite position.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 finding an unchanged heat amount in step c), and   resetting the orientation parameter back to its initial value before carrying out step b).   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein determining the collected heat amount comprises using a sliding mean value of a temperature difference of the heat carrier medium, the temperature difference being associated with the respective solar collector (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ). 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising selecting the orientation parameter from the group consisting of
 an orientation range and   an orientation travel.   
     
     
         6 . A method for controlling orientation of a solar collector (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ) and/or of a plurality of solar collectors (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ) arranged in a row, having a heat collecting element arranged on a focal line, wherein the temperature and/or the collected amount of heat in a heat carrier medium flowing through the heat collecting element is measured in the area of each solar collector (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ) such that it can be associated therewith, and wherein the determined temperature values (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4 ; T′ 1 , T′ 2 , T′ 3 , T′ 4 , T′ 5 ) and/or heat amount values are supplied to a control unit that controls the orientation of the respective solar collector (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ) and orients the respective solar collector (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ) within the scope of a defined orientation parameter, wherein a plurality of solar collectors (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ), which are arranged in a row, interact, the method comprising:
 a1) determining a sliding mean value of a first temperature difference, which is associated with a first solar collector, of the heat carrier medium between a first and a second temperature measurement point; 
 a2) determining a sliding mean value of a second temperature difference, which is associated with another solar collector, of the heat carrier medium between two temperature measurement points, at least one of which is different from the first and/or second temperature measurement point; 
 b1) varying the orientation parameter of the first solar collector by an increment in the direction of the solar movement or by a decrement in a direction opposite to the direction of solar movement; 
 c1) comparing leading mean values of the first and second temperature difference, and 
 d1) if the sliding mean value of the first temperature difference is increased relative to the sliding mean value of the second temperature difference, storing the orientation parameter which has been modified by the increment or the decrement, as a new nominal value for the orientation control of the first solar collector in the control unit. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising
 finding that a sliding mean value of the first temperature difference is found decreased relative to the sliding mean value of the second solar collector in step c1), and   adjusting the orientation parameter of the first solar collector by two decrements or two increments in the opposite direction.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising
 finding that a sliding mean value of the first temperature difference is unchanged relative to the sliding mean value of the second solar collector in step c1), and   resetting the orientation parameter of the first solar collector to its initial value before carrying out step b1).   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein there are more than two solar collectors, the method further comprising
 successively connecting each solar collector at least once as the first solar collector, and   comparing the sliding mean value of the respectively associated temperature difference to the sliding mean value of the temperature difference respectively associated with at least one other solar collector.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising, if an increased heat amount is found in step c), or if an increased temperature difference is found in step c1), carrying out one of a repeated incremental or decremental adjustment of the respective orientation parameter in the same direction until a fall in the heat amount or the temperature difference is once again found, and storing the respective last value of the orientation parameter before the decrease again in the heat amount or the temperature difference as the new nominal value for the orientation control of the respective solar collector (K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 ). 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 executing the individual method steps on a control unit that comprises microprocessor and a fuzzy logic unit associated therewith to form a self-learning orientation control system.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising using an angle position sensor to determine a respective relative pivoting position of each solar collector relatively about its longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising determining a respective relative position of each solar collector with respect to the sun using a solar sensor.