Robotic heliostat system and method of operation

Abstract

A system and method for operating a robotic controller to automatically position multiple solar surfaces in order to increase solar energy generation from the solar surfaces. In an embodiment the robotic controller travels in a sealed track and adjusts the solar surfaces using magnetic communication.

1 . A robotic controller for controlling a position of multiple solar surfaces in response to movement of multiple solar surface adjustment wheels, each solar surface having a corresponding solar surface adjustment wheel, the robotic controller positioned on a track, the robotic controller including:
 a processing unit,   a location determining unit, communicatively coupled to said processing unit, for determining a position of the robotic controller;   a drive system, for moving said robotic controller along the track in response to instructions from the processing unit;   an adjustment determining system for determining first adjustment parameters for a first solar surface adjustment wheel of said multiple solar surface adjustment wheels; and   an engagement system for adjusting the first solar surface adjustment wheel based upon said first adjustment parameters.   
     
     
         2 . The robotic controller of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said location determining unit identifies a first location of the robotic controller on the track that is adjacent to the solar surface adjustment wheel; and   wherein said drive system positions said robotic controller at said first location.   
     
     
         3 . The robotic controller of  claim 2 , wherein said robotic controller includes:
 a Hall effect sensors; and   said location determining unit utilizes magnetic communication between said Hall effect sensor and one of the solar surface adjustment wheels to identify said robotic controller location as being adjacent to said one of the solar surface adjustment wheels.   
     
     
         4 . The robotic controller of  claim 3 , wherein said communication between said Hall effect sensors and one of said solar surface adjustment wheels identifies said one of the solar surface adjustment wheel as said first solar surface adjustment wheel and said location as said first location. 
     
     
         5 . The robotic controller of  claim 2 , wherein robotic controller includes:
 a Hall effect sensor; and   said engagement system utilizes magnetic coupling between said Hall effect sensor and said first solar surface adjustment wheel to rotate said first solar surface adjustment wheel based upon said first adjustment parameters.   
     
     
         6 . The robotic controller of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said engagement system includes a rack and pinion mechanism, said rack and pinion mechanism automatically adjustable based upon said first adjustment parameters, said engagement system adjusts the first solar adjustment wheel while the robotic controller is moving.   
     
     
         7 . The robotic controller of  claim 1 , wherein the track in which the robotic controller traverses is sealed to prevent any significant ingress of dust or water. 
     
     
         8 . The robotic controller of  claim 1 , further comprising
 drive wheels to propel the robotic controller along the track.   
     
     
         9 . The robotic controller of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a power storage system for storing power to said robotic controller.   
     
     
         10 . The robotic controller of  claim 9 , wherein said power storage system is an electric energy storage device. 
     
     
         11 . The robotic controller of  claim 9 , wherein said power storage system recharges wirelessly. 
     
     
         12 . The robotic controller of  claim 1 , further comprising an energy receiving device for receiving power from the track 
     
     
         13 . The robotic controller of  claim 12 , wherein said energy receiving device receives power either inductively from the track or using a direct connection to the track. 
     
     
         14 . The robotic controller of  claim 1 , wherein said location determining unit utilizes a triangulation methodology to identify the location of the robotic controller, the triangulation methodology receives signals from at least three devices external to the robotic controller positioned in the local vicinity. 
     
     
         15 . The robotic controller of  claim 1 , wherein said location determining unit includes a global positioning satellite receiver to identify the location of the robotic controller. 
     
     
         16 . The robotic controller of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a climate control system disposed to receive signals from said processor for moderating the environmental conditions in which the robotic controller operates.   
     
     
         17 . The robotic controller of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a communication system, to communicate wirelessly with at least one of a central server, a second robotic controller, and/or a central controller.   
     
     
         18 . The robotic controller of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a camera, for detecting at least one of the orientation of one or more of the solar surfaces and/or abnormalities in the track.   
     
     
         19 . A method for a robotic controller to control a position of multiple solar surfaces in response to movement of multiple solar surface adjustment wheels, each solar surface having a corresponding solar surface adjustment wheel, the robotic controller positioned on a track, the method comprising the steps of:
 determining a position of the robotic controller;   moving said robotic controller along the track to a position adjacent to a first of said multiple solar surface adjustment wheels;   determining first adjustment parameters for said first solar surface adjustment wheel; and   adjusting the first solar surface adjustment wheel based upon said first adjustment parameters.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the steps of:
 wirelessly communicating with at least one of a central server, a second robotic controller, and/or a central controller.