Igor E Kozin

US Patent:

8507837, Aug 13, 2013

Filed:

Nov 16, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/619322

Inventors:

James Sherman - Hillsborough NJ, US
Igor Kozin - Princeton NJ, US

Assignee:

Suncore Photovoltaics, Inc. - Irwindale CA

International Classification:

G01C 21/02

US Classification:

2502034

Abstract:

An automated method to monitor performance of a terrestrial solar cell array tracking the sun. The solar cell system includes drive means that adjust a position of the array along different respective axes with respect to the sun using the drive means. The techniques include predicting the position of the sun during a time period, and sampling an output parameter of the array indicative of performance. The sampled data may be used to identify a fault in the solar cell array, for example a misalignment or a failure of one or more solar cells, in which case a notification of that fault may be generated for the operator or a control signal may be output for correcting the fault. Alternatively, an output signal may be sent to an external system associated with the solar cell system. Various alignment testing routines for checking the solar tracking are described. These routines may involve moving a solar cell array to a reference position at the start of, or during, an alignment routine in order to improve accuracy of position measurement during the routine.

US Patent:

8592738, Nov 26, 2013

Filed:

Jul 1, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/828734

Inventors:

Igor Kozin - Princeton NJ, US
James Sherman - Hillsborough NJ, US

Assignee:

Suncore Photovoltaics, Inc. - Irwindale CA

International Classification:

G01C 21/02
F24J 2/38
H02N 6/00

US Classification:

2502034, 126573, 136246

Abstract:

An alignment device for aligning solar cell modules of a solar tracking photovoltaic array relative to the sun. The alignment device may be mounted on at least one planar solar cell module so that an axis of the device is substantially perpendicular to the planar surface of the module. The device may include a convex lens at one end for focusing incoming rays of the sun into a focused beam, and a planar photodetector at a second end positioned so that the focused beam aligns on a predetermined point of the photodetector when the modules are correctly aligned. The instrument may also include a plurality of leads attached to the photodetector to provide a signal indicative of an angular misalignment of the at least one module.

US Patent:

20100294337, Nov 25, 2010

Filed:

May 19, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/468747

Inventors:

James Sherman - Hillsborough NJ, US
Igor Kozin - Princeton NJ, US

Assignee:

EMCORE SOLAR POWER, INC. - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

H01L 31/042

US Classification:

136246

Abstract:

An automated method causes a terrestrial solar cell array to track the sun. The solar cell system may include motors that adjust a position of the array along different respective axes with respect to the sun. An alignment analysis procedure, e.g., a find sun routine, is performed to ensure that the solar cell system is properly aligned with the sun during solar tracking. This procedure may sweep the solar cell system along determined paths (e.g., azimuth and elevation paths) while measuring an output parameter indicative of system performance. The measured data is analyzed to determine if the solar cell system is in misalignment in which case the solar cell system is moved into proper alignment. The alignment procedure may be implemented on a periodic basis or using triggers, and maybe automatically executed or manually executed.

US Patent:

20130306836, Nov 21, 2013

Filed:

Jul 19, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/946793

Inventors:

Igor Kozin - Princeton NJ, US

Assignee:

Suncore Photovoltaics, Inc. - Irwindale CA

International Classification:

G01S 3/786

US Classification:

2502034

Abstract:

An automated method to monitor performance of a terrestrial solar cell array tracking the sun. The solar cell system includes drive means that adjust a position of the array along different respective axes with respect to the sun using the drive means. The techniques include predicting the position of the sun during a time period, and sampling an output parameter of the array indicative of performance. The sampled data may be used to identify a fault in the solar cell array, for example a misalignment or a failure of one or more solar cells, in which case a notification of that fault may be generated for the operator or a control signal may be output for correcting the fault. Alternatively, an output signal may be sent to an external system associated with the solar cell system. Various alignment testing routines for checking the solar tracking are described. These routines may involve moving a solar cell array to a reference position at the start of, or during, an alignment routine in order to improve accuracy of position measurement during the routine.

US Patent:

20150075584, Mar 19, 2015

Filed:

Nov 17, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/543310

Inventors:

- Albuquerque NM, US
Igor Kozin - Princeton NJ, US

International Classification:

G01R 31/40
G01R 21/00
G01S 3/781
G01R 31/26

US Classification:

136246, 32476101

Abstract:

An automated method to monitor performance of a terrestrial solar cell array tracking the sun. The solar cell system includes drive means that adjust a position of the array along different respective axes with respect to the sun using the drive means. The techniques include predicting the position of the sun during a time period, and sampling an output parameter of the array indicative of performance. The sampled data may be used to identify a fault in the solar cell array, for example a misalignment or a failure of one or more solar cells, in which case a notification of that fault may be generated for the operator or a control signal may be output for correcting the fault. Alternatively, an output signal may be sent to an external system associated with the solar cell system. Various alignment testing routines for checking the solar tracking are described. These routines may involve moving a solar cell array to a reference position at the start of, or during, an alignment routine in order to improve accuracy of position measurement during the routine.