Patents Assigned to Atlantic Richfield Company, Inc.
  • Patent number: 4440150
    Abstract: An improvement in a system and method of controlling heliostat in which the heliostat is operable in azimuth and elevation by respective stepper motors and including the respective steps or means for calculating the position for the heliostat to be at a commanded position, determining the number of steps in azimuth and elevation for each respective motor to get to the commanded position and energizing both the azimuth and elevation stepper motors to run in parallel until predetermined number of steps away from the closest commanded position in azimuth and elevation so that the closest position has been achieved, and thereafter energizing only the remaining motor to bring it to its commanded position. In this way, the heliostat can be started from a stowed position in the morning and operated by a computer means to its commanded position and kept correctly oriented throughout the day using only the time of the day without requiring the usual sensors and feedback apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Kaehler