Solar sensor including reflective element to transform the angular response

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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a photo-sensitive electronic device having an active surface for collection of incident solar radiation;    a generally transparent housing located over said electronic device, said housing including a shadow element located above the active surface and projecting a shadow onto the active surface; and    a reflective surface located between the active surface and the shadow element and reflecting light onto the active surface.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the output characteristics of said electronic device are modified because of blocking of solar radiation from the planar surface by said shadow element and reflecting of solar radiation from said reflective surface onto the active surface.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said electronic device is a photodiode.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said shadow element is substantially opaque.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said shadow element is partly opaque.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said housing is dome-shaped and diffuses solar radiation incident thereon.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the active surface has a first area, the projected shadow has a second area, and the second area is less than the first area.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for collecting solar radiation, comprising: 
 a photo-sensitive electronic device having a planar surface for collection of incident solar radiation;    a body located above the planar surface, said body having a substantially opaque portion, said body having a reflecting surface;    wherein the solar radiation is incident upon the planar surface over a first range of angles, a portion of the solar radiation is blocked from the planar surface by the opaque portion over a second range of angles, and a portion of the solar radiation is reflected onto the planar surface by the reflecting surface over a third ranges of angles, the first range is greater than either the second range or the third range, and the second range is different than the third range.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the second range includes solar radiation that is substantially normal to the planar surface.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the third range includes solar radiation that is substantially parallel to the planar surface.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the shape of the reflecting surface is chosen from the group including partially spherical, parabolic, conical, or frusto-conical.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  effect of blocking element and reflecting element exclusive or overlapping.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the second range and the third range are overlapping.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the second range and the third range are mutually exclusive.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 8  which further comprises a dome-shaped housing, said photo-sensitive electronic device being contained within said housing, said body being attached to said housing.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for collecting solar radiation, comprising: 
 a housing including a portion which transmits solar radiation incident thereon, said housing having an interior surface, said housing including an opaque portion;    a photo-sensitive electronic device located within said housing and having a photo-responsive surface which receives solar radiation and modifies an electrical signal in response thereto; and    a body located on the interior surface of said housing, said body depending from the interior surface toward the photo-responsive surface, said body having a reflecting surface;    wherein the solar radiation is incident upon the photo-responsive surface over a first range of angles, a portion of the solar radiation is blocked from the photo-responsive surface by the opaque portion over a second range of angles, and a portion of the solar radiation is reflected onto the photo-responsive surface by the reflecting surface over a third ranges of angles, the first range is greater than either the second range or the third range, and the second range is different than the third range.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the reflecting surface is generally centered above the photo-responsive surface.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the reflecting surface is not generally centered above the photo-responsive surface.  
     
     
         19 . A method for adjusting the climate controls of a vehicle, comprising: 
 providing a sensor in a housing for detecting solar radiation incident upon a vehicle and a controller for adjusting the climate controls of the vehicle in response to a signal from the sensor, the housing including a substantially reflecting surface;    receiving solar radiation upon the housing, a portion of the solar radiation being transmitted at an angle such that the portion does not fall directly incident upon the sensor;    reflecting the portion off of the reflecting surface and onto the sensor;    modifying the output of the sensor in response to the reflected portion;    providing the sensor output to the controller; and    adjusting the climate controls of the vehicle.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  which further comprises receiving a second portion of the solar radiation upon the housing transmitted at a second angle, the second angle intercepting the sensor, and preventing the second portion from falling incident upon the sensor.