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.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
     
     
         21 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a photo-sensitive electronic device having an active surface for collection of incident solar radiation;    a shadow element located between the active surface and the incident solar radiation and projecting a shadow onto the active surface; and    a curved first reflective surface located between the active surface and the shadow element.    
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the output characteristics of said electronic device are modified because of blocking of solar radiation from the active surface by said shadow element and reflecting of solar radiation from said reflective surface onto the active surface.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein said electronic device is a photodiode.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein said shadow element is substantially opaque.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein said shadow element is partly opaque.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , 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.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further including a housing located over said electronic device, wherein said housing includes said shadow element.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein said housing is dome-shaped and diffuses solar radiation incident thereon.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein said shadow element is an opaque coating applied to said housing.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein said first reflective surface is a reflective coating applied to said housing.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the shape of said first reflective surface is chosen from the group consisting of partially spherical, parabolic, conical, and frusto-conical.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 a second reflective surface not located between the active surface and the shadow element.    
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein said first surface and said second surface are non-contiguous.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further including a housing located over said electronic device, said housing including an interior surface, wherein said second reflecting surface is on the interior surface.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein said second reflecting surface is a reflective coating applied to said housing.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein said apparatus has a front and a rear, said second reflecting surface being located aft of said first reflecting surface.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein said photo-sensitive electronic device is an array of photodiodes.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , further including an opaque photodiode divider.  
     
     
         39 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an apparatus comprising: 
 a photo-sensitive electronic device having an active surface for collection of incident solar radiation;  
 a shadow element located above the active surface and projecting a shadow onto the active surface; and  
 a curved reflective surface located between the active surface and the shadow element.  
   receiving solar radiation incident on the active surface;    receiving solar radiation incident on the reflective surface;    reflecting a portion of the solar radiation incident on the reflective surface off the reflective surface and onto the active surface;    modifying the output of the sensor in response to the reflected portion.    
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , which further comprises the steps of: 
 providing a controller for adjusting the climate controls of a vehicle in response to a signal from the photo-sensitive electronic device;    providing output of the photo-sensitive device to the controller; and    adjusting the climate controls of a vehicle.