Patent ID: 8630293
Filing Date: 2014-01-14
Classification: F03G,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of processing solar field control commands, the method comprising: receiving a variable-length data packet with a collector controller of a plurality of collector controllers in a solar field, each of the collector controllers configured to control one or more solar collectors in the solar field, the variable-length data packet comprising: determining, with the collector controller, whether the collector controller is part of the group authorized to execute the staged command; determining, with the collector controller, whether an angle of the one or more solar collectors with respect to the sun is within a virtual track deadband; in response to the collector controller not being in the group authorized to execute the staged command, waiting to transmit a motor start signal from the collector controller to a motor connected to the one or more solar collectors so as to limit power drawn by the motor on an uninterruptible power supply; and in response to the collector controller being in the authorized group and the angle of the one or more solar collectors with respect to the sun being outside of the virtual track deadband, executing the staged command with a processor of the collector controller to cause the motor to actuate the one or more solar collectors.