Sunlight intensity or cloud detection with variable distance sensing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021190991-A1
Application number	US-202117249595-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 5, 2021
Priority date	Sep 29, 2014
Publication date	Jun 24, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

Certain aspects pertain to a cloud detector comprising a first detector module directed to a first region of the sky and a second detector module directed to a second region of the sky. Each detector module has a tube enclosing one or more sensing elements. The one or more sensing elements of the first detector module are configured to take weather condition readings from the first region of the sky. The one or more sensing elements of the second detector module are configured to take weather condition readings from the second region of the sky. In one aspect, the cloud detector is configured to detect cloud cover based on these weather condition readings. In some cases, the one or more sensing elements comprise an infrared radiation detector (e.g., thermopile) for measuring infrared radiation intensity and a photosensor element for measuring sunlight intensity.

First claim

1 .- 48 . (canceled)

49 . A method of controlling one or more building systems, the method comprising:
determining a weather condition using satellite data; and using (i) the weather condition and/or (ii) input from a clear sky irradiance logic to control the one or more building systems.

50 . The method of claim 49 , wherein the satellite data includes infrared data.

51 . The method of claim 49 , wherein the satellite data comprises one or more satellite images.

52 . The method of claim 51 , wherein the satellite images are based on infrared wavelengths and/or visible light wavelengths.

53 . The method of claim 49 , wherein the one or more building systems includes an electrochromic window control system.

54 . The method of claim 49 , further comprising using the weather condition and/or input from the clear sky irradiance logic to determine tint decisions for controlling tint in one or more electrochromic windows.

55 . The method of claim 54 , further comprising delaying transitioning of the one or more electrochromic windows based on bias settings.

56 . The method of claim 54 , wherein the one or more electrochromic windows are in a building.

57 . The method of claim 49 , wherein the weather condition is determined using the satellite data and one or more sensor measurements.

58 . The method of claim 49 , wherein the weather condition comprises (I) a cloud condition and/or (II) a weather forecast.

59 . The method of claim 49 , further comprising determining a density of a least one cloud from the satellite data.

60 . The method of claim 49 , further comprising determining an amount of extraterrestrial radiation transmitted by at least one cloud from the satellite data.

61 . The method of claim 49 , wherein the satellite data includes data of movement and evolution of at least one cloud.

62 . The method of claim 49 , wherein the satellite data includes top view data of at least one cloud.

63 . The method of claim 49 , further comprising:
using the clear sky irradiance prediction logic to determine one or more tint levels for one or more electrochromic windows in a building; and overriding the one or more tint levels based on the weather condition.

64 . An apparatus for controlling one or more building systems, the apparatus comprising at least one controller configured to:
determine a weather condition using satellite data; and use (i) the weather condition and/or (ii) input from a clear sky irradiance logic to control the one or more building systems.

65 . The apparatus of claim 64 , wherein the satellite data includes infrared data.

66 . The apparatus of claim 64 , wherein the satellite data comprises one or more satellite images.

67 . The apparatus of claim 66 , wherein the satellite images are based on infrared wavelengths and/or visible light wavelengths.

68 . The apparatus of claim 64 , wherein the one or more building systems includes an electrochromic window control system.

69 . The apparatus of claim 64 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to use the weather condition and/or input from the clear sky irradiance logic to determine tint decisions for controlling tint in one or more electrochromic windows.

70 . The apparatus of claim 69 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to delay transitioning of the one or more electrochromic windows based on bias settings.

71 . The apparatus of claim 69 , wherein the one or more electrochromic windows are in a building.

72 . The apparatus of claim 64 , wherein the weather condition is determined using the satellite data and one or more sensor measurements.

73 . The apparatus of claim 64 , wherein the weather condition comprises (I) a cloud condition and/or (II) a weather forecast.

74 . The apparatus of claim 64 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to determine a density of a least one cloud from the satellite data.

75 . The apparatus of claim 64 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to determine an amount of extraterrestrial radiation transmitted by at least one cloud from the satellite data.

76 . The apparatus of claim 64 , wherein the satellite data includes data of movement and evolution of at least one cloud.

77 . The apparatus of claim 64 , wherein the satellite data includes top view data of at least one cloud.

78 . The apparatus of claim 64 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to:
use the clear sky irradiance prediction logic to determine one or more tint levels for one or more electrochromic windows in a building; and override the one or more tint levels based on the weather condition.

79 . A non-transitory computer readable medium for controlling one or more building systems, the non-transitory computer readable medium, when read by one or more processors, is configured to direct operations comprising:
determining a weather condition using satellite data; and using (i) the weather condition and/or (ii) input from a clear sky irradiance logic to control the one or more building systems.

80 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 79 , wherein the satellite data includes infrared data.

81 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 79 , wherein the satellite data comprises one or more satellite images.

82 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 81 , wherein the satellite images are based on infrared wavelengths and/or visible light wavelengths.

83 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 79 , wherein the one or more building systems includes an electrochromic window control system.

84 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 79 , configured to direct operations further comprising using the weather condition and/or input from the clear sky irradiance logic to determine tint decisions for controlling tint in one or more electrochromic windows.

85 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 84 , configured to direct operations further comprising delaying transitioning of the one or more electrochromic windows based on bias settings.

86 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 84 , wherein the one or more electrochromic windows are in a building.

87 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 79 , wherein the weather condition is determined using the satellite data and one or more sensor measurements.

88 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 79 , wherein the weather condition comprises (I) a cloud condition and/or (II) a weather forecast.

89 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 79 , configured to direct operations further comprising determining a density of a least one cloud from the satellite data.

90 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 79 , configured to direct operations further comprising determining an amount of extraterrestrial radiation transmitted by at least one cloud from the satellite data.

91 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 79 , wherein the satellite data includes data of movem

Assignees

• View Inc

Inventors

• Frank Trevor
• Rumer Alexander
• Tinianov Brandon
• Fox James
• Silkwood Douglas S
• Klawuhn Erich R

Classifications

• G01J5/00

  Radiation pyrometry, e.g. infrared or optical thermometry · CPC title

• Y02A90/10

  Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation · CPC title

• G01W1/10

  Devices for predicting weather conditions (computers per se G06; display devices G09) · CPC title

• G01W2203/00

  Real-time site-specific personalized weather information, e.g. nowcasting · CPC title

• G01J1/1626

  Arrangements with two photodetectors, the signals of which are compared · CPC title