Method and apparatus for measuring solar radiation in a vegetative canopy

Patent · Tue Jul 07 00:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6052153

Gutschick, V P; Barron, M H; Waechter, D A; Wolf, M A

An apparatus is described for measuring solar radiation received in a vegetative canopy, the apparatus comprising: a. sensors for selectively generating an electrical signal in response to impinging photosynthetically active radiation in sunlight. Each of the sensors is insensitive to infrared radiation and is attached to an upper surface of a plant within the vegetative canopy. Each of the sensors is sufficiently lightweight to permit substantially normal plant movement; b. a junction box having ports, each of the sensors electrically connected to a different one of the ports; c. operational amplifiers for amplifying the electrical signals generated by the sensors, each of the ports being electrically connected to a different one of the operational amplifiers; d. analog-to-digital convertors for digitizing the electrical signals, each of the analog-to-digital convertors being electrically connected to a different one of the operational amplifiers; e. a computer operatively connected to the analog-to-digital convertors for accumulating and storing solar radiation data; and f. data output means for displaying the solar radiation data, the data output means operatively connected to the computer.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4678330
• OSTI ID: 6052153
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 30 Apr 1985
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
CANOPIES
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
SOLAR RADIATION
ON-LINE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
AMPLIFIERS
ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTERS
COMPUTERS
DISPLAY DEVICES
INFRARED RADIATION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MEMORY DEVICES
MONITORS
SIGNALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
RADIATIONS
STELLAR RADIATION
SYNTHESIS
140100* - Solar Energy- Resources & Availability
140505 - Solar Energy Conversion- Photochemical
Photobiological
& Thermochemical Conversion- (1980-)