Abstract
Presently the need exists to accurately, conveniently, and inexpensively point line focus solar concentrating collectors at the sun. We demonstrate here the novel use of an optical fiber as a distributed sensor for tracking lines focus solar collectors. A single optical fiber is positioned along the length of the solar receiver so that the longitudinal axis of the fiber is approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the linear trough, solar collector, receiver tube. This fiber acts as an incident solar flux monitor by sensing the intensity of the solar radiation (incident on the externa! surface of the fiber) propagating through the fiber perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fiber. Although an ideal optical waveguide generally does not collect and guide light incident in this manner, in some situations a nonideal glass fiber optical waveguide will.
© 1981 Optical Society of America
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