RU2559982C1 - Sun clock - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: sun clock comprises spherical dome located at analemma dome and optical receiver located there under. Said dome is translucent and secured at the support with inner and outer spherical surfaces provided with analemmas secured thereat. Said analemmas are composed of chains consisting of interconnected segments that carry symbol designation of months and appropriate sun hour. Configuration and number of analemmas are calculated so that shadow of symbol mark falls on optical receiver surface which corresponds to true sun hour at sun motion over coelosphere. Said support is provided with at least one through opening while spherical support inner surface and optical receiver surface have the Earth map image applied thereon to divide the parallel circle to hemispheres crossing the central point marked at optical receiver. Note here the hemispheres are oriented in space in compliance true position of cardinal points while central point marked at optical receiver complies with geographical position of sun clock.

EFFECT: simplified use, enhanced performances.

7 cl, 2 dwg

Description

The invention relates to a device that determines the true solar time, with the function of a calendar and an exact indication of its geographical location, as well as giving a general idea of the location of continents and oceans.

The prior art sundial US 1651621 A, 12/06/1927; US 4,387,999 A, 06/14/1983; US 4,520,572 A, 06/04/1985; US 4,656,748 A, 04/14/1987; DE 3429750 A1.20.02.1986; SN 667969 A, 11/30/1988, US 2013025141 A1, 01/31/2013.

The closest analogue for the claimed invention includes a sundial, including a spherical dome, built-in anemma dome and an optical receiver mounted under the dome (JP 2013002980 A, 01/07/2013). In the known device, the optical receiver consists of a hemispherical lens concentrating sunlight passing through the dome and a reflective element with a mirror coating. In this case, due to the conversion of sunlight by a hemispherical lens, the mirror coating reflects the concentrated beam to a point on the analemma, by the position of which they judge the true solar time. The function of determining the true solar time is complicated by the fact that different hours of solar time are displayed respectively at different points of the analemma distributed over the dome. This circumstance is a disadvantage, since it is not possible to display any hour at one fixed point, which does not provide sufficient convenience and simplicity when using the known device. In addition, the prototype does not implement the function of displaying the geographical location of the object.

The task of the claimed invention is to eliminate the disadvantages identified in the analysis of the prototype, as well as to expand the arsenal of technical equipment for a similar purpose.

The technical result consists in simplifying the use of the device in determining the true solar time, increasing its functionality.

Achieving the technical result is ensured by a sundial including a spherical dome located on the anemma dome and an optical receiver mounted under the dome, the dome being transparent and mounted on a support having an inner and outer spherical surface with anemms fixed to it, made in the form of chains of connected segments with each other, each of which carries a symbolic designation of the corresponding sundial, while the configuration and number of analemma are calculated so that the surface of the optical receiver fell the shadow of the symbol corresponding to the true solar hour when the sun moves in the celestial sphere, and at least one through-hole is made in the support, and an image of the globe’s map is printed on the inner surface of the spherical support and the surface of the optical receiver, which the hemisphere is divided by a parallel passing through the center point marked on the optical receiver, while the hemispheres are oriented in space in accordance with the true position cardinal points, and the central point marked on the optical receiver corresponds to the geographical position of the sundial.

According to the claimed invention, analemma, as well as the image of the hemispheres of the globe are equipped with light sources.

According to the claimed invention, an optical receiver surrounds a liquid-filled closed spherical container.

According to the claimed invention, two through openings are made on the support.

According to the claimed invention, a fence is installed opposite each opening, while on the sides of the fences facing the openings, fragments of the image of the globe are applied, respectively supplementing the images of parts of the globe along the contour of each opening made on the inner surface of the support.

According to the claimed invention, the support with the lower part is mounted on the foundation plate with the possibility of rotationally changing the position of the axis of the support relative to the plate.

Figure 1 shows a sundial in longitudinal section.

Figure 2 shows a sundial in cross section (top view).

The sundial includes a transparent spherical dome 1 and analemma 2 located on the dome. An optical receiver 3 is installed under the dome. Dome 1 is mounted on a support 7, which is mounted on a foundation plate 10, with the possibility of a rotational change in the position of the support 7 relative to the plate 10. The support 7 has an internal and outer spherical surfaces. Analemms 2 are installed on a support on the spherical surface of the dome. Analemma 2 is made in the form of chains of segments 11 connected to each other. Each segment 11 carries symbolic designations of at least one of the twelve months of the year and the corresponding sundial. One or two circular openings 6 are made in the support, each of which provides an entrance to the inside of the device. Fences 9 are installed opposite the openings. On the inner surface of the spherical support and on the surface of the optical receiver there is an image of a map of the globe 5, which is divided into hemispheres by a parallel passing through the center point marked on the optical receiver. In this case, the hemispheres are oriented in space in accordance with the true position of the cardinal points, and the central point marked on the optical receiver corresponds to the geographical position of the sundial. On the inner sides of the fencing 9, fragments of images of the hemispheres of the globe are respectively applied, respectively supplementing along the contour of the openings 6 an image of 5 hemispheres made on the inner spherical surface of the support 7. The optical receiver 3 is made in the form of a table and is surrounded by a fluid-filled hemispherical closed container 8 of transparent material (polymer or glass). Analemma 2, as well as images of parts of the globe on the inner surface of the support 7 and fences 9 are equipped with LED light sources (not shown).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before starting the construction of the facility, calculations of the analogs are simulated by calculations for their subsequent installation along the dome contour. Analemma is a set of points characterizing the position of the Sun in the sky at a given specific hour on different days during the year, recorded from one point. The full analemma resembles a figure eight and consists of eleven segments connected to each other, ten of which correspond to different months of the year and one corresponds to two different months in which the position of the Sun has the same coordinates (respectively, such a segment may include two symbolic designations of each month). Depending on the latitude, the slope of such a figure eight may be different. In addition, in different months of the year at the same hour, the height of the sun will be different, and therefore the analemma segment for daylight saving time, for example, corresponding to 18:00, will be active for daylight hours, but in winter time at the same time the height of the sun can be negative relative to the horizon and the analemma segment corresponding to this hour and this month will not interact with sunlight. The claimed invention provides the ability to display solar time all year round during the day, both in daytime and at night. As noted earlier, for each latitude φ, at which the claimed device is supposed to be erected, the configuration of the monolithic support, the pattern of the location of the analemma on the dome, as well as their number will be individual. For example, for a structure installed beyond the Arctic Circle, the number of anemalms can reach twenty-four. The parameters and coordinates of the arrangement of the elements of the device are determined by calculation, for which they use the technique of computer simulation. First of all, the pattern is calculated for the active segments of the analemma in the daytime during the year and characteristic of this latitude. The position of the Sun in the sky at each moment of time is determined by two coordinates: azimuth A and the height (angle) of the Sun above the horizon h. The azimuth is measured from a point in the south; to the west, the values of A are positive, to the east are negative. Instead of h, you can use the "zenith distance" of the Sun z - this is the angle between the zenith point and the Sun. Obviously, z = 90 ° -h. Coordinates A and h are calculated according to well-known formulas of spherical trigonometry. For example, to calculate analemma for any latitude φ, the following formulas are used:

1) sin h = sin φ sin δ + cos φ cos δ cos t

Where;

h - the height of the Sun above the horizon in degrees,

δ is the declination of the Sun;

from -23 °, 5 ′ at winter solstice

up to + 23 °, 5 ′ in the summer solstice,

t - hour angle:

t = (T _Θ -12 h) · 15 °

T _Θ - true sunny time

2)

A is the azimuth measured from the south point in the horizontal plane.

Having determined A and h of the Sun for each hour during the year, rays are drawn from the design point, which is the center of the optical receiver. At the same time, the suppression points of the rays and the simulated dome will give a typical pattern for the latitude pattern of analemma segments active in the daytime on the surface of the spherical dome. According to one embodiment of the invention, the pattern of segments of analemma is supplemented by segments corresponding to the month and hour when the Sun is below the horizon. In this case, the segments not interacting with sunlight are set higher than the level of the optical receiver, so that the rays from the lighting devices located on them fall into the center of the optical receiver. Thus, each analemma includes eleven segments, some of which may be inactive, i.e. not interacting with sunlight. According to another embodiment of the invention, the number of segments mounted on analemma corresponds to the maximum number of daytime hours for a given area, which are not supplemented by segments corresponding to the month and hour when the Sun is below the horizon. In such an embodiment of the invention, an hour at night is determined by highlighting a segment corresponding to a given hour. Depending on the embodiment of the invention, the configuration of the monolithic support is modeled in such a way that the border separating the monolithic support and the spherical dome outlines the resulting pattern of anemms applied to the spherical dome according to the obtained dome model with the calculated analemma pattern located on it. In accordance with the obtained model, the construction of a sundial is being erected. First, lay the foundation plate 10 with a spherical recess under the monolithic support 7. In the foundation plate 10, place the part connecting the monolithic support 7 with the foundation plate 10, which is made in the form of a ball with a rod (not shown). In this case, the rod is rigidly fixed in the foundation plate 10, and the ball is installed in the lower part of the monolithic support 7, providing rotational and angular movements of its axis relative to the foundation plate, with the possibility of fixing the monolithic support in the desired position due to fixing elements (for example, tightening bolts, abutting to the surface of the ball). This design allows you to orient the sundial in the right direction or change their orientation after installing the device. Monolithic support 7 is made of reinforced concrete or marble. An optical receiver 3, made in the form of a round table, for example, made of marble or concrete, is installed inside the monolithic support. The support of the optical receiver is surrounded by a transparent spherical container 8, which is filled with liquid. On the inner spherical surface of the support and on the surface of the optical receiver, an image of a map of the globe is drawn, which is divided into two hemispheres by a parallel passing through the center point marked on the optical receiver 3, while the hemispheres are oriented in space in accordance with the true position of the cardinal points, and the central the point marked on the optical receiver corresponds to the geographical position of the sundial. In one or two areas of the support there are round openings 6, which provide the possibility of free passage of a person inside the spherical body of the device. A fence 9 is installed opposite each opening. Fragments of the image of the globe are applied on the sides of the fences facing the openings, respectively supplementing the images of the parts of the globe along the contour of each opening made on the inner surface of the support. On the monolithic support 7, analemma 2 is sequentially mounted in accordance with the obtained model so that the shadow from the symbolic designation of the active segment of each analemma falling on the optical receiver corresponds to the true sundial for the area on which the object is installed. The maximum number of oval segments 11 that analemma 2 can consist of is eleven, which includes symbolic signs (for example, Mayan digits) indicating the true sunny hour and month. Moreover, one of the segments corresponding to the same position of the Sun twice a year may include a symbolic designation of two different months of the year. The system of analem 2 fixed on the support 7 is a frame in which transparent segments (for example, made of glass) are installed, generally forming a transparent dome. The side of the analemma system, oriented inward of the device, as well as all parts of the image of the globe, include LED lighting devices. In this case, the lighting devices are directed to the center of the optical receiver. Lighting devices installed on the analemma system provide a light display of the true solar time by highlighting the corresponding anemma segment at night or in cloudy weather. Thus, when the Sun moves over the horizon, active segments of analemma act, and in the dark, time is displayed by highlighting lighting devices on inactive segments or on active segments, the daytime of which corresponds to nighttime. Correct operation of the lighting devices is provided by a processor with software that is electrically connected to the lighting devices and the control panel. The transparent dome is drawn along the path of the Sun in four lines corresponding to the summer and winter solstices, as well as the spring and autumn equinox. In some embodiments of the invention, there may be more than four such lines, each of which corresponds to a specific calendar period. These lines consist of glass prisms fixed on the inside of the transparent dome, and when sunlight passes through the prisms, they, like the segments of analemma, cast a shadow on the optical successor.

It should be noted that when the sun moves in the celestial sphere at some intervals, the shadow of one full segment or several incomplete segments may fall on the optical receiver, one of which will always correspond to the current hour. In the latter case, you can determine the shadow of a segment indicating the current hour by comparing the symbolic designations of the month of each segment with seasonal weather conditions. However, in latitudes where the climatic features of different seasons are almost indistinguishable, special tools can be used to provide additional control over the months of the year. For example, in the floor of the support 7, many recesses are made, forming an anemma pattern (in the form of a figure eight). In this case, the number of recesses is selected from the calculation of the time intervals adopted in this accounting system for the standard (for example, months, weeks or days). To identify the current moment, an element (for example, a ball) is used, periodically installed in a recess corresponding to a specific time interval. Thus, when the shadow falls on the optical receiver from several segments, it is possible to use an additional tool to determine the time of year and compare it with the symbolic designation of the shadows falling from the segments, which allows you to accurately determine the shadow of the segment to be oriented on.

Thus, the display of the true sundial is achieved in accordance with the position of the sun in the celestial sphere both in the daytime and in the dark due to lighting devices at one fixed point on the optical receiver, which ensures ease of user perception of the displayed data, as well as determination of solar time in all latitudes. The invention provides an extension of the functionality of the device, which consists in determining the exact geographical location of the object with an indication of the cardinal points, in providing a calendar function. A sundial can be used as an architectural structure with high aesthetic characteristics. The device can be installed in any part of the globe, for each of which can be calculated analemma pattern corresponding to the annual movement of the Sun, characteristic of each specific latitude.

Claims (7)

1. A sundial, including a spherical dome, located on the dome of the anemma and an optical receiver mounted under the dome, characterized in that the dome is transparent and mounted on a support having internal and external spherical surfaces with anemms attached to it, made in the form of chains of connected segments with each other, each of which bears symbolic signs of at least one month of the year and the corresponding sundial, while the configuration and number of anemma are calculated so that and the surface of the optical receiver fell the shadow of the symbol corresponding to the true hour of the day when the sun moves in the celestial sphere, at least one through aperture is made in the support, and on the inner surface of the spherical support and the surface of the optical receiver there is an image of a globe map that is on the hemisphere divides the parallel passing through the center point marked on the optical receiver, while the hemispheres are oriented in space in accordance with the true position cardinal points, and the central point marked on the optical receiver corresponds to the geographical position of the sundial. 2. A sundial according to claim 1, characterized in that the analemma, as well as the image of the hemispheres of the globe, are equipped with light sources. 3. A sundial according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical receiver surrounds a closed spherical container filled with liquid. 4. The sundial according to claim 1, characterized in that two through openings are made on the support. 5. A sundial according to claim 4, characterized in that a fence is installed opposite each opening, while fragments of the image of the globe are applied on the sides of the fences facing the openings, respectively supplementing the images of parts of the globe along the contour of each opening made on the inner surface supports. 6. The sundial according to claim 1, characterized in that the support with the lower part is mounted on the foundation plate with the possibility of a rotational change in the position of the axis of the support relative to the plate. 7. The sundial according to claim 1, characterized in that each segment of the analemma carries a symbolic designation of at least one month of the year.

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