Anne M Flippin

US Patent:

39719154, Jul 27, 1976

Filed:

Dec 11, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/531576

Inventors:

James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Fletcher
Anne Flippin - Friendswood TX
Arthur L. Schmitt - Dickinson TX

International Classification:

G06C 2700

US Classification:

235 61NV

Abstract:

Disclosed is a circular computer and system for determining the sun angle relative to the horizon from any given place and at any time. The computer includes transparent, rotatably mounted discs on both sides of the circular disc member. Printed on one side of the circular disc member are outer and inner circular sets of indicia respectively representative of site longitude and Greenwich Mean Time. Printed on an associated one of the rotatable discs is a set of indicia representative of Solar Time. Printed on the other side of the circular disc member are parallel lines representative of latitude between diametral representations of North and South poles. Elliptical lines extending between the North and South poles are proportionally disposed on the surface to scale Solar Time in hours. Printed on the other associated one of the rotatable discs are parallel lines representative of sun angle and a perpendicularly arranged sun elevation line. Also printed on the other side of the disc member near its outer periphery is a set of indicia arcuately arranged and proportioned to scale the date of year relative to solar declination.