Patent Application
20100108113
1. Field
This disclosure relates to a shading structure that is formed from solar panels. More particularly, systems and methods for coupling solar panels together to form a flexible canopy are disclosed.
2. Background
Solar panels on top of free-standing shade structures such as buildings, pavilions, and pergolas can be an efficient and beneficial use of space. However, the current method of building such structures is to complete the underlying structure first, then install the solar panels on top as a secondary effort. It is an expensive and time-consuming approach, often involving unnecessary duplication of parts, and the result is a rigid structure that requires significant reinforcement to counteract bending moments imposed by wind loads.
Also, many structures in arid or semi-arid climates can benefit from shade, but do not need the exclusion of rain; for example, parking structures, walkways, gazebos, pavilions, band shells, bleachers, outdoor markets, and so forth. Solar panels mounted on top of these structures can provide power for lights, fans, PA systems, refrigerators, surveillance cameras, etc. in and around the structure, feed the power to neighboring buildings or the local power grid, or a combination thereof.
In the above examples, however, if the underlying structure does not already exist, the conventional approach is to build it independently of the solar panels, then add the solar panels afterwards. The result is a relatively expensive, rigid structure that requires extra design effort to shield the solar panels from excessive stress, both from wind loads often found in dry climates and, in some areas, seismic activity.
Therefore, there has been a long-standing need for a solar panel design paradigm that reduces the cost of building these structures, as well as providing the overall structure the necessary resilience against wind and other outside loads.
The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present disclosure, wherein systems and methods for the implementation of solar panels as a roofing structure are provided. In one of various aspects of the disclosure, an aeroelastic solar-power-generating canopy is provided, comprising, a plurality of solar panels arranged substantially adjacent to each other; attachment members coupled to at least one portion of a solar panel of the plurality of solar panels; linking members coupled to the attachment members, the linking members providing a flexing point for solar panels of the plurality of solar panels; a cable coupled to the linking members, spanning a substantial portion of a distance covered by the plurality of solar panels, and providing a restraining force; and a plurality of supporting structures, wherein at least one of the attachment members and cable is coupled thereto, wherein the cable in conjunction with the linking members allows the plurality of solar panels to dynamically react to loads, the plurality of solar panels operating as a covering and as a source of solar power.
In another aspect of the disclosure, an aeroelastic solar-power-generating canopy is provided, comprising a plurality of means for generating power from solar energy arranged substantially adjacent to each other; means for attachment coupled to at least one portion of a means of the plurality of the solar means; means for linking coupled to the means for attachment, the linking means providing a flexing point for the means of the plurality of solar means; a tensioning means coupled to the linking means, spanning a substantial portion of a distance covered by the plurality of solar means, and providing a restraining force; and a plurality means for supporting, wherein at least one of the attachment means and tensioning means is coupled thereto, wherein the tensioning means in conjunction with the linking means allows the plurality of the solar means to dynamically react to loads, the plurality of solar means operating as a covering.
In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a method for providing an environmental covering using solar power panels is provided, comprising, arranging a plurality of solar panels substantially adjacent to each other; attaching attachment members to at least one portion of a solar panel of the plurality of solar panels; linking linking members to the attachment members, the linking members providing a flexing point for solar panels of the plurality of solar panels; coupling a cable to the linking members, spanning a substantial portion of a distance covered by the plurality of solar panels to provide a restraining force; and coupling the plurality of solar panels to a plurality of supporting structures, wherein at least one of the attachment members and cable is coupled to a supporting structure of the plurality of supporting structures, wherein the cable in conjunction with the linking members allows the plurality of solar panels to dynamically react to loads.
Aspects of the disclosed systems and methods are elucidated in the accompanying figures and following description. In various embodiments, the solar panels and their structures are configured into a flexible canopy that attach directly to the supports of a structure. For example, this can be accomplished by hinging together the support members of solar panels (forming a “panel section”) and suspending each panel section between the structure's supports. The panel sections can be configured to react to tensile loads, which they do very efficiently. Each link can be connected to a stabilizing element that can apply any one or more of “outward and downward” tension (for example, a guy-wire) to offload the panel section during uplifting wind conditions thus mitigating the compressive loads they experience, while raising the natural resonance of the panel sections to higher frequencies. Panel support members that are used to form the panel sections can also perform “double duty” as canopy structural members, thereby reducing cost and amounts of material used. Pre-assembling and pre-wiring the panel section on the ground on-site, then lifting into place, also significantly reduces installation costs.
Further, the solar panels can be arranged and electrically connected in groups for desired power aggregation, increasing overall installed cost-efficiency. Also, the finished canopy, having the linking structure disclosed herein, can be considered to be sufficiently aeroelastic and seismically resilient for a lower cost than comparable rigid structures which are designed to minimum deflection criteria. As in the embodiments of this disclosure, the design priority is the strength of structural members which are allowed to deflect, thereby costs and amounts of material used are reduced. Therefore, efficiencies in construction and reduction in procured and installed costs are understood to be achievable using the various embodiments disclosed herein.
It should also be understood that the panel section 10 may contain one or more solar panels. That is, a plurality of solar panels 2 may be arranged to form a single panel section 10. Thus, the panel section 10 may be larger than a single solar panel 2. Additionally, as stated above, the panel section 10 may be of any arbitrary shape or size, with some panel sections 10 being rectangular, square, polygonal, curved, and so forth. Also, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to attach an intermediate structure between the panel section 10 and the rails 6, in addition to or other than the crossbars 4. Or based on the capabilities and type of rails 6 used, the crossbars 4 may not be necessary. Or based on the capabilities and type of crossbars 4 used, the rails 6 may be supplanted by use of the crossbars 4 as the “rail-like” element.
The linked panels 10 of the roofing section 20 are understood to hang down under their weight and their natural shapes, and are held down by the cable pretension, with the linkage points naturally falling along a catenary curve. The linked panels are further pulled downward by the cable pretension. The cable(s) 24 attached to the links 22, being anchored to something solid (e.g., the pillars or rafters, the ground, strong structures, and so forth), apply “outward and downward” tension on the links 22 for stability against random gusts or turbulence.
In some embodiments, it may be desirable to utilize a single cable 24 that traverses all the rails 6 from one side of the structure to the other. Cable spreaders (discussed below) on the supports 26 can be used to control the cable 24 between the sections and maintain the tension on each link 22. If the cable spreader is configured to enable the cable 24 to slide there within, it can distribute the cable's tension wherever it is most needed to react to a given dynamic load. By using such a design, additional parts and labor can be reduced as cable terminations (
When wind pressure is downwards, the rails are in tension; when wind force is upwards, the rails are in compression. Because the compressive load is balanced by the tensile load in the cable 24, the magnitude of the compression experienced by the rails 6 does not overstress them. The tension from the cable(s) 24 also raises the roofing section's 20 natural resonance frequency, thereby minimizing its susceptibility to fatigue. If the individual panel sections 10 are caused to vibrate, they will vibrate at a higher frequency and lower amplitude than they would without the cable(s) 24. This will reduce the dynamic force and in turn the stress of the panel section. This reduces the stress on the individual panel sections 10.
Based on the principles described above, structural supports 26 and appropriately configured panel sections 20 or 25 define the main components to build a roof. There is no requirement for purlins, tie beams, collar beams, wind braces, battens, and so forth, which are typically required in a conventional solar panel mounting system. These extra components add considerably to cost, complexity, obstruction of the underlying space, and the energy required to make the superfluous components. Of course, such items may be added to the exemplary approaches described herein, but they are not necessary. Because of the lack of need for these conventional parts, costs associated with their procurement and installation can be eliminated, resulting in a more cost-effective solar panel roofing system.
Based on the above exemplary embodiments, various designs are possible for the links 22. For example,
Also, the cable supporting member 31, though shown as being “below” the link 29 in
Also, it should also be noted that while the exemplary embodiments described above show two pin/hole combinations 27 per link, the rails 6 may be configured in such a manner that only one pin/hole combination 27 may be necessary, or several pin/hole combinations 27. That is, in some embodiments, the rails 6 of adjoining panel sections may overlap each other such that a single pin/hole combination 27 may be implementable, thus the link may only require a single pin/hole combination 27 per panel section pair.
As should be apparent, the embodiment of
The cable spreader system 55 functions to anchor the cable 24 to supporting sections 53 and provides a mechanism to maintain tension on each link in the desired direction. Since the cable 24 can move through the sleeve/channel 62, it can allocate its resilience wherever it is most needed to react to a given dynamic load. Since there may be many other ways to perform the desired control exhibited by the cable spreader system 55, it should be apparent that various modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary cable spreader system 55 without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
Various designs are also possible for the ends of the canopy. For example, the canopy can end just above the outermost major support as in
In various embodiments, it is understood that it may be desirable to attach or secure some form of netting or protection underneath the canopy system 50 to catch any glass or debris from solar panel breakage. In some embodiments, the netting or protection mechanism may be decorative and/or configured with lighting to add to the functionality or aesthetics of the canopy system 50.
Various advantages are realizable using the exemplary methods and systems disclosed herein. For example, rather than attaching solar power panels to an existing roof (requiring complicated attachment mechanisms), the aeroelastic solar-power-generating canopy can be simply built from two or more panel sections with flexibly linked rails and stabilizing cables. This design allows the canopy to be attached to major supports, with no further structure needed. Because of the flexible nature of the canopy, it will react to dynamic loads in any direction. The cables can be configured to be continuous from end to end of the structure, thus reducing the number of junctions. Optional overhanging eaves can be positioned at the ends of the canopy/structure. The canopy is also advantageous in that it is structurally optimized to minimize the use of commodity materials such as steel and concrete, resulting in a more cost effective energy generating solution for open or semi-open structures. Also, installing such a canopy over a building would reduce the thermal energy reaching the building, reducing its cooling requirements and thus its energy usage.
Based on the disclosed embodiments, electrical connections between the panels sections can be arranged to aggregate power in quantities compatible with downstream equipment. Thus, sturdy, resilient, and elegant families of designs can be found for a wide variety of shade providing, power generating structures. The exemplary canopy system, being a solar panel system, is capable of generating power with no noise or smell, which can be a boon in remote recreation areas, as well as being useful in urban and industrial settings.
It will be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangement of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
