Patent Application
20120297704
a. Field of Invention
The invention relates generally to solar energy, and especially to the generation of useful electricity from solar energy. More specifically, the present invention relates to movable solar panels that track the sun.
b. Description of Related Art
The following patents are representative of the field pertaining to the present invention:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,351 to Susumu Yaba et al. describes a method of making a curved glass surface with a solar panel formed thereon. A window for an automobile, especially for a sunroof is formed by heating a glass sheet from 500° to 600° C. A transparent electroconductive film is then formed on one side, such as by a CVD method and bending the sheet with the film after heating the temperature from 580° to 650° C.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,081,810 B2 to Jack V. Henderson et al. describes a roof rack assembly for transporting articles along a roof of a motor vehicle that includes a frame member extending along the roof. The roof rack assembly also includes an electronic component for receiving and transmitting signals to an interior portion of the motor vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,677,242 B2 to Giacomo Carcangiu et al. describes a solar-panel unit with: an attachment structure; at least one solar panel, which is delimited by an extensive plane surface of incidence of the solar radiation and is connected to the attachment structure; and a hinging assembly, set between the attachment structure and the solar panel, to enable rotation of the solar panel with respect to the attachment structure about an inclined hinge axis forming an angle smaller than 90° with a horizontal plane.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,705,978 B2 to Mau-Song Chou et al. describes a technique for providing high-contrast images of defects in solar cells and solar panels, by illuminating each cell under inspection with broadband infrared radiation, and then forming an image of radiation that is secularly reflected from the cell. Multi junction solar cells have a metal backing layer that secularly reflects the illumination back into an appropriately positioned and aligned camera, selected to be sensitive to infrared wavelengths at which the solar cell materials are relatively transparent.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,793,654 B1 to Anthony R Thorne describes a solar tracking system comprising a support base, and a panel mounting section mounted to the support base for rotation about a generally vertical axis of rotation. The panel is mounted to the mounting section to be able to rotate about a generally horizontal secondary panel axis of rotation. There is a panel positioning section comprising a base positioning section and an intermediate positioning section having a rear connecting portion to contact the base connecting region and a forward connecting positioning location to connect to the panel at a forward panel connecting positioning location. The intermediate positioning section has a linking axis extending between the rear connecting positioning location and the panel connecting location. The panel is rotated about the main axis of rotation and the intermediate positioning section changes its angular position relative to the base positioning section to cause the tilt angle of the panel to change to track the sun. The positioning section can have its connecting location(s) adjusted to be adapted to both summer and winter conditions so that it is possible to maintain the panel in the proper orientation.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,892 B2 to Xin-Jian Xiao et al. describes a solar LED lamp assembly that includes a mounting member and two LED lamps fixed to a free end of the mounting member. The mounting member includes a pole and a cylinder canister coupled with a distal end of the pole. The two LED lamps are respectively fixed to two opposite lateral sides of a circumferential periphery the canister of the mounting member and extend across each other. Each LED lamp includes a lamp frame, a plurality of LED modules mounted in the lamp frame and a solar panel mounted over a top of the lamp frame. The solar panel receives solar energy and converts it into electrical energy to activate the LED modules to radiate light.
Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.
The present invention is directed to an alternative energy structure. It includes a cylindrical outer structure having its centerline in a substantially horizontal position and being defined by an upper section and a lower section, with opposing sides wherein at least a portion of said upper portion is solar transparent. At least one non-horizontal panel track traverses the upper section of the outer structure within the outer structure. At least one solar panel is movably connected to the panel track so as to be traversable from one side of the upper section to an opposite side of the upper section. At least one non-horizontal counterweight track traverses the lower portion of the outer structure within the outer structure. At least one counterweight is movably connected to the counterweight track so as to be traversable from one side of the lower section to an opposite side of the lower section. The at least one solar panel and the at least one counterweight are connected to one another by a first connection mechanism and by an opposite, second connection mechanism. A drive motor is connected to at least one of the following: the at least one solar panel, the at least one counterweight, the first connection mechanism, and the second connection mechanism, to drive the at least one solar panel from a first position to an opposite second position to follow the sun.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure, the alternative energy structure has at least a portion of the upper section being a solar transparent material selected from the group consisting of glass, plastic, and combinations thereof.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure, the drive motor includes a processor for controlling speed, direction, and timing of the drive motor to cause the at least one solar panel to track the sun.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure, the at least one solar panel is an array of horizontally connected solar panels.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure, the cylindrical structure is a cylindrical greenhouse.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure, at least a majority of said cylindrical structure lower section is subterranean.
In some different preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure, the building's outer structure is defined by an upper section, at least one wall, connected to the upper section, and a lower section, connected to the at least one wall. The upper section has a first side and an opposite side, and the lower section has a first side and an opposite side. At least a portion of the upper section is solar transparent. At least one non-horizontal panel track traverses the upper section of the outer structure. At least one solar panel is movably connected to the track so as to be traversable from the first side of the upper section to the opposite side of the upper section. At least one non-horizontal counterweight track traverses the lower section of the outer structure, within the outer structure. At least one counterweight is movably connected to the counterweight track so as to be traversable from the first side of the lower section to the opposite side of the lower section. The at least one solar panel and the at least one counterweight are connected to one another by a first connection mechanism and by an opposite, second connection mechanism. A drive motor is connected to at least one of the following: the at least one solar panel, the at least one counterweight, the first connection mechanism, and the second connection mechanism.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure in which the building's outer structure is defined by an upper section, at least one wall, connected to the upper section, and a lower section, connected to the at least one wall, at least a portion of the upper section is a solar transparent material selected from the group consisting of glass, plastic, and combinations thereof.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure in which the building's outer structure is defined by an upper section, at least one wall, connected to the upper section, and a lower section, connected to the at least one wall, the drive motor includes a processor for controlling the speed, direction; and timing of the drive motor to cause the at least one solar panel to track the sun.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure in which the building's outer structure is defined by an upper section, at least one wall, connected to the upper section, and a lower section, connected to the at least one wall, the at least one solar panel is an array of horizontally connected solar panels.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure in which the building's outer structure is defined by an upper section, at least one wall, connected to the upper section, and a lower section, connected to the at least one wall, the at least one non-horizontal panel track and the at least one non-horizontal counterweight track define paths selected from the group consisting of: circular, elliptical, arcuate, polygonal, and combinations of these.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure in which the building's outer structure is defined by an upper section, at least one wall, connected to the upper section, and a lower section, connected to the at least one wall, the first connection mechanism is a plurality of connection mechanisms, and the second connection mechanism is a plurality of connection mechanisms.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure in which the building's outer structure is defined by an upper section, at least one wall, connected to the upper section, and a lower section, connected to the at least one wall, the first connection mechanism and the second connection mechanism drive the at least one solar panel at a rate selected from the group consisting of: continuous, periodic, incremental, and combinations of these.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure in which the building's outer structure is defined by an upper section, at least one wall, connected to the upper section, and a lower section, connected to the at least one wall, the upper section of the building outer structure is selected from the group consisting of: cylindrical, polygonal prismatic, polyhedral, and combinations of these.
In some different preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure, the non-horizontal panel track and the non-horizontal counterweight track are not included. An outer structure is defined by an upper section and a lower section. The upper section has a first side and an opposite side, the lower section has a first side and an opposite side. A first connection mechanism is movably attached to the outer structure. A second connection mechanism is movably attached to the outer structure. At least one solar panel is connected to the first connection mechanism and the second connection mechanism such that the at least one solar panel is movable between the first side and the opposite side of the upper section. At least one counterweight is connected to the first connection mechanism and the second connection mechanism such that the at least one counterweight is movable between the first side and the opposite side of the lower section. A drive motor is connected to at least one of the following: the at least one solar panel, the at least one counterweight, the first connection mechanism, and the second connection mechanism, to drive the at least one solar panel from the first side of the upper section to the opposite side of the upper section to follow the sun.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure in which the non-horizontal panel track and the non-horizontal counterweight track are not included, at least a portion of the upper section is a solar transparent material selected from the group consisting of glass, plastic, and combinations thereof.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure in which the non-horizontal panel track and the non-horizontal counterweight track are not included, the drive motor includes a processor for controlling the speed, direction, and timing of the drive motor to cause the at least one solar panel to track the sun.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure in which the non-horizontal panel track and the non-horizontal counterweight track are not included, the at least one solar panel is an array of horizontally connected solar panels.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure in which the non-horizontal panel track and the non-horizontal counterweight track are not included, the invention further includes an axle bracket connected to the at least one solar panel, an axle rotatably connected to the axle bracket, and at least one wheel connected to the axle such that the at least one solar panel rolls on the at least one wheel.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention alternative energy structure in which the non-horizontal panel track and the non-horizontal counterweight track are not included, the invention further includes a solar panel axle bracket connected to the at least one solar panel, a counterweight axle bracket connected to the at least one counterweight, a solar panel axle rotatably connected to the solar panel axle bracket, a counterweight axle rotatably connected to the counterweight axle bracket, at least one solar panel wheel connected to the solar panel axle, and at least one counterweight wheel connected to the counterweight axle, such that the at least one solar panel rolls on the at least one solar panel wheel and the at least one counterweight rolls on the at least one counterweight wheel.
Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,
Referring to
Although the path traversed by the solar panel is not horizontal, the solar panel does not have to be flexible. It is possible to design a rigid solar panel that is adapted to run along a curved track or path, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in
It is immaterial to the invention whether, when in operation, the at least one solar panel moves continually, continuously, periodically, or incrementally. Whether the at least one solar panel constantly moves throughout the day, or whether it starts and stops, is not material. In embodiments in which the panel moves constantly while in operation, gears will allow a fairly low-output motor to drive the panels at a relatively slow speed, but with high torque. In other embodiments, the solar panel can stop at certain points during the day. This may be desirable at certain times of the day, such as high noon, when there may be a period of time during which the constant adjustment of the solar panel to face the sun would consume more energy than would be gained by those angle adjustments. If the movement of the at least one solar panel is intermittent, the starting and stopping can be manually controlled, could be set to a timer, or could be governed by the position of the sun. In some embodiments of the invention, the movement of the at least one solar panel is controlled by a computer.
Throughout the detailed description and elsewhere in the application specification and claims, the phrase “solar panel” does not necessarily refer to only a single solar panel. While some embodiments of the invention allow for the use of a single panel, in other embodiments of the invention, the single panel is replaced by an array of horizontally connected solar panels, which run substantially along the length of the building 50.
Referring now to
With continued reference to
With continued reference to
With continued reference to the embodiment shown in
With continued reference to
Similarly, the embodiment in
In order to move the first connection mechanism 27 and the second connection mechanism 31, a drive motor 29 is present in the basement of the building in the embodiment shown in
In some embodiments of the invention, the solar panel 21 runs the full length of the alternative energy structure 1, which may be considerable. Although the embodiment shown in
The drive motor 29 is connected to a control system 33; the control system 33 controls the speed, direction, and timing with which the second connection mechanism 31 is moved, thus controlling the speed, direction, and timing with which the solar panel 21 moves and allowing the solar panel 21 to track the sun. The control system 33 may simply consist of an “on” switch (not shown) that causes the drive motor to move the solar panel from one side (east) of the building to another (west) over the course of time when the sun is up (approximately twelve hours). The system could automatically reset after reaching the limit of east-west movement. The control system 33 could also have an emergency “off” switch (not shown) and a “reset” switch to return the system to its starting (eastern) position. The control system 33 is preferably an automatic system controlled by computer hardware, in which the control system 33 contains information about the sunrise and sunset times for a given date at a given latitude.
With reference to
Building 60 has an above-ground portion 61 and a below-ground portion 63. The above-ground portion 61 of building 60 has a first wall 67 and an opposite wall 69. First wall 67 and opposite wall 69 support roof 99, at least part of which is solar transparent. Building 60 is shown with six floors, numbered 81 through 91, for the sake of illustration. However, it is immaterial to the invention whether building 60 has many floors, as in a New York City skyscraper, or has no floors, as in a grain silo. In the embodiment shown in
Building 60 further contains a non-horizontal counterweight track 65 and a non-horizontal panel track 71. A solar panel 73 is movably connected to the non-horizontal panel track 71. This allows the solar panel 73 to traverse non-horizontal panel track 71 from one side to the other. Likewise, a counterweight 75 is movably connected to the non-horizontal counterweight track 65, which allows the counterweight 75 to traverse non-horizontal counterweight track 65 from one side to the other. Solar panel 73 and counterweight 75 are connected by a first connection mechanism 77 and a second connection mechanism 79. In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
Turning now to
With reference now to
Like the embodiments shown in
In the embodiment shown in
The embodiment in
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To summarize, the present invention thus provides an alternative energy structure in which a solar panel is attached to a counterweight, allowing the solar panel to be easily moved throughout the day to track the sun. Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
