Patent Application
20210351735
The present invention relates to a mobile generator device having at least one alignable solar panel, wherein the solar panel can be moved to a transport position and at least one operating position, and a cooling system with a mobile generator device, a control and a cooling device, in particular a freezer, having at least one cooling circuit, wherein the cooling circuit has a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser.
Typically, such generator devices and cooling systems are employed in remote areas, in particular in developing countries where a stable and safe energy supply under normal circumstances cannot be ensured. It has therefore turned out feasible to photovoltaically generate the energy required for the operation since in the most developing countries the insolation is sufficiently high over the whole year. Thus, also delicate goods, such as for example medical products that need to be cooled can be stored safely, whereby the quality of life of the local people can be improved.
To counteract this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has made a catalogue with threshold criteria which has to be fulfilled by the used generator device and cooling equipment for the transport and storage of medical products. However, with the generator devices of the prior art meeting these criteria this means that as a rule predefined installation set-ups are required for operation. For example, the solar panels are anchored on a base pedestal or attached to walls and roofs. However, in remote areas there is often a lack of the infrastructure that is required for installation and starting up. Occasionally, qualified staff such as electricians, mechanics, welders, or bricklayers must be externally included for the installation and starting up of the plant. This makes the plant expensive and also causes problems in maintenance and upkeep. Moreover, because of this the known plants can in no way be flexibly employed but only used stationary and again it requires a great effort to move such devices, respectively.
Moreover, the known devices are difficult to transport and there often occur damages in transport to the delicate solar panels, in particular when the transport leads through difficult terrain or also water.
Thus, it is the object of the present invention to provide a mobile generator system for the photovoltaic power generation that fulfills the criteria of the WHO and at the same time, does not need any installation setups, can be easily transported, and in which transport damages to the solar panels can be avoided. Furthermore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a cooling system the power supply of which is provided by a mobile generator system according to the invention.
The solution of the object is accomplished with a mobile generator device according to claim 1 and a cooling system according to claim 18. Practical developments are described in the dependent claims.
The mobile generator device according to the invention is distinguished from the generator devices known in the prior art in particular by the fact that the generator device has a housing shell with a peripheral area, wherein the solar panel is hinged to the housing shell so that the solar panel is in the transport position within the housing shell and does not project over the peripheral area. With other words, for transport the solar panel can be pivoted into the shell. Thus, the panel is safely protected against shock and/or other transport damages. Moreover, this also allows the simple and easy transportation of the generator device by air, water, and ashore since the generator device does not need any installation setups. By the shell-like construction it is also possible to optimally align the plant towards the sun since the shell can be rotated without major problems.
Preferably, the generator device has a further housing shell with a peripheral area. The further housing shell is connected to the other housing shell by a housing hinge connection so that the peripheral area of the further housing shell can be contacted with the peripheral area of the other housing shell. Thus, the solar panel in the transport position can be even better protected against damages since it is located inside the shell. Here, it is conceivable that the peripheral areas of the housing shells are fixed to each other by suitable locking means.
Moreover, the further housing shell can have at least one alignable solar panel, wherein the solar panel is hinged to the further housing shell so that the solar panel in the transport position is within the further housing shell and does not project over its peripheral area. In this way, the available solar panel surface—and thus, the power yield of the generator device—can be significantly increased. Here, the housing shells preferably are substantially mirrored and identical, respectively, so that the advantages already mentioned-above also apply.
Furthermore, it can also be advantageous if the housing hinge connection is detachable. In this way, both shells can be moved separately. In particular, when solar panels are disposed in both shells this allows an individual alignment of the solar panels.
It is practical if each solar panel has a transport locking device so that the solar panel can be fixed in its transport position within the housing shell. In this way, the protection against damage can be increased again. Here, it is particularly advantageous if the transport locking device has a simple construction and can be accomplished by manually screwing in a thumb or knurled thumbscrew, for example.
Preferably, for each solar panel the generator device has at least one rail disposed within the housing shell and one connecting arm assigned to the rail. Here, the solar panel is connected to one end of the rail by a panel hinge connection. The rail extends vertically towards the rotational axis of the panel hinge connection. The connecting arm is connected to the solar panel by a first hinge at its first end and to a slide by a second hinge at its second end, wherein the slide can be moved along the rail such that the solar panel can be continuously aligned in various operating positions. This has the advantage that the inclination of the solar panel can be adjusted by simply shifting the slide. Thus, the solar panel can be quickly and easily brought into the desired operating position and aligned towards the sun, respectively.
Furthermore, it is advantageous if the slide is fixed in its position along the rail. Thus, inadvertent shifting the inclination of the solar panel can be avoided.
Preferably, the rail is detachably connected to the housing shell. This opens the possibility, that the solar panels can also be used without the shell. For example, the solar panels thus can be firmly fixed on a roof or at a wall.
Alternatively, it has been found practical if each solar panel is connected by at least one panel hinge connection to the housing shell and the housing shell has at least one perforated strip. Here, the perforated strip extends vertically to the rotational axis of the panel hinge connection. The solar panel has a connecting arm, wherein the connecting arm is connected to the solar panel via a first hinge at its first end, and the connecting arm has a receptacle for a fastening pin at its second end. The connecting arm can be fixed at different positions along the perforated strip via the fastening pin so that the solar panel can be aligned in different operating positions. This alternative solution has the advantage that the inclination of the solar panel can be adjusted by simply changing the fastening pin. Thus, the solar panel can be quickly and easily brought into the desired operating position and aligned towards the sun, respectively. Moreover, the fastening pin also prevents inadvertent shifting the inclination of the solar panel.
Preferably, the solar panel is detachably connected to the housing shell. This opens the possibility that the solar panel can also be used without the shell. For example, then the solar panels can be firmly fixed on a roof or at a wall.
Preferably, the housing shell is made of a weatherproofed material, in particular of polyethylene. In this way, the shell becomes particularly light and stable. However, it is also conceivable that the shell is made of wood or another metallic material.
It is advantageous if the housing shell has at least one chamber, wherein the chamber can be filled with material to act as a weight. In this way, the structural stability of the generator device can be increased.
Preferably, the housing shell has a multi-wall construction, wherein the housing shell has at least one opening for filling and discharging the housing shell. Thus, the shell can be filled with a liquid, fine gravel, or sand, for example. In the discharged state, this has also the advantage that the shell becomes more rigid and at the same lighter. By the multi-wall construction the generator device can also be designed floatable.
Moreover, at least one housing shell can have transport receptacles, in particular for the transport with an industrial truck or aircraft. In this way, the generator device can easily be raised, moved, and loaded. Here, by an industrial truck in particular a forklift or also a carriage is to be understood.
Preferably, the housing shell has structures for safely stacking several housing shells on top of each other at the outside. This is particularly advantageous in transport and storage of the generator device since thus, it can at least partially be refrained from costly storage and transport locking devices.
It is advantageous if the housing shell has at least one grommet for fixation and/or protection against theft. In this way, the generator device can be even better transported. Here, the grommets are formed such that for example round slings for the hanging transport can be threaded in. It is also conceivable that pegs or the like are driven through the grommets so as to also increase the stability of the generator device and also protect it against theft.
Preferably, the housing shell has a plurality of handles. The handles allow the transport by hand and are also helpful in loading the generator device. Here, it is preferable if corresponding loading means, such as for example belts, can be attached.
Moreover, the present invention relates to a cooling system having a generator device according to the invention and at least one cooling circuit. The cooling system has a control and a cooling device, in particular a freezer. The cooling system is distinguished over the cooling systems known in the prior art by the fact that the power supply of the cooling system is provided by the mobile generator device and the control regulates the cooling system depending on the power supply. This has the advantage that the cooling system fulfills the guidelines and criteria of the WHO and thus, a safe storage of the chilled goods is possible.
In this context, it is also advantageous if the connection between the cooling device and the mobile generator device and/or between individual generator devices is provided via a plug quick connection having a female and male part. Also the single solar panel itself can be connected to the housing shell of the generator device by the plug quick connection. In particular, here cables with corresponding 3P plugs or 3P couplings can be used. If several mobile generator devices are to provide the power supply for the cooling device it is preferably if at least one clamping strip or the like is employed for connecting the generator devices to the cooling device. Here, at least two generator devices can be detachably connected by at least one coupling, wherein the coupling can be directly connected to the cooling device or in turn to another coupling. To thereby prevent incorrect mating the plug quick connections in their shape can accordingly be formed such that it allows only one way of connection. Also, a colored or other indication is conceivable. This makes it possible in an advantageous manner to quickly and simply isolate individual mobile generator devices if those for example are to be employed elsewhere or have a defect. Moreover, the individual solar panel can be separated from the housing shell by means of the plug quick connection so as to exchange it for another solar panel or to mount it for example separately from the housing shell directly on the roof of a house.
In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with respect to examples illustrated in the figures. Here, schematically:
In
In the illustration according to
Moreover, the housing shell 3a has handles 22 disposed on opposite sides of the housing shell 3a. In this example, at each side three handles 22 are provided. Furthermore, the housing shell 3a has several webs 16 at the outer periphery 17. These webs prevent an offset between the peripheral areas 4a, 4b of the two housing shells 3a, 3b if these are in the folded state. The operating principle of the webs 16 is in particular seen in
In
Here, the rail 8 extends vertically from the rotational axis defined by the hinge connection 10 and parallel to the bottom surface of the housing shell 3a. At the back of the solar panel 2a and the frame 23, respectively, there is fixed a connecting arm 9 with its first end 12 by means of a first hinge 11. The connecting arm 9 with its second end 14 is fixed to a slide 15 by means of a second hinge 13. The slide 15 runs along a profile of the rail 8, in which case a reversed T profile is used. Moreover, the slide 15 has a fastening means 24 by means of which the slide 15 can be fixed in its position along the rail 8. As is illustrated, two screws can be provided for that by means of which the slide 15 can be positively clamped to the rail profile. It is also conceivable that the fastening means 24 are only provided at one slide 15. Thus, the solar panel 2a can be continuously adjusted in its inclination.
Furthermore, in
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Furthermore, the housing shell 103 has a number of handles 122 and grommets 121 distributed at the outer periphery 128. In this example, twelve handles 122 and six grommets 121 in total are distributed at the outer periphery 128.
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In
In
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2011 121 553.4 | Dec 2011 | DE | national |
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/367,844, filed Sep. 19, 2014, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14367844 | Sep 2014 | US |
| Child | 15801968 | US |
