Patent Application
20090014130
The invention herein resides in the art of electrical energy producing systems and, more particularly, to such systems that employ photovoltaic devices that serve to convert light energy into electrical energy. More particularly, the invention relates to a photovoltaic energy producing system implemented in the form of a deployable and retractable awning having a substantially rigid frame. Further, the invention relates to a photovoltaic awning system particularly adapted from thin film photovoltaic materials that is configured to maintain its integrity in high winds, provide a structure for effectively transmitting the energy produced to a distribution system, and that is readily deployed and retracted. The thin film photovoltaic materials and the carrier material upon which they are received are further characterized by their light transmissive features. Optimally, these materials pass light in the photosynthesis wavelength band(s) to vegetation below, while converting the remaining responsive wavelengths into electrical energy through the photovoltaic medium.
The use of photovoltaic devices to convert light energy into electrical energy is commonly known. However, the physical structure of such systems require custom design and field installation of multiple modules to generate sufficient energy to meet the power needs of even small commercial or residential buildings.
The problems of the prior art are aggravated when photovoltaic devices are contemplated for deployment in a retractable awning-like structure. Indeed, winds and snow loads are significant barriers to the use of anything but formidable structures to carry power generating systems of photovoltaic devices. The physical size of an awning required to generate significant amounts of electrical energy frustrate efforts of deployment and retraction, which are required to avoid damage or destruction when inclement weather or high winds rapidly approach. A photovoltaic awning structure that overcomes many of the deficiencies of the prior art is presented in copending patent application Ser. No. 11/442,564, filed May 20, 2006, entitled Photovoltaic Awning Structures, by the inventor herein. The teachings of that application are incorporated herein by reference.
When used in an awning structure, the photovoltaic system substantially blocks the passage of light to regions below the awning. While this may be acceptable where shade is desired, such as coverings on carports, patios and the like, it is problematic when the awning is to cover areas where vegetation is grown, or sunlight is otherwise desired.
There remains a need in the art for a photovoltaic awning structure that may be quickly and easily deployed and retracted, that demonstrates a high degree of stability in windy environments, that facilitates and accommodates ease of generation and transmission of electrical power therefrom and that can be light transmissive, within desired wavelengths.
In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the invention to provide a photovoltaic deployable and retractable awning structure that demonstrates a high degree of stability in windy environments.
A further aspect of the invention is the provision of a photovoltaic deployable and retractable awning structure that is quickly and easily deployed and retracted.
Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a photovoltaic deployable and retractable awning structure that employs thin film photovoltaic materials.
Still another aspect of the invention is the provision of a photovoltaic deployable and retractable awning structure in which the awning is light transmissive in a range of wavelengths for vegetative photosynthesis.
Yet a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a photovoltaic deployable and retractable awning structure, capable of blocking and transmitting particular light wavelengths, and that is cost effective and easy to implement, providing for stability and physical integrity in use, and capable of generating a significant amplitude of electrical power, while being easy to deploy and retract, and that can be constructed with presently known state of the art elements.
The foregoing and other aspects of the invention that will become apparent as the detailed description proceeds are achieved by a deployable and retractable photovoltaic awning assembly, comprising: a sheet of photovoltaic devices; a rotatable roll receiving said sheet and adapted to alternatively rotatably pay-out said sheet and retract and retrieve said sheet; a boom at an end of said sheet opposite said roll; a cable connected to said boom at each of opposite ends thereof, said cables being windingly received by said roll; a pair of side support tubes extending along opposite edges of said sheet between said ends of said boom and said roll; and wherein said sheet has positioned therealong a plurality of elongated strips of photovoltaic materials.
Further aspects of the invention that become apparent herein are achieved by a deployable and retractable photovoltaic awning assembly, comprising: a sheet of photovoltaic devices; a rotatable roll receiving said sheet and adapted to alternatively rotatably pay-out said sheet and retract and retrieve said sheet; a boom at an end of said sheet opposite said roll; a cable connected to said boom at each of opposite ends thereof, said cables being windingly received by said roll; a pair of side support tubes extending along opposite edges of said sheet between said ends of said boom and said roll; and wherein said sheet has positioned therealong a plurality of elongated strips of photovoltaic materials; and wherein said sheet substantially absorbs the solar spectrum outside the range of 400-700 nanometers wavelength for generation of electric power, and passes the range of 400-700 nanometers wavelength for photosynthesis by plants therebeneath.
For a complete understanding of the various aspects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly
According to the invention, the awning 204 includes a carrier base material 214, which receives one or more photovoltaic materials or devices 216 thereon. The webs of photovoltaic material 216 may be sewn, bonded, or otherwise affixed to the carrier base material 214, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. Additionally, it is contemplated that the webs of photovoltaic materials or devices 216 may be overlaid upon the carrier base material 214 or, alternatively, the carrier base material 214 may be characterized by openings or voids that are covered by the photovoltaic material webs 216. It is particularly contemplated that the photovoltaic material 216 will be of the flexible thin film type, given to the capability of being repeatedly rolled and unrolled during deployment and retrieval, without damage.
As further shown in
Uniquely provided in association with the photovoltaic awning assembly 200 are a pair of side support tubes 222, fixed at one end to an associated bracket 218, and at the other end to a cross tube 224. Accordingly, the cylindrical roll 202, side support tubes 222 and cross tube 224 effectively define a frame member for receiving and supporting the awning 204, as shown in
With continued reference to
With reference now to
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in order to impart a saddle configuration into the awning 204, it is most desired that the side support tubes 222 not be coplanar and parallel, but that the end of one of the side support tubes 222 at its point of engagement with the cross tube 224 be higher or lower than the elevation of the end of the other side support tube 222 at its point of interconnection with the cross tube 224. With this skewed arrangement, movement of the slides 232 within the tracks 230 is facilitated by the sliding movement of at least one of the pins 234, and the large degree of universal movement accommodated by the spherical or universal joints 248.
Deployment and retraction of the awning assembly 200 is attained as previously presented herein. However, the awning assembly 200 is provided with a substantially rigid frame, to which the awning 204 is continually engaged, such that the likelihood of the awning 204 falling or otherwise presenting a precarious situation is greatly reduced.
Also contemplated as a portion of the present invention is the implementation of an awning structure fabricated from a photovoltaic material 216 and carrier base material 214 that is layered, encapsulated, or bonded to an underlying carrier base material that is transparent or translucent. Such materials may be developed to allow for the passage of specific wavelengths of the light spectrum, while filtering the rest. Accordingly, awnings of the type presented herein may be fashioned from a combination of materials that allow for the passage of specific light ranges that are beneficial to photosynthesis and plant growth. Accordingly, an awning may be employed to generate electricity from solar power, while still allowing the passage of light wavelengths that are beneficial to vegetation planted therebelow.
It has been found that wavelengths of electromagnetic energy from the sun that reaches the earth's surface range from about 300 to over 2000 nanometers. The visible light range is from 380 to 740 nanometers. Accordingly, about half of the solar energy incident to the earth is outside this visible range, mostly at longer wavelengths. The wavelengths needed for plants for photosynthesis form an even narrower wave band, on the order of 400-700 nanometers. Even within this range, much of that spectrum is not needed for plant growth, especially the green band from 490 to 620 nanometers. Moreover, particular plant types use even narrower ranges.
With reference to
This concept of the invention, passing light ranges necessary for photosynthesis while capturing the remaining wavelengths for the generation of energy is applicable to a broad range of photovoltaic awnings consistent with any of various other features presented and described herein.
A retractable photovoltaic awning as described that selectively allows the photosynthesis wavelengths to pass through can also selectively allow rain water to nourish the vegetation below it by retracting at night or on rainy days when the insolation is normally low.
Thus it can be seen that the various aspects of the invention have been attained by the structure presented and described above. While in accordance with the patent statutes, only the best mode and preferred embodiment of the invention have been presented and described in detail, the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the true scope and breadth of the invention, reference should be made to the following claims.
