U.S. patent application number 09/935628 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-28 for solar seeker.
Invention is credited to Beaupre, Harry R., Buron, Victor.
Application Number | 20020023638 09/935628 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26921629 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020023638 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Buron, Victor ; et
al. |
February 28, 2002 |
Solar seeker
Abstract
A solar seeker that automatically or manually tracks the sun for
a maximum daily intake of solar energy to supply a predetermined
amount of direct current electricity for various applications. The
solar seeker includes a solar panel carriage assembly, a mounting
assembly, and a travel assembly.
Inventors: |
Buron, Victor; (Wellington,
NV) ; Beaupre, Harry R.; (Wellington, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard C. Litman
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
P.O. Box 15035
Arlington
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
26921629 |
Appl. No.: |
09/935628 |
Filed: |
August 24, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60227652 |
Aug 25, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
126/601 ;
126/600; 126/605 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24S 50/20 20180501;
Y02E 10/47 20130101; F24S 30/452 20180501 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/601 ;
126/605; 126/600 |
International
Class: |
F24J 002/38 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A solar seeker comprising a solar panel carriage assembly, a
mounting assembly, and a travel assembly.
2. A solar seeker according to claim 1, wherein said solar panel
carriage assembly comprises: a solar panel carriage with side
supports, a bottom support, a center support, a down rest arm, a
top support, and a carriage pivot that is attached to the mounting
assembly.
3. A solar seeker according to claim 1, wherein said mounting
assembly comprises a top plate which functions as a weather guard
for the entire solar seeker, said top plate having a top cover ring
welded thereto; a ram screw assembly which is a box configuration
within which are included a ram screw, an up limit switch, a down
limit switch, a lift limit rod, and a reversible lift motor; a
generally circular base plate; a bottom weather ring; a main post;
a buss bar; a first timing plate; a plurality of travel switches;
and, a reversible rotation box; a stationary pivot sprocket; an
array return timing plate; a second timing plate; a first limit
trigger switch; a second limit trigger switch; a ball bearing
plate; a first rotation advance post; a second rotation post having
a tension post, a bearing, and a tension nut for tension
adjustment; and, a third timing plate includes attached thereto a
first limit switch trigger, a second limit switch trigger, and a
ball bearing plate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/227,652, filed Aug. 25, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates generally to tracking devices.
More specifically, the invention is a solar tracking device which
automatically or manually tracks the sun for a maximum daily intake
of solar energy.
[0004] 2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0005] The related art is represented by the following patents of
interest.
[0006] U.S. Design Pat. No. 271,129, issued on Oct. 25, 1983 to
John Demmer, shows an ornamental design for a solar collector for a
swimming pool. Demmer does not suggest a solar seeker according to
the claimed invention.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,145,021, issued on Mar. 20, 1979 to
Jean-Pierre Gaechter et al., describes an altazimuth orientation
support for a panel for adjusting the panel in elevation and in
lazimuth. Gaechter et al. do not suggest a solar seeker according
to the claimed invention.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,621, issued on Oct. 20, 1981 to Bohdan
W. Siryj, describes a solar tracking apparatus including a solar
array support member which is pivotally secured to the upper end of
a support post for rotation about a horizontal axis, wherein the
support post is driven about a vertical axis. Siryj does not
suggest a solar seeker according to the claimed invention.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,238, issued on Jun. 1, 1982 to Raul
Garcia, Jr., describes a solar tracking subsystem which includes a
first heat sensor means which is mounted adjacent a solar energy
absorber of a solar collector system in a laterally offset position
which lies in the movement path of the radiation focal point
produced by a parabolic reflector, with that movement path being
the normal result of the sun's apparent azimuthal movement in its
diurnal path. Garcia, Jr. does not suggest a solar seeker according
to the claimed invention.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,895, issued on Oct. 11, 1983 to Howard
F. Broyles et al., describes a solar energy concentrator/collector
assembly employing an altitude-azimuth dual scanning mounting
assembly including a base with a circular track for mounting the
assembly for rotation about a vertical axis. Broyles et al. do not
suggest a solar seeker according to the claimed invention.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,297, issued on Jul. 3, 1984 to Isidore
F. Sobczak et al., describes a modular solar radiation concentrator
including a reflector and an azimuth/elevation mount. Sobczak et
al. do not suggest a solar seeker according to the claimed
invention.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,388, issued on Jan. 1, 1985 to Douglas
E. Wood, describes a support system for a solar dish concentrator,
the support system providing a sun tracking capability for the
concentrator, both in the azimuth direction and in the altitude
direction. Wood does not suggest a solar seeker according to the
claimed invention.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,697, issued on Dec. 25, 1990 to Tore
Eklund, describes an adjustable parabolic aerial support which
permits stable attachment and easy positioning of parabolic
aerials. Eklund does not suggest a solar seeker according to the
claimed invention.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,982, issued on May 30, 2000 to John
Harrison, describes an apparatus and methods for collecting and
concentrating solar radiation for the generation of electrical
power. Harrison does not suggest a solar seeker according to the
claimed invention.
[0015] France Patent document 2,505,463, published on Nov. 12,
1982, describes a continuous tracking device for solar collector
panels. France '463 does not suggest a solar seeker according to
the claimed invention.
[0016] France Patent document 2,539,852, published on Jul. 27,
1984, describes a rotating and directional solar collector France
'852 does not suggest a solar seeker according to the claimed
invention.
[0017] France Patent document 2,623,275, published on May 19, 1989,
describes a solar heater unit which has an elliptical array of
mirrors focussed on a boiler and mounted on a turntable with
elliptical motion. France '275 does not suggest a solar seeker
according to the claimed invention.
[0018] Germany Patent document 2,835,348 A1, published on Feb. 14,
1980, describes a swivelling tracking reflector for solar energy
collection which revolves the solar energy collector to face the
ground for collector surface protection. Germany '348 does not
suggest a solar seeker according to the claimed invention.
[0019] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either
singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention
as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The present invention is a solar seeker that automatically
or manually tracks the sun for a maximum daily intake of solar
energy to supply a predetermined amount of direct current
electricity for various applications. The solar seeker includes a
solar panel carriage assembly, a mounting assembly, and a travel
assembly. The solar panel carriage assembly includes a solar panel
carriage with side supports, a bottom support, a center support, a
down rest arm, and a top support. The solar panel carriage may be
configured for a variety of sized solar panels, with a maximum of
three panels of approximate size of twenty-six inches by fifty-nine
inches. It is important that any combination of panels have a
minimum of three inches open space or a maximum of nine inches of
open space between panels. Such a solar panel typically includes a
reflector plate which can be made of stainless steel, chromium
plate, or the like but is generally made of a plastic, steel, or
wood base, with a reflection surface laminated thereto. The
reflection surface includes an energy absorbing surface lamination
or equivalent photo electrical panel array for deriving energy from
the solar panel.
[0021] The solar panel carriage is mounted on a carriage pivot that
is attached to a top plate of the mounting assembly. The mounting
assembly includes the top plate which functions as a weather guard
for the entire solar seeker. The top plate has a top cover ring
welded to it's underside to which side covers are secured. The top
plate is bolted to a ram screw assembly which is a box
configuration within which are included a ram screw, an up limit
switch, a down limit switch, a lift limit rod, and a reversible
lift motor. Both limit switches are triggered by the lift limit
rod. At the end of the ram screw a U joint is attached, and
attached to the U joint by a long coupling is a lift rod, and the
end is a top pivot connector that attaches to the solar panel
carriage. In the base of the ram screw assembly is a rotate motor
mount and a low panel protection switch that is controlled by the
lift limit rod.
[0022] The mounting assembly includes a generally circular base
plate which may be mounted on any surface but must be level for
normal operation, and must be level when travelling. Mounted on the
base plate is a bottom weather ring, a main post, a buss bar, a
first timing plate, travel switches, and a reversible rotation box.
On the reversible rotation motor box is attached a timing switch
trigger and a limit switch trigger. The reversible rotation motor
box includes contained therein a rotate motor upon which is
attached a drive sprocket which is attached by a bicycle type chain
to a stationary rotation sprocket. Also on the rotation motor box
is mounted the array return limit switch which is triggered by an
array return timing plate. Attached to the main post is a
stationary pivot sprocket, the array return timing plate described
above, and a second timing plate. The array return timing plate
turns freely and is positioned directly below the second timing
plate. Attached to the second timing plate is a first limit trigger
switch, a second limit trigger switch, and a ball bearing plate.
Mounted on top of the second timing plate is a first rotation
advance post. A second rotation post is inserted within the main
post with a shim. On the interior of the second rotation post is a
tension post and a bearing, and a tension nut for tension
adjustment. A tension post and bearing are greased and placed
inside the second rotation post and the tension nut (internal) is
screwed down on the main bolt and tension is adjusted. A dust
gasket is placed on a third timing plate and the first rotation
post is inserted with a shim into the second rotation post. A
bearing is greased and placed over the main bolt and the main bolt
tension nut is adjusted. The third timing plate includes attached
thereto a first limit switch trigger, a second limit switch
trigger, and a ball bearing plate. The bottom of the ram screw
assembly includes four rotation limit switches. The solar panel
carriage assembly is configured to be shipped as a break-down unit
that can be sized for any solar panel, and can be bolted together
and bolted to nuts that are welded in place to the solar panel
carriage assembly.
[0023] The travel carriage is a V-shaped support that is attached
in the appropriate place to the main mounting stem that hosts the
down rest arm that is attached to the solar panel carriage.
[0024] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to
provide a solar seeker that automatically or manually tracks the
sun for a maximum daily intake of soar energy to supply a
predetermined amount of direct current electricity for various
applications.
[0025] It is another object of the invention to provide a solar
seeker that can rotate solar panels 680 degrees about a vertical
axis and raise panels from horizontal to 45 degrees above the
horizontal.
[0026] It is a further object of the invention to provide a solar
seeker that eliminates or greatly reduces the need for petroleum
driven generators.
[0027] It is an object of the invention to provide improved
elements and arrangements thereof in a solar seeker for the
purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully
effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
[0028] These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is an environmental front, perspective view of a
solar seeker according to the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the solar seeker shown in FIG.
1.
[0031] FIG. 3 is an exploded front view of a solar panel carriage
according to the invention.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a front view of a solar seeker control panel
according to the invention.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a bus wiring diagram according to the
invention.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a control panel wiring diagram according to the
invention.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a travel position wiring diagram according to the
invention.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a ram screw assembly wiring diagram according to
the invention.
[0037] FIG. 9A is a weather sensing wire diagram for controlling
the solar seeker according to the invention.
[0038] FIG. 9B is a panel control wire diagram for controlling the
solar seeker panel according to the invention.
[0039] FIG. 9C is a motor control wire diagram for controlling the
solar seeker according to the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 10A is a solid state electrical wire diagram for
controlling automated features of the solar seeker according to the
invention.
[0041] FIG. 10B is a solid state wire diagram of the control panel
according to the invention with weather related control
features.
[0042] FIG. 11 is a wire diagram of the selection sequence govern
by FIGS. 10A and 10B for controling the solar seeker according to
the invention.
[0043] FIG. 12A is a first modular unit of a solid state wire
diagram for controlling conditional output from FIG. 10B.
[0044] FIG. 12B is a second modular unit of a solid state wire
diagram for controlling conditional output from FIG. 12A.
[0045] FIG. 12C is a third modular unit of a solid state wire
diagram for controlling external motor drives and interlocks via
conditional output from FIG. 12B.
[0046] FIG. 13 is a fourth modular unit of a solid state wire
diagram for controlling external motor drives and interlocks via
conditional output from FIG. 12C.
[0047] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0048] The present invention is directed to a solar seeker that
automatically or manually tracks the sun for a maximum daily intake
of solar energy to supply predetermined amount of direct current
electricity for various applications. The invention disclosed
herein is, of course, susceptible of embodiment in many different
forms. Shown in the drawings FIGS. 1-13 and described hereinbelow
in detail is a preferred embodiment 14 of the invention. It is to
be understood, however, that the present disclosure is an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and does not
limit the invention to the illustrated embodiment 14.
[0049] The solar seeker 14 includes a solar panel carriage assembly
10, a mounting assembly 12, and a travel assembly 16. As shown in
FIGS. 1-3, the solar panel carriage assembly 10 includes a solar
panel carriage 10a with side supports 13,15 a bottom support 10b, a
center support 10c, a down rest arm 10d, and a top support 10e. The
solar panel carriage 10a may be configured for a variety of sized
solar panels 11a, 11b, 11c with a maximum of three panels of
approximate size of twenty-six inches by fifty-nine inches. It is
important that any combination of panels have a minimum of three
inches open space or a maximum of nine inches of open space between
panels. Such a solar panel 11a typically includes a reflector plate
which can be made of stainless steel, chromium plate, or the like
but is generally made of a plastic, steel, or wood base, with a
reflection surface laminated thereto. The reflection surface
includes an energy absorbing surface lamination or equivalent photo
electrical panel array for deriving energy from the solar panel.
The solar panel carriage mounts on a carriage pivot 20 that is
attached to the mounting assembly.
[0050] The solar panel carriage 10a is mounted on a carriage pivot
20 that is attached to a top plate 22 of the mounting assembly 12.
The mounting assembly 12 includes the top plate 22 which functions
as a weather guard for the entire solar seeker 14. The top plate 22
has a top cover ring 24 welded to it's underside to which side
covers are secured. The top plate 22 is bolted to a ram screw
assembly 24 which is a box configuration within which are included
a ram screw 26, an up limit switch, a down limit switch, a lift
limit rod 28, and a reversible lift motor 30. Both limit switches
are triggered by the lift limit rod 28. At the end of the ram screw
26 a U joint 32 is attached, and attached to the U joint 32 by a
long coupling is a lift rod 34, and the end is a top pivot
connector 36 that attaches to the solar panel carriage 10a. In the
base of the ram screw assembly is a rotate motor mount 40 and a low
panel protection switch 42 that is controlled by the lift limit rod
28.
[0051] The mounting assembly 12 includes a generally circular base
plate 44 which may be mounted on any surface but must be level for
normal operation, and must be level when travelling. Mounted on the
base plate 44 is a bottom weather ring 46, a main post 48, a buss
bar 50, a first timing plate 52, travel switches, and a reversible
rotation motor box 54. On the reversible rotation motor box 54 is
attached a timing switch trigger 56 and a limit switch trigger 57.
The reversible rotation motor box 54 includes contained therein a
rotate motor upon which is attached a drive sprocket which is
attached by a bicycle type chain to a stationary rotation sprocket.
Also on the rotation motor box 54 is mounted the array return limit
switch 45 which is triggered by an array return timing plate 60.
Attached to the main post 48 is a stationary pivot sprocket 62, the
array return timing plate 60 described above, and a second timing
plate 64. The array return timing plate 60 turns freely and is
positioned directly below the second timing plate 64. Attached to
the second timing plate 64 is a first limit trigger switch, a
second limit trigger switch, and a ball bearing plate 66. Mounted
on top of the second timing plate 64 is a first rotation advance
post 68. A second rotation post 70 is inserted within the main post
48 with a shim (not shown). On the interior of the second rotation
post 70 is a tension post 72 and internal bearing, (including a
tension nut for tension adjustment). A tension post and bearing are
greased and placed inside the second rotation post and the tension
nut (internal) is screwed down on the main bolt 71 and tension is
adjusted. A dust gasket is placed on a third timing plate 74 and
the first rotation post 68 is inserted with a shim into the second
rotation post 70. A bearing is greased and placed over the main
bolt and the main bolt tension nut is adjusted. The third timing
plate 74 includes attached thereto a first limit switch trigger, a
second limit switch trigger, and a ball bearing plate. The bottom
of the ram screw assembly 24 includes four rotation limit switches.
The solar panel carriage assembly 10 is configured to be shipped as
a breakdown unit that can be sized for any solar panel 11a, and can
be bolted together and bolted to nuts 80 that are welded in place
to the solar panel carriage assembly 10.
[0052] The travel carriage 16 is a V-shaped support that is
attached in the appropriate place to the main mounting stem that
hosts the down rest arm 10d that is attached to the solar panel
carriage 10a.
[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 4-8, FIG. 4 shows a front view of the
solar seeker control panel. The controls include a power on/off
switch, a run/travel lock switch, a panel up/down switch, an array
switch for auto or manual operation, and for use in manual mode, a
rotate right/left switch. FIG. 5 shows the bus wiring diagram. FIG.
6 shows the control panel wiring diagram. FIG. 7 shows the travel
position wiring diagram. FIG. 8 shows the ram screw assembly wiring
diagram.
[0054] FIG. 9A is a weather sensing wire diagram for controlling
the solar seeker according to the invention.
[0055] FIG. 9B is a panel control wire diagram for controlling the
solar seeker panel according to the invention.
[0056] FIG. 9C is a motor control wire diagram for controlling the
solar seeker according to the present invention.
[0057] FIG. 10A is a solid state electrical wire diagram for
controlling automated features of the solar seeker according to the
invention.
[0058] FIG. 10B is a solid state wire diagram of the control panel
according to the invention with weather related control
features.
[0059] FIG. 11 is a wire diagram of the selection sequence govern
by FIGS. 10A and 10B for controling the solar seeker according to
the invention.
[0060] FIG. 12A is a first modular unit of a solid state wire
diagram for controlling conditional output from FIG. 10B.
[0061] FIG. 12B is a second modular unit of a solid state wire
diagram for controlling conditional output from FIG. 12A.
[0062] FIG. 12C is a third modular unit of a solid state wire
diagram for controlling external motor drives and interlocks via
conditional output from FIG. 12B.
[0063] FIG. 13 is a fourth modular unit of a solid state wire
diagram for controlling external motor drives and interlocks via
conditional output from FIG. 12C.
[0064] The solar seeker unit has a capability to rotate an array
panel in 680 degrees. It has the overall ability to lift panels
from a flat position to an upright 45 degree position.
[0065] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any
and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *