U.S. patent application number 12/845678 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-03 for solar collector support wings for efficient storage and deployment of solar collectors on a mobile structure.
Invention is credited to Micah F. Andretich.
Application Number | 20110023863 12/845678 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43525811 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110023863 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Andretich; Micah F. |
February 3, 2011 |
SOLAR COLLECTOR SUPPORT WINGS FOR EFFICIENT STORAGE AND DEPLOYMENT
OF SOLAR COLLECTORS ON A MOBILE STRUCTURE
Abstract
Deployable wings supporting solar collector arrays for mobile
structures and associated methods of use are disclosed that provide
significant power generation capacity, easy deployment, shaded work
areas, and protection for solar collector arrays during transport.
Some embodiments include a support surface configured to be
hingedly coupled to a vehicle, a plurality of support rails
extending away from the support surface to form at least one
cavity, a solar collector array coupled to the support surface and
within the at least one cavity, and at least one retractable cover
configured to selectively cover the at least one cavity.
Inventors: |
Andretich; Micah F.; (Santa
Rosa, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Russ Weinzimmer
614 Nashua Street, Suite 53
Milford
NH
03055
US
|
Family ID: |
43525811 |
Appl. No.: |
12/845678 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61271925 |
Jul 28, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/570 ;
126/680; 126/714 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02S 10/40 20141201;
B62D 25/06 20130101; H02S 20/10 20141201; F24S 25/70 20180501; B62D
63/08 20130101; H02S 30/20 20141201; B60P 3/00 20130101; B62D 21/00
20130101; Y02E 10/47 20130101; F24S 30/425 20180501; Y02E 10/50
20130101; Y02B 10/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/570 ;
126/680; 126/714 |
International
Class: |
F24J 2/46 20060101
F24J002/46; F24J 2/52 20060101 F24J002/52; F24J 2/00 20060101
F24J002/00 |
Claims
1. A solar collector array support structure, the support structure
comprising; a pair of wings, each of the pair of wings being made
to support a solar collector array; and a connector coupled to each
wing, the connector being made to hingedly connect the wing to a
mobile structure.
2. The solar collector array support structure of claim 1, further
comprising supports configured to selectively maintain each of the
pair of wings in a generally horizontal position.
3. The solar collector array support structure of claim 2, wherein
the supports include hydraulic actuators.
4. The solar collector array support structure of claim 2, wherein
the supports are coupled to the vehicle and to each wing.
5. The solar collector array support structure of claim 1, wherein
each of the wings swings outward from a stored configuration to a
deployed configuration.
6. The solar collector array support structure of claim 5, wherein
each wing is parallel with a side of the mobile structure when each
of the wings are in the stored configuration.
7. The solar collector array support structure of claim 5, further
comprising at least one retractable panel for protecting the solar
collector array when each of the wings are in the stored
configuration.
8. The solar collector array support structure of claim 5, wherein
each of the wings is substantially parallel with a roof of the
mobile structure when each of the wings are in the deployed
configuration.
9. The solar collector array support structure of claim 5, wherein
solar collectors of the solar collector array extend outwardly from
the wings when each of the wings is in the deployed
configuration.
10. The solar collector array support structure of claim 5, wherein
each of the wings provides a sheltered work space below the wings
when each of the wings is in the deployed configuration.
11. The solar collector array support structure of claim 7, further
comprising an eave coupled along an outer edge of each of the
wings.
12. The solar collector array support structure of claim 11,
wherein the at least one retractable panel is retractable into the
eave.
13. The solar collector support structure of claim 1, wherein the
mobile structure is a trailer.
14. The solar collector support structure of claim 13, wherein the
trailer is a semi trailer.
15. A method for transporting and deploying a solar collector
array, the method comprising: providing a mobile structure with a
pair of wings hingedly attached to the vehicle, each of the pair of
wings including a solar collector array and retractable covers for
covering the solar collector arrays; placing the wings in a
transportation configuration by: moving the wings to a downward
position parallel to a side of the mobile structure; placing the
solar collectors of each solar collector array flat against a
support surface of each of the wings; and covering each solar
collector array with at least one retractable cover; transporting
the mobile structure; and deploying each solar collector array by:
uncovering each solar collector array by retracting the at least
one retractable cover; extending each solar collector array away
from the support surface of each of the wings; and swinging the
wings outwardly to a generally horizontal position such that the
solar collector array is positioned to capture solar energy.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the mobile structure is a
trailer.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the trailer is a semi
trailer.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one retractable
cover is a sectioned metal door.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the wings each provide a
sheltered work area when deployed.
20. The method of claim 15, further comprising detaching the wings
from the vehicle.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application No. 61/271,925, entitled Sustainable, Mobile,
Expandable Structure, filed Jul. 28, 2009, which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] This application relates generally to solar collector
mounts, and particularly to solar collector mounts for
vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Solar power is becoming increasingly desirable and necessary
as other fuel sources become harder to find and more expensive.
Solar power provides the advantage that the energy source (the Sun)
is freely available throughout the planet, requiring only solar
collectors to harvest the power. Solar collectors are getting
thinner, lighter, and more efficient as time goes on, making them
more viable for more applications.
[0004] However, mobile solar collector applications have been
limited because of the relatively low power output per area and the
necessity of heavy batteries for utilizing solar power at night or
when the Sun is otherwise obstructed. Because of the required
surface area of solar collectors to provide more than a trivial
amount of power, solar collectors have been generally impractical
for vehicles such as cars, trucks, trailers, etc.
[0005] Additionally, the potential for damage to the collectors
when transporting them on the exterior of vehicles by road debris,
requiring the collectors to be stored on the interior of the
vehicle for transport, or simply bearing the increased risk of
damage. Since solar collectors can be expensive, frequent damage to
collectors by road debris is very undesirable, lessening the
utility of solar collectors on vehicles and reducing the
availability of mobile, solar-powered remote solutions for a
multitude of problems.
SUMMARY
[0006] Deployable wing supporting solar collector array for mobile
structures and associated methods of use are disclosed that provide
significant power generation capacity, easy deployment, shaded work
areas, and protection for solar collector arrays during transport.
Some embodiments include a support surface configured to be
hingedly coupled to a vehicle, a plurality of support rails
extending away from the support surface to form at least one
cavity, a solar collector array coupled to the support surface and
within the at least one cavity, and at least one retractable cover
configured to selectively cover the at least one cavity.
[0007] In some embodiments, the support structure is configured to
be rotated between a stored configuration and a deployed
configuration. In the stored configuration, the support surface can
be parallel with a side of the mobile structure and with the at
least one retractable panel covering the at least one cavity to
protect the solar collector array. The support structure can be
generally parallel with a roof of the mobile structure in the
deployed configuration. The solar collector array can also extend
out of the at least one cavity for solar energy collection in the
deployed configuration.
[0008] Some embodiments can include support legs configured to
selectively hold the support surface in a generally horizontal
position. The support legs can be coupled to the vehicle and to the
support surface, and can include hydraulic actuators. The support
structure can also provide a covered work space below the support
surface in the deployed configuration.
[0009] In some embodiments, the support structure can include an
eave coupled to an end of the support surface. The end of the
support surface coupled to the eave can be opposite an end of the
support structure configured to be hingedly coupled to the vehicle.
The at least one retractable panel can extend out of the eave. The
at least one retractable cover can be a sectioned metal door. The
vehicle can be a trailer, such as a semi trailer.
[0010] The support structure can be transported and the solar array
deployed by: providing a vehicle with a deployable wings hingedly
attached to the vehicle, the deployable wings including a solar
collector array and retractable covers for covering the solar
collector array; placing the deployable wings in a transportation
configuration; transporting the vehicle; and deploying the solar
collector array.
[0011] The deployable wings can be placed in a transportation
configuration by: moving the deployable wings to a vertical
position parallel to a vertical surface of the vehicle; placing
each collector of the solar collector array flat against a support
surface of the deployable wings; and covering the solar collector
array with at least one retractable cover.
[0012] Similarly, the solar collector array can be deployed by:
uncovering the solar collector array by retracting the at least one
retractable cover; extending the solar collector array away from
the support surface of the deployable wings; and rotating the
deployable wings to a generally horizontal position such that the
solar collector array is positioned to capture solar energy. The
deployable wings can provide a work area when deployed, with light
fixtures to provide light to the work area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The following description can be better understood in light
of Figures, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of trailer with an exemplary
deployable wings in transport configuration;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of the deployable wings of
FIG. 1 with the solar collectors uncovered;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of the deployable wings of
FIG. 1 with the solar collector array ready for deployment;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of the deployable wings of
FIG. 1 in a deployed configuration;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective drawing of an exemplary deployable
wings unattached from a vehicle;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective drawing of exemplary deployable
wings attached to a semi trailer; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective drawing of the deployable wings of
FIG. 6 in a deployed configuration.
[0021] Together with the following description, the Figures
demonstrate and explain the principles of deployable wings for
vehicles and associated methods of use. In the Figures, the size,
number and configuration of components may be exaggerated for
clarity. The same reference numerals in different Figures represent
the same component.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The following description supplies specific details in order
to provide a thorough understanding. Nevertheless, the skilled
artisan would understand that embodiments of deployable wings and
associated methods of using them can be implemented and used
without employing these specific details. Indeed, exemplary
embodiments and associated methods can be placed into practice by
modifying the illustrated units and associated methods and can be
used in conjunction with any other devices and techniques
conventionally used in the industry. For example, while the
description below generally focuses on embodiments of deployable
wings for trailers, similar support structures can be used with
RV's (i.e. motorhomes, travel trailers, campers), mobile homes,
boats, mobile clinics, mobile classrooms, mobile work trailers
(such as those commonly used at construction sites), etc., or other
applications where a it would be advantageous to have a deployable
solar collector array with a protective covering.
[0023] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an embodiment of deployable wings 100
attached to trailer 110. Deployable wings 100 can be attached to
trailer 110 with a hinge (not shown) at a top exterior corner on
the side of trailer 110. Trailer 110 can include frame 112 and
wheels 114. Trailer 110 may be any conventional trailer outfitted
with connection reinforcements for coupling with deployable wings
100.
[0024] Deployable wings 100 can include support surface 120, solar
collector array 130, and protective covers 140. Support surface 120
can include support rails 142 extending from support surface 120 to
form one or move cavities. Support rails 142 can provide support
and pathways for individual panels of protective cover 140 to be
deployed and retracted. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, protective cover
140 can include one or more individual metal sectional doors that
can be rolled into a generally cylindrical shape or accordion
configuration, similar to the retractable doors on a beverage
truck. Protective cover 140 can be stored in the rolled form when
retracted inside of eaves 144.
[0025] In some embodiments, protective cover 140 may be formed of
any material and configuration sufficiently strong to prevent
damage to solar collectors 132 by road debris. Additionally,
protective covers 140 may also provide a theft deterrent similar to
the protective covers of beverage trucks. FIG. 2 shows protective
covers 140 retracted into eaves 144, revealing individual solar
collectors 132.
[0026] Solar collectors 132 of solar collector array 130 may be
placed in the cavities formed by support surface 120 and support
rails 142. Solar collectors 132 may be hidden during transport,
covered with protective cover 140, as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in
FIG. 3, solar collectors 132 of solar collector array 130 may be
deployed and positioned in preparation for deploying wings 100 into
the deployed configuration shown in FIG. 4.
[0027] To deploy, support surface 120 can be rotated up to a
generally horizontal position and supported by support legs 124. In
the deployed position, support surface 120 can provide shaded
working area 180 under support surface 120, while positioning solar
array 130 to collect solar power for use in trailer 110 and shaded
working area 180. In some embodiments, nets, curtains, or temporary
wall may be used to provide additional cover and enclosure for
shaded working area 180.
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates deployable solar collector support
structure 200 detached from a vehicle and supported by multiple
support legs 224. Light fixtures 226 can provide light to shaded
working area 280. In this and similar embodiments, a vehicle
similar to those shown in FIGS. 1-4 or 6-7 brings deployable solar
collector support structure 200 to a location, deploys similar to
as is discussed above with additional support legs 224, and then
detached from vehicle to allow the vehicle to move to a different
location, for example, to retrieve additional supplies for use in
shaded working area 280.
[0029] Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, deployable wings 300 can be
attached to semi trailer 310 and transported with semi tractor 318.
Deployable wings 300 can function similar to and have similar
components to deployable wings 100 and 200 described above. Each of
deployable wings 300 can include support surface 320, solar array
330 formed from solar collectors 332, protective covers 340
storable in eaves 344 and guided by support rails 342 between
deployed and retracted positions, each shown in FIG. 6.
[0030] Support legs 324 can be used to automatically deploy wings
300 to the deployed configuration as shown in FIG. 7. Support legs
324 can be driven by a cable retraction system, hydraulic or
pneumatic cylinders, or any other actuator system for rotatable
raising objects having similar size and mass.
[0031] Embodiments of deployable wings, such as those discussed
above, can be used with conventional vehicles, such as semi
trailers, to quickly and efficiently deliver a self-powered work
station where needed. For example, immediately following a natural
disaster, such as an earthquake, tornado, hurricane, tsunami, etc.,
a trailer with attached deployable wings can be loaded with
supplies, brought to the disaster location and deployed to quickly
and effectively provide powered work areas for disaster relief
efforts. Of course, other uses and modifications for embodiments of
deployable wings will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art within the scope of the invention.
[0032] In addition to any previously indicated modification,
numerous other variations and alternative arrangements can be
devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit and scope of this description, and appended claims are
intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while
the information has been described above with particularity and
detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most
practical and preferred aspects, it will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including,
but not limited to, form, function, manner of operation and use can
be made without departing from the principles and concepts set
forth herein. Also, as used herein, examples are meant to be
illustrative only and should not be construed to be limiting in any
manner.
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