U.S. patent application number 12/944914 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-10 for cover for solar panel.
Invention is credited to Richard F. North.
Application Number | 20110056486 12/944914 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41319277 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110056486 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
North; Richard F. |
March 10, 2011 |
Cover for Solar Panel
Abstract
A protective cover for a solar panel is disclosed. The cover
provides protection for the solar panel from the elements of the
weather such as snow, hail, sleet, and windblown debris, and also
against overheating of the solar panel during periods of long and
intense solar radiation, when the demand for hot water is
insufficient to dissipate heat build-up. The cover is constructed
of material having heat-insulative properties and provides a
barrier layer over the top of the solar panel to reduce the amount
of heat transferred to the water tubes.
Inventors: |
North; Richard F.; (Naples,
ME) |
Family ID: |
41319277 |
Appl. No.: |
12/944914 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/US09/43543 |
May 12, 2009 |
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12944914 |
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61052367 |
May 12, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
126/706 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24S 40/52 20180501;
F24S 40/85 20180501; F24S 40/50 20180501; Y02E 10/40 20130101; F24S
50/80 20180501; F24S 40/10 20180501 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/706 |
International
Class: |
F24J 2/51 20060101
F24J002/51 |
Claims
1: A protective cover for a solar panel comprising: a cover
material that is weather-resistant and heat-insulative for covering
the solar panel, and means for securing the cover over the solar
panel.
2: The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the cover material
comprises an outer layer that is weather-resistant and
shock-absorbing and an inner layer that is heat-insulative.
3: The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the means for fastening
the cover material to the solar panel includes straps that allow
the cover material to slip over an upper surface of the solar panel
and be secured to the solar panel at corners of the panel.
4: The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the cover material is a
form-rigid sheet.
5: The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the cover material is a
flexible sheet that is constructed to fit over the upper surface
and around the sides of the solar panel and the means for fastening
the sheet fabric to the solar panel includes an elastic edge on the
cover material that enables the cover material to slip over the
upper surface and around the sides of the solar panel and to be
elastically held in place on the underside of the solar panel.
6: A cover system for covering and uncovering a solar panel, to
prevent the solar panel from overheating in times of intense solar
radiation, the cover system comprising: a cover constructed of
rollable material; and a deployment system for moving the cover
between a deployed and non-deployed position.
7: The cover system of claim 6, the deployment system comprising a
motor and a track system, and wherein edges of the cover are
captured in the track and the motor drives the cover along the
track system, so as to selectively move the cover between a
non-deployed position and a deployed position.
8. : A method of protecting a solar panel from overheating, the
solar panel being a type that heats water in a tube to provide hot
water, the method comprising the steps of: a) determining a period
of intense solar radiation and reduced need for solar heating; and
b) providing a protective cover having heat-insulative properties
over the solar panel in the period intense solar radiation, so as
to prevent the water from overheating.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional
application 61/052,367, filed on May 12, 2008, and from PCT
application PCT/US2009/043543, filed on May 12, 2009
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to covers for solar panels. More
particularly, the invention relates to covers for solar panels that
are exposed to intense solar radiation.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Solar panels that absorb solar energy for the purpose of
heating, be it water or space, are sometimes at risk of
overheating. An example of such a case is that of a solar system
for heating water in a facility that is open only seasonally, such
as a camp or ski lodge. In the case of a structure that is only
seasonally occupied, the water in the heater tubes remains stagnant
during the periods of non-use. Heat builds up and is only poorly
dissipated if the water is not being circulated through the system.
Such solar panels are also at risk of overheating even during times
of usage, if, for example, the panels are exposed to long and
intense periods of solar radiation, such as in the summer. Thus, in
a residential structure that is occupied year-round in many parts
of the US and that uses solar panels to obtain hot water, solar
radiation in the summer may be very intense. The demand for hot
water may not be sufficient to dissipate the heat quickly enough,
particularly if the house is unoccupied because the residents are
away on vacation. Solar energy panels that are used to provide
heated water for radiant space heating of a structure, as well as
hot water, are particularly at risk of overheating. These solar
panels contain sufficient heat panels to satisfy the heat load in
winter months. Once the cold weather is over, the solar panels are
subject to risk of overheating, because the demand is so much
reduced.
[0006] What is needed, therefore, is a protective cover for solar
panels, whether the solar panels are so-called flat panels or
panels comprising an array of evacuated tubes. What is further
needed is such a cover that is easily and quickly moved between an
open position and a closed position.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention is a cover for use with solar panels. The
cover provides protection from the elements of the weather, such as
snow, hail, sleet, debris, and rain. The cover is also a solar
radiation blacker and provides protection against overheating of
the solar panel when it is subjected to intense solar
radiation.
[0008] The cover according to the invention must be removable or
positionable, so as to allow the solar rays to impinge upon the
solar panel when desired. The cover has an outer surface or outer
protective shell that is weather-resistant and an inner shell or
inner portion that has heat-insulative properties, to protect the
solar panel from overheating. Various embodiments of the cover are
provided herein according to the invention; some embodiments are
manually fitted over and then removed from the solar panel, others
are mechanically operated to cover and uncover the solar panel.
Mechanically operated covers may have a wind-up mechanism that is
manually operated, such as a crank that winds the cover around a
shaft, have an electrically driven mechanism, such as a motor and
linkages to wind the cover around a shaft or draw the cover up into
a compact pleated or bunched configuration, or have segmented
portions that are moved to an open or closed position in order to
cover or uncover the solar panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the top of a rigid,
removable protective cover according to the invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom of the cover of
FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an cross-sectional view of the cover of FIG.
1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the top of a soft, removable
protective cover according to the invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bottom of the cover of
FIG. 4.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the soft cover of FIG.
4.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the
cover.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the
cover.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a side view of the cover shown in FIG. 8,
illustrating linkages and connecting rods that are actuated move
the protective panel sections to open and closed positions.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a side view of the cover of FIG. 8, showing the
cover closed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The present invention will now be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This
invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather,
the embodiments shown are provided so that this application will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the true scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout the figures.
[0020] A conventional solar panel 4 is shown in several of the
following drawings mounted on a conventional frame F. The frame F
may be constructed so as to mount the solar panel 4 in an
orientation that is parallel to an underlying surface, or be
constructed to provide an incline that increases the direct
impingement of the rays from the sun. The frame F is not included
within the scope of the invention and is shown here only insofar as
necessary to illustrate the inventive covers.
[0021] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a first embodiment of a solar panel
cover 10 that is a rigid cover and FIG. 4-6 illustrate a second
embodiment of a cover 20 that is a soft cover. These two covers 10
and 20 are manually removable covers. FIG. 1 is a perspective view
of the top, FIG. 2 a view of the bottom, and FIG. 3 a
cross-sectional view of the rigid cover 10. The cover 10 comprises
an outer shell or layer 1 constructed of a form-rigid material, a
shock-absorption and/or insulative layer 3, and straps 7 to secure
the cover 10 to a solar panel 4. The solar panel 4 is shown only
schematically in FIG. 3 The rigid cover 10 is used preferably on a
solar panel that is a flat-plate type panel. Water-conducting tubes
lead into and out of the conventional solar panel and flaps or
openings 5 are provided on the side walls of the outer shell 1 to
accommodate these tubes. The straps 7 include corner straps 6
and/or a long strap 7A that extends across the underside of the
solar panel 4. The outer shell or layer 1 is ideally constructed of
a material that is rot and mildew resistant, such as a lightweight
manufactured material, including a metallic material. The
shock-absorbing or insulative layer 3 is preferably constructed of
a foam or other compressible material. The outer layer 1 and the
insulative layer 3 may be laminated to each other, to provide a
single fabric. It is also possible to use a material that combines
both desired properties, i.e., weather resistance and heat
insulation, to form the covers 10, 20.
[0022] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate a second embodiment of a solar panel
cover 20 that is a soft cover that is particularly well suited to
fit over solar panels that are arrays of evacuated tubes. The cover
20 comprises an outer shell 21 and a shock-absorption or insulative
layer 22 and is manually removable from the solar panel 4. The
outer shell 22 is ideally constructed of a flexible fabric, such as
canvas or other flexible fabric that is rot and mildew resistant.
The shock-absorption layer 22 is a layer of foam or other
compressible material. The outer shell 21 may be secured to the
solar with straps 7 similar to those described in connection with
the cover 10. It may also, instead of the straps 7, have an elastic
edge 21A that allows the fabric to fit around the solar panel 4 and
enclose the edges of the panel so as to secure the cover 20 to the
panel 4.
[0023] The outer shells 1, 21 may be constructed of or coated with
a reflective material to reduce the solar radiation that impinges
on the cover.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment 30 of a
solar panel cover according to the invention for the solar panel 4.
The cover is constructed of a rollable material 32, such as, for
example, a flexible sheet fabric or a system of slats that allow
the cover 30 to roll up or fold up with pleats. A storage enclosure
34 is provided, for receiving the rolled-up or pleated portion of
the cover 30. The mechanism for moving the cover 30 between a
deployed or closed position and a non-deployed or open position is
a conventional mechanism, such as is used for electrically
operating large awnings, and is not shown in any detail. The
mechanism may be manually operated or motor-driven. Ideally, the
mechanism is motor-driven with an operating switch that is
conveniently located for easy access. The cover 30 has sides 32A
that are captured in a track 36. The mechanism for rolling and
unrolling the cover forces the sides 32A along the track 36, so as
to cover or uncover the solar panel 4 as desired. The flexible
sheet fabric may be stitched at regular intervals to facilitate
pleating. Preferably, the cover 30 includes an outer surface that
is weather-resistant and heat-insulative properties. The cover may
comprise an outer weather-resistant layer and an inner
heat-insulative layer, or be constructed of a material that
combines both desired properties.
[0025] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate a fourth embodiment 40 of a solar
cover according to the invention for the solar panel 4. This
embodiment includes a series of cover vanes or segments 42 that are
mounted on a linkage system 46, so as to be movable from an open
position, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and a closed position, shown in
FIG. 10. The cover includes a motor-driven linkage system 46 that
is coupled with the segments 42. The linkage system 46 includes a
pair of linkage rods, a first rod 46A and a second rod 46B, each of
which are connected to the segments 42 as shown in FIG. 9. The
first rod 46A is connected to an outer portion 46C and the second
rod to a center portion 46D of each segment 42. A motor M drives
the linkages so as to shift the segments 42 between an open and a
closed position. In the embodiment shown, the motor M is enclosed
in protective enclosure 44. The segments 42 may be constructed of a
sheet metal or plastic material. As with the other embodiments of
the cover described herein, the outer surface or shell of the
segments 42 may be constructed of a weather-resistant material and
the inner portion or inner shell be constructed of a material that
provides the desired insulative properties to block excessive solar
radiation and prevent the solar panel from overheating.
[0026] Sensors may be used with any motor-driven system to move the
cover between the deployed and non-deployed positions, depending on
weather conditions. For example, a temperature sensor 50, shown in
FIG. 7, may be coupled with any motor-driven means for moving the
cover, to close the cover when the temperature on the solar panel
exceeds a threshold value and/or to open the cover when the
temperature drops below a certain value. Shock sensors may be used
in areas that are prone to severe hail storms, to close the cover
when impact forces that exceed a predetermined threshold value
impinge on the solar panel.
[0027] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. The dimensional relationships for the
covers 10, 20, 30, 40 include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use. All
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are included in the scope of the
present invention.
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