U.S. patent application number 13/046724 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-07 for photovoltaic utility building.
Invention is credited to Paul Thomas Johnson.
Application Number | 20110162300 13/046724 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44223872 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110162300 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; Paul Thomas |
July 7, 2011 |
PHOTOVOLTAIC UTILITY BUILDING
Abstract
A Photovoltaic Utility Building is a structure that is portable
to site, permanent power generating system. Multiple adjustable
photovoltaic panels including extending panel or panels allow for
the additional collection of solar energy on a base. The
Photovoltaic Utility Building structure, completely wire with
inverter, an A/C disconnect and out put receptacle plug is ready
use as it is UL electric certified.
Inventors: |
Johnson; Paul Thomas;
(Sparta, NJ) |
Family ID: |
44223872 |
Appl. No.: |
13/046724 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/173.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02S 30/20 20141201;
Y02E 10/50 20130101; Y02E 10/47 20130101; F24S 25/70 20180501; H02S
20/23 20141201; Y02B 10/20 20130101; H02S 40/32 20141201; Y02B
10/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/173.3 |
International
Class: |
E04D 13/18 20060101
E04D013/18 |
Claims
1. An independent, self contained solar energy unit comprising a
structure having walls and a door through one of the walls and an
angled roof, further comprising photovoltaic cells on the roof,
including an extendable rack of additional panels, electrical
connections which enter from the cells to a converter and then to
an A/C disconnect and out put receptacle plug in the interior of
the structure for creating electricity, said pre-constructed
structure coming fully UL certified, requiring no electrical
inspections, can be positioned so that the panels can be oriented
to allow maximum solar exposure.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0004] 1. Field
[0005] This application relates generally to a self contained solar
powered system that employs photovoltaic cells (panels) to product
electricity.
[0006] 2. Prior Art
[0007] Solar systems that changes the radiant energy of sunlight
into electrical or heat energy are well known. These systems may be
either portable (moveable) or roof mounted. Roof mounted systems
require extensive on-site work. Moveable systems are usually
temporary in nature and used in remote areas as backup to other
sources of needed power. Adjustable arrays used to maximize radiant
energy are also known.
[0008] The solar system as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,329 is
one such portable structure that produces heat energy, not
electricity. A specially designed trailer is needed to transport
this structure to site. Another portable unit described in U.S.
Pat. No. 7,230,819 shows a system for producing electricity. This
system also relies on wind generated electricity. The photovoltaic
panels that folded for transportation and extended into final
position are adjustable. The system is bulky and not suitable for
residential or commercial use. Likewise U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,501, a
portable photovoltaic system that incorporates both folding and
adjustable panels, is not permanent.
[0009] Photovoltaic electrical power systems are generally not
easily transported to a desired location and with minimal
additional site work the system, produce useable permanent
electrical power quickly.
[0010] A common source of electrical power is through roof mounted
system on residential or commercial structures. These systems are
costly and have several drawbacks. The roof installations, mounted
on an existing structure, create concerns for the owner. A poorly
installed panel system could alter the life expectancy of the roof.
If that roof needed to be repaired there would be additional costs
associated with the removal of the panels and replacing of the
panels.
SUMMARY
[0011] This invention comprises a decorative structure that is
portable to site, permanent power generating system.
[0012] The structure is a lawn Decoration that might also be used
for storage as examples are garbage can holder, a planter, wishing
well, planter/garbage can holder and settee with canopy. The
structure is delivered pre-wired to supply the converted radiant
power to AC electric for a building or residence on an existing
grid. Made of metal, steel, plastic or other suitable building
materials, the invention provides for a substantial life span and
appealing looks.
[0013] The device will be designed to meet limiting factors to make
it affordable as a consumer product and avoid fire risk. The
maximum size would be around 1200 watts to limit over heating of
110 volt receptacles. Also would need to be at least 100 watts to
produce useable electric power.
DRAWINGS--FIGURES
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a possible completed product ready for truck
shipment.
[0015] FIG. 2 shows one possible plan [0016] 1 solar photovoltaic
panels [0017] 2 wire connecting panels to an inverter and the
inverter has receptacle [0018] 3 inverter to convert D/C electric
to A/C electric
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a side view of completed product ready for
shipment
[0020] FIG. 4 shows an adjustable mount for the solar panels [0021]
10 solar photovoltaic panels [0022] 23 pivot point bracket allows
angle of panel to be adjusted [0023] 24 hinged pivot point mount
[0024] 25 mounting points several drilled holes to achieve various
panel angles [0025] 26 mounting bracket, which hold center of panel
away from roof [0026] 27 brackets to be moved along 25 achieve
various panel angles [0027] 28 mounting point allows 26 to pivot or
be held erect as needed
DESCRIPTIONS
[0028] One embodiment of this solar system structure is as an
example in the western hemisphere a planter/garbage can holder. The
preassembled and pre-wired structure would be built to meet local
and national building codes. The solar panels can be attached to
the roof by one of several methods. These methods might be screwed
directly to the roof, attached to a fixed mount or attached to an
adjustable mount depending on consumer's choice. The micro inverter
is connected to the device and wired before shipment to the end
consumer in a location to prevent exposure to water. An output
receptacle plug is attached to or built into the inverter 12. The
structure will be placed so that the panels will face true south
and in such a place to eliminate shadows from trees or other
objects thus allowing for maximum electric production.
[0029] FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 show the panels on the apparatus. The
slant of the roof can be adjusted to the specific end use location.
It has been determined that the latitude of the location relates to
the angle necessary for optimum solar radiant energy.
[0030] As in FIG. 5, the rack 21 is raised to the operational
position. It is held by supporting brackets 22. The support
brackets 22 of the roof rack would be bolted to mounting point in
the side of the apparatus.
[0031] One possible mount, as in FIG. 6, the brackets 27 which are
attached to the hinged pivot point mount 25 would move along mount
points to achieve the determined proper angle. It is the mount
bracket 26 attached to the pivot point 23 and the mounting point 26
that allows for ease of adjustment.
[0032] Operation of the system--FIGS. 1,2,4,5 and 6
[0033] Place structure for panels to face true south in northern
hemisphere. Leave the A/C micro inverter in off position and attach
proper electric cord to A/C receptacle. Now plug extension cord
into a 110 a/c receptacle on existing structure and turn on. Run
wires per proper electrical code to site building using the
apparatus's A/C electric and attach to building power feed per
local building codes. The solar panels 10 will feed the D/C power
provided to the micro inverter 12. The inverter 12 will covert the
D/C power to A/C power and feed the site building when there is
proper sunlight
[0034] From the description above, a number of advantages of the
embodiments of my photovoltaic utility building become evident:
[0035] This lawn decoration is pre constructed with the necessary
components and is capable of converting the radiant energy into
useable A/C electrical energy upon set up on site. [0036] As a
separate structure it can be positioned for maximum capture of
radiant energy. [0037] This structure is relatively low, compared
to the roof of a residence, which would provide access for
maintenance of the photovoltaic panels which would include angle
adjustment and/or cleaning of the panels. [0038] This decoration
could in addition to producing 110 volt A/C electric could provide
enclosed space would provide for storage or other use. [0039] Also
as a separate structure it will provide the electricity production
to be off the residence. Aesthetic appeal, fire safety or structure
safety concerns of the original residence would not be altered.
[0040] Although the description above contains many specificities,
these should not be construed as limiting in scope of the
embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of the
presently preferred embodiments. For example, the photovoltaic lawn
decoration can be of other materials, plastics, metal, steel or
other suitable building materials, use for many purposes including
storage.
* * * * *