Releasably mountable power module

Abstract

According to an aspect, the present disclosure provides for a power module for releasably mounting to a surface of a structure having a universal mounting element, the power module may include a mounting apparatus having a frame for securing a solar power supply thereto, and a locking mechanism configured for releasably coupling with the universal mounting element of the structure. Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may further provide an output of the power module to a system external to the structure, or to an electrical system of the structure itself.

Description

Abstract According to one embodiment, the present invention discloses a power module that is detachably mounted on the surface of a structure having universal mounting elements. The power module may include a mounting device having a frame for securing a solar power supply and a locking mechanism configured for detachable engagement with the universal mounting elements of the structure. According to embodiments disclosed in the present invention, the power module may also provide its output power to a system external to the structure or to the power system of the structure itself.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:1 . A power module for mounting to a surface of a structure having a universal mounting element, the power module comprising: a mounting apparatus having a frame for securing a solar power supply thereto, and a locking mechanism configured for releasably coupling with the universal mounting element of the structure.

2. The power module of claim 1 , wherein the solar power supply comprises a plurality of solar panels.

3. The power module of claim 2 further comprising an adjustable mechanical element for controlling an orientation of a solar panel, the mechanical element coupled to the frame of the mounting apparatus and a solar panel of the plurality of solar panels.

4. The power module of claim 3, wherein the mechanical element comprises a retractable arm pivotally mounted to the frame of the mounting apparatus, the retractable arm for adjusting a pitch of the solar panel relative to the frame of the mounting apparatus.

5. The power module of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the mechanical element comprises a rotatable platform mounted to the frame of the mounting apparatus, the rotatable platform for adjusting a rotation of the solar panel relative to the frame of the mounting apparatus.

6. The power module of any one of claims 3 to 5 further comprising a solar tracker module for determining a position of the sun, the solar tracker module being configured to provide a control signal to to the mechanical element for adjusting the orientation of the solar panel.

7. The power module of claim 6 further comprising a collision detection sensor in communication with the solar tracker module, the collision detection sensor configured for determining whether adjusting the orientation of the solar panel will result in a collision with another object.

8. The power module of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first locking element configured for releasably coupling with the universal mounting element of the structure.

9. The power module of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the mounting apparatus comprises a plurality of the locking mechanism for releasably coupling the mounting apparatus to a corresponding plurality of the universal mounting element of the shipping container.

10. The power module of claim 9, wherein the mounting apparatus comprises a plurality of mounting elements for attaching with the locking mechanism.

11. The power module of claim 9, wherein the plurality of mounting elements are disposed on the mounting apparatus for mounting alignment with a reciprocal universal mounting element.

12. The power module of any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a second locking element for attaching the locking mechanism to the mounting apparatus.

13. The power module of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a lever for actuating the locking mechanism between a locked disposition and an unlocked disposition.

14. The power module of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a twist lock.

15. The power module of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the universal mounting element comprises an ISO corner casting.

16. The power module of any one of claims 1 to 15 further comprising an electrical circuit for coupling an output of the power supply to a bus electrically coupled to an electrical system.

17. The power module of claim 16, where the power module comprises the bus.

18. The power module of claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the bus comprises a DC bus and the power module further comprises a unidirectional DC-DC converter coupled between the output of the power supply and the bus, the converter for boosting the output of the power supply to the bus.

19. The power module of claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the bus comprises an AC bus and the power module further comprises an inverter coupled between the output of the power supply and the bus.

20. The power module of any one of claims 1-19 wherein the frame includes a plurality of rubber grommets in contact with the power supply for mitigating vibration.

21. The power module of any one of claims 16-20 wherein the structure comprises a shipping container.

22. The power module of claim 21 wherein the electrical system comprises a propulsion system for use in transporting the shipping container.

23. A modular power system for a plurality of structures, comprising: a plurality of power modules in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 22 for mounting to the plurality of structures, and a common bus for electrically coupling the plurality of power modules in parallel to an external electrical system of the plurality of structures.

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