A device for cleaning photovoltaic panels by means of a drone

Abstract

This utility model discloses a drone-mounted photovoltaic panel cleaning device, comprising a drone, a drone hanger mounted on the bottom of the drone, and a cleaning device mounted on the bottom of the drone hanger. The cleaning device includes a main pipe and branch pipes, with the branch pipes distributed on both sides of the main pipe and fixedly connected to the bottom of the drone hanger. A ducted fan is installed at the front opening of the main pipe, and a liquid container is installed at the top front of the main pipe. A downward-spraying atomizing nozzle is installed at the end of the branch pipe furthest from the main pipe. This utility model, by using a drone mounted on a cleaning device for cleaning and maintaining photovoltaic equipment, can reduce the large amount of travel required for traditional manual inspections, thereby reducing carbon emissions. Simultaneously, the drone can quickly inspect and clean flexible photovoltaic power stations in mountainous areas, significantly shortening the inspection and maintenance cycle and improving work efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a drone-based device for cleaning photovoltaic panels, belonging to the technical field of photovoltaic power generation operation and maintenance equipment. Background Technology

[0002] As the economy develops, the demand for energy from enterprises is gradually increasing. The large-scale extraction of fossil fuels has led to a global energy shortage and is prone to causing ecological damage. With the continuous promotion and implementation of the concept of low-carbon and environmental protection, human exploration of energy is increasingly inclined towards renewable green energy, thereby promoting the development of solar photovoltaic power generation.

[0003] Solar photovoltaic (PV) modules are clean and efficient energy conversion devices, primarily made of semiconductor silicon and other materials. Their power generation process is simple, with no rotating mechanical parts, no fuel required, and no gas emissions. They offer advantages such as being noiseless, pollution-free, easy to maintain, and stable in operation. Solar PV power generation is a strategic renewable energy industry that receives key national support, exhibiting significant green and environmentally friendly characteristics. Currently, ground-mounted PV power stations are mostly located in deserts, Gobi, and relatively better locations such as rooftops, mountains, fishponds, and tidal flats, primarily using fixed PV support structures. However, in areas with steep slopes and high vegetation cover, tidal flats with poor geological conditions, deep and wide fishponds, and large sewage treatment plants, traditional fixed PV support foundation construction and installation methods result in low land utilization, high construction difficulty, and high costs, leading to low returns on PV power stations. Flexible PV support technology, with its strong spanning capabilities and the ability to uniformly and continuously arrange modules, can solve these problems.

[0004] During the operation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation system, it is affected by dust in its environment. The photoelectric conversion efficiency of PV cells is related to the intensity of solar radiation. Dust accumulation on the surface of PV panels reduces the light transmittance of the front cover, leading to a decrease in cell output performance. Most existing PV power plants use silicon-based solar cells, which are highly sensitive to temperature. When a certain thickness of dust accumulates on the panel surface, it increases its thermal resistance, which, while insulating the panel, affects its heat dissipation. Dust adhering to the panel surface blocks heat transfer, potentially preventing the panel's own heat from being released, causing the temperature to rise and impacting the PV system's power generation efficiency. Currently, distributed PV and some small PV power plants mostly use cleaning methods such as manual cleaning, mechanical cleaning, and fully automated cleaning by cleaning vehicles. Some cleaning methods require multiple people to work together, resulting in relatively low efficiency and high labor and equipment costs. Furthermore, manual cleaning is extremely inconvenient for some mountainous flexible PV power plants where the PV modules are high off the ground. Therefore, we propose a drone-based PV panel cleaning device. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a drone-based photovoltaic panel cleaning device that can reduce the large amount of travel required for traditional manual inspections, thereby reducing carbon emissions. At the same time, it can quickly inspect and clean flexible photovoltaic power stations in mountainous areas, greatly shortening the inspection and maintenance cycle and improving work efficiency.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a drone cleaning photovoltaic panel device, including a drone, the drone being an intelligent remote-controlled drone with good flight capability, positioning capability, and designated obstacle avoidance capability, the bottom of the drone being equipped with a drone hanger, and the bottom of the drone hanger being equipped with a cleaning device;

[0007] The cleaning device includes a main pipe and branch pipes. The branch pipes are distributed on both sides of the main pipe and are fixedly connected to the bottom of the drone frame. A ducted fan is installed at the front opening of the main pipe, and a liquid container is installed at the top of the front end of the main pipe. An atomizer is installed at the outlet of the liquid container connected to the main pipe, and the liquid container is placed between the frontmost branch pipe and the ducted fan. An atomizing nozzle that can spray downwards is installed at the end of the branch pipe away from the main pipe. After the ducted fan is started, airflow is blown into the main pipe. The cleaning liquid in the liquid container is carried by the airflow into each branch pipe and sprayed out through the atomizing nozzle of the branch pipe to clean the photovoltaic panel.

[0008] In the aforementioned drone-based photovoltaic panel cleaning device, at least four branch pipes are provided. The four branch pipes are arranged in two rows on both sides of the main pipe and are symmetrical to each other. The branch pipes extend towards the rear of the main pipe at an acute angle to the main pipe. The acute angle between the branch pipes and the main pipe facilitates the airflow to drive the liquid flow, reduces fluid resistance, and makes the flow rate among the branch pipes uniform.

[0009] In the aforementioned drone-based photovoltaic panel cleaning device, the angle between the branch pipe and the main pipe is °.

[0010] In the aforementioned drone-based photovoltaic panel cleaning device, the front end of the main pipe is provided with a converging section, the diameter of the front end of the converging section is larger than the diameter of the rear end of the converging section, and the duct fan is installed at the front end of the converging section. After the airflow of the duct fan passes through the converging section, the airflow speed increases, which is beneficial for the airflow to carry the liquid spray.

[0011] In the aforementioned drone-based photovoltaic panel cleaning device, an opening regulator is provided on the main pipe. The opening regulator is located between the foremost branch pipe and the liquid container. The opening regulator can control the opening and closing of the main pipe, as well as control the internal flow rate of the main pipe, thereby controlling the amount of liquid inside the main pipe.

[0012] The aforementioned drone-based photovoltaic panel cleaning device includes a liquid level sensor installed inside the liquid container to monitor the remaining liquid level.

[0013] Compared with existing technologies, this invention uses drones mounted on cleaning devices to clean and maintain photovoltaic equipment, which reduces the large amount of travel required for traditional manual inspections, thereby reducing carbon emissions. At the same time, drones can quickly inspect and clean flexible photovoltaic power stations in mountainous areas, greatly shortening the inspection and maintenance cycle and improving work efficiency. Furthermore, drone inspection and cleaning avoid the safety risks that may be caused by personnel entering the power station, especially in complex or severe weather conditions, where drones replace manual inspections, reducing labor costs. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a top view of the cleaning device of this utility model;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a utility model Figure 2 Cross-sectional view at point A;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning process in the middle of the photovoltaic panel according to this utility model;

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a flexible photovoltaic system.

[0019] Reference numerals: 1-UAV, 2-UAV gantry, 3-Cleaning device, 4-Main pipe, 5-Branch pipe, 6-Duct fan, 7-Medicine container, 8-Atomizing nozzle, 9-Opening regulator, 10-Contraction section. Detailed Implementation

[0020] like Figure 5 As shown, flexible photovoltaic supports for mountainous terrain have enabled the convenient construction of photovoltaic power stations in rugged mountainous areas due to their high cable structure strength, strong crossing ability, and tensioning capability. However, some flexible photovoltaic power stations in mountainous areas are extremely inconvenient to clean manually because the photovoltaic modules are high off the ground.

[0021] This application's embodiments enable convenient construction of photovoltaic power stations in rugged mountainous terrain. By using drones mounted on cleaning devices to clean and maintain photovoltaic equipment, rapid inspection and cleaning of flexible photovoltaic power stations in mountainous areas can be carried out in a short time, greatly shortening the inspection and maintenance cycle and improving work efficiency. At the same time, drone inspection and cleaning avoids the safety risks that may arise from personnel entering the power station, especially under complex or severe weather conditions. Drones replace manual inspections, reducing labor costs.

[0022] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0023] Embodiment 1 of this utility model: A drone cleaning photovoltaic panel device, comprising a drone 1, a drone frame 2 mounted on the bottom of the drone 1, and a cleaning device 3 mounted on the bottom of the drone frame 2.

[0024] Among them, UAV 1 employs an advanced flight control system and accurate attitude sensors, enabling it to maintain stable flight in complex mountainous environments, reducing vibration and swaying during flight, and ensuring stable spraying operations on flexible photovoltaic panels. Because flexible photovoltaic supports are often located in complex geographical environments, UAV 1 also possesses precise positioning capabilities, utilizing dual positioning technology of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). This allows it to accurately locate its position in complex environments and maintain a stable flight trajectory, thereby improving the accuracy of spraying operations. UAV 1 also features intelligent obstacle avoidance, detecting and automatically avoiding surrounding obstacles through a vision system and an infrared sensing system, ensuring flight safety. It supports multiple load configurations, connecting to the cleaning device 3 via the UAV mount 2, and supports various operating modes such as automatic tracking, waypoint flight, and circling flight to meet different mission requirements. UAV 1's power system uses a new battery cell system and intelligent battery algorithms, allowing for recyclability and extending spraying operation time.

[0025] Specifically, the cleaning device 3 includes a main pipe 4 and branch pipes 5. The branch pipes 5 are distributed on both sides of the main pipe 4 and are fixedly connected to the bottom of the UAV mounting frame 2. A ducted fan 6 is provided at the front opening of the main pipe 4. A liquid medicine container 7 is provided at the top of the front end of the main pipe 4. An atomizer is provided at the outlet where the liquid medicine container 7 connects to the main pipe 4. The liquid medicine container 7 is placed between the frontmost branch pipe 5 and the ducted fan 6. An atomizing nozzle 8 that can spray downwards is provided at the end of the branch pipe 5 away from the main pipe 4. A converging section 10 is provided at the front end of the main pipe 4. The diameter of the front end of the converging section 10 is larger than the diameter of the rear end. The ducted fan 6 is installed at the front end of the converging section 10. The airflow of the ducted fan increases in speed after passing through the converging section 10, which is conducive to the airflow carrying the liquid medicine for spraying. An opening regulator 9 is provided on the main pipe 4. The opening regulator 9 is placed between the frontmost branch pipe 5 and the liquid medicine container 7. The opening regulator 9 can control the opening and closing of the main pipe 4 and control the internal flow of the main pipe 4, thereby controlling the amount of liquid medicine inside the main pipe 4.

[0026] Because flexible photovoltaic power stations are mostly located in rugged mountainous environments and the modules are high off the ground, manual cleaning poses safety hazards and is inconvenient. The small spacing between rows of photovoltaic module strings makes it easy for bird droppings to fall onto the panels. Once dried, these droppings are difficult to clean and accumulate over time, severely impacting photovoltaic power generation efficiency. Therefore, a special cleaning solution is needed to soften these stubborn stains, which are then rinsed clean with water or after rain. When the ducted fan 6 starts, the airflow accelerates after passing through the ducted fan 6 and the contraction section 10. The atomizer at the bottom of the liquid container 7 is activated via the control panel, atomizing the liquid solution. This solution then enters the main pipe 4 and is branched into the branch pipe 5, reaching the atomizing nozzle 8 at the end of the branch pipe 5. The atomizing nozzle 8 is positioned above the stubborn stains on the photovoltaic panels. The liquid airflow is further accelerated after passing through the atomizing nozzle 8, spraying evenly onto the stain surface. The solution penetrates the stain, softening it and making it easier to clean.

[0027] If the stain is in the middle of the photovoltaic panel, the drone 1 moves to a position according to the instruction, sprays the liquid with the atomizing nozzle 8 on one side, and closes the atomizing nozzle 8 on the other side to save the liquid. At the same time, the control console issues an instruction to control the opening regulator 9 on the main pipe 4 to adjust the amount of liquid inside the pipe.

[0028] Specifically, at least four branch pipes 5 are provided, arranged in two rows on both sides of the main pipe 4 and symmetrical to each other. The branch pipes 5 extend behind the main pipe 4 at an acute angle to it. This acute angle facilitates airflow to carry the liquid medicine, reduces fluid resistance, and ensures that the flow rate is even among the branch pipes 5. The angle between the branch pipes 5 and the main pipe 4 is 50°.

[0029] Specifically, a liquid level sensor is installed inside the liquid container 7 to monitor the remaining liquid in the liquid container 7. During the operation of the drone 1, the liquid level sensor of the cleaning container constantly monitors the remaining liquid in the liquid container. When the liquid is consumed, a command is issued to control the drone 1 to return and refill the liquid.

[0030] Specifically, during operation, the control console must monitor the remaining power of the drone's battery system to ensure that there is sufficient power to enable the drone to operate normally and return.

[0031] The working principle of one embodiment of this utility model is as follows: In use, the cleaning device 3 is filled with cleaning fluid in the liquid container 7 on its back. Following the instructions of the positioning system, the drone 1 hovers above the stained photovoltaic panel. The ducted fan 6 is activated via the onboard control console. The airflow speed increases after passing through the ducted fan 6 and the contraction section 10. The atomizer at the bottom of the liquid container 7 is activated via the control console, atomizing the liquid and allowing it to flow into the main pipe 4 and branch pipe 5. The liquid then reaches the atomizing nozzle 8 at the end of the branch pipe 5. The atomizing nozzle 8 is positioned above the stubborn stains on the photovoltaic panel. The liquid airflow is further accelerated after passing through the atomizing nozzle 8, and is evenly sprayed onto the stain surface. When the liquid medicine soaks into the stain, it softens it and makes it easier to clean. If the stain is in the middle of the photovoltaic panel, the drone 1 moves its position according to the instruction, and sprays the liquid medicine with the atomizing nozzle 8 on one side of the atomizing nozzle 8 on the other side of the branch pipe 5. The atomizing nozzle 8 on the other side of the branch pipe 5 is closed to save liquid medicine. At the same time, the control console sends an instruction to control the opening regulator 9 on the main pipe 5 to adjust the amount of liquid medicine inside the pipe. During the operation of the drone 1, the liquid level sensor of the liquid medicine container 7 monitors the remaining liquid medicine at all times. When the liquid medicine is consumed, an instruction is sent to control the drone 1 to return and refill the liquid medicine. During the operation of the drone 1, the control console also monitors the remaining power of the drone's battery system to ensure that there is enough power to ensure that the drone can work normally and return.

Claims

1. A drone-based device for cleaning photovoltaic panels, characterized in that, Includes a drone (1), the bottom of which is equipped with a drone mount (2), and the bottom of which is equipped with a cleaning device (3). The cleaning device (3) includes a main pipe (4) and a branch pipe (5). The branch pipe (5) is distributed on both sides of the main pipe (4) and is fixedly connected to the bottom of the drone frame (2). A ducted fan (6) is provided at the front opening of the main pipe (4). A liquid container (7) is provided at the top of the front end of the main pipe (4). An atomizer is provided at the outlet where the liquid container (7) is connected to the main pipe (4). The liquid container (7) is placed between the frontmost branch pipe (5) and the ducted fan (6). An atomizing nozzle (8) that can spray downwards is provided at the end of the branch pipe (5) away from the main pipe (4). At least four branch pipes (5) are provided. The four branch pipes (5) are arranged in two rows on both sides of the main pipe (4) and are symmetrical to each other. The branch pipes (5) extend towards the rear of the main pipe (4) at an acute angle to the main pipe (4).

2. The drone-based photovoltaic panel cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The angle between the branch pipe (5) and the main pipe (4) is 50°.

3. The drone-based photovoltaic panel cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front end of the main pipe (4) is provided with a contraction section (10), the front diameter of the (10) is larger than the rear diameter, and the duct fan (6) is installed at the front end of the contraction section (10).

4. The drone-based photovoltaic panel cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, An opening regulator (9) is provided on the main pipe (4), and the opening regulator (9) is placed between the frontmost branch pipe (5) and the liquid container (7).

5. The drone-based photovoltaic panel cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A liquid level sensor is installed inside the liquid medicine container (7).

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