Movable suspension system, in particular for photovoltaic modules, in particular for agrivoltaic applications

Abstract

A movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) comprising a suspension assembly with three cables (200) having a first upper cable (201) and a second upper cable (202) and a lower cable (203), at least one bracket (101), which supports said three cables (201,202,203) and which is in turn supported by an upright (105) integral with the ground, on the side of the lower cable (203), said bracket (101) being rotatable about a local rotation axis (301) and being connected to the first upper cable (201) and to the second upper cable (202) by main coupling means (401), least one support interface (103), which connects to said first upper cable (201) and second upper cable (202) at a lower side (113) thereof, by secondary coupling means (106), and which is in turn connected to said at least one photovoltaic module (102), at an upper side (114) thereof, opposite to the lower side (113).

Description

"MOVABLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR FORPHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES , IN PARTICULAR FOR AGRIVOLTAIC APPLICATIONS" DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a movable suspension system for photovoltaic modules , in particular for agrivoltaic applications .BACKGROUND ART

[0002] It is known that agrivoltaic applications use support systems for photovoltaic modules which are placed along rows of plants or crops in general .

[0003] In general , in the agrivoltaic field, on the one hand, vast expanses of cultivated fields are ef fectively used to obtain the necessary insolation for the photovoltaic modules , and on the other hand, the photovoltaic modules are used as screens to limit or at least partially control the sun exposure of the plants below and also to prevent rainfall from directly af fecting the plants , because it is preferable for water to directly and mainly moisten only the soil .

[0004] Indeed, a buildup of water and moisture can lead to or at least promote the development of mold, e . g . , in the case of vineyards . In contrast , the appropriately " controlled" shading of crops signi ficantly reduces the water requirements of the concerned plants and canpromote plant health .

[0005] Obviously, the installation and possible moving of the photovoltaic modules implies signi ficant technical complications .

[0006] Indeed, the cultivated land is often not smooth and could also potentially not be perfectly flat ; furthermore , the rows could not be perfectly spaced apart and / or straight .

[0007] Thus , the arrangement and suspension of photovoltaic panels is complex because it is preferable to have the panels placed s ide by side , seamlessly, to achieve uni form coverage of the rows and / or plants underneath so as to achieve a coverage thereof .

[0008] Furthermore , the continuity between modules is useful to allow cleaning the upper surfaces of the panels , directly irradiated by the solar rays , by means of automatic devices which must be capable of trans lating from one panel to the adj acent one in a fully independent manner .

[0009] These requirements are further complicated by the fact that the panels must be capable of being appropriately oriented, i . e . , rotated, to ensure the maximum reception of solar radiation throughout the day, provide the best coverage of the plants underneath, and ensure safety in high winds and bad weather .

[0010] It is apparent that the rotation o f the solar panel s becomes particularly delicate and complicated i f they are suspended on non- flat , uneven terrain

[0011] Furthermore , during the moving / rotation of the panels of known solutions , the panels themselves could be subj ected to signi ficant mechanical strains / stresses , which could lead to their breakage , because the known suspension systems are typically directly connected to the frame of the panels themselves .PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The solutions of the prior art cannot ensure all the requirements mentioned above , especially in the case of rough, uneven and sloping terrain and / or rows which are not straight .

[0013] Therefore , the need is felt to solve the drawbacks and limitations mentioned with reference to the prior art .

[0014] Such a need is met by a suspension system according to claim 1 .DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Further features and advantages of the present invention will be more comprehensible from the following description of preferred, non-limiting embodiments thereof , in which :

[0016] f igures 1-3 are perspective views of details of amovable suspension system for photovoltaic modules according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] f igure 4 is a side view of a movable suspension system for photovoltaic modules according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] f igure 5 is plan view from above of the movable suspension system for photovoltaic modules according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] f igure 6 is a perspective view from above of the movable suspension system for photovoltaic modules according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] f igures 7- 12 are further perspective views of details of a movable suspension system for photovoltaic modules according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0021] f igures 13- 16 are perspective views of movable suspension systems for photovoltaic modules according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0022] f igures 17-20 are side views of further movable suspension systems for photovoltaic modules according to embodiments of the present invention .DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the following embodiments , individual features , given in relation to speci fic examples , may be actually interchanged with other di f ferent features existing inother embodiments .

[0024] With reference to the figures mentioned above , reference numeral 100 indicates a movable suspension system for photovoltaic modules 102 .

[0025] In particular, a movable suspension system 100 comprises a suspension assembly with at least three cables 200 having a first upper cable 201 and a second upper cable 202 and a lower cable or bar 203 . The concept of upper and lower must be understood in a broad sense : upper cable means a cable directly facing the associated photovoltaic module ; while lower cable 203 means the cable arranged on the opposite s ide of the photovoltaic module 102 from the upper cable 201 , 202 . In other words , the upper cable is preferably placed between the photovoltaic module 102 and the lower cable 203 . According to a further possible embodiment , the photovoltaic module 102 is interposed between the upper cables 201 , 202 and lower cable 203 ; possibly, the photovoltaic module 102 can be substantially coplanar with the upper cables 201 , 202 .

[0026] The cable or bar 203 preferably lies on the symmetry plane of the first upper cable 201 and the second upper cable 202 . Said cables 201 , 202 , 203 can be made of a variety of materials ; preferably, they are made of appropriately twisted metal strands . Said cables can alsobe replaced by bars .

[0027] Furthermore , the movable suspension system 100 comprises at least one bracket 101 , which supports said three upper and lower cables 201 , 202 , 203 and which is in turn supported by an upright 105 integral with the ground, on the side of the lower cable 203 .

[0028] As described in greater detail below, said bracket 101 is rotatable about a local rotation axis 301 and is connected to the first and second upper cables 201 , 202 by main coupling means 401 . The bracket 101 is preferably symmetric to a plane passing through cable or lower bar 203 .

[0029] Preferably, the main coupling means 401 of the bracket 101 are rotationally integral to the two upper cables 201 , 202 but can allow them to slide longitudinally with respect to the bracket 101 .

[0030] The movable suspension system 100 further compri ses at least one support interface 103 , which forms a mechanical support for the photovoltaic module 102 so as to absorb the mechanical stresses coming from the three upper and lower cables 201 , 202 , 203 without transmitting them to the photovoltaic module 102 . Support interface 103 means any component or device designed to mechanically support the photovoltaic module 102 without transmitting mechanical stresses . For example , saidsupport interface 103 comprises a crossbar which connects to said first upper cable 201 , 202 at a lower side 113 thereof , by secondary coupling means 106 , and which is in turn connected to said at least one photovoltaic module 102 , at an upper side 114 thereo f , opposite to the lower side 113 .

[0031] Thus , the support interface 103 receives the rotational movement of the bracket 101 by means of the connection to upper cables 201 , 202 ; furthermore , the support interface 103 absorbs the mechanical stresses from the upper cables 201 , 202 without transmitting them to the photovoltaic modules 102 , which thus do not experience mechanical stresses .

[0032] According to a possible embodiment , the secondary coupling means 106 of the support interface 103 are integral in rotation and translation with the first upper cable 201 while allowing the relative sliding and rotation between the second upper cable 202 and the crossbar 103 itsel f , so that , during the movement of the at least one bracket 101 about the local rotation axis 301 thereof , a relative sliding occurs between the second upper cable 202 and the support interface 103 resulting in the rotation of the support interface 103 about a rotation axis 302 perpendicular to the support interface103 itsel f .

[0033] Obviously, the choice of the free upper cable and the slack one is entirely optional ; the important aspect is that , by virtue of the provision of a slack connection, which allows relative sliding and rotation, the support interface 103 can rotate about the rotation axis 302 as a result of the movement , i . e . , rotation, of the bracket 101 .

[0034] The support interface 103 is connected to said lower cable or bar 203 by connection means 204 configured to fix the relative distance between the support interface 103 itsel f and the lower cable or bar 203 , as well as the relative distance between the lower cable or bar 203 and each upper cable 201 , 202 .

[0035] According to an embodiment , said connection means 204 comprise one or more rods , or one or more cables .

[0036] Preferably, said rods are equal and symmetric with respect to a plane of symmetry passing through the lower cable or bar 203 and perpendicular to the support interface 103 .

[0037] According to an embodiment , the bracket 101 is integral with mechanical devices 205 which allow the rotation of the bracket 101 itsel f about the local rotation axis 301 .

[0038] Said mechanical devices 205 can consist of rotary actuators (motors 505 ) or non-motori zed slewing rings 506which allow the solar tracking by virtue of the rotation of the brackets 101 about local rotation axes 301 .

[0039] Preferably, said local rotation axis 301 passes through said lower cable or bar 203 .

[0040] Preferably, said lower cable or bar 203 crosses the bracket 101 and is not moved during its rotation about the local rotation axis 301 .

[0041] Preferably, said cables 201 , 202 , 203 are tensioned by means of one or more counterweights 211 .

[0042] For example , said counterweights 211 slide in appropriate guides 212 integral with the uprights 105 integral with the ground .

[0043] According to an embodiment , the bracket 101 is provided with return means 209 for the cables 200 integral with the bracket 101 itsel f , which, through pulleys or rollers or sel f-lubricating supports , allow keeping the traction applied by the counterweights 211 to the cables 200 constant even during the rotation of the bracket 101 about the local rotation axis 301 .

[0044] According to a further possible embodiment , the bracket 101 is provided with a system of springs which perform the tensioning of the cables 201 , 202 , 203 .

[0045] The movable suspension system 100 obviously comprises a plurality of brackets 101 having respective local rotation axes 301 which are not necessarilycoincident with or parallel to the local rotation axes301 of the other adj acent brackets 101 forming the system 100 . In other words , the suspension system 100 can follow uneven terrain and slopes so that the individual brackets 101 can be arranged and inclined so to have local rotation axes which are not aligned or even parallel to each other .

[0046] According to an embodiment , electrical conductors and / or service pipes 210 are coupled to the lower cable or bar 203 .

[0047] For example , the movable suspension system 100 is provided with support means 206 shaped to support electrical conductors and service pipes 210 and keep their relative distance substantially unchanged .

[0048] For this purpose , said support means 206 can be formed by two comb-like support elements 207 , 208 removably coupled together without requiring the disassembly of the lower cable or bar 203 and electrical conductors and service pipes 210 .

[0049] For example , said two comb-like support elements 207 , 208 can be obtained by machining plates or by stamping or other known technique , each comb-like support element 207 , 208 being provided with a plurality of slots 220 open at one end, parallel to one another and directed along a first axis 407 and a second axis 408 ,respectively .

[0050] Preferably, the two comb-like support elements 207 , 208 are associated and oriented with each other so that said first axis 407 and second axis 408 identi fy an angle between 80 ° and 100 ° , preferably equal to 90 ° therebetween .

[0051] The coupling between said comb-like support elements 207 , 208 identi fies regions 409 which constrain the relative position of electrical conductors and the service pipes 210 inserted therein .

[0052] For example , the support means 206 are constrained to both the brackets 101 and the lower cable or bar 203 with appropriate mechanical fasteners . Because of the relative positioning of the lower cable or bar 203 with respect to the bracket 101 and its local rotation axi s 301 , said electrical conductors and service tubes 210 undergo negligible movement during the rotation of the bracket 101 . The result is reduced wear and tear, advantageously extending their service li fe .

[0053] According to a possible embodiment , the movable suspension system 100 can be provided with one or more automatic or servo-assisted cleaning systems 410 for cleaning the photovoltaic modules 102 , said cleaning system 410 being constrained to one or both cables 201 and 202 and coplanar to the photovoltaic modules ( f igures15 and 16) .

[0054] As mentioned above, the bracket 101 is integral with mechanical devices 205 which allow the rotation of the bracket 101 itself about the local rotation axis 301.

[0055] Said mechanical devices 205 can consist of rotary actuators (motors 505) or non-motorized slewing rings 506 which allow the solar tracking by virtue of the rotation of the brackets 101 about local rotation axes 301. It is also possible to use a plurality of rows of movable suspension systems 100, with associated photovoltaic modules 102 which can be associated with both idle and motorized mechanical devices 205.

[0056] For example, adjacent rows of movable suspension systems 100 can be mechanically connected to each other by means of mechanical connections 500, such as cables. In this manner, it is possible to provide a limited number of mechanical devices 205 with motorization, while the others can be moved while remaining idle.

[0057] For example, it is possible to connect the movable suspension systems 100 with mechanical connections 500, such as ropes, intrinsically adapted to transmit only tensile stresses, wherein said ropes are arranged all under (figure 17) or all above (figure 18) the local rotation axis 301 of the brackets 101. In this manner, e.g., by positioning the motor means only at theoutermost rows 100 ',100' ', the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the movable suspension systems 100 can be achieved by driving the end motor means, taking advantage of the transmission of tensile stresses obtained by means of the ropes 500. Instead, the inner rows will remain idle, i.e., free from motor means.

[0058] It is possible to connect the movable suspension systems 100 with mechanical connections 500, such as ropes, intrinsically adapted to transmit only tensile stresses, wherein said ropes are arranged both under and above (figure 19-20) the local rotation axis 301 of the brackets 101; in this manner, it is possible to position the motor means at least one at an outer row 100', 100' ' or intermediate row 100' ’ ’ and to control the rotation of all the movable suspension systems 100 by synergistically driving all, or even only one, of the installed motor means. On the other hand, the other rows will remain idle and will be driven into motion by the rotation of the rows 100' , 100' ' and / or 100' ' ' .

[0059] As can be appreciated from the description above, the present invention allows overcoming the drawbacks of the solutions of the prior art.

[0060] Indeed, the present invention provides a movable photovoltaic module suspension system which is capable of allowing the seamless arrangement of the module, evenwith installation on uneven terrain and in the presence of slopes , and / or non-equidistant and / or non-straight rows .

[0061] The installation of a system such as that described is particularly facilitated because there is no need to prepare the ground to level or align the rows of plants above which the photovoltaic modules will be suspended .

[0062] The particular structure of the system allows placing the uprights 105 at distances that are not necessarily equal to each other, while not af fecting the continuity of the coverage of the suspended photovoltaic modules .

[0063] Automatic cleaning systems can be ef fectively employed by virtue of the continuity of the surface identi fied by photovoltaic modules .

[0064] Furthermore , the suspension system does not mechanically stress the modules , even during their movement , so there is no risk of damage to the modules .

[0065] Therefore , the photovoltaic modules can be appropriately oriented as a function of the weather conditions to optimi ze in al l situations both power generation and irradiation and shading of plants and / or the ground below .

[0066] In order to meet contingent , speci fic needs , those skilled in the art may make several changes andvariations to the solutions described above .

[0067] The scope of protection of the invention is defined by the following claims .List of reference numerals:100: movable suspension system100',100' ' : motorized outer rows100' '' : motorized intermediate row101 : bracket102: photovoltaic modules103: support portion105: upright106: secondary coupling means113: lower side of support interface 103114: upper side of support interface 103200: system consisting of three cables201: first upper cable202: second upper cable203: lower cable or bar204: connection means205; mechanical devices206: support means207: comb-like support element208: comb-like support element209: cable return means210: electrical conductors and service pipes211: counterweights212: guide for counterweights220: slots300: area identified by photovoltaic modules 102301: local rotation axis302: direction perpendicular to surface 300 identified by photovoltaic modules 102 401: main coupling means407: first slot axis408: second slot axis409: regions or holes for the passage of cables or pipes410: photovoltaic module cleaning system 500: mechanical connections505: motors506: non-motorized slewing rings

Claims

CLAIMS1. A movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) comprising- a suspension assembly with at least three cables (200) having a first upper cable (201) and a second upper cable (202) and a lower cable or bar (203) ,- at least one bracket (101) which supports said three cables (201,202,203) and which is in turn supported by an upright (105) fixed with respect to the ground, said bracket (101) being rotatable about a local rotation axis (301) and being connected to the first upper cable (201) and to the second upper cable (202) by main coupling means (401) ,- at least one support interface (103) which connects to said first upper cable (201) and second upper cable (202) at a lower side (113) thereof, by one or more secondary coupling means (106) , and which is in turn connected to said at least one photovoltaic module (102) , at an upper side (114) thereof, opposite to the lower side (113) .

2. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules according to claim 1, wherein the secondary coupling means (106) of the support interface (103) are integral in rotation and translation with the first upper cable (201) while allowing the relative sliding and rotation between the second upper cable (202) and thesupport interface (103) itself, so that, during the movement of the at least one bracket (101) about the local rotation axis (301) thereof, a relative sliding can occur between the second upper cable (202) and the support interface (103) resulting in the rotation of the support interface (103) about a rotation axis (302) perpendicular to the support interface (103) itself.

3. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main coupling means (401) of the bracket (101) are integral in rotation with the first and second upper cables (201,202) but allow the relative translation between the bracket (101) itself and said upper cables (201,202) .

4. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the support interface (103) is connected to said lower cable or bar (203) by connection means (204) configured to constrain the relative distance between the support interface (103) itself and the lower cable or bar (203) and the relative distance between the lower cable or bar (203) and each upper cable (201,202) .

5. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to claim 4, wherein said connection means (204) comprise at least one rod or cable .

6. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to claim 5, wherein said rods are equal and symmetric with respect to a plane of symmetry passing through the lower cable or bar (203) and perpendicular to the support interface (103) .

7. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bracket (101) is integral with mechanical devices (205) which allow the rotation of the bracket (101) itself about the local rotation axis (301) .

8. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said local rotation axis (301) is substantially parallel to said lower cable or bar (203) .

9. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to claim 8, wherein said lower cable or bar (203) passes through the bracket (101) .

10. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said cables (201,202,203) are tensioned by means of one or more counterweights (211) .

11. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to claim 10, wherein said counterweights (211) slide in appropriate guides (212) integral with the uprights (105) integral with theground .

12. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the bracket (101) is provided with cable return means (209) integral with the bracket (101) itself which, through pulleys or rollers or self-lubricating supports, allow ensuring that the traction applied to the cables (200) is kept constant even during the rotation of the bracket (101) about the local rotation axis (301) .

13. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the bracket (101) is provided with a system of springs which perform the tensioning of the cables (201,202,203) .

14. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the system comprises a plurality of brackets (101) having respective local rotation axes (301) not coincident with or parallel to the rotation axes (301) of the other brackets (101) forming the system (100) .

15. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein electrical conductors and / or service tubes (210) are coupled to the lower cable or bar (203) .

16. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaicmodules (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the system (100) is provided with support means (206) shaped so as to support electrical conductors and service tubes (210) and maintain the relative distance thereof unchanged.

17. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to claim 16, wherein said support means (206) are formed by two comb-like support elements (207,208) removably coupled together.

18. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to claim 17, wherein said two support elements (207,208) are provided with a plurality of slots (220) open at one end, parallel to one another and directed along a first axis (407) and a second axis(408) , respectively.

19. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to claim 18, wherein the two support elements (207,208) are associated and oriented with each other so that said first axis (407) and second axis (408) identify an angle between 80° and 100°, preferably equal to 90° therebetween.

20. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the coupling between said support elements identifies regions(409) which constrain the relative position of theelectrical conductors and service tubes (210) inserted therein .

21. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the support means (206) are constrained to both the brackets (101) and to the lower cable or bar (203) with appropriate mechanical fasteners .

22. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, equipped with at least one cleaning system (410) of the photovoltaic modules (102) .

23. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein said at least one support interface (103) is a crossbar .

24. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 23, comprising adjacent rows of movable suspension systems (100) mechanically connected to each other by mechanical connections (500) , such as ropes, wherein mechanical connections (500) are arranged all below or all above with respect to the local rotation axis (301) of the brackets (101) , and wherein the brackets (101) of the outermost rows (100', 100' ' ) are provided with motor means(505) while the brackets (101) of the intermediate rows( 100 ' ' ' ) enclosed between said outer rows (100' , 100' ' ) are provided with non-motorized slewing rings (506) .

25. The movable suspension system (100) for photovoltaic modules (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 23, comprising adjacent rows of movable suspension systems(100) mechanically connected to each other by mechanical connections (500) , such as ropes, wherein mechanical connections (500) are arranged both below and above with respect to the local rotation axis (301) of the brackets (101) , and wherein the brackets (101) of at least one of the outermost (100', 100' ' ) or intermediate ( 100 ' ' ' ) rows are provided with motor means (505) while the other brackets (101) are provided with non-motorized slewing wheels (506) .

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