Gallery with electricity production

Abstract

Gallery with Electricity Production The invention relates to a gallery with electricity production, comprising an arched roof (1) arranged on a base (2) fixed to the ground, and one or more photovoltaic panels (3), notable in that the panels (3) are flat and arranged in respective fairings (4), to which they are hinged by an edge, with actuators (5) for lifting the panels (3) between a resting position against the fairing (4) and an operating position at one or more predefined angles. Figure for the abstract: [Fig. 2]

Description

Title of the invention: Gallery with electricity production

[0001] FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This specification relates to a gallery for installation in high mountains and comprising a system for producing electrical energy using photovoltaic solar panels. It allows self-powering of the gallery and its equipment, or even production for other purposes.

[0003] DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0004] It is known in the art the existence of galleries to be installed in the mountains, for example in ski resorts. An example is given in document ES 1204211U. This type of gallery allows users to be protected from the cold and wind during the winter. They also allow the transport of these users, often to the top of the mountain.

[0005] Once this structure is in place, it is considered possible to exploit its presence for other purposes, the inclusion of renewable energy collection systems being one of the preferred functions. This collection allows the gallery to be self-sufficient in energy or to reduce its carbon footprint. As they are located in high mountains, the simple placement of a photovoltaic plate is not enough. Harsh climatic conditions must be anticipated so that the support is efficient and reliable, so that it does not require maintenance. In addition, the presence of the photovoltaic plates cannot affect the structural requirements of the gallery, despite the increase in weight, snow accumulation surface and sensitivity to wind.

[0006] Currently, the only existing solution on the market is based on the placement of flexible solar panels on an external structure installed on one side of the gallery, which is chosen according to the relative position of the gallery with respect to the sun. The energy efficiency of this solution is quite low, since the use of flexible panels means that the incidence of the sun's rays on a curved surface is not the most appropriate in terms of energy production, and also because the fact that the galleries are oriented in the direction of the mountain slope, and not necessarily in the appropriate solar orientation, also reduces the production level of the system.

[0007] In any case, no system is known which is so easily adjustable in its configuration.

[0008] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention therefore recommends a new gallery with electricity production for high mountains or similar situations.

[0010] It is applicable, for example, in high mountains, for the transport of skiers, but also in other applications where the protection of the production system against the elements is important, such as in coastal areas where storms can occur. The use can be intended for general pedestrian circulation, the protection of objects or plants (greenhouses) as well as for parking bicycles.

[0011] The gallery with electricity production is of the type consisting of an arched roof arranged on a base fixed to the ground and one or more photovoltaic plates, in this case flat and non-flexible. The photovoltaic plates or panels are arranged in respective fairings, on which they are hinged by an edge. Each fairing is provided with an actuator for lifting the plate, between a rest position where the plate is supported on the fairing and a position of use with one or more predefined angles. The angles can be discrete values ​​(a series of different points) or continuous (any value up to a maximum).

[0012] The actuators can be controlled by a user, via a keyboard, but preferably include a management control unit to manage the actuators. It can operate according to the schedule, depending on the energy captured, recovering the plates if the sun is not sufficient, in order to reduce the risk. It can also be based on a weather station connected to the control unit which indicates if the conditions are suitable for the deployment of the plates. The control unit can also be configured to connect to an external server.

[0013] The plates are generally rectangular in the trade, which allows them to be articulated on the fairing on two opposite edges without having to modify the actuators or the system as a whole. However, if the plate is square, the orientation can be modified so that any edge can be articulated, without modifying any part. Thus, each plate can be articulated on the fairing on any of its edges. The fairing can be made of thermoformed plastic and can be frustoconical.

[0014] In high mountain regions, it is desirable for the gallery to include an anti-freeze mechanism by vibration and / or temperature. This allows the actuators, the plate and any other moving parts to move freely.

[0015] Other variants are described in the remainder of the specification. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] To this end and in order to complete the description which is made and to allow a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0017] [Fig.l]: Perspective view of a gallery section with a plate in position of use, according to an example of implementation.

[0018] [Fig.2]: perspective view of the example above, with the plate hinged on a another edge.

[0019] [Fig.3]: perspective view of the example above, with the plate in the position of rest.

[0020] In these drawings, the different parts or components are referenced:

[0021] 1- Roof.

[0022] 2- Base.

[0023] 3- Plate (or photovoltaic panel).

[0024] 4- Fairing.

[0025] 5- Actuator.

[0026] 6- Weather station.

[0027] 7- Control unit.

[0028] 8- Antifreeze mechanism.

[0029] DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0030] The following is a brief description of one embodiment of the invention, by way of illustrative and non-limiting example.

[0031] In view of the figure above, it can be seen that the invention recommends a gallery, in the form of an arched roof (1) arranged on a base (2) fixed to the ground. The roof (1) shown has a shape similar to a cylinder.

[0032] On the upper surface of the roof (1) there is arranged a series of photovoltaic plates (3) supported on respective fairings (4). The usual position is centered on the highest point of the roof (1). The fairing (4) allows the transition between the roof (1) and the plate (3), so that the geometry of the gallery is not significantly modified from an aerodynamic point of view. It can be seen that the fairing (4) shown generally has a truncated cone shape, with curved edges. Since it is fixed to a roughly cylindrical roof (1), the base of the fairing (4) is curved. The dimensions, the radii of curvature, etc. depend on the shape and dimensions of the gallery. The fixing is done on supporting arcs of the roof (1), if the latter is not sufficiently strong. Otherwise, it can be fixed on the roof (1).For example, the gallery may have a series of outer strips to which the fairing (4) is attached by means of metal fasteners.

[0033] The fairing (4) can be made of thermoformed plastic, such as polycarbonate, which facilitates precise construction. It can also be made of bioplastic, composite material, metal... and be manufactured by molding, injection... and other technologies. For example, a fairing (4) can be thermoformed to fit the smaller diameter of the gallery and, if the gallery is larger, the base can be cut to fit the curvature. In this way, only one mold model is required.

[0034] In the figures, the gallery consists of a series of modules connected along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, each module comprising a fairing (4) and a plate (3).

[0035] The plate (3) has a rest position, where it is covered by the fairing (4) so ​​as not to be affected by the wind. This position is generally parallel to the base (2). It also has a use position in which it is supported on the fairing (4) by an articulated edge and lifted by an actuator (5) at one or more predefined angles. The actuator (5) may be a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, a scissor lift system or any other suitable system. Preferably, the plate (3) is rectangular or square, so that it is possible to define, when setting up the gallery, which edge of the plate (3) is articulated, so that it is possible to orient the plate (3) in any direction (transverse or longitudinal) depending on the relative position of the sun.If it is hinged on a short or long side, the angles obtained with the actuator (5) will be different, because the length of the arm varies, but they will always be known and one can act accordingly. The fairing (4) is provided with housings for fixing either the hinge or the actuators (5) on each side, and the user can choose the edge to be hinged depending on the orientation and position of the gallery.

[0036] The movement of the plates (3) is limited to the positioning of an articulation on one of their four sides and, on the opposite side, of one or more actuators (5) which cause the movement of the panels relative to the articulation. This system is simpler and more reliable than that which allows complete solar tracking of the panels. The user is free to modify at any time the edge which is articulated.

[0037] The gallery is completed by a weather station (6) connected to a control unit (7), which allows to know the weather conditions (temperature and wind speed mainly)... to move from the use position to the rest position if these are unfavorable. The control unit (7) manages the actuators (5) according to the readings of the weather station (6) and predefined conditions. It must be taken into account that each plate (3) may require different conditions, for example depending on its position on the slope, the presence of buildings affecting the wind... so that the control unit (7) can have different predefined conditions for each plate (3). One of the conditions is the time, so that the plate (3) is in the rest position when the sunshine is insufficient.

[0038] The control unit (7) can be common to all the plates (3), to groups of plates (3) or be individual. Similarly, the weather station (6) can be common to all the plates (3), be shared by groups of plates (3) or by all the galleries of an installation.

[0039] Each plate (3) is preferably equipped with an anti-freeze mechanism (8), which can be a vibration system, a resistance to increase the temperature, or preferably a combination of both. This helps prevent the formation of ice and promotes movement between the different positions of the plates (3).

[0040] The data connection between the actuator (5) of each plate (3) and the control unit (7) can be wireless (WiFi, LoRA, Sigfox, Bluetooth...) or wired. In turn, the control unit (7) is configured to connect to an external server and send it data on the position of the plates, the power captured, errors, weather conditions, etc. The server communicates with the control unit (7) to send instructions, software updates and other functions. The system manager can access the server in different ways, for example via an application on a mobile phone, a computer equipped with the management software or another equivalent system.

[0041] The panels or plates (3) will be connected to the solar energy collection system, which can be a series of transformers, batteries, inverters... depending on the intended use of the electricity. They can be connected in series or in parallel.

[0042] The fairing (4) must be provided with drainage holes in order to eliminate any infiltration of water, whether it is condensation, melting snow or ice, or rain.

[0043] All this is physically achieved in its greatest simplicity, in a simple, compact, economical and maintenance-free manner.

Claims

Claims

1. Gallery with electricity production, composed of an arched roof (1) arranged on a base (2) fixed to the ground, and one or more photovoltaic plates (3), characterized in that the plates (3) are flat and arranged in respective fairings (4), on which they are articulated by an edge, with actuators (5) for lifting the plates (3), between a rest position supported on the fairing (4) and a position of use with one or more predefined angles.

2. Gallery with electricity production, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a control unit (7) for managing the actuators (5).

3. Gallery with electricity production, according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a meteorological station (6) connected to the control unit (7).

4. Gallery with electricity production, according to claim 1, characterized in that each plate (3) can be articulated on the fairing (4) on any of its edges.

5. Gallery with electricity production, according to claim 1, characterized in that the fairing (4) is made of thermoformed plastic.

6. Gallery with electricity production, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an antifreeze mechanism (8) by vibration and / or temperature.

7. Gallery with electricity production, according to claim 2, characterized in that the control unit (7) is configured to connect to an external server.

8. Gallery with electricity production, according to claim 1, characterized in that the fairing (4) is frustoconical.