Solar panel detection power supply system

Abstract

This invention discloses a solar panel detection power supply system, comprising a plurality of solar arrays, a power switching module, and an aerial image capturing device. The plurality of solar arrays are arranged side-by-side along a first direction, each solar array including a plurality of solar panels arranged side-by-side along a second direction. With the surface of any solar panel as a reference, the first direction is approximately orthogonal to the second direction. The power switching module is connected to the plurality of solar arrays, sequentially illuminating individual solar arrays along the first direction, and generating illumination information based on the illuminated solar arrays to trigger a capture signal. The aerial image capturing device is coupled to the power switching module and triggers a flight command based on the capture signal to move along the second direction, and sequentially captures overhead images of the illuminated solar panels at close range.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a power supply system, and more particularly to a power supply system for detecting solar panels. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Global demand for energy is increasing day by day. In order to solve the energy crisis and avoid long-term irreparable damage to the natural environment, the feasible alternative is to make good use of renewable energy. Renewable energy refers to energy generated by direct utilization or treatment of sources such as wind power, ocean energy, solar energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy, non-pumped hydropower, domestic general waste and general industrial waste.

[0003] Among them, solar energy is one of the most important natural energy sources on Earth. The radiation energy emitted by the sun includes light energy and heat energy. This energy is radiated to the Earth's surface through the universe and can be developed and applied in various fields, such as power generation, lighting, industrial manufacturing and production, to provide convenience and energy saving for life.

[0004] Solar panels are generally required to be installed outdoors to receive sunlight. Due to external pressure, handling and collisions during the manufacturing, transportation or installation process, solar panels may have defects, which will have an adverse effect on the energy conversion efficiency and service life of the solar panels. Therefore, it is very important to test solar panels. However, the number and range of solar panels are usually large and wide, and the testing operation is easily affected by environmental factors such as site, climate and time, which leads to various inconveniences in testing or problems such as forced interruption of testing.

[0005] In view of this, the conventional process of solar panel testing still encounters many difficulties that need to be improved and overcome. Therefore, the inventors of this case believe it is necessary to devise a solar panel testing technology that can solve the relevant problems. [Summary of the Invention]

[0006] The main objective of this invention is to provide a solar panel detection power supply system, comprising a plurality of solar arrays, a power supply switching module, and an aerial image capturing device. The plurality of solar arrays are arranged side-by-side along a first direction, and each solar array includes a plurality of solar panels arranged side-by-side along a second direction. The first direction is approximately orthogonal to the second direction, with the surface of any one of the solar panels as a reference. The power supply switching module is connected to the plurality of solar arrays, and sequentially illuminates a single solar array along the first direction, generating illumination information based on the illuminated solar array to trigger a capture signal. The aerial image capturing device is coupled to the power supply switching module, triggering a flight command based on the capture signal to move along the second direction, and sequentially capturing overhead images of the illuminated solar panels at close range.

[0007] Furthermore, the power switching module is connected to an external map database, which stores the geographical locations of the plurality of solar panels included in each solar array in real space. The power switching module generates the lighting information based on the geographical location corresponding to the lit solar panel.

[0008] Further, the power supply switching module includes a power supply device that provides power to the plurality of solar arrays, and an automatic switching device that switches the circuit connection between the plurality of solar arrays and the power supply device.

[0009] Further, upon completion of capturing a top-down image of the illuminated solar panel, the aerial image capturing device generates a feedback signal. The automatic switching device triggers a switching command based on the feedback signal to cause the power supply device to disconnect the aforementioned illuminated solar panel and illuminate another solar array. Based on the illuminated other solar panel array, another lighting signal is generated to trigger another shooting signal. Based on the other shooting signal, the aerial image capturing device triggers another flight command to move along the second direction and sequentially captures top-down images of the other plurality of illuminated solar panels at close range.

[0010] Furthermore, the solar array that is sequentially lit by the power supply switching module and another solar array are arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction, so that the aerial image capturing device can sequentially capture images of the plurality of solar arrays along the first direction.

[0011] Further, when the automatic switching device triggers the switching command to make the power supply device light up any of the solar arrays that have been captured, the automatic switching device generates a return signal, and the aerial image capturing device triggers a return flight command according to the return signal to return to an initial position, the initial position being provided with a charging device that provides power to the aerial image capturing device.

[0012] Further, the aerial image capturing device generates a charging signal, the automatic switching device generates the return signal according to the charging signal, and the aerial image capturing device triggers the return flight command according to the return signal to return to the initial position for charging.

[0013] Further, the aerial image capturing device is connected to a human-machine interface device, which includes a display screen that displays the shooting angle and / or shooting range of the aerial image capturing device, and an input device connected to the display screen to operate the direction, orientation, speed and / or distance of the aerial image capturing device.

[0014] Further, the aerial image acquisition device includes a camera, a thruster for moving the camera, one or more sensors for detecting the direction, orientation, speed and / or distance of the camera, and a battery for providing power to the camera and the thruster.

[0015] Furthermore, the distance between the aerial image capturing device and the solar panel being photographed is between 1 meter and 5 meters.

[0016] Therefore, the solar panel detection power supply system of the present invention individually lights up multiple solar arrays through a power supply switching module, and captures a top-down image of the lit solar panel through an aerial image capturing device, thereby efficiently capturing a comprehensive image of the solar array.

Implementation Method

[0025] The detailed description and technical content of the present invention are now explained in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For ease of explanation, the drawings in this invention are not necessarily drawn to actual scale and may be exaggerated. These drawings and their scales are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0026] Please refer to "Figure 1", which is a block diagram of the solar panel detection power supply system of the present invention, as shown in the figure.

[0027] This invention discloses a solar panel detection power supply system 100, comprising a plurality of solar arrays 10, a power supply switching module 20, and an aerial image capturing device 30. The solar arrays 10, also known as photovoltaic arrays, convert sunlight radiation energy into direct current (DC) through the photovoltaic effect. The solar arrays 10 can also use a converter to convert DC to AC and connect to the power grid for use in applications such as, but not limited to, residences, factories, exhibition halls, or shopping malls. In this invention, the aerial image capturing device 30 captures images of the individual solar arrays 10 illuminated by the power supply switching module 20, efficiently capturing comprehensive images of the plurality of solar arrays 10 to facilitate subsequent defect detection. The defect detection can be performed, for example but not limited to, using a trained machine learning system, deep learning system, or other types of neural networks to identify, classify, and / or label defects.

[0028] Next, please refer to "Figure 2", which is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the solar panel detection power supply system of the present invention, and "Figure 3" is a block diagram of the power supply switching module of the present invention, as shown in the figures, and please refer to "Figure 1" again.

[0029] The plurality of solar arrays 10 are arranged side by side along a first direction D1. Each solar array 10 includes a plurality of solar panels 11 arranged side by side along a second direction D2. Taking the surface of any solar panel 11 as a reference, the first direction D1 is approximately orthogonal to the second direction D2, so that the plurality of solar panels 11 are connected to form an array. The positions of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are interchangeable. The number of solar panels 11 included in each of the plurality of solar arrays 10 may be the same or different, and the solar panels 11 in adjacent rows may be aligned or staggered. For example, the plurality of solar arrays 10 may be arranged in any way that can be achieved, such as, but not limited to, the number of solar panels 11 in adjacent rows being the same and aligned (as shown in "Figure 2"), the number being the same and staggered, the number being different and aligned, the number being different and staggered, or any other arrangement that can be achieved according to the conditions of the installation site and / or the power supply requirements.

[0030] Next, please refer to "Figure 3", which is a block diagram of the power supply switching module of the present invention, and please refer to "Figure 1" to "Figure 2" again.

[0031] The power supply switching module 20 is connected to a plurality of solar arrays 10. The power supply switching module 20 sequentially illuminates a single solar array 10 along the first direction D1, and generates illumination information based on the illuminated solar array 10 to trigger a shooting signal. The solar arrays 10 sequentially illuminated by the power supply switching module 20 and another solar array 10 are arranged adjacent to each other along the first direction D1, so that the aerial image capturing device 30 sequentially captures images of the plurality of solar arrays 10 along the first direction D1.

[0032] The power supply switching module 20 includes a power supply device 21 that provides power to a plurality of solar arrays 10, and an automatic switching device 22 that switches the circuit connection between the plurality of solar arrays 10 and the power supply device 21. The automatic switching device 22 controls the power supply device 21 to provide DC power to only one group of solar arrays 10 at a time, thereby energizing one group of solar arrays 10 at a time to light them up, achieving the effect of saving energy.

[0033] The power supply switching module 20 is connected to an external map database M. The map database M stores the geographical locations of the plurality of solar panels 11 included in each solar array 10 in real space. The power supply switching module 20 generates lighting information based on the geographical location corresponding to the lit solar panel 11. The map database M is, for example, but not limited to, Natural Earth, Google Maps, OpenStreetMap (OSM), or other online or offline map databases that provide the geographical locations of the solar panels 11, and is used to provide geographical location parameters such as, but not limited to, the latitude and longitude coordinates of the solar panels 11.

[0034] Next, please refer to "Figure 4", which is a block diagram of the aerial image capturing device of the present invention, and please refer to "Figure 1" to "Figure 3" again.

[0035] The aerial image capturing device 30 is coupled to the power supply switching module 20. The aerial image capturing device 30 triggers a flight command according to the shooting signal to move along the second direction D2 and sequentially captures overhead images of the lit solar panels 11 at close range. The overhead images of the solar array 10 captured by the aerial image capturing device 30 can be dynamic videos captured by the aerial image capturing device 30 during flight, or static photos captured during a short stop during flight. The photos may include one or more solar panels 11. A single solar panel 11 photo can be extracted from the video or photo through image processing methods. The image processing methods include, but are not limited to, cropping, rotating, scaling, sharpening, background removal, noise reduction, adjusting brightness, contrast, or other methods that can be implemented accordingly.

[0036] The aerial image capturing device 30 is, for example but not limited to, a drone, a drone, an aerial camera, or other device or equipment with the function of photographing the solar panel 11. The aerial image capturing device 30 includes a camera 31, a thruster 32 for moving the camera 31, one or more sensors 33 for detecting the direction, orientation, speed and / or distance of the camera 31, and a battery 34 for providing power to the camera 31 and the thruster 32.

[0037] The distance between the aerial image capturing device 30 and the solar panel 11 being photographed is between 1 meter and 5 meters. For example, the distance between the camera 31 and the solar panel 11 may be, but is not limited to, 1.0 meter, 1.1 meter, 1.2 meter, 1.3 meter, 1.4 meter, 1.5 meter, 1.6 meter, 1.7 meter, 1.8 meter, 1.9 meter, 2.0 meter, 2.1 meter, 2.2 meter, 2.3 meter, or 2.5 meters. 4 meters, 2.5 meters, 2.6 meters, 2.7 meters, 2.8 meters, 2.9 meters, 3.0 meters, 3.1 meters, 3.2 meters, 3.3 meters, 3.4 meters, 3.5 meters, 3.6 meters, 3.7 meters, 3.8 meters, 3.9 meters, 4.0 meters, 4.1 meters, 4.2 meters, 4.3 meters, 4.4 meters, 4.5 meters, 4.6 meters, 4.7 meters, 4.8 meters, 4.9 meters, or 5.0 meters.

[0038] The camera 31 is used to capture infrared light invisible to the naked eye emitted by the solar array 10 lit by the power supply device 21. The camera 31 is, for example, but not limited to, a high-resolution monochrome camera, a near-infrared camera (NIR), a thermal imaging camera, or other cameras capable of displaying defects of the solar panel 11 in a top-view image. The camera 31 adjusts the shooting angle according to the surface of the solar panel 11 to be photographed, for example, making the optical axis of the camera 31 approximately perpendicular to the surface of the solar panel 11, so that a top-view image of the solar panel 11 can be captured from the front. The defects of the solar panel 11 are, for example, but not limited to, microcracks, cell breakage, hotspots, poor stingers, or any other type of defect existing on the surface or inner layers of the solar panel 11.

[0039] The thruster 32 is, for example but not limited to, a fixed-wing thruster, a multi-rotor thruster, an adjustable-pitch thruster, a coaxial twin-rotor thruster, or other types that drive the aerial image acquisition device 30 to fly. The sensor 33 is, for example but not limited to, a GPS sensor, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a laser sensor, or other types of sensors. The battery 34 is, for example but not limited to, a lithium polymer battery, a lithium-ion battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, or other types that can supply power to the aerial image acquisition device 30 for flight and photography.

[0040] The aerial image capturing device 30 is connected to a human-machine interface 40. The human-machine interface 40 includes a display screen 41 that displays the shooting angle and / or shooting range of the aerial image capturing device 30, and an input device 42 connected to the display screen 41 to operate the direction, orientation, speed, and / or distance of the aerial image capturing device 30. The human-machine interface 40 may be, for example but not limited to, a remote control, a smartphone, a laptop, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, or other devices for operating and monitoring the aerial image capturing device 30. The display screen 41 may be, for example but not limited to, a liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode display, or other types of displays that can be implemented thereunder. The input device 42 may be, for example but not limited to, one or a combination of a joystick, buttons, knobs, keyboard, mouse, or other equipment or types that have the function of operating the aerial image capturing device 30. The buttons may be, for example but not limited to, mechanical buttons, touch buttons, switch buttons, or other types that can be implemented thereunder.

[0041] After capturing a top-down image of the illuminated solar panel 11, the aerial image capturing device 30 generates a feedback signal. The automatic switching device 22 triggers a switching command based on the feedback signal, causing the power supply device 21 to disconnect the power to the aforementioned illuminated solar panel 11 and illuminate another solar array 10. The illuminated solar panel array 10 generates another illumination signal to trigger another shooting signal. The aerial image capturing device 30 triggers another flight command based on the other shooting signal to move along the second direction D2 and sequentially captures top-down images of the other plurality of illuminated solar panels 11 at close range. The power supply device 21 can disconnect the power to the aforementioned illuminated solar panel 11 before energizing the other solar array 10, or it can disconnect the power to the aforementioned illuminated solar panel 11 while simultaneously energizing the other solar array 10, effectively saving power. This is not limited in this invention and is only described here.

[0042] When the automatic switching device 22 triggers a switching command to cause the power supply device 21 to light up any of the solar arrays 10 that have been photographed, the automatic switching device 22 generates a return signal. The aerial image capturing device 30 triggers a return flight command according to the return signal to return to an initial position P. The initial position P is equipped with a charging device 50 that provides power to the aerial image capturing device 30. For example, if all the solar arrays 10 within the shooting range have been lit up by the power supply device 21 and photographed by the aerial image capturing device 30, when the automatic switching device 22 controls the power supply device 21 to light up any of the solar arrays 10 again, since there is no need to repeat the shooting, the aerial image capturing device 30 will return to the initial position P. At the initial position P, the charging device 50 will charge the battery 34, or the aerial image capturing device 30 will enter standby, hibernation, or power-off modes at the initial position P.

[0043] The charging device 50, for example but not limited to, charges the battery 34 of the aerial image capturing device 30 via wired or wireless means. Wired means include, for example but not limited to, using a socket, plug, charging dock, or other means to physically connect to the battery 34. Wireless means include, for example but not limited to, using electromagnetic induction, magnetic resonance, or other means to wirelessly connect to the battery 34. The number of charging devices 50 can be configured according to the actual size of the solar array 10, allowing the aerial image capturing device 30 to charge at any point before, during, or after shooting, effectively shortening the waiting time when shooting is impossible due to charging.

[0044] A charging signal is generated by the aerial image acquisition device 30. The automatic switching device 22 generates a return signal based on the charging signal. The aerial image acquisition device 30 triggers a return flight command based on the return signal to return to its initial position P for charging. For example, when the power of the aerial image acquisition device 30 is lower than a threshold, it can be automatically or manually returned to its initial position P for charging, avoiding the possibility of falling due to loss of power during flight, or even colliding with the solar panel 11 or personnel, thus preventing equipment damage or accidents. In one embodiment, before the aerial image capturing device 30 takes a picture, if the power of the battery 34 is greater than or equal to the power required for the aerial image capturing device 30 to complete the shooting of at least one set of solar arrays 10 and return to the initial position P after shooting, it is determined that the power of the battery 34 is sufficient to take a picture; conversely, if it is determined that the power of the battery 34 is insufficient at any point before, during or after shooting, the aerial image capturing device 30 returns to the initial position P to charge until the power of the battery 34 is higher than a threshold before shooting can be performed; the threshold mentioned above is, for example, but not limited to, the percentage of the battery 34's charge, the estimated remaining time for the aerial image capturing device 30 to use, or other criteria or conditions that can be used to determine the power.

[0045] Continue, please refer to "Figures 5-1" to "Figures 5-4" for working schematic diagrams (I) to (IV) of the solar panel detection power supply system of the present invention. The fill lines in the figures are used to represent the illuminated solar array. Please also refer to "Figure 2" as shown in the figure.

[0046] First, as shown in Figure 5-1, a plurality of solar arrays 10A, 10B, 10C, ..., 10N within the area to be photographed are arranged side by side in sequence along the first direction D1. The structural contents of the aforementioned solar arrays 10A, 10B, 10C, ..., 10N are completely identical to the structural contents of the aforementioned solar array 10. Therefore, the structurally identical parts will not be described again in the following paragraphs, but will be stated here first. When the solar arrays 10A, 10B, 10C, ..., 10N have not yet been photographed, the power supply device 21 can be used to power the solar array 10A closest to the aerial image capturing device 30 according to the initial position P of the aerial image capturing device 30, so as to light it up, so that the aerial image capturing device 30 can quickly reach above the solar array 10A after takeoff and photograph the top view image of the solar array 10A along the path RA.

[0047] Continuing, as shown in "Figure 5-2", when the aerial image capturing device 30 completes the shooting of the solar array 10A and determines that the power of the aerial image capturing device 30 is sufficient to continue the next shooting, the automatic switching device 22 disconnects the power supply device 21 from the solar array 10A, and the power supply device 21 powers on the adjacent solar array 10B to light it up, so that the aerial image capturing device 30 can quickly reach the top of the solar array 10B along the end of the path RA and shoot the top view image of the solar array 10B along the path RB.

[0048] Continuing, as shown in "Figure 5-3", when the aerial image capturing device 30 completes the shooting of the solar array 10B and determines that the power is sufficient to continue the next shooting, the automatic switching device 22 repeats the aforementioned disconnection and power-on lighting operation, so that the power supply device 21 powers on the adjacent solar array 10C to light it up, so that the aerial image capturing device 30 can quickly reach the solar array 10C above the end of the path RB and shoot the top view image of the solar array 10C along the path RC.

[0049] Continuing, as shown in "Figure 5-4", each time the aerial image capturing device 30 completes a shot and determines that there is enough power to continue the next shot, the automatic switching device 22 repeats the aforementioned disconnection and power-on operation until the aerial image capturing device 30 has finished shooting the last group of solar arrays 10N within the shooting range along path RN. When the aerial image capturing device 30 continuously and sequentially shoots solar arrays 10A, 10B, 10C, ..., 10N, path RA to path RN is the shortest flight path for the aerial image capturing device 30. Finally, when the power supply device 21 lights up any of the previously shot solar arrays 10A, 10B, 10C, ..., 10N again, it indicates that all shooting operations within the shooting range have been completed, and the aerial image capturing device 30 returns to the initial position P of the charging device 50 to charge or enter standby, hibernation, or power-off modes.

[0050] In summary, the solar panel detection power supply system of the present invention individually illuminates multiple solar arrays through a power supply switching module, and captures a top-down image of the illuminated solar panels through an aerial image capturing device, thereby efficiently capturing a comprehensive image of the solar array.

[0051] The present invention has been described in detail above. However, the above description is only one preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims of the present invention should still fall within the scope of the patent of the present invention. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0017] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the solar panel detection power supply system of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the solar panel detection power supply system of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 is a block diagram of the power supply switching module of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 is a block diagram of the aerial image capturing device of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5-1 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the solar panel detection power supply system of the present invention (I).

[0022] Figure 5-2 is a schematic diagram (II) of the operation of the solar panel detection power supply system of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5-3 is a schematic diagram (III) of the operation of the solar panel detection power supply system of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5-4 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the solar panel detection power supply system of the present invention (IV).

Claims

1. A solar panel detection power supply system, comprising: a plurality of solar arrays arranged side-by-side along a first direction, each solar array including a plurality of solar panels arranged side-by-side along a second direction, the first direction being approximately orthogonal to the second direction with the surface of any one of the solar panels as a reference; a power supply switching module connected to the plurality of solar arrays, the power supply switching module sequentially illuminating a single solar array along the first direction, and generating illumination information based on the illuminated solar array to trigger a capture signal; and an aerial image capturing device coupled to the power supply switching module, the aerial image capturing device triggering a flight command based on the capture signal to move along the second direction, and sequentially capturing overhead images of the illuminated solar panels at close range.

2. The solar panel detection power supply system as described in claim 1, wherein, The power switching module is connected to an external map database that stores the real-world geographical locations of the plurality of solar panels included in each solar array. The power switching module generates the lighting information based on the geographical location corresponding to the lit solar panel.

3. The solar panel detection power supply system as described in claim 2, wherein, The power supply switching module includes a power supply device that provides power to the plurality of solar arrays, and an automatic switching device that switches the circuit connection between the plurality of solar arrays and the power supply device.

4. The solar panel detection power supply system as described in claim 3, wherein, Upon completing the capture of an overhead view of the illuminated solar panel, the aerial image capturing device generates a feedback signal. The automatic switching device triggers a switching command based on the feedback signal to de-energize the power supply device of the aforementioned illuminated solar panel and illuminate another solar array. Based on the illuminated other solar panel array, another lighting signal is generated to trigger another shooting signal. Based on the other shooting signal, the aerial image capturing device triggers another flight command to move along the second direction and sequentially captures overhead views of the other plurality of illuminated solar panels at close range.

5. The solar panel detection power supply system as described in claim 4, wherein, The solar array that is sequentially lit by the power switching module is arranged adjacent to another solar array in the first direction, so that the aerial image capturing device can sequentially capture images of the plurality of solar arrays along the first direction.

6. The solar panel detection power supply system as described in claim 5, wherein, When the automatic switching device triggers the switching command to cause the power supply device to light up any of the solar arrays that have completed the shooting, the automatic switching device generates a return signal. The aerial image capturing device triggers a return flight command according to the return signal to return to an initial position. The initial position is equipped with a charging device that provides power to the aerial image capturing device.

7. The solar panel detection power supply system as described in claim 6, wherein, The aerial image capturing device generates a charging signal, and the automatic switching device generates a return signal based on the charging signal. The aerial image capturing device triggers a return flight command based on the return signal to return to the initial position for charging.

8. The solar panel detection power supply system as described in claim 1, wherein, The aerial image capturing device is connected to a human-machine interface device, which includes a display screen that displays the shooting angle and / or shooting range of the aerial image capturing device, and an input device connected to the display screen to operate the direction, orientation, speed and / or distance of the aerial image capturing device.

9. The solar panel detection power supply system as described in claim 8, wherein, The aerial image acquisition device includes a camera, a thruster that moves the camera, one or more sensors that detect the direction, orientation, speed and / or distance of the camera, and a battery that provides power to the camera and the thruster.

10. The solar panel detection power supply system as described in claim 1, wherein, The distance between the aerial image capturing device and the solar panel being photographed is between 1 meter and 5 meters.

Images