Device to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device that has been specially designed to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels. The objective of the invention is therefore to achieve maximum energy efficiency from solar photovoltaic panels by eliminating birds perching on them.

Description

[0001] Device to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] TECHNICAL SECTOR

[0004] The present invention relates to a device that has been specially designed to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to achieve maximum energy efficiency of solar photovoltaic panels by eliminating birds perching on them and, therefore, the accumulation of bird droppings on particular sections of the photovoltaic panels.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] As is known, in the field of practical application of the invention, the accumulation of bird droppings on photovoltaic panels, particularly in certain sections of said photovoltaic panels, causes, at the very least, a significant reduction in their efficiency, such that prolonged exposure of the panels to this type of droppings can seriously harm their useful life as well as cause serious damage to said photovoltaic panels and their operation, rendering them useless over time.

[0008] The applicant is unaware of the existence of equipment such as that described below, which effectively prevents birds from settling on said photovoltaic panels and, therefore, the accumulation of bird droppings on them, in particular on specific sections of the surface of said photovoltaic panels.

[0009] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The proposed device fully satisfactorily resolves the aforementioned problem, based on a simple but highly effective solution. A first aspect of the invention relates to a device for preventing birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, characterized in that it is constituted from a drive shaft that ends at the top in a rotor on which a pair of telescopic rods are arranged in diametric opposition, each ending at its free end in deflectors or sails, with an anti-symmetrical arrangement, with the particularity that the drive shaft includes internal fixing means in the form of a clamp on the structure or frame supporting the solar panels.

[0011] In a particular embodiment, the clamp-like fixing means are materialized in a pair of plates that can be moved along the axis by means of washers and nuts that thread onto said axis.

[0012] In particular, the device for preventing birds from settling on photovoltaic panels comprises: a drive shaft, which in turn comprises: either a central piece extending longitudinally in a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end, or lubricating means, located at the first end and at the second end of the central piece of the drive shaft, or an internal sphere, located at the first end of the central piece of the drive shaft, a rotor, coupled to the internal sphere and to the self-lubricating means of the first end of the central piece of the drive shaft, two telescopic rods, wherein each telescopic rod is coupled to the rotor, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction over which the central piece of the drive shaft extends, wherein the two telescopic rods are located diametrically opposite each other, deflector means,each located on the end of a telescopic rod opposite the end of said telescopic rod closest to the rotor, the deflector means being arranged in an antisymmetric configuration, where the device also comprises a support, located at the second end of the central part of the drive shaft, where said support is configured to clamp the drive shaft to a frame carrying solar panels. To this end, and more specifically, the device of the invention is constituted from a rotating drive shaft that will adopt a perpendicular arrangement to the surface formed by the photovoltaic solar panels.

[0013] In particular, the rotary drive shaft comprises a central piece, which extends longitudinally between a first end and a second end.

[0014] Additionally, the rotating drive shaft comprises lubricating means at its first and second ends. Furthermore, the lubricating means located at the first end of the rotating drive shaft comprise an internal sphere, preferably metallic.

[0015] Advantageously, the lubricating means allow the central part of the rotating drive shaft to be lubricated, and in turn are configured to couple said rotating drive shaft with other elements, such as a support to fix said rotating drive shaft and, therefore, the device object of the present invention to an external element, or to couple other elements to said rotating drive shaft, such as those referred to below.

[0016] In a particular embodiment, the lubricating means are self-lubricating bearings and / or self-lubricating rings.

[0017] In a particular embodiment, the first end of the rotating drive shaft comprises a self-lubricating bearing and / or the second end of the rotating drive shaft comprises two self-lubricating bearings.

[0018] In a particular embodiment, the central part of the rotating drive shaft and / or the internal sphere are made of stainless steel, while the lubricating means are made of bronze.

[0019] On the other hand, the device comprises a rotor, configured by a disc-shaped piece. Said disc-shaped piece is integral with the first end of the drive shaft, in particular with the lubricating means and the internal sphere located at said first end of the drive shaft. In a particular embodiment, the rotor is made of UV-treated resin.

[0020] The device in turn comprises, on the rotor or disc-shaped part, two telescopic rods arranged in a diametrically opposite position, said two telescopic rods extending longitudinally perpendicularly with respect to the drive shaft, in particular with respect to the central part of the drive shaft, and in opposite directions with respect to each other, adapting to installations of panels of different sizes.

[0021] The telescopic rods are fixed to the rotor by means of mechanical connections, said connections being, in a particular embodiment, bolted connections.

[0022] In a particular embodiment, each of the telescopic rods is configured by means of a first tubular element, and a second tubular element housed in the first tubular element, the telescopic rod being therefore configured to regulate its length by means of the position of the second tubular element with respect to the first tubular element.

[0023] In a particular embodiment, the telescopic rods are configured using aluminum.

[0024] The device also comprises deflector means, or sails, the end of said telescopic rods being terminated with sail-shaped pieces or antisymmetrical deflectors that allow the device to rotate randomly and naturally at the slightest breeze. That is, the end of each telescopic rod opposite the end closest to the central piece of the rotating drive shaft comprises sail-shaped deflector means, said deflector means being configured to rotate around the longitudinal direction along which the drive shaft extends.

[0025] In a particular embodiment, at least one deflector means is coupled to the corresponding telescopic rod by means of a dovetail-shaped part and / or by means of a screwed connection. In a particular embodiment, the deflectors or sails are made of polyamide, with II.V treatment.

[0026] The device also comprises, at its second end or lower portion, a support, embodied in a type of adjustable clamp, which advantageously allows the device to be secured to a frame of any structure supporting photovoltaic solar panels, regardless of the thickness of said frame. That is, the present support is configured to advantageously allow the coupling and securing of the position of the drive shaft, and therefore of the present device, to an external structure, in particular, to a frame that forms part of said external structure.

[0027] In a particular embodiment, the support comprises: a threaded rod, a rectangular plate, a plate, and at least one nut, wherein the rod extends along the longitudinal direction of the drive shaft, and comprises a first end and a second end, said rod being coupled by its first end to the second end of the central part of the drive shaft, wherein the rectangular plate, the plate and the nuts are coupled to the second end of the rod, wherein the rectangular plate and the plate are fixed to the first end of the rod by means of a corresponding nut, and wherein the rectangular plate is also fixed to the frame, such that the plate is configured to move along the threaded rod so as to regulate the position of the telescopic rods and the deflector means with respect to the longitudinal direction on which the drive shaft extends.

[0028] In particular, the support comprises a rod, which extends longitudinally along a first end and a second end, the rod being configured to be fixed, by means of the first end of said rod, to the second end of the drive shaft. In a particular embodiment, said rod is a threaded rod. Additionally, the support comprises a rectangular piece, fixed to the second end of the rod, a plate, fixed to said rectangular piece in a position adjacent to the second end of said rod, and at least one nut, coupled to the rod and located adjacent to said plate, such that the rectangular piece is the element of the support furthest from the second end of the rod.

[0029] In this way, the rectangular piece is configured to be coupled to a frame of an external structure, in particular an external structure that configures a photovoltaic panel installation.

[0030] The support is configured to couple the drive shaft, as well as the telescopic rods and the deflecting means, by means of said drive shaft, to the frame of the external structure, thus allowing said telescopic rods and deflecting means to rotate around the longitudinal direction on which the central part of said drive shaft extends through the internal sphere and the lubricating means.

[0031] Advantageously, the configuration of each telescopic rod and its fixed position to the drive shaft and this, in turn, to the frame of the external structure through the support, allows the length of each telescopic rod to be adjusted, reducing its buckling and, therefore, preventing the rotation of said telescopic rods from being reduced, slowed down or stopped.

[0032] In a particular embodiment, the deflector means are configured to rotate 180° around the longitudinal direction along which the central part of said drive shaft extends, thus covering a space above the photovoltaic panels of the corresponding installation that is optimal for preventing birds from landing on said photovoltaic panels.

[0033] Advantageously, this support is configured to adapt to any frame of any external structure, thus configuring a support of the so-called universal supports.

[0034] In a particular embodiment, the device comprises positioning means, configured to allow the inclination of the assembly formed by the drive shaft, the telescopic rods and the deflector means with respect to the support frame.

[0035] Advantageously, the positioning means allow said assembly to be positioned with respect to the external structure on which the device is coupled, such that the movement of the deflecting means is not hindered by said external structure.

[0036] That is, the positioning means allow the deflector means to be tilted relative to the exterior structure so that they can perform a complete movement, thus covering the surface of the photovoltaic panel on which the device is located.

[0037] In a particular embodiment, the positioning means are located between the support and the central part of the drive shaft, in a position adjacent to the lubricating means.

[0038] In a particular embodiment, the positioning means comprise: a first element comprising toothed profiles, a second element comprising toothed profiles, wherein the first element and the second element are coupled to each other by coupling the corresponding toothed profiles.

[0039] Therefore, the positioning means are configured by coupling a first element and a second element of the same configuration, said configuration of both the first element and the second element being toothed profiles, such that the coupling between the first element and the second element occurs through the interaction between the teeth of the latter, which mesh with each other, thus maintaining the position in which they are located fixed.

[0040] In a particular embodiment, the first element is coupled to the central part of the drive shaft, while the second element is coupled to the support rod. In a particular embodiment, the positioning means further comprise connecting means, preferably threaded connecting means, configured to couple said positioning means.

[0041] In a particular embodiment, the coupling of the first element to the central part of the drive shaft and / or the coupling of the second element and the support rod is carried out by means of a threaded joint.

[0042] In a particular embodiment, the positioning means further comprise locking means, preferably pins housed in holes, configured to lock the position of said positioning means.

[0043] That is, in a particular embodiment, the first element and / or the second element comprise locking means configured to maintain the position of said first element relative to said second element. In a particular embodiment, said locking means are configured as a pin, housed in a hole in the first element or the second element, which blocks the movement of said corresponding element.

[0044] This creates a simple yet highly effective device that is economical, easy to install, and adaptable to solar panel installations of different sizes, commonly found in photovoltaic systems.

[0045] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] To complete the description that follows and in order to help better understand the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical implementation thereof, 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:

[0047] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device for preventing birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, made in accordance with the object of the present invention. Figure 2 shows an enlarged detail of the device of Figure 1 at the level of its means for attaching it to the structure supporting the panels.

[0048] Figure 3A.- Shows a detailed diagram of the device configuration in Figures 1 and 2.

[0049] Figure 3B.- Shows a detailed diagram of the configuration of a second embodiment of the device.

[0050] Figure 4.- Shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the positioning means of the device in Figure 3B.

[0051] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0052] In view of the figures shown, it can be seen how the device of the invention is constituted from a drive shaft (1), which is configured by means of a central piece (1.1) in the form of a rod (1.1) of stainless steel, which extends longitudinally according to a first end (1.1.1) and a second end (1.1.2), along a longitudinal direction, in particular the vertical direction according to the orientation of figures 1 to 3A.

[0053] The device in turn comprises lubricating means (1.2), in particular self-lubricating bearings (1.2), located at the first (1.1.1) and second (1.1.2) ends of the central part (1.1) of the drive shaft (1). The device also comprises an internal metallic ball (1.3), in particular made of steel, located at the first end (1.1.1) of the central part (1.1) of the drive shaft (1).

[0054] As shown in Figure 3A, the first end (1.1.1) of the central part (1.1) of the drive shaft (1) is the upper end according to the orientation of said Figure 3, and comprises a self-lubricating bearing (1.2), while the second end (1.1.2) is the lower end according to the orientation of said Figure 3A, and comprises two self-lubricating bearings (1.2). In the same way, the drive shaft (1) extends longitudinally in the vertical direction shown according to the orientation of said Figure 3A. The first end (1.1.1) of the central part (1.1) of the drive shaft (1) ends, at the top, in a rotor (2) coupled to the internal sphere (1.3) and to the self-lubricating bearing (1.2). That is, the rotor (2) is mounted on a joint which in the chosen embodiment is made up of an internal metallic sphere (1.3) and two self-lubricating rings (1.2), the rotor (2) being configured based on UV treated resin, and including two diametrically opposed holes in which telescopic rods (3) are fixed by means of a screwed joint, in particular two telescopic rods (3), wherein each telescopic rod (3) allows its length to be adjusted, as well as offering greater structural rigidity and resistance to buckling, allowing it to adapt to installations of different dimensions. Each telescopic rod (3) extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the drive shaft (1) extends, that is, it extends in the horizontal direction according to the orientation of the figures, and is configured based on aluminum.

[0055] These telescopic rods (3) are finished at their free end in two deflector means (4) or sails (4), which have an antisymmetrical arrangement, in order to generate a rotary movement of the rotor (2), being preferably obtained in light materials, such as polyamides, and including a UV treatment that maximizes their useful life against wear due to solar radiation.

[0056] These candles (4) are joined, in the present embodiment shown in figures 1 - 3A, by means of a screwed connection (not shown), in particular by means of a thread to the free end of each of the corresponding telescopic rods (3), including stops that determine their final assembly position.

[0057] In particular, each telescopic rod (3) is coupled, by one of its ends, to the rotor (2), while at its opposite end, according to the longitudinal direction along which it extends, a sail (4) is coupled.

[0058] Internally, that is, at the second end (1.1.2) of the rod (1.1) that configures the drive shaft (1), a support (S) is coupled to the two self-lubricating bearings (1.2) present, configured as a clamp-like mechanism to allow it to be fixed to a frame (8) of an external structure, said frame (8) being a supporting frame for the photovoltaic solar panels present in a photovoltaic installation. The support (S) comprises a threaded rod (S.1), which extends along the longitudinal direction of the drive shaft (1), and comprises a first end and a second end. Likewise, the support (S) also comprises a rectangular piece (5), or rectangular plate (5), a plate (6) and nuts (7).

[0059] As shown in Figure 3A, the threaded rod (S.1) is coupled by its first end to the second end (1.1.2) of the central part (1.1) of the drive shaft (1). Likewise, the rectangular plate (5), the plate (6) and the nuts (7) are coupled to the second end of the threaded rod (S.1).

[0060] More specifically, the second end of the threaded rod (S.1) of the support (S) comprises a rectangular plate (5) that is fixed to said first end of the threaded rod (S.1) of the support (S) by means of a nut (7), presenting an elongated and narrow configuration that allows its passage through the frame (8) present in the space defined between two solar panels, as shown in figure 2, such that once inserted in said space, the drive shaft (1) is rotated 90° so that the rectangular plate (5) is arranged transversely to said frame (8), preventing its exit.

[0061] Above this element, the rectangular plate (5), a vertically movable plate (6) is established, and is adjusted by means of a nut (7), as well as by means of washers, not shown in the figures, so that the tightening of the nut (7) causes the plate (6) to move along the threaded rod (S.1), until the assembly comprising the drive shaft (1), the telescopic rods (3) and the sails (4) is perfectly stabilized.

[0062] That is, the device is configured to regulate its height according to the vertical direction of figures 1 - 3A by means of the adjustable clamp configured by the support (S), which allows the telescopic rods (3) and the sails (4) to be positioned in a position along the threaded rod (S.1), in addition to being coupled by means of said support (S) to a fixed position of the frame (8) of the external structure and, on the other hand, it is configured to regulate its extension according to the horizontal direction through the regulation of the length of each telescopic rod (3), thus covering more or less area of ​​the external structure according to a greater or lesser length of the telescopic rod (3), respectively.Once the device is implemented, due to the light materials it is made of, and the configuration of its rotor (2) and associated elements, the slightest breeze will cause an angular displacement of the deflectors (4) or sails (4) and consequently of the telescopic rods (3), generating a deterrent movement that prevents birds from landing on the solar panels, keeping them clean and thus extending their useful life.

[0063] On the other hand, Figure 4 shows positioning means (9) configured by a first element (9.1) and a second element (9.2), which are coupled to each other through their corresponding toothed profiles (9.3) or teeth (9.3), in particular distributed along a toothed circumference.

[0064] As can be seen, the first element (9.1) comprises a threaded joint (9.4), configured to couple said first element (9.1) to the central part (1.1) of the drive shaft (1). Although Figure 4 does not show it, the second element (9.2) comprises an analogous threaded joint (9.4).

[0065] Likewise, the first (9.1) and second (9.2) elements also comprise locking means (9.5), in particular a hole that houses a pin (not shown) that allows fixing the position of said first (9.1) and second (9.2) elements relative to each other.

[0066] Finally, Figure 3B shows the device of Figures 1, 2 and 3A, also comprising the positioning means (9) shown in Figure 4.

[0067] As can be seen, the positioning means (9) are located between the drive shaft (1), in particular in a position adjacent to the self-lubricating bearings (1.2) located on the central part (1.1), and the support (S), in particular on the rod (S.1) of said support (S).

[0068] Said positioning means (9) allow the inclination, as seen in figure 3B, of the drive shaft assembly (1), telescopic rods (3) and sails (4), so that said elements do not collide with the frame (8) of the exterior structure, which advantageously allows the present device to be adapted to all types of photovoltaic installations, regulating the position of said device according to the dimensions and orientations of each photovoltaic installation. CLAUSES

[0069] Clause 1: Device to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, characterized in that it is made up of a rod acting as an axis (1) that ends at the top in a rotor (2) on which a pair of telescopic rods (3) are arranged in diametric opposition, which end at their free end in two deflectors (4) or sails, with an antisymmetric arrangement, with the particularity that the rod acting as an axis (1) includes internal fixing means in the form of a clamp on the structure or frame that supports the solar panels.

[0070] Clause 2: Device to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, according to clause 1, where the clamp-like fixing means are materialized in a pair of plates that can be moved along the axis (1) by means of washers and nuts that thread onto said axis.

[0071] Clause 3: Device to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, according to clause 1, where the rotor is made of resin with UV treatment

[0072] Clause 4: Device to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, according to clause 1, where the telescopic rods (3) are made of aluminum.

[0073] Clause 5: Device to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, according to clause 1, where the deflectors (4) or sails are made of polyamide, with UV treatment

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- Device to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, characterized in that it is made up of a drive shaft (1) that ends at the top in a rotor (2) on which a pair of telescopic rods (3) are arranged in diametric opposition, which end at their free end in two deflectors (4) or sails, with an antisymmetric arrangement, with the particularity that the drive shaft (1) includes internal fixing means in the form of a clamp on the structure or frame that supports the solar panels. 2.- Device to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, according to claim 1, wherein the clamp-like fixing means are materialized in a pair of plates that can be moved along the axis (1) by means of washers and nuts that thread on said axis. 3.- Device for preventing birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises: a drive shaft (1), which in turn comprises: either a central piece (1.1) extending longitudinally in a longitudinal direction between a first end (1.1.1) and a second end (1.1.2), or lubricating means (1.2), located at the first end (1.1.1) and at the second end (1.1.2) of the central piece (1.1) of the drive shaft (1), or an internal sphere (1.3), located at the first end (1.1.1) of the central piece (1.1) of the drive shaft (1), a rotor (2), coupled to the internal sphere (1.3) and to the self-lubricating means (1.2) of the first end (1.1.1) of the central piece (1.1) of the drive shaft (1), two telescopic rods (3), wherein each telescopic rod (3) is coupled to the rotor (2), and extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction on which the central part (1.1) of the drive shaft (1) extends, wherein the two telescopic rods (3) are located diametrically opposite each other, deflector means (4), each located on the end of a rod. telescopic (3) opposite the end of said telescopic rod (3) closest to the rotor (2), the deflector means (4) being arranged in an antisymmetric configuration, where the device also comprises a support (S), located at the second end (1.1.2) of the central part (1.1) of the drive shaft (1), where said support (S) is configured to fix the drive shaft (1) in the form of a clamp to a frame (8) carrying solar panels.

4. Device for preventing birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, according to claim 3, characterized in that the support (S) comprises: a threaded rod (S.1), a rectangular plate (5), a plate (6), and at least one nut (7), wherein the rod (S.1) extends along the longitudinal direction of the drive shaft (1), and comprises a first end and a second end, said rod (S.1) being coupled by its first end to the second end (1.1.2) of the central piece (1.1) of the drive shaft (1), wherein the rectangular plate (5), the plate (6) and the nuts (7) are coupled to the second end of the rod (S.1), wherein the rectangular plate (5) and the plate (6) are fixed to the first end of the rod (S.1) by means of a corresponding nut (7), and wherein the rectangular plate (5) is also fixed to the frame (8), so that plate (6) is configured to move along the threaded rod (S.1) so that it regulates the position of the telescopic rods (3) and the deflecting means (4) with respect to the longitudinal direction on which the drive shaft (1) extends. 5.- Device to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, according to any of the previous claims, wherein the rotor (2) is obtained in resin with UV treatment. 6.- Device to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the telescopic rods (3) are made of aluminum. 7.- Device to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the deflectors (4) or sails are obtained from polyamide, with UV treatment 8.- Device to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, according to any of the preceding claims, which also comprises positioning means (9) configured to allow the inclination of the drive shaft (1) with respect to the carrier frame (8). 9.- Device to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, according to claim 8 when it depends on any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the positioning means (9) are located between the drive shaft (1) and the support (S). 10.- Device to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, according to any of claims 8 to 9, wherein the positioning means (9) comprise: a first element (9.1) comprising toothed profiles (9.3), a second element (9.2) comprising toothed profiles (9.3), wherein the first element (9.1) and the second element (9.2) are coupled to each other by coupling the corresponding toothed profiles (9.3). 11.- Device to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, according to claim 10, wherein the first element (9.1) is coupled to the drive shaft (1) and the second element (9.2) is coupled to the rod (S.1) of the support (S). 12.- Device to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the positioning means (9) also comprise joining means (9.4), preferably threaded joining means (9.4), configured to couple said positioning means (9). 13.- Device to prevent birds from settling on photovoltaic panels, according to any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the positioning means (9) also comprise locking means (9.5), preferably pins housed in holes (9.5), configured to lock the position of said positioning means (9).

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