Orientation of at least one solar panel

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the orientation of at least one solar panel, comprising two mounts spaced apart from one another, at least one solar panel and at least four cable portions, wherein each cable portion is movably supported on one mount in each case, and the cable portions are attached in at least an edge and / or corner region of the at least one solar panel, as a result of which a solar panel is arranged between the mounts.

Description

[0001] Alignment of at least one solar panel

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to the technical field of solar systems, in particular the alignment of at least one solar panel.

[0004] It is well known that solar cells for the production of electrical energy must be optimally aligned with the sun. The solar cells are usually arranged in a single plane in the form of stable solar panels. These solar panels are then positioned on various objects.

[0005] Conventional mounting systems have the disadvantage that the panels are randomly exposed to the sun, meaning that photoenergy is generated accordingly. The optimal angle to the energy-generating sun is rarely achieved in practice. Furthermore, the known mounting systems themselves contain a great deal of grey energy, i.e., energy that is required for the known mounting systems themselves – from the extraction of raw materials to production, transport, storage, packaging, and disposal. The achieved output of the solar panels is often far below their potential output.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative to the orientation of at least one solar panel.

[0007] The object is achieved by a device according to claim 1: Device for aligning at least one solar panel comprising two spaced-apart holders, at least one solar panel and at least four cable sections, wherein a cable section is movably mounted on a respective holder and the cable sections are attached in at least one edge and / or corner region of the at least one solar panel, whereby the at least one solar panel is arranged between the holders.

[0008] The device according to the invention comprises two spaced-apart holders which can be at any distance from one another. In a preferred embodiment, the holders are located at a distance in the range from 0. 1 m to 10,000 m, or 0. 5 m to 1,000 m, in particular in the range from 2 m to 500 m, more particularly in the range from 5 m to 100 m, or 10 m to 50 m. A holder can, for example, be a rod on which a section of rope is movably mounted, for example by being wound around the rod and can be moved by pulling. A holder can, however, also be, for example, a hook, an eyelet, a roller, or a pulley. The holder according to the invention can also be arranged, for example, on a wall, a tree, a pole, or on a rope.

[0009] A cable section in the sense of the invention describes a section of a cable which, in one embodiment, is movably mounted on the holder at one end and is arranged or detachably or permanently attached to a solar panel at the other end. According to the invention, the cable section can be an elongated element consisting of twisted, tangled, or braided natural or synthetic fibers or wires, as well as a rope, a cord, a string, or a line. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cable section is a steel cable section.

[0010] For example, supports can be provided between the individual solar panels to relieve the cable sections in the event of a greater dead weight or greater weight of the solar panel or solar panels.

[0011] The solar panel, also known to those skilled in the art as a photovoltaic module, PV module or solar module, describes a rigid or flexible panel which comprises solar cells. To protect the solar cells, the solar panel can additionally comprise at least one glass plate which is applied to the front and / or the back of the panel. Basically, however, a solar panel is understood to be a panel comprising solar cells which has at least one photon-absorbing side. The photon-absorbing side is designed to absorb light energy, as a result of which current flow can be excited or is excited in the solar panel.

[0012] According to the invention, a frame for receiving the solar panel can be part of the solar panel, so that not only the solar panel alone, but also the combination of the above-defined solar panel with a frame is to be understood as a "solar panel" according to the invention. In one possible embodiment, the solar panel comprises a frame in which the solar panel is detachably fixed. This is, for example, a removable frame that serves to simplify the attachment or replacement of solar panels. The frame can, but does not have to, have a closed circumference. In a further embodiment of the invention, a rectangular solar panel comprises a frame, wherein only three, only two, or only one sides of the solar panel are enclosed by the frame when the frame surrounds the solar panel.

[0013] In the embodiment of the invention according to the invention, at least one solar panel, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 30, 100, or 1000 solar panels, is arranged between the brackets, and the cable sections are attached in at least one edge and / or corner region of the at least one solar panel or are detachably or permanently connected to the solar panel. The cable sections can be attached to the at least one solar panel by suitable fastening means, such as a cable clamp, a hook, or an eyelet.

[0014] The inventive fixing of at least one solar panel to movable cable sections, for example steel cables, has, among other things, the advantage that all solar panels can be centrally controlled in a uniform manner.

[0015] The edge region essentially describes a surface or volume area of ​​the solar panel that extends not far from the edge or edges of the solar panel. In some of the possible embodiments, the edge region can extend approximately 1 cm to 10 cm from the edge of the solar panel, or 1 cm to 20 cm from the edge of the solar panel, or 1 cm to 50 cm from the edge of the solar panel, or 1 cm to 100 cm, or 1 cm to 500 cm from the edge of the solar panel.

[0016] The corner region essentially describes a surface or volume region of the solar panel that extends not far from a corner or corners of the solar panel. In some of the possible embodiments, the corner region can extend approximately 1 cm to 10 cm from a corner of the solar panel, or 1 cm to 20 cm from a corner of the solar panel, or 1 cm to 50 cm from a corner of the solar panel, or 1 cm to 100 cm, or 1 cm to 500 cm from a corner of the solar panel. In a further embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments unless contradictory, at least one of the two holders is selected from the group consisting of rod, hook, eyelet and roller.

[0017] According to the invention, the holder fulfills the function of a support on which one or more cable sections can be movably guided. In this respect, all elements known to those skilled in the art that are suitable for fulfilling this function can be used as a holder. In one possible embodiment of the invention, at least one of the holders can be selected from the group consisting of rod, hook, eyelet, and pulley, wherein the second holder can either be selected identically to the first, can be selected from the group recited in claim 2, or can be different from the elements recited in claim 2.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments, provided they do not contradict each other, at least one of the two holders is suitable for the immovable mounting of at least one cable section, or the device further comprises at least one fixing element, which fixing element is suitable for the immovable mounting of at least one cable section. In an embodiment according to the invention, a clamp can be used, for example.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments unless contradictory, the device comprises at least two solar panels which are connected to one another between the mutually facing panel surfaces by at least two additional cable sections, wherein the cable sections preferably have a predetermined or adjustable length, and the at least four cable sections are each attached to the panel surfaces facing the holders.

[0020] According to the invention, the at least two additional cable sections can be made of the same or different material as the at least four cable sections and can be detachably or permanently connected to the at least two solar panels.

[0021] In a further embodiment according to the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments, provided that they do not contradict each other, at least one of the two holders is a deflection pulley, at least two of the at least four cable sections are connected to each other and movably mounted on the deflection pulley.

[0022] For the purposes of the invention, a deflection pulley is understood to be a machine element comprising a wheel mounted on an axle, preferably mounted on an axle with low friction. Any deflection pulley known to a person skilled in the art that enables the deflection of a cable can be used as a deflection pulley. In one embodiment according to the invention, at least two of the at least four cable sections are connected, or they are parts of a one-piece cable that is movably mounted on the deflection pulley.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments, unless contradictory, the at least four cable sections are attached to opposite edge and / or corner regions of the at least one solar panel.

[0024] According to the invention, opposite edge and / or corner regions of the at least one solar panel correspond to those edge and / or corner regions of the solar panel which lie on the same surface of the solar panel and are opposite one another on this surface, or which lie on different surfaces of the solar panel and are spatially opposite one another.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments, unless contradictory, the at least one solar panel can be pivoted and / or tilted by a movement of at least two of the at least four cable sections, in particular pivoted and / or tilted by an angle between 0 ° and 180 °.

[0026] At least one of the solar panels can be rotated, tilted, and pivoted. According to the invention, the movement of at least two of the at least four cable sections is intended to enable, in particular, the photon-absorbing surface of the at least one solar panel to be aligned, i.e., pivoted, rotated, and / or tilted.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments, provided that they do not contradict each other, at least one of the two holders is movably mounted, in particular movably mounted by means of a winding cable.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the two holders is movably mounted. One of the advantages of this extension is, among other things, the maintenance of the solar panels. For example, it can facilitate the replacement of defective panels and / or cleaning. The movable mounting of at least one of the two holders can be realized according to the invention, for example, by a winding cable. However, other means known to those skilled in the art for configuring the movable mounting of one or two holders can also be used according to the invention.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments, provided they do not contradict each other, the device comprises at least one supporting cable which is mounted on and between the two holders, wherein the at least one solar panel is movably mounted on the supporting cable.

[0030] The supporting cable according to the invention is mounted or attached detachably or permanently on and between the two brackets. Within the meaning of the invention, the supporting cable is understood to be a cable that absorbs part of the weight forces, in particular the weight forces of the at least one solar panel.

[0031] The supporting cable can be, for example, a steel cable, a wire rope, a synthetic or natural fiber rope, a line, a thread, or a yarn. In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the solar panels are movably mounted on the supporting cable, along the supporting cable. Thanks to the supporting cable, it can be ensured, for example, that the device, in particular the at least one solar panel, can be stabilized under different environmental conditions, such as different inclinations, temperature fluctuations, thunderstorms, rain, wind, snow, hail, etc., or different scaling of the device.

[0032] According to the invention, the device can also comprise more than one supporting cable, e.g. 2 to 1,000,000 supporting cables.

[0033] In a further embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments unless contradictory, the at least one solar panel comprises at least one element for the movable mounting of the solar panel on the support cable, in particular a roller, an opening, or an eyelet.

[0034] The movable mounting can, in principle, be implemented using any technical means known to those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one solar panel is mounted on the at least one supporting cable by means of an opening in the solar panel itself, an eyelet, or a pulley.

[0035] According to the invention, it is not necessary for all solar panels to be mounted on the at least one supporting cable, so that it is also not necessary for all solar panels to comprise an element for movable mounting on the supporting cable.

[0036] In a further embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments unless contradictory, the device comprises at least one mechanical drive which is designed to move at least one of the at least four cable sections.

[0037] According to the invention, the device can comprise a mechanical

[0038] Drive, such as a drive with clamping device and release mechanism, an electric drive (e.g. an electric or internal combustion engine), an electromechanical drive, a fluid power drive, a pneumatic drive, a hydraulic drive, a jet or turbine drive, an internal combustion engine drive or a steam engine drive.

[0039] According to the invention, the at least one mechanical drive is designed to move at least one of the at least four cable sections. This means that the remaining cable sections of the at least four cable sections can be moved either manually (i.e., with the hands or other body parts) or by means of another or the same mechanical drive.

[0040] In a further embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments unless contradictory, at least one of the mechanical drives contains information about the sun's position, or at least one of the mechanical drives is designed to receive information about the sun's position.

[0041] The information about the sun's position includes, for example, repetitive data, empirical data, coordinates and time data, and / or a combination thereof. According to the invention, however, any type of information that allows a conclusion to be drawn about the sun's position is to be understood as information about the sun's position. In one embodiment according to the invention, the mechanical drive comprises an electronic component or is coupled to an electronic component, which electronic component can contain, receive, process and / or store information about the sun's position in its information memory.

[0042] In a further embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments, provided they do not contradict each other, the at least one mechanical drive is designed for control according to the information. According to the invention, the at least one mechanical drive can, for example, comprise a mechanical or electronic component, or be coupled to a mechanical or electronic component, which mechanical or electronic component controls the function of the at least one mechanical drive according to the information about the sun's position, for example by having one or more of the mechanical drives move one or more cable sections at a given time.

[0043] In a further embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments, provided they do not contradict each other, the device is designed to align at least one photon-absorbing surface of the at least one solar panel at a constant perpendicular angle to the solar radiation.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the orientation of the at least one solar panel can continuously follow the position of the sun orthogonally, so that the maximum possible solar radiation energy can be captured and processed into electrical energy.

[0045] In a further embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments unless contradictory, a counterweight is attached to at least one loose end of the at least one supporting cable.

[0046] The counterweight can, for example, be fixed or detachably attached. In one embodiment of the invention, the counterweight serves to support the weight of the supporting cable, so that the tension of the supporting cable is maintained.

[0047] In a further embodiment of the invention, the device comprises electrical cabling and is part of an electrical circuit, in particular a closed electrical circuit. For this purpose, the at least one solar panel is connected to one or more power lines, which allow the generated electrical current to be discharged. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical circuit is closed from the at least one solar panel to at least one consumer.

[0048] The following figures are intended to provide a better understanding of the subject matter of the invention and are in no way to be regarded as limiting combinations of features or to be limited to the size or distance ratios shown.

[0049] Fig. l Schematic drawing of an inventive

[0050] device

[0051] Fig. 2 Schematic drawing of an inventive

[0052] device

[0053] Fig. 3 Schematic drawing of an inventive

[0054] device

[0055] Fig. 4 Schematic drawing of an inventive

[0056] device

[0057] Fig. 5 Schematic drawing of a device according to the invention

[0058] Fig. 6 Schematic drawing of a device according to the invention

[0059] Character description

[0060] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention comprising a rectangular solar panel. The rectangular shape is chosen as an example so that one or more solar panels with a shape other than rectangular, e.g., round, oval, triangular, or trapezoidal, can be used.

[0061] The solar panel is mounted on two brackets by means of four cable sections, whereby the cable sections are attached to the solar panel firmly, detachably or permanently. In this case the bracket is a rod around which the cable sections are wound. The type of movable mounting can be implemented in different ways for the cable sections, e.g. one cable section can be mounted movably by means of a pulley and another by means of a winding around a rod. In the embodiment shown, the at least four cable sections are attached to diagonally opposite corners of the solar panel, on the front and back respectively, and can be attached detachably or permanently. However, the cable sections can also be attached, for example, on opposite sides of the solar panel or generally at locations that would allow stable mounting of the panel.

[0062] Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the rod holder shown in Fig. 1 has been replaced by a pulley. In the drawing, two of the at least four cable sections are parts of a one-piece cable which is movably arranged on a pulley.

[0063] In an embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 3, three or more than three solar panels are arranged between the brackets, as shown by the symbols with two lines, corresponding to a detail view. In this embodiment too, the solar panels can have a shape other than a rectangle. In Fig. 3, the solar panels are arranged at an equal distance from one another between the brackets, but the distances can be different, so that the arrangement is uneven. The cable sections can also be made of different materials and / or have different properties, such as tensile strength, robustness, etc.

[0064] Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which both holders have the shape of pulleys and two of the at least four cable sections are parts of a single-piece cable. In this embodiment, two identical solar panels are located between the holders, the cable sections of the first solar panel being attached to the solar panel at the same points as those of the second solar panel. In further embodiments according to the invention, the solar panels can have a different shape and / or the cable sections can be attached to different points on the solar panel.

[0065] Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, comprising a supporting cable which is arranged on and between the holders. In the figure, the solar panels or the solar panel are movably mounted on the supporting cable by means of a roller, whereby any other movable mounting which is known to the person skilled in the art and is suitable can be used. According to the invention, all of the solar panels or only some of the solar panels can be movably mounted on the supporting cable. The means for the movable mounting can also be the same for all of the solar panels, or different from one another, or partly the same and partly different.

[0066] Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the device shown in Fig. 2 is extended by a means for the movable mounting of one of the holders, here a winding cable. List of reference symbols

[0067] 1 bracket

[0068] 2 solar panels

[0069] 3 Rope section 4 Pulley

[0070] 5 winding rope

[0071] 6 suspension cable

[0072] 7 Element for movable storage

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device for aligning at least one solar panel comprising two spaced-apart holders (1), at least one solar panel (2) and at least four cable sections (3), wherein one cable section (3) is movably mounted on a respective holder (1) and the cable sections (3) are attached in at least one edge and / or corner region of the at least one solar panel (2), whereby the at least one solar panel (2) is arranged between the holders (1).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the two holders (1) is selected from the group consisting of rod, hook, eyelet and roller.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the two holders (1) is suitable for a non-movable mounting of at least one cable section (3), or the device further comprises at least one fixing element, which fixing element is suitable for a non-movable mounting of at least one cable section (3).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising at least two solar panels (2) which are connected to one another between the mutually facing panel surfaces by at least two additional cable sections, wherein the cable sections preferably have a predetermined or adjustable length, and the at least four cable sections (3) are each attached to the panel surfaces facing the holders (1).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the two holders (1) is a deflection pulley (4), at least two of the at least four cable sections (3) are connected to one another and are movably mounted on the deflection pulley (4).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least four cable sections (3) are attached to opposite edge and / or opposite corner regions of the at least one solar panel (2).

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one solar panel (2) is pivotable and / or tiltable by a movement of at least two of the at least four cable sections (3), in particular pivotable and / or tiltable by an angle between 0° and 180°.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one of the two holders (1) is movably mounted, in particular by means of a winding cable (5).

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising at least one support cable (6) which is mounted on and between the two holders (1), wherein the at least one solar panel (2) is movably mounted on the support cable (6).

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one solar panel (2) comprises in a central edge region of the solar panel (2) at least one element (7) for movable mounting of the solar panel (2) on the support cable (6), in particular a roller, an opening, or an eyelet.

11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising at least one mechanical drive which is designed to move at least one of the at least four cable sections (3).

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the mechanical drives contains information about the sun's position or is designed to receive information about the sun's position.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the at least one mechanical drive is designed to be controlled according to the information.

14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it is designed to align at least one photon-absorbing surface of the at least one solar panel (2) at a constant perpendicular angle to the solar radiation.

15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a counterweight is attached to at least one loose end of the at least one supporting cable (6).

16. Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the device further comprises electrical wiring and is part of an electrical circuit, in particular a closed electrical circuit.

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