Retractable photovoltaic covering and carport

Abstract

A retractable photovoltaic covering (10) for photovoltaic carports comprises a fixed frame (12) with linear guides (16), and at least two modular panels (18) having a perimeter frame (11) that surrounds at least a plate with photovoltaic cells (20) and provided with sliding engagement means (24) coupled with the linear guides (16) to move the modular panel (18) sliding along the linear guides (16). The modular panels reach a deployed configuration wherein they are not stacked and expose the photovoltaic cells (20), maximizing energy production, and a retracted configuration wherein they are stacked and the perimeter frame (11) of at least a first modular panel identifies, with the perimeter frame (11) of a second modular panel, immediately above or below, a gap (22) having a predetermined height to allow a support contact (19) and a mutual constraint by means of locking elements (28), between the two perimeter frames (11) due to a climatic load that stresses the first or second modular panel causing it to deflection towards the other, minimizing the exposed surface of the carport and at the same time adding to the resistant capacity of said frames.

Description

[0001] Retractable photovoltaic covering and carport

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a photovoltaic covering, in particular for the composition of photovoltaic carports.

[0004] Prior art

[0005] Due to the growing number of electric cars, resulting from the known environmental needs, there is a strong demand for photovoltaic carports for recharging the batteries of electric vehicles. To date, the cost of such carports is high, especially in areas with significant wind and snow design loads on the carports.

[0006] Photovoltaic carports must be designed and sized taking into account accidental loads or climatic loads due to atmospheric agents, in particular snow and wind.

[0007] In light of the above, there is a need to provide photovoltaic carports that have the ability to reduce the exposed covering surface in conditions of exceptional wind and / or snow loads, and at the same time aggregate the structural strength of the panels constituting this surface, in such a way as to have significantly reduced structural dimensions and support and foundation works compared to traditional ones, and therefore to have significantly lower construction and installation costs. Furthermore, where environmental conditions permit, it is desirable to provide photovoltaic carports without fixed foundation works.

[0008] Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide retractable photovoltaic covering and carports suitable for installation in geographical areas with different climatic conditions.

[0010] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide retractable photovoltaic covering and carports capable of withstanding climatic loads such as extreme wind and snow. These and other objects and advantages, which will be better understood later, are achieved, according to an aspect of the present invention, by a photovoltaic covering having the characteristics set forth in claim 1, as well as by a photovoltaic carport having the characteristics set forth in claim 10. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0011] In summary, according to an aspect of the present invention, a retractable photovoltaic covering for the composition of photovoltaic carports comprises a fixed support frame defining an open internal area and comprising linear guides, and at least two modular panels mounted on the fixed frame in the open internal area, and each having a perimeter frame surrounding at least a plate with photovoltaic cells. The perimeter frame of at least one of the modular panels is provided with sliding engagement means coupled with the linear guides to move the relative modular panel in a sliding manner along the linear guides. The modular panels are capable of alternately reach a deployed or extended configuration, wherein the modular panels are not stacked and substantially occupy the entire internal area of the fixed frame to expose the photovoltaic cells and therefore maximize energy production, and a retracted configuration, which reduces the exposed surface area and adds to the resistant capacity of the panels, wherein the modular panels are stacked and wherein the perimeter frame of at least a first of the modular panels identifies, with the perimeter frame of a second of the modular panels, immediately above or below the first modular panel, a gap having a predetermined height suitable to allow a support contact between the perimeter frame of the first modular panel with the perimeter frame of the second modular panel due to a climatic load that stresses the first or the second modular panel and causes a deflection towards the other, second or first modular panel.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the invention, a photovoltaic covering carport for a predefined ground area comprises at least one photovoltaic covering and vertical uprights arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the photovoltaic covering and configured to be mounted in the predefined ground area and support the photovoltaic covering above the predefined ground area. Brief description of the drawings

[0013] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of some of its embodiments made with reference to the attached drawings, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 illustrates a fixed frame of a photovoltaic covering,

[0015] Figure 2 illustrates a perimeter frame of a modular panel,

[0016] Figure 3 illustrates modular panels in a deployed or extended configuration,

[0017] Figure 4 is a sectional view of a photovoltaic covering in which the modular panels are in a deployed or extended configuration,

[0018] Figure 5 illustrates modular panels arranged in a retracted configuration within a fixed frame,

[0019] Figure 6 is a sectional view of a photovoltaic covering in which the modular panels are in a retracted configuration,

[0020] Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view of modular panels in the retracted configuration,

[0021] Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of gaps formed between the perimeter frames of modular panels in the retracted configuration,

[0022] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a covering in which there is a support contact between the perimeter frame of a first modular panel and the perimeter frame of a second modular panel,

[0023] Figure 10 is an enlarged view of the support contact between the perimeter frames of a first and a second modular panel,

[0024] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a photovoltaic carport with modular panels in a deployed or extended configuration,

[0025] Figure 12 is a perspective view of a photovoltaic carport with modular panels in a retracted configuration,

[0026] Figure 13 is a sectional view of the photovoltaic carport of figure 11, and

[0027] Figure 14 is a sectional view of the photovoltaic carport of figure 12.

[0028] Detailed description A retractable photovoltaic covering 10 for the composition of photovoltaic carports according to the present invention comprises a fixed support frame 12 that defines an open internal area or compartment 14 and also comprises linear guides 16 (Figure 1).

[0029] The fixed frame 12 may be made of metal, for example steel or aluminum, and may have an inner surface 12a facing the open internal area 14 and on which the pair of linear guides 16 can be present. Preferably, the linear guides 16 are arranged on opposite sides of the fixed frame 12 so as to face each other.

[0030] In one embodiment, the fixed frame 12 may also have one or more support bars 13, which may be arranged within the open internal area 14 of the fixed frame 12 to divide the open internal area 14 into several compartments and may be parallel to the linear guides 16. When only one support bar 13 is present, it is preferably arranged in a central position of the open internal area 14.

[0031] The photovoltaic covering 10 also comprises at least two modular panels 18, each of which is equipped with a perimeter frame 11 (Figure 2) that surrounds at least one panel with photovoltaic cells 20 (Figure 3). The modular panels 18 are configured to be mounted on the fixed frame 12 in the open internal area 14. The perimeter frame 11 of at least one of the modular panels is provided with sliding engagement means 24, for example fins or lateral protrusions, arranged to be coupled with the linear guides 16 of the fixed frame 12 and allow the modular panel 18 to be moved in a sliding manner along the linear guides 16.

[0032] The perimeter frame 11 may be made of metal, such as steel or aluminum.

[0033] The perimeter frame 11 of the modular panel may comprise one or more support bars 15 to form one or more housing and support compartments for the photovoltaic cell plates 20.

[0034] The modular panels 18 are able to alternately reach a deployed or extended configuration and a retracted configuration. In the extended configuration (figures 3 and 4), the modular panels 18 are not stacked and substantially occupy the entire internal area 14 of the fixed frame 12 to expose the photovoltaic cells 20 and therefore maximize energy production. This configuration is advantageous for maximizing the production of electricity by means of photovoltaic cells.

[0035] In the retracted configuration (Figures 5-7), which reduces the exposed surface and adds to the resistant capacity of the panels, the modular panels 18 are stacked on each other and the perimeter frame 11 of at least a first of the modular panels identifies, with the perimeter frame 11 of a second of the modular panels, immediately above or below the first modular panel, a gap 22 (Figure 8) having a predetermined height that allows a support contact 19 between the perimeter frame 11 of the first modular panel with the perimeter frame 11 of the second modular panel (Figures 9 and 10) due to a climatic load that stresses the first or second modular panel and causes it to deflect towards the other, second or first modular panel.

[0036] The support contact between the perimeter frame 11 of the first modular panel and the perimeter frame 11 of the second modular panel may be made in the central portion of the open internal area 14, i.e. in the central portion of the modular panels 18.

[0037] The stacking of several perimeter frames 11 of modular panels 18 in the retracted configuration, which may optionally be simultaneously constrained to each other by means of one or more locking elements 28, makes it possible to increase, for the same covering area, their resistance to climatic loads such as snow load and wind load, and therefore to drastically lighten their sizing.

[0038] If the prevailing climatic load in the area of installation of the photovoltaic covering is the snow load, in the retracted configuration the perimeter frame 11 of the top modular panel is stressed and undergoes a deflection towards the perimeter frame 11 of the modular panel immediately below, defining a support contact between the perimeter frames 11 of the two modular panels 18.

[0039] If the prevailing climatic load in the area of installation of the photovoltaic covering is the wind load, in the retracted configuration the perimeter frame 11 of the base or lower modular panel is stressed and undergoes a deflection towards the perimeter frame 11 of the modular panel immediately above, for example the top one in the case of only two modular panels or an intermediate modular panel in the case of three modular panels, defining a support contact between the perimeter frames 11 of the two modular panels 18 and a structural constraint by means of locking elements 28.

[0040] Regarding the positioning within the fixed frame 12 of the modular panels 18 stacked in the retracted configuration, if the prevailing climatic load in the installation area of the covering is the wind load, the perimeter frames 11 may be preferable stacked in a central area of the internal area 14 of the fixed frame 12.

[0041] If, on the other hand, there is the possibility of a significant snow load, it may be preferable to stack the perimeter frames 11 of the modular panels 18 in the retracted configuration in an end area of the inner area 14 of the fixed frame 12. If the photovoltaic covering is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, the modular panels 18 may be collected in the lowest lower area, so that, in the event of closure of the covering in anticipation of an abnormal snowfall, the snow on the ground can be easily cleared by mechanical means in charge.

[0042] Preferably, the modular panels 18 are parallel to each other and the predetermined height of the gap 22 between the perimeter frames 11 of a modular panel 18 and another modular panel 18 immediately above or below is defined perpendicularly to a lying plane of one of the two modular panels 18.

[0043] The predetermined height of the gap 22 may be in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm to allow for support contact between the two modular panels when one of them is deflected due to stress caused by a climatic load.

[0044] In an alternative embodiment, the predetermined height of the gap 22 may be in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm to allow for support contact between the two modular panels when one of them is deflected due to a stress caused by a climatic load.

[0045] The perimeter frame 11 of each modular panel 18 may have opposing flat surfaces, each of which may face, in the retracted configuration, a respective flat surface of a similar perimeter frame 11 of a modular panel 18 immediately above or below. For example, the perimeter frame 11 may comprise profiles with a double T-section.

[0046] In this embodiment, the gap 22 may be formed between a flat surface of a perimeter frame 11 of a first modular panel 18 and a flat surface of a perimeter frame 11 of a second modular panel 18 immediately above or below the first modular panel.

[0047] In one embodiment, the photovoltaic covering may comprise a modular panel 26 that is fixed with respect to the fixed frame 12 to increase the stability of the photovoltaic covering 10. The fixed modular panel 26 may also have a perimeter frame 11 which may be integral with the fixed frame 12 and which may be arranged to surround at least one plate with photovoltaic cells 20.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the photovoltaic covering may comprise a fixed modular panel 26 arranged in a central portion of the open internal area 14 of the fixed frame 12 and at least two modular panels 18 movable with respect to the fixed modular panel 26 and with respect to the fixed frame 12. At least one movable modular panel 18 may be immediately above and at least one movable modular panel 18 may be immediately below the fixed modular panel 26 and form with it a multilayer of panels in the retracted configuration. The movable modular panels 18 may be configured to move in opposite directions with respect to the fixed modular panel 26 from the retracted configuration to the deployed or extended configuration and vice versa.

[0049] The modular panels 18, 26 may be arranged stacked in a central area of the inner area 14 of the fixed frame 12 in the retracted configuration (figures 5 and 6).

[0050] Depending on the functional and environmental requirements, with different photovoltaic covering 10 implementation solutions, the modular panels 18, 26 may be different in number and have a different stacking position with respect to the central area of the internal area 14 of the fixed frame 12. In one embodiment, at least one modular panel 18 of the photovoltaic covering 10 may comprise a locking element 28 configured to engage with at least one other modular panel 18 (Figures 7, 8 and 10) in such a way as to allow the relative locking of the modular panels 18 and their stacking and mutual constraint in the retracted configuration.

[0051] The photovoltaic covering 10 may comprise drive means 30 configured to slide the movable modular panels 18 along the linear guides 16. For example, the drive means 30 of the sliding frames may comprise a chain or a cable, driven by a worm gear motor. It is also possible to provide different mechanical actuators for the sliding of the frames.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the photovoltaic covering 10 may include sensors, e.g. anemometric and / or snow sensors, designed to acquire information relating to climatic conditions, e.g. wind action and / or snow load, and a control system designed to automatically manage the operation of the sliding modular panels 18 of the photovoltaic covering 10. The movement of the sliding modular panels 18 may be managed automatically by the control system on the basis of information received from the sensors, and in the event of a functional anomaly of one or more components of the photovoltaic covering 10 or a structural overload on the modular panels 18, 26, alarms may be sent to the persons in charge.

[0053] The control system may be configured to control the speed of movement of the perimeter frames 11 of the modular panels 18 and their position during sliding with respect to the fixed frame 12 in such a way as to minimize the possibility of failure.

[0054] In addition or as an alternative, the control system may provide for periodic automatic tests prior to the opening and closing of the modular panels 18 and send alarms in the event of functional anomalies of the covering 10.

[0055] Embodiments may provide that the drive means 30 of the modular panels 18, 26 of the photovoltaic covering 10 may be activated remotely by authorized users.

[0056] Embodiments may provide that the drive means 30 of the modular panels 18, 26 of the photovoltaic covering 10 may be activated manually by authorized users. Inverters for managing the electrical current produced by the photovoltaic cells of the modular panels and any columns for charging electric vehicles associated with the photovoltaic covering 10 can also be integrated into the photovoltaic covering 10. In addition, it is possible to integrate the photovoltaic covering with lighting, people detection and video surveillance systems.

[0057] The present invention also includes a photovoltaic covering carport 40 for a predefined ground area 50 (Figures 11-14) comprising at least a photovoltaic covering 10, according to any of the embodiments described above, and vertical uprights 42, which are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the photovoltaic covering 10, and are configured to be mounted in the predefined ground area 50 and support the photovoltaic covering 10 above the predefined ground area 50.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, the fixed frame 12 of the photovoltaic covering 10 may be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane (Figures 11-14) so as to define an appropriate orientation of the photovoltaic cells 20 in order to maximize their efficiency.

[0059] Embodiments of the photovoltaic carport 40 may provide that the photovoltaic covering 10 may be mounted with the linear guides 16 inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane so that the modular panels 18 are movable, with respect to the fixed frame 12, along the inclined direction, upwards and / or downwards (Figures 11-14).

[0060] Alternative and non-illustrated embodiments of the photovoltaic carport 40 may provide that the photovoltaic covering 10 may be mounted with the fixed frame 12 of the photovoltaic covering 10 inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane and with the linear guides 16 parallel to the horizontal plane in such a way that the modular panels 18 are movable, with respect to the fixed frame 12, towards and away from the vertical uprights 42 arranged on opposite sides of the photovoltaic covering 10. In an alternative embodiment not illustrated in the figures, the fixed frame 12 of the photovoltaic covering 10 may be parallel to a horizontal plane.

[0061] The photovoltaic carports 40 may be configured to be arranged in sequence and side by side in such a way as to act as a cover for a predefined ground area larger than the size of the single photovoltaic carport 40.

[0062] Without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiment may be widely varied with respect to what is described and illustrated, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention, as identified by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A retractable photovoltaic covering (10) for the composition of photovoltaic carports, comprising:- a fixed support frame (12) defining an open internal area (14) and comprising linear guides (16),- at least two modular panels (18) mounted on the fixed frame (12) in the open internal area (14), and each having a perimeter frame (11) surrounding at least a plate with photovoltaic cells (20), the perimeter frame (11) of at least one of the modular panels is provided with sliding engagement means (24) coupled with the linear guides (16) to move the relative modular panel (18) in a sliding manner along the linear guides (16), where the modular panels are able to alternately reach:- a deployed or extended configuration, wherein the modular panels (18) are not stacked and substantially occupy the entire internal area (14) of the fixed frame (12) to expose the photovoltaic cells (20) and therefore maximize energy production, and- a retracted configuration, which reduces the exposed surface and adds to the resistant capacity of the panels, wherein the modular panels (18) are stacked and wherein the perimeter frame (11) of at least a first of the modular panels identifies, with the perimeter frame (11) of a second of the modular panels, immediately above or below the first modular panel, a gap (22) having a predetermined height suitable to allow a support contact (19) between the perimeter frame (11) of the first modular panel with the perimeter frame (11) of the second modular panel due to a climatic load that stresses the first or the second modular panel and causes a deflection towards the other, second or first modular panel.

2. A photovoltaic covering (10) according to claim 1, wherein the modular panels (18) are parallel to each other and the predetermined height of the gap (22) between the perimeter frames (11) of a modular panel (18) and another modular panel (18) immediately above or below is defined perpendicularly to a lying plane of one of the two modular panels (18).

3. A photovoltaic covering (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined height of the gap (22) is in the range between 1 mm and 10 mm.

4. A photovoltaic covering (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined height of the gap (22) is in the range between 1 mm and 3 mm.

5. A photovoltaic covering (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the perimeter frame (11) has flat surfaces opposite each other and each facing, in the retracted configuration, a respective flat surface of a similar perimeter frame (11) of a modular panel immediately above or below.

6. A photovoltaic covering (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a fixed modular panel (26) with respect to the fixed frame (12), having a perimeter frame (11) integral with the fixed frame (12) and surrounding at least a plate with photovoltaic cells (20).

7. A photovoltaic covering (10) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a fixed modular panel (26) arranged in a central portion of the open internal area (14) of the fixed frame (12), and further comprising at least one movable modular panel (18) immediately above and at least one movable modular panel (18) immediately below that form with the fixed modular panel (26) a multilayer of panels in the retracted configuration and that are configured to move in opposite directions with respect to the fixed modular panel (26) from the retracted configuration to the deployed or extended configuration and vice versa.

8. A photovoltaic covering (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one modular panel (18) comprises a locking element (28) configured to engage with at least one other modular panel (18) in such a way as to allow the relative locking of the modular panels (18) and their stacking and mutual constraint in the retracted configuration.

9. A photovoltaic covering (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising drive means (30) configured to slide the movable modular panels (18) along the linear guides (16).

10. A photovoltaic covering carport (40) for a predefined ground area (50), comprising:- at least a photovoltaic covering (10) in accordance with any of the preceding claims, and- vertical uprights (42) arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the photovoltaic covering (10) and configured to be mounted in the predefined ground area (50) and support the photovoltaic covering (10) above the predefined ground area (50).

11. A photovoltaic carport (40) according to claim 10, wherein the fixed frame (12) of the photovoltaic covering (10) is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane.

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