Automated Solar Collector Layout Design with Version Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and cost associated with designing efficient solar energy systems are exacerbated by numerous interrelated parameters, including location, weather, physical obstructions, and regulatory factors, making the process time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based user interface and solar collector installation project data structure that allows for the representation of worksite features and alternative layouts, enabling users to select design preferences and generate optimized solar collector layouts using knowledge-based CAD techniques, which automate layout, evaluation, and optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual design methods are used for solar collector installations, then design flexibility and customization are maintained, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical design processes with an automated computer-based system that uses knowledge bases and algorithms to generate solar collector layouts. The system automatically processes design parameters, constraints, and site information to produce optimized layouts without manual intervention in the iterative design process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service design generation by automatically evaluating multiple design alternatives against stored constraints and criteria. The computer-based system independently performs layout optimization, compliance checking, and design comparison without requiring continuous human guidance through each design iteration.
2Reliability
If comprehensive design parameters and constraints are considered, then design quality and compliance are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing design constraints, criteria, and knowledge in a database before the design process begins. This pre-organization of information allows the system to automatically evaluate compliance during layout generation without adding complexity to the actual design execution, as all rules are already encoded and ready for application.
Solution Approach 2:
The knowledge base acts as an intermediary layer between the complex set of design constraints and the layout generation process. It mediates by translating multiple constraints into standardized evaluation criteria that the automated system can process uniformly, reducing the apparent complexity of handling numerous interrelated parameters.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple design alternatives are evaluated, then design optimization is improved, but computational resources and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by evaluating multiple design alternatives to a sufficient degree of optimization rather than exhaustively analyzing every possible configuration. It generates several viable layouts that meet compliance requirements and selects the optimized solution based on predefined criteria, avoiding unnecessary computation beyond the point of achieving optimal design quality.
4Productivity
If automated layout generation is implemented, then design speed and consistency are improved, but adaptability to unique site conditions may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains adaptability through parameter changes by allowing modification of input parameters, site constraints, and design criteria to reflect unique site conditions. The automated generator responds to these parameter variations by producing customized layouts specific to each site's characteristics while maintaining consistent application of design rules and compliance requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments may include systems and methods to create and edit a representation of a worksite, to create various data objects, to classify such objects as various types of predefined “features” with attendant properties and layout constraints. As part of or in addition to classification, an embodiment may include systems and methods to create, associate, and edit intrinsic and extrinsic properties to these objects. A design engine may apply of design rules to the features described above to generate one or more solar collectors installation design alternatives, including generation of on-screen and/or paper representations of the physical layout or arrangement of the one or more design alternatives. Some embodiments may provide viewing, creating, and manipulating of multiple versions of a solar collector layout design for a particular installation worksite. The use of versions may allow analysis of alternative layouts, alternative feature classifications, and cost and performance data corresponding to alternative design choices. Version summary information providing a representative comparison between versions across a number of dimensions may be provided.