Autonomous Solar Tracker Cleaning Robot With Waterless Airflow Brush
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar tracker cleaning systems face challenges in maintaining efficiency due to dust and soiling, as they often require water and can damage anti-reflective coatings, and are not cost-effective or safe under varying wind conditions.
Innovation Solution
A solar tracker waterless cleaning system using an autonomous robotic cleaner (ARC) with a docking station, equipped with a cleaning cylinder and microfiber fins that generate directional airflow to remove dirt without water, preserving coatings and operating safely under wind conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional water-based cleaning systems are used, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but water consumption increases and anti-reflective coatings are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the water element from the cleaning system, replacing it with a dry cleaning mechanism using a rotating brush with cleaning elements that physically remove dust and soiling through mechanical action without requiring water
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the water-based cleaning mechanism with a mechanical dry cleaning system where a rotating brush driven by a motor provides the cleaning action through friction and mechanical force, substituting hydraulic/fluid-based cleaning with pure mechanical cleaning
2Extent of automation
If robotic cleaners travel over solar panels, then automated cleaning is achieved, but anti-reflective coatings are damaged due to weight and brush pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pressure parameter by making the brush pressure adjustable through a spring mechanism and tensioning system, allowing the cleaning brush to exert only the minimum necessary force to remove dust while staying below the threshold that would damage the anti-reflective coating
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the cleaning system dynamic and adaptive by incorporating sensors that detect the presence and type of soiling, then automatically adjust the brush rotation speed and pressure accordingly, reducing pressure when light dust is present and increasing it only when necessary for heavier soiling
3Productivity
If cleaning systems are installed in solar tracker parks, then cleaning capability is provided, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal cleaning robot that can adapt to different solar panel configurations and tracker types through programmable navigation and adjustable cleaning parameters, allowing a single device design to serve multiple installation scenarios without requiring custom engineering for each park
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning robot is fully autonomous with built-in navigation, obstacle detection, and cleaning control systems that require no external infrastructure, grids, or manual operation, eliminating the need for complex installation infrastructure and reducing installation complexity to simply placing the robot on the panels
4Adaptability or versatility
If cleaning robots operate under varying wind conditions, then operational flexibility is improved, but stability and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the robot dynamic and adaptive to environmental conditions by incorporating wind sensors and stability control algorithms that adjust the robot's position, anchoring mechanisms, and cleaning operations in real-time based on detected wind conditions, allowing safe operation across a wide range of wind speeds
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively cleans solar trackers without water, preserving anti-reflective coatings and maintaining efficiency even under strong winds, by using a lightweight ARC that adjusts pressure based on RPM and environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The cleaning cylinder further includes a plurality of fins which rotates for generating a directional air flow for pushing the dirt off of the surface of the solar tracker
Implementation Method 2
The fins touch the surface of the solar tracker when the fins rotate. The fins exert a variable pressure on the surface of the solar tracker, the variable pressure changing as a function of the RPM.
Data Source
AI summary
A solar tracker waterless cleaning system for cleaning solar panels of a solar tracker being able to be positioned at a pre-determined angle, including a docking station and an autonomous robotic cleaner (ARC), the docking station coupled with an edge of the solar tracker, the ARC including at least one rechargeable power source, at least one cleaning cylinder, at least one edge sensor, at least one cleaning cylinder direct current (DC) drive motor including a built-in encoder, a cleaning cylinder drive belt and a controller, the cleaning cylinder including a plurality of fins which rotates for generating a directional air flow for pushing dirt off of the surface of the solar tracker without water, the cleaning cylinder DC drive motor for driving the cleaning cylinder, the controller for controlling a cleaning process of the ARC, the built-in encoder for determining a revolutions per minute (RPM) of the cleaning cylinder.