Abstract:
A mobile power unit includes a mobile trailer and a plurality of support posts coupled to the mobile trailer, each support post having an axis. The mobile power unit further includes a plurality of solar panels, at least one of the plurality of solar panels being pivotally coupled to one of the plurality of support posts such that the at least one of the plurality of solar panels can be rotated about the axis of the support post to which it is attached.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a multi-panel solar deployment device. More specifically, the invention relates to a mobile power unit which includes solar panels. 
         [0002]    Mobile power units are used at many locations where electrical power provided by the power grid is not available. Traditionally, mobile power units have used internal combustion engine driven generators to generate power. However, in some applications, the engine may produce too much noise or may be difficult to fuel. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In one embodiment, the invention provides a mobile power unit which includes a mobile trailer, and a plurality of support posts coupled to the mobile trailer, each support post having an axis. The mobile power unit also includes a plurality of solar panels, at least one of the plurality of solar panels being pivotally coupled to one of the plurality of support posts such that the at least one of the plurality of solar panels can be rotated about the axis of the support post to which it is attached. 
         [0004]    In another embodiment the invention provides a mobile power unit which includes a mobile trailer, and a plurality of solar panels, at least two of the plurality of solar panels capable of being folded into a stored position. The mobile power unit also includes a storage box coupled to the mobile trailer, the storage box receiving the at least two of the plurality of solar panels when the at least two of the plurality of solar panels are in the stored position, and a plurality of slides. Each slide is coupled to the storage box and one of the plurality of solar panels, and operable to slide at least one of the plurality of solar panels from a stored position inside the storage box to a deployed position outside of the storage box. 
         [0005]    In yet another embodiment the invention provides a mobile power unit which includes a mobile trailer, and a plurality of support posts coupled to the mobile trailer, each support post having an axis. The mobile power unit also has a plurality of solar panels, each solar panel being pivotally coupled to one of the plurality of support posts such that the plurality of solar panels can be rotated about the axis of the support post the solar panel is attached to. The mobile power unit further includes a solar panel non-pivotally coupled to the trailer, a generator disposed in the interior of the trailer, a battery disposed in the interior of the trailer, the battery being electrically connected to the generator and solar panels to receive a charge therefrom, a control unit operable to automatically engage the generator when the battery voltage drops below a predetermined level, and a plurality of display panels, each display panel being coupled to at least one of the plurality of solar panels. 
         [0006]    Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a mobile power unit in a stowed position. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the mobile power unit of  FIG. 1 , showing the solar panels in the stored position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the mobile power unit of  FIG. 1 , in the deployed position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the mobile power unit of  FIG. 1 , in the deployed position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the mobile power unit of  FIG. 1 , in the deployed position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a different embodiment of a mobile power unit. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the mobile power unit of  FIG. 6 , showing the solar panels in a partially deployed state. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the mobile power unit of  FIG. 6 , showing the solar panels in the deployed position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration showing electrical components of the mobile power unit of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  illustrates a swivel connection between an inner tube and a solar panel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates a mobile power unit  10  that includes a multi-panel solar deployment device  12  supported by a trailer  14 . The trailer  14  includes a tongue  16 , wheels  18 , a frame  20 , and a housing  22 . The illustrated construction includes two wheels  18  supported by the housing  22  for rotation. The tongue  16  provides a third support point for the trailer  14  and is arranged to facilitate attachment of the trailer  14  to a vehicle for towing. The frame  20  is fixedly attached to the trailer  14  or is formed as part of the trailer  14  and provides structural support for the housing  22  and any other components supported by the trailer  14 . The housing  22  encloses a space that is sized to contain and protect several components as will be discussed below. In some constructions, the housing  22  includes apertures formed in the walls to allow for air flow into or out of the housing  22 . In still other constructions, a fan or other air moving devices may be employed to enhance the cooling effect of the air moving through the housing  22 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 9  schematically illustrates one arrangement of electrical components that may be disposed within the housing  22 . Specifically,  FIG. 9  illustrates an arrangement that includes solar panels  24  and batteries  26  that are operable to provide a DC current to a DC buss  28 . An engine  30  and generator  32  are arranged to provide AC power to a rectifier  34  that in turn converts the AC signal to a DC signal. The DC signal is directed to a switch arrangement  36  that can be arranged to direct DC power to the DC buss  28  or alternatively to direct the DC power to an inverter  38 . The inverter  38  converts the power to a desired frequency and voltage (e.g., 60 Hz, 120 volts) and then directs the AC power to an AC buss  40 . The AC buss  40  is connected to an AC outlet  42  and the DC buss is connected to a DC outlet  44  to allow a user to connect AC and DC devices to the mobile power unit  10  as may be required. 
         [0020]    A controller  46  is provided to control various aspects of the operation of the components of  FIG. 9 . For example, the controller  46  provides control signals to a switch assembly  48  between the batteries  26  and the DC buss  28  to control the direction of power flow between the batteries  26  and the DC buss  28 . Thus, power can flow from the solar panels  24  to the DC buss  28  and from the DC buss  28  to the batteries  26  to charge the batteries  26 . The controller  46  also controls the switch assembly  36  to control the flow of power from the rectifier  34  such that AC power or DC power is provided to the appropriate buss. In one construction, the switch assembly  36  can be arranged to provide power flow from the DC buss  28  to the inverter  38  and then to the AC buss  40 . Thus, the solar panels  24  and/or batteries  26  can provide AC power if desired. In preferred constructions, all of the components illustrated in  FIG. 9 , with the exception of the solar panels  24  are located inside of the housing  22  to allow the housing  22  to provide them some level of protection. It should be noted that  FIG. 9  illustrates one arrangement of the various components with many other arrangements being possible. Thus, the invention should not be limited by the arrangement of the components discussed with regard to  FIG. 9 . 
         [0021]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the mobile power unit  10  includes four support assemblies  50  and five solar panels  24 . Each support assembly includes an outer tube  52  that is attached to the housing  22  and/or the frame  20 . Each support assembly  50  also includes an inner tube  54  that includes a portion positioned within the outer tube  52  and an end connected to one of the solar panels  24 . Each inner tube  54  is rotatable with respect to the outer tube  52  and is movable axially within the outer tube  52 . In some constructions, a locking pin  56  is provided to lock the position of each inner tube  54  with respect to its outer tube  52 . The pin  56  passes through apertures in the outer tube  52  and the inner tube  54  to lock the inner tube  54  in place. Of course other constructions could employ other locking arrangements. 
         [0022]    Four of the five solar panels  24  are connected to one of the inner tubes  54  with the fifth solar panel  24  attached to a top portion of the housing  22 . In one arrangement, each panel  24  is fixedly connected to its respective tube  54  so that the panel  24  cannot move with respect to the tube  54 . In other constructions, a swivel connection  58  (illustrated in  FIG. 10 ) is provided between each panel  24  and its respective inner tube  54  to allow the panel  24  to rotate about an axis that is normal to the long axis of the outer tube  52 . 
         [0023]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the solar panels  24  of the mobile power unit  10  in a stored position. In this position, the solar panels  24  align with one another to define a footprint that is about the same size as the footprint of the housing  22 . It is preferable that the solar panels  24  not extend beyond the front, rear, or sides of the housing  24  in the stored position. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the fifth of the solar panels  24  is attached to the housing  22  with the remaining four solar panels  24  being arranged above the fifth solar panel  24 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  illustrates the solar panels  24  in a deployed position. In this position, the solar panels  24  do not cover one another and are therefore exposed to additional sunlight. To move from the stored position of  FIG. 1  to the deployed position of  FIG. 3 , the user rotates the top panel  24   a  180 degrees about the long axis of the outer tube  52  of the support assembly  50   a  that supports the top panel  24   a.  The remaining three support assemblies  50  are preferably shorter than the height of the top panel  24   a  to allow free rotation of the top solar panel  24   a  without the need to lift the panel  24   a  and the inner tube  54   a.  However, if the arrangement is such that lifting the solar panel  24   a  is necessary, one could provide a hydraulic, electric, pneumatic, spring actuated, or other actuator  60  (illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) that operates to lift the inner tube  54   a  and the solar panel  24   a.  The second solar panel  24   b  is next rotated 180 degrees to its deployed position. The second solar panel  24   b  is free to rotate in a direction away from the first support  50   a  as the remaining support assemblies  50  are lower than the second support assembly  50   b.  As with the first support assembly  50   a,  an actuator  60  could be positioned to lift the second solar panel  24   b  if desired. Next, the third solar panel  24   c  is rotated 180 degrees to its deployed position. The third solar panel  24   c  is free to rotate in a direction away from the second support  50   b  as the fourth support assembly  50   d  is lower than the third support assembly  50   c.  As with the first support assembly  50   a  and the second support assembly  50   b,  an actuator  60  could be positioned to lift the third solar panel  24   c  if desired. Finally, the fourth solar panel  24   d  is rotated 180 degrees to its deployed position. Unlike the first three solar panels  24 , the fourth solar panel  24   d  must be lifted to clear the height of the first support assembly  50   a  and the third support assembly  50   c.  Thus, the fourth support assembly  50   d  includes the actuator  60  positioned to lift the inner tube  54   d  with respect to the outer tube  52  to allow free rotation of the solar panel  24   d.    
         [0025]      FIG. 4  illustrates a construction in which the solar panels  24  are rotatable with respect to their respective inner tubes  54  to provide for better alignment with the sun and to compensate for uneven ground.  FIG. 10  illustrates one possible arrangement of a connection between the solar panel  24  and the inner tube  54  that provides one degree of rotation therebetween. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the connection  58  includes a yoke  62  attached to or formed as part of the inner tube  54  and a tab  64  attached to or formed as part of the solar panel  24 . A pin  66  connects the tab  64  and yoke  62  and provides an axis of rotation. As one of ordinary skill will realize, another connection  58  similar to the one illustrated, but rotated 90 degrees could be employed to provide a second degree of freedom. In addition, other arrangements and rotatable joints could be employed if desired. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 4 and 5  also illustrate several side panels  68  that are coupled to the solar panels  24  and are extendable to provide a skirt around the mobile power unit  10 . In a preferred arrangement, the side panels  68  roll into a tube  70  that is attached to the side of the solar panel  24  for storage. A user then unrolls the side panels  68  from each of the tubes  70  after the panels  24  are arranged. In some constructions, the tubes  70  include a torsional biasing member that automatically rolls the side panels  68  into the tube shape when actuated. In some constructions, advertisements or other information is printed on the side panels  68 . 
         [0027]    In one construction, 216 watt solar panels  24  are used in the mobile power unit  10 . With five panels  24 , the mobile power unit  10  is capable of generating about 1,080 watts. Of course, other size or power configurations of the solar panels  24  are also possible. If more than 1,080 watts is required, the internal combustion engine  30  and generator  32  may be used. In one embodiment, the internal combustion engine  30  and generator  32  are capable of providing an additional 5,000 watts of power, with larger or smaller generator systems being possible. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 6-8  illustrate another construction of a mobile power unit  10  that is substantially the same as the mobile power unit  10  of  FIGS. 1-5  with the exception of the arrangement of the solar panels  24 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the solar panels  24  are arranged in solar panel assemblies  72  that are stacked above the housing  22 . 
         [0029]    The first solar panel assembly  72   a  is disposed proximate the housing  22  and is supported within a housing  74  by a pair of drawer slides  76 . The slides  76  attach to the first solar panel assembly  72   a  and the housing  74  and allow the first solar panel assembly  72   a  to slide linearly into and out of the housing  74 . A second solar panel assembly  72   b  is disposed above the first solar assembly  72   a  and is supported in a similar manner as the first solar panel assembly  72   a.  The second solar panel assembly  72   b  is arranged to slide in the opposite direction as the first solar panel assembly  72   a.  A third solar panel assembly  72   c  is disposed above the second solar panel assembly  72   b  but does not slide in either direction. 
         [0030]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , once the first solar panel assembly  72   a  and the second solar panel assembly  72   b  are slid to their extended position, they along with the third solar panel assembly  72   c  can be unfolded. As illustrated, each solar panel assembly  72  includes the center panel  24  and two side panels  24  connected via hinge  78  to the center panel  24 . Thus, once unfolded, the construction of  FIG. 7  includes nine panels  24 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 8  illustrates the mobile power unit with the solar panels  24  in the extended position. The solar panel assemblies  72  that extend from the housing  74  include legs  80  that extend from the outer most end of the solar panel assemblies  72  toward the housing  22 . The legs  80  provide additional support so that the slides  76  do not have to support the full weight of the solar panel assemblies  72 . In preferred constructions, the length of each of the legs  80  is adjustable to allow the user to tip the solar panel assemblies  72  as desired. In some constructions, the legs  80  extend from the outer most end of the solar panel assemblies  72  to the ground. 
         [0032]    Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a multi-panel solar deployment device. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.