Solar generator apparatus with elastically restrictive and cable-controlled tracking

A solar generator apparatus includes: a generator module having first to fourth corner portions; a middle column mounted on a fixed structure and pivotally connected to the generator module; first and second winding devices attached to the middle column; first to fourth cables; and first to fourth elastic anchors. The first to fourth cables have first ends respectively connected to the first to fourth corner portions. The first and third cables are wound around the first winding device. The second and fourth cables are wound around the second winding device. The first to fourth elastic anchors are elastically mounted on the fixed structure. The first to fourth cables respectively pass through the first to fourth elastic anchors to form two W-shaped structures. Each elastic anchor includes an elastic member and a restricting member connected in parallel. The restricting member restricts a maximum deformation amount of the elastic member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of No. 106106936 filed in Taiwan R.O.C. on Mar. 3, 2017 under 35 USC 119, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a solar generator apparatus with elastically restrictive and cable-controlled tracking, and more particularly to a solar generator apparatus using a middle column and cables to control a sun-tracking function of a solar generator module.

Description of the Related Art

Usually, a solar generator system is mounted on a building or in a fixed manner, and cannot be adjusted according to the azimuth angle of the sun, so that the received availability of the solar energy is limited. Alternatively, a wind-solar hybrid generator system has a cylinder for supporting a wind power generator, and a solar generator module, which is usually very small and is mounted on the cylinder. Because the middle portion of the solar generator module is directly and slantingly fixed to the cylinder, the solar generator module may be damaged by the strong wind if its area is too large. This is because the structural strength of connection between the cylinder and the solar generator module is insufficient to withstand the strong wind. Alternatively, when an external force is suddenly applied to the solar generator module, the solar generator module tends to be damaged due to the too high rigidity of the solar generator module. Thus, the conventional solar generator system still has to be improved.

On the other hand, if cables are used in conjunction with elastic members, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,476,521 B2, to control the sun-tracking function, the elastic members tend to be damaged by typhoons because the elasticity limit of the elastic member has been exceeded, or the overall solar generator apparatus may be damaged.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a solar generator apparatus for controlling a tracking function of a solar generator module using a middle column and cables to achieve the stable and elastic support.

To achieve the above-identified object, the invention provides a solar generator apparatus with elastically restrictive and cable-controlled tracking. The solar generator apparatus is mounted on a fixed structure and includes a solar generator module, a middle column, first and second winding devices, first to fourth cables and first to fourth elastic anchors. The solar generator module has first to fourth corner portions and converts light into electricity. The middle column has a first end mounted on the fixed structure and a second end pivotally connected to a middle portion of a bottom of the solar generator module, and rotatably supports the solar generator module. The first and second winding devices are attached to the middle column. The first cable has a first end connected to the first corner portion and a second end connected to the first winding device. The first cable is wound around the first winding device. The second cable has a first end connected to the second corner portion and a second end connected to the second winding device. The second cable is wound around the second winding device. The third cable has a first end connected to the third corner portion and a second end connected to the first winding device. The third cable is wound around the first winding device. The fourth cable has a first end connected to the fourth corner portion and a second end connected to the second winding device. The fourth cable is wound around the second winding device. An angle of the solar generator module is adjusted by rotating one or both of the first winding device and the second winding device. The first to fourth elastic anchors are elastically mounted on the fixed structure and correspond to the first to fourth corner portions, respectively. The first to fourth cables pass through the first to fourth elastic anchors, respectively, to form two W-shaped structures, one or each of the first to fourth elastic anchors includes an elastic member and a restricting member connected in parallel, and the restricting member restricts a maximum deformation amount of the elastic member.

Accordingly, the solar generator apparatus with elastically restrictive and cable-controlled tracking according to the invention can have the stable, elastic and restrictive support and sun-tracking effects, is thus suitable for the large generator application, can be rotated and moved with multiple degrees of freedom to track the sun, can resist the strong wind and can be adapted to various applications to effectively enhance the received availability of the solar energy and reduce the damage rate of the solar generator apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following term “connection” includes, without limitation to, direct connection or indirect connection.

FIGS. 1 and 2are schematic illustrations showing two states of a solar generator apparatus1according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.FIG. 3is a pictorial view showing the solar generator apparatus1according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, the solar generator apparatus1with elastically restrictive and cable-controlled tracking according to the preferred embodiment of the invention is mounted on a fixed structure2, and includes a solar generator module10, a middle column20, first and second winding devices31and32, a first cable50, a second cable60, a third cable55, a fourth cable65, and first to fourth elastic anchors41to44. It is to be noted that the first and second winding devices31and32inFIGS. 1 and 2are depicted in the simplified manner so as not to cloud the features of the invention. In addition, the first to fourth cables are not directly connected together, and the cable may also be referred to as a connection wire, especially a steel cable. The fixed structure2includes, for example but without limitation to, the ground, building, metal base or the like.

The solar generator module10converts light into electricity, and has first to fourth corner portions11to14. The first to fourth corner portions11to14need not to be four corners of the solar generator module10, and may be the portions near the four corners thereof.

The middle column20for rotatably supporting the solar generator module10has a first end21mounted on the fixed structure2, and a second end22pivotally connected to a middle portion10M of a bottom10B of the solar generator module10. The middle portion10M is preferably located at or near a center of gravity of the solar generator module10. However, the invention is not particularly restricted thereto. The second end22of the middle column20is pivotally connected to the middle portion10M of the bottom10B of the solar generator module10through a universal joint25. The universal joint25includes a ball and a spherical concave portion working in conjunction with the ball, and is well known in the art, so detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. As a result, the solar generator module10may be rotated freely about the universal joint25, and the user can easily adjust the arrangement or position angle of the solar generator module10to track the sun. The middle column20is retractable in length, but may also have the fixed length. Rotating the first/second winding device31/32can change the lengths of the portions of the first/second cable50/60on two sides of the first/second winding device31/32, and thus change the angle of the solar generator module10.

The first and second winding devices31,32are attached to the middle column20. It is to be noted that the first and second winding devices31,32are movably disposed on or in the middle column20so that the levels of the first and second winding devices31,32can be adjusted by the mechanism, including a pinion and a rack working in conjunction with each other, a nut and a screw rod working in conjunction with each other, or the like. Because the mechanism is well known in the art, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The first and second winding devices31,32may be manual or electrical winding devices. The first and second winding devices31,32may be accommodated within the middle column20or disposed on the external surface of the middle column20without any restrictive purpose.

The first cable50has a first end51connected to the first corner portion11and a second end52connected to the first winding device31. The first cable50is wound around the first winding device31.

The second cable60has a first end61connected to the second corner portion12and a second end62connected to the second winding device32. The second cable60is wound around the second winding device32.

The third cable55has a first end56connected to the third corner portion13and a second end57connected to first winding device31, and the third cable55is wound around the first winding device31.

The fourth cable65has a first end66connected to the fourth corner portion14and a second end67connected to the second winding device32, and the fourth cable65is wound around the second winding device32. The position angle of the solar generator module10may be adjusted by rotating one or both of the first winding device31and the second winding device32to achieve the elastic sun-tracking effect and increase the power generation efficiency.

Each of the first to fourth elastic anchors41to44includes an elastic member81and a restricting member82connected in parallel, and thus may be referred to as an elastically restrictive anchor. The restricting member82restricts a maximum deformation amount of the elastic member81, and may also be referred to as a length restricting member. It is worth noting that although each of the first to fourth elastic anchors41to44in the preferred embodiment includes the elastic member81and the restricting member82, the function of the invention can be achieved as long as one or each of two or three of the first to fourth elastic anchors41to44includes the elastic member81and the restricting member82, so the invention is not restricted thereto. The first to fourth elastic anchors41to44are elastically mounted on the fixed structure2, and correspond to the first to fourth corner portions11to14. The first cable50, the second cable60, the third cable55and the fourth cable65pass through the first elastic anchor41, the second elastic anchor42, the third elastic anchor43and the fourth elastic anchor44, respectively, to form two W-shaped structures. Rotating the first/second winding device31/32can change the lengths of the portions of the cables on two sides of the first/second winding device31/32, and thus change the angle of the solar generator module10. The two W structures can make the overall structure of the solar generator apparatus1become stabler, and the solar generator apparatus1cannot be easily damaged by the external force, caused by the strong wind or earthquakes.

In addition, the solar generator apparatus1may further include multiple buffer assemblies70, which can retractably connect the middle column20to the solar generator module10to assist in supporting and buffering the solar generator module10, to which the external force is applied. The buffer assembly70includes, for example, an oil cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder or any other assembly which can provide the effect of buffering the large external force, applied to or exerted on the solar generator module10, so that the damage can be reduced.

FIGS. 4 and 5are top views showing two examples of the solar generator module10according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, the solar generator module10includes a frame15and multiple solar panels16. The frame15is connected to the first cable50, the second cable60, the third cable55, the fourth cable65and the middle column20. The solar panels16are mounted on the frame15and arranged in an array, and are electrically connected together in parallel and/or in series. The difference betweenFIGS. 4 and 5resides in that the positions of the first corner portion11and the second corner portion12are defined differently so that the four cables ofFIG. 5have the paths different from those ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6is a top view showing the solar panel16of the solar generator apparatus1according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 6, each solar panel16includes multiple solar cells17connected in parallel and/or in series. The solar cell17may be a single-crystal solar cell, a polycrystalline solar cell, a film solar cell or any other type of solar cell.

FIG. 7is a block diagram showing connections between the solar generator module10and the first and second winding devices31,32according to each embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 7, the first and second winding devices31,32are electrical winding devices powered by the solar generator module10, a battery or the supply mains.

FIG. 8is a schematic view showing another embodiment of an elastic anchor ofFIG. 3. Referring toFIG. 8, one or each of the first to fourth elastic anchors41to44further includes a fixing assembly83, a first linking assembly84, a second linking assembly85and a guide member86. The fixing assembly83is fixed to the fixed structure2. The first linking assembly84is rotatably linked or connected to the fixing assembly83. The elastic member81and the restricting member82link the first linking assembly84to the second linking assembly85. The guide member86is rotatably linked or connected to the second linking assembly85. One of the first to fourth cables50,60,55and65corresponding to the guide member86is connected to the guide member86and is turned from one direction to another direction by the guide member86.

The first linking assembly84and the second linking assembly85may be shackles each having a U-shaped structure. The first linking assembly84is connected to the elastic member81and the restricting member82through a pin P. The second linking assembly85is connected to the guide member86through another pin P. Cross sections C of the first linking assembly84and the second linking assembly85represent the bottoms of the U-shaped structures hooking the elastic member81and the fixing assembly83, respectively.

In this embodiment, the guide member86is a pulley, and each of the first to fourth cables is a steel cable. The elastic member81is a tension spring, and the restricting member82passes through a hollow space of the tension spring. The restricting member82is a metal chain having links hooking together. These links can be accommodated within the inner space of the tension spring in a loosen state.

In addition, the metal chain has a first section82A and a second section82B, the first section82A restricts the maximum deformation amount of the elastic member81, and the second section82B does not restrict the maximum deformation amount of the elastic member81and is provided for the length adjustment. In order to prevent the second section82B from moving, the second section82B of the metal chain may also be fixed to the fixed structure2to provide the assistant fixing function. That is, the second section82B, the fixing assembly83and the first linking assembly84may cooperate with one another to provide the more reliable way to resist the strong wind that may cause the damage.

FIGS. 9 to 11are a pictorial view, a schematic front view and a schematically partial cross-sectional view, respectively, showing another embodiment of a first winding device ofFIG. 3. Referring toFIGS. 9 to 11, the first winding device includes a first drive wheel33. In still another embodiment, the first winding device may further include a motor for driving the first drive wheel33. The first drive wheel33includes a first winding groove34and a third winding groove35for accommodating the first cable50and the third cable55, respectively. The first winding groove34and the third winding groove35are separated from each other by a separation flange36C. In this embodiment, the first cable50and the third cable55are always in tensile states without loosen states, so the first cable50and the third cable55provide a first resultant force F, passing through a shaft hole33S of the first drive wheel33, to the first drive wheel33. In order to achieve this effect, the first cable50and the third cable55only can be reversely twined around the first winding groove34and the third winding groove35, respectively, in a radially stacked manner to maintain the tensile extents of both the first cable50and the third cable55. Because circumference surfaces34C and35C of the bottoms of the first winding groove34and the third winding groove35have the same dimension, the length of the first cable50twined around the first winding groove34is equal to the length of the third cable55twined around the third winding groove35. In addition, the radially stacked manner makes the cables be twined and released synchronously to effectively maintain the tensile states of the cables and prevent the cables from getting loose and being moved by the strong wind with the huge displacement to impact and damage other members. Thus, although the winding groove inFIG. 11is a V-shaped groove, its maximum dimension is preferably smaller than a double of the diameter of the cable, is more preferably smaller than 1.8 times of the diameter of the cable, and is most preferably smaller than 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 or 1.6 times of the diameter of the cable.

In order to facilitate the installation of the cables on site, the second end52of the first cable50is fit with and fixed to a first fitting groove37of a first lateral flange or rim36of the first winding groove34, and the second end57of the third cable55is fit with and fixed to a third fitting groove39of a third lateral flange or rim38of the third winding groove35, wherein the first fitting groove37and the third fitting groove39are reversely C-shaped, and the dimensions of the opening sections37A and39A of the first fitting groove37and the third fitting groove39are greater than the dimensions of the closing sections37B and39B of the first fitting groove37and the third fitting groove39. Because the tail end of the cable is typically closed to form a larger head, the larger head can fix the cable to the fitting groove.

FIG. 12is a schematic front view showing another embodiment of a second winding device ofFIG. 3. Referring toFIG. 12, the second winding device32includes a second drive wheel33′, which includes a second winding groove34′ and a fourth winding groove35′ for receiving or accommodating the second cable60and the fourth cable65, respectively. The second cable60and the fourth cable65provide a second resultant force F′, passing through a shaft hole33S′ of the second drive wheel33′, to the second drive wheel33′. The second cable60and the fourth cable65only can be reversely twined around the second winding groove34′ and the fourth winding groove35′ in a radially stacked manner to maintain the tensile extents of both of the second cable60and the fourth cable65. The second drive wheel and the first drive wheel may have similar structures.

Thus, the second end62of the second cable60is fit with and fixed to a second fitting groove37′ of a second lateral flange36′ of the second winding groove34′, and the second end67of the fourth cable65is fit with and fixed to a fourth fitting groove39′ of a fourth lateral flange38′ of the fourth winding groove35′, wherein the second fitting groove37′ and the fourth fitting groove39′ are reversely C-shaped, and the dimensions of the opening sections37A′ and39A′ of the second fitting groove37′ and the fourth fitting groove39′ are greater than the dimensions of the closing sections37B′ and39B′ of the second fitting groove37′ and the fourth fitting groove39′.

Accordingly, the solar generator apparatus with elastically restrictive and cable-controlled tracking according to the invention can have the stable, elastic and restrictive support and sun-tracking effects, is thus suitable for the large generator application, can be rotated and moved with multiple degrees of freedom to track the sun, can resist the strong wind and can be adapted to various applications to effectively enhance the received availability of the solar energy and reduce the damage rate of the solar generator apparatus.