SELF-POSITIONING CARRIER WITH WIND SAFETY DEVICE FOR SOLAR PANELS

Abstract: Self-positioning solar panel carrier with wind safety device, including an adjustable sensor (23') device for wind force able to transmit a command to said equipment so that the respective panels are horizontally positioned when the wind force exceeds a given limit. The solar panel carrier is further equipped with a four photo-cell (29) device to automatically control the auto-orientation of the panel(s) in the sun direction.

Description: Self-positioning carrier with wind safety device for solar panels. The present invention deals with a self-positioning carrier for 5 solar panels, having a safety device against wind. Different types of solar panel carriers are known at the present state of art. An express reference is made to this end to the Italian application for utility industrial model n° 60512B85 0 filed on 20.12.1985. These types of equipment present the inconvenience of having to be overdimensioned in order to adequately resist against wind as the blowing force cannot be foreseen. It is also known that the respective solar panels, according to their positioning, can present considerable resistance to wind passage, and therefore, even in the case of overdimensioning, it is always possible that in limit conditions the panels may be torn from their hinges and the respective equipment damaged. The scope of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned inconveniences, and to semplify the autodirectioning to the sun. The present innovation, according to the characteristics given in the attached claims, solves the problem by the utilization of a device connected to the panel carrier which involves: - adjustable means to feel the wind force which emits a certain electric signal when the wind force exceeds a given, predetermined limit and which suspends said signal or which is able to emit another one upon ceasing of said condition; - means to receive said signal/s and oblige the respective panels to move from a respective, more or less slanted working position to a horizontal, or approximately horizontal condition, and to restore the working position upon the ceasing of said signal/s or upon receiving another one. The advantages obtained from this solution consist essentially in the fact that the solar panel structure can be installed in all conditions and positions independently of the climatic zone and of the wind conditions in said zone. As to the action of the wind within a certain, predetermined and adjustable limit, the panels will automatically position themselves horizontally, thus opposing a minimum resistance to the wind. Conveniently the panel carrier supports an ortogonal from solar panel/s oriented four photocells in cross partition supported means associated to vertical and orizontal orientation devices to orient the respective solar panel/s in the sun direction. With this solution the structure is very simplified allowing production at low costs. The invention is hereafter explained in more detail with the help of the drawings showing one of the preferential solutions for realization, the execution details of which are not to be held as limiting but only as examples. Figure n° 1 gives a partial view of the solar panel carrying column in axial semi-section so as to visualize the respective orientation devices; Figures noε. 2 and 3 respectively represent the front schematic view in axial and side semi-section of the device which is the wind force sensor and sender of the signal to lower the solar panels; Figures nos. 4,5,6 give schematic side and top views (fig. 6) of the photocell device which activates the respective operation of said orientation device comprising two step motors which determine the positioning of the solar panels depending on the rays of the sun so that the former are perpendicular to the 5 latter. As can be seen from the above-mentioned figures, the invention foresees the use of a column carrying the respective panel carrier structure which comprises a lower upright or semicolumn (1) which bears and is partially covered by a pivoting upper semicolumn (2). The lower column (1) bears a horizontal motor (11) which with gear transmission (10) transmits a slow movement to a horizontal, overhanging shaft (7) mounted on bearings (6) and hermetically closed (5), which by worm screw (7') transmits the ulteriorly reduced movement to a shaft (9) which is upper protruding, vertical positionned and coaxial with the lower semi-column (1) which protrudes further than the head of the lower column (1) to transmit the respective rotating movement to the upper semi-column; all this is born by a drilled flange stock (3) with screws (3 1 ) to a supporting plate (2 1 ) screwed (2") to the head of the lower semi-column (1), the drilled flange stock (3) jutting cylindrically over the head of said lower semi-column (1) so as to be inserted in a thrust bearing (12) and a ring flange obtained from the section in the upper part of the respective lower semi-column (1) to clamp it by a counterflange (13) with screws (13'). Said upper semi-column (2) bears a vertical motor (15) fixed on an axial guide and support (14), having an underneath contact fin (15') which activates a limit and/or reversal switch (16) after a certain angle of rotation. Said upper motor (15) transmits the movement by gears (18) to an ■ --upper, axial shaft (19) which, in turn, transmits the movement by worm screw (19'-20') to a horizontal shaft (20) carrying the solar panel frame, the rotation being controlled by switch (31). 5 The control of the movements of the respective motors for the vertical and horizontal rotation is actuated by the solar orientation control device having four photo-electric cells as in fig. 4,5,6 which is arranged with its axis othogonal to the respective solar panels being above the four photo-electric 10 cells (29), arranged in a cross with vertical and horizontal axis, overhung by a conveniently distanced darkening plate (28) which tends to cover half of the respective photocells in respect to the vertical, activating them in function of a certain angle (a) so that they are able to emit respective 5 impulses in function of the solar rays which activate them, thus comanding the respective horizontal and vertical motors so as to maintain the panels always in a perpendicular position towards the sun. 0 According to the invention, the wind sensor device (fig. 2,3) is arranged by a sliding bar (21) or by clamping flange (27) on the side of the installation. " Said device comprises a bearing structure (22) with a switch (25) which is activated by a spring . pushbutton (24) which, in turn, is activated by an adjustable 5 cam (23') which can be moved by longitudinal adjustment on an axis (23) to which a vane is fixed which is freely self-positioning in vertical towards the bottom. Said vane, depending on the wind force, rotates against the force of gravity which keeps it horizontal; greater rotation will 0 correspond to greater wind force. Therefore, upon adjustment of the cam position (23') the switch (25-25') will be eventually activated and its closure of the circuit will work at least on the motor which determines the horizontal positioning to comand the horizontal rotation of the respective solar panels. The execution details may naturally be varied without altering the invention's field of protection as defined by the characteristics laid out in the attached claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Sel -positioning carrier with safety device against wind for solar panels, characterized in that it includes an adjustable sensor device for wind force which is able to transmit a comand to said equipment so that the respective panel/s is/are horizontally positioned when the wind force exceeds a certain limit. 2. Equipment, as per claim n° 1, characterized in that it comprises: - an adjustable means (23') to feel the wind force (26) which emits a certain electric signal (25) when the wind force exceeds a given value corresponding to a predetermined limit and which suspends said signal or which is able to emit another one upon ceasing of said condition; - a means to receive said signal (15-31) and oblige the respective panels to move from a respective, more or less slanted working position to a horizontal, or approximately horizontal, condition and to restore the working position upon the ceasing of said signal or upon receiving another one. 3. Equipment, as per claim n° 1, characterized in that it comprises: - a column carrying the respective panel carrier structure which comprises a lower semi-column upright (1) which bears a pivoting, upper semi-column (2). The former bears a horizontal motor (11) which with transmission (10) transmits a reduced movement to an overhanging, horizontal shaft (7) which with worm screw (7") transmits an even more reduced movement to a shaft which is vertical and coaxial with the lower semi-column axis (9) which protrudes further than the head of the lower semi-column (1) to transmit the respective rotating movement to the upper semi-column (2) which bears a vertical motor (15) fixed on axial guide and support (14) having means of activation with a certain rotation angle for a limit and/or reversal switch (16), and in which the respective second motor (15) transmits 5 the movement (18) to an upper, axial shaft (19) which, in turn, transmits the reduced movement by a worm screw (19'-20) to a horizontal shaft (20) carrying the solar panel frame, the rotation being controlled by a switch (31). 104. Equipment, as per claim n° 1, characterized in that the movements of the respective motors for the vertical and horizontal rotation are controlled by a device having four photo-electric cells (29) which is arranged with its axis othogonal to the respective solar panel/s, being above the four 5 photo-electric cells (29), arranged in a cross with vertical and horizontal axis, overhung by a conveniently distanced darkening plate (28) which tends to half cover the respective photocells in respect to the vertical, activating them in function of a given angle (a), so that they are able to emit respective 0 impulses in function of the solar rays which activate them, and comanding the respective horizontal and vertical motors in order to keep the panels always positioned towards the sun. 5. Equipment, as per claim n° 1, characterized in that the wind 5 sensor device involves a carrying structure (22) with a switch (25) activated by a spring pushbutton (24) which, in turn, is activated by an adjustable cam (23') to which a vane is fixed which is freely self-positioning in vertical towards the bottom. Said vane turns against the force of gravity which keeps it horizontal depending on the wind force; greater rotation will correspond to greater wind force. Therefore an adjustment of the cam position (23') will eventually activate the switch (25-25'') and its closing of the circuit will work at least on the motor which determines the horizontal positioning to comand the horizontal rotation of the respective solar panels.

Inventors: GOTTARDELLO EGIDIO, GOTTARDELLO, EGIDIO
Applicants: GOTTARDELLO EGIDIO, GOTTARDELLO, EGIDIO
Application year: 1987
Main classification: F24J2
IPC codes: F24J2, G01S3