Abstract:
A transportable, self-contained, solar power system comprised of a plurality of individual solar power arrays, each array being contained within a transportable frame. Each array is folded into a frame during transportation. Upon reaching a desired location, the frame is positioned at a desired location. The frame then acts as a base while its solar power array is activated and deployed. The array has the capability of tracking the position of the sun during deployment. Each frame has a global positioning system (GPS) and a controller containing a chart of sun locations for a given location. The controller positions a frame&#39;s solar array to maximize the array&#39;s exposure to the sun. Each frame has a battery system, enabling a frame&#39;s solar array to self-start after a period of darkness.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Applicant claims the priority benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/214,306, filed Apr. 22, 2009. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of solar energy and, in particular, to a transportable, self-contained, solar power system. 
     Mobile power supplies, operated with liquid fuels, are used in areas where conventional, electric power is unavailable or to supplement available electric power. Examples of this are areas where environmental and/or weather conditions have interrupted or destroyed conventional power grids. Other examples are undeveloped areas, remote areas, or sparsely populated areas without electric power or with limited available power, industrial applications, and military deployments. Prior art mobile power supplies are primarily limited by the fuel necessary for operation. The fuel may be either unavailable, untransportable or too dangerous to be supplied to a desired site. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the limitations of prior art mobile power supplies by providing a transportable, self-contained, solar power system comprised of a plurality of individual solar power arrays, each array being contained within a transportable frame. Each array is folded into a frame during transportation. Upon reaching a desired location, the frame is positioned at a desired location, leveled and anchored. The frame then acts as a base while its solar power array is activated and deployed. If, during deployment, weather or environmental conditions become severe, the array may be folded back into its frame until conditions improve. The array has the capability of tracking the position of the sun during deployment. Each frame has a global positioning system (GPS) and a controller containing a chart of sun locations for a given location. The controller positions a frame&#39;s solar array to maximize the array&#39;s exposure to the sun. Each frame has a battery system, enabling a frame&#39;s solar array to self-start after a period of darkness. 
     Power requirements for a given location can be met by a single or plurality of frames. Each frame provides between 2800 and 3600 watts of power. Where a plurality of frames are desired, the arrays may be electrically and electronically ganged together. Each frame is sized to fit on a flat bed trailer or within a cargo container. Where possible the use of a tractor trailer or tractor train provides transportation to a desired site along with a desired number of frames. Where road transportation is difficult or impossible, or the distances involved are substantial, cargo containers may be transported by boat, airplane, helicopter, or the like, to the actual desired location or a nearby location for truck transport to the actual desired site. Up to seven frames may fit on a conventional flat bed trailer, and up to fourteen on a conventional tractor train. Up to five frames may fit within a conventional cargo container. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a plurality of frames on a gooseneck trailer hauled by a pickup. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a tractor train with a plurality of frames on flat bed trailers hauled by a tractor trailer. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view thereof. 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a plurality of frames within a containerized cargo container. 
         FIG. 6  is side view thereof. 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of a uni-tracker array in a closed position for trailer distribution. 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the uni-tracker of  FIG. 7  in an open deployed position. 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the uni-tracker of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the uni-tracker of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of a uni-tracker array in a closed position for shipping container distribution. 
         FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of the uni-tracker of  FIG. 11  in an open deployed position. 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the uni-tracker of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the uni-tracker of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of the uni-tracker motor system. 
         FIG. 16  is a top plan view of a dual tracker array in a closed position for trailer distribution. 
         FIG. 17  is a top perspective view of the dual tracker of  FIG. 16  in an open deployed position. 
         FIG. 18  is a front view of the dual tracker of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 19  is a front view of the dual tracker of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 20  is a top plan view of a dual tracker array in a closed position for shipping container distribution. 
         FIG. 21  is a top perspective view of the dual tracker array of  FIG. 20  in an open deployed position. 
         FIG. 22  is a front view of the dual tracker of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 23  is a front view of the dual tracker of  21 . 
         FIG. 24  is a top view of the dual tracker motor system. 
         FIG. 25  is a diagram of the electrical system for either the uni-tracker or dual tracker arrays. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like elements are indicated by like numerals, there are illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a trailer unit  10  hauled by a pickup truck  12 . The trailer unit  10  contains a plurality of array frames  5 .  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a tractor train comprised of a tractor trailer  14  and a towed trailer  16 . The tractor trailer  14  and towed trailed  16  contain a plurality of array frames  5 .  FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a tractor trailer  14  supporting a cargo container  18  holding a plurality of array frames  5 . 
     The array frames  5  are of two basic types, uni-tracker  20  and dual tracker  50 . A uni-tracker array frame  20  is comprised of a frame  21  containing a solar panel array  30  joined to the frame  21  by means of a positioning apparatus  40  adapted to lift the solar panel array  30  above the frame and rotate the solar panel array  30  about a single longitudinal axis. A dual tracker array frame  50  is comprised of a frame  51  containing a solar panel array  70  joined to the frame  51  by means of a positioning apparatus  80  adapted to lift the solar panel array  70  above the frame and rotate the solar panel array  70  about two axes. Each basic array frame type  20  and  50  is also constructed in one of two versions having different frame dimensions. One set of dimensions is adapted to fit onto a trailer  10 ,  14 ,  16  of conventional size meeting government specifications for road travel. The other set of dimensions is adapted to fit into a conventional cargo container  18 . 
     Referring more particularly to  FIGS. 7-15 , there is shown a single, uni-tracker array frame  20 .  FIGS. 7-10  illustrate a uni-tracker array frame version adapted to fit onto a trailer.  FIGS. 11-14  illustrate a uni-tracker array frame version adapted to fit into a cargo container.  FIG. 15  further illustrates the positioning apparatus  40  adapted for use with either uni-tracker version. 
     The uni-tracker array frame  21  is rectangular in shape and has two, opposite, long side bars  22  terminating in two, opposite, short side bars  23 . The short side bars  23  define a frame longitudinal axis. The long side bars  22  define a frame transverse axis. The frame  21  has a top  24  and a bottom  25 . One long side bar  22 ′ is defined as the frame front and the other long side bar  22  as the frame rear. The uni-tracker frame  21  has three transverse slots contained therein. The first slot  26  contains right side positioning apparatus  40 ′ and is positioned adjacent the uni-tracker frame right short side bar  23 ′, extending from long side bar  22  to long side bar  22 ′. The second slot  27  contains uni-tracker electric and electronic wiring means  90  and is positioned adjacent the uni-tracker frame left short side bar  23 , extending from long side bar  22  to long side bar  22 ′. The third slot  28  contains left side positioning apparatus  40  and is positioned adjacent the second slot  27  and extends from long side bar  22  to long side bar  22 ′. The second slot  27  has a solid floor  29  on the frame bottom  25  fixedly attached to each long side bar  22 ,  22 ′ and an adjacent short bar  23 . 
     The right and left side positioning apparatus  40 ,  40 ′ are each comprised of a scissors jack  41  of known construction. Each scissor jack  41  has a base portion  42  fixedly attached to the transverse sides  39  within the scissor jack respective slots  26 ,  28 . Each scissor jack  41  has an upper portion  43  supporting a cylindrical motor housing  38  engaging an elongated hollow rod  35 , said rod  35  interconnecting both scissors jacks  41  and having a longitudinal axis parallel to the frame longitudinal axis. Each scissor jack  41  has a scissors-like linkage means  44  connecting the base and upper portions  42 ,  43 . Each scissors jack  41  includes a first member  45  forming one of the linkage pivot connections, said first member  45  also threadingly receiving a jack operating screw  47 . The screw  47  rotatably extends through a second member  46 , opposite the first member  45 , which forms another pivot point for the linkage  44 . One end of the screw  47  terminates in a jack actuator comprised of a cylindrical electric motor/gear box  48  attached to a mounting bracket  49 . 
     As stated above the uni-tracker array frame  20  is comprised of a frame  21  containing a solar panel array  30  joined to the frame  21  by means of a positioning apparatus  40  adapted to lift the solar panel array  30  above the frame and rotate the solar panel array  30  about a single longitudinal axis. The solar panel array is comprised of a double row of solar panels  31  interconnected to the said elongated rod  35 . The panels  31  have a generally rectangular shape and are positioned so that their longitudinal axes are parallel to the transverse axis of the frame  21 . Each panel  31  is fixedly attached to a support arm  34  which runs perpendicular to and is fixedly attached to the elongated rod  35 . The panels  31  are arranged so that they all lie in the same plane. The elongated rod  35  is attached to the internal rotating component of an in-line, planetary-geared motor within the cylindrical motor housing  38  wherein the rod  35  is adapted to being turned thereby axially rotating the array of panels about the elongated rod longitudinal axis. 
     As stated above, the dimensions of the frame  21  determine whether the uni-tracker  20  is adapted to fit onto a trailer or into a conventional cargo container. The uni-tracker  20  illustrated in  FIGS. 7-10  is designed to fit onto a trailer.  FIGS. 11-14  illustrate a uni-tracker  20  adapted to fit into a cargo container. The frame  21  for a cargo container must be narrower, i.e., the short bars  23  dimensionally less. The positioning apparatus  40  remains the same in design and function but are sized smaller to adapt to the shorter width of the frame. However, the arrangement of solar panels  31  must be changed. For the cargo container version of the uni-tracker, the solar panels  31  are positioned so that their longitudinal axes are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame  21 . Each panel  31  is fixedly attached to a support arm  34  along a panel short side  32 . The support arms  34  run perpendicular to and are fixedly attached to the elongated rod  35 . See  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
     Referring more particularly to  FIGS. 16-24 , there is shown a dual tracker array frame  50 .  FIGS. 16-19  illustrate a dual tracker array frame  50  version adapted to fit onto a trailer.  FIGS. 20-23  illustrate a dual tracker array frame  50  version adapted to fit into a cargo container.  FIG. 24  illustrates the positioning apparatus  80  adapted for use with either dual tracker version. 
     The dual tracker array frame  51  is rectangular in shape and has two, opposite, long side bars  52  terminating in two, opposite, short side bars  53 . The short side bars  53  define a frame longitudinal axis. The long side bars  52  define a frame transverse axis. The frame  51  has a top  54  and a bottom  55 . One long side bar  52 ′ is defined as the frame front and the other long side bar  52  as the frame rear. The frame  51  has one or more transverse braces  56  fixedly interconnecting the frame front  52 ′ and rear  52 . Two support struts  57 , one each fixedly attached to a long side bar  52 , terminate at the transverse brace  56 . The dual tracker frame  51  also has a box  60  with a closed top pivotally attached to the long side bars  52  near to one of the short side bars  53  by means of support arms  62  fixedly attached to the box  60 . The box  60  contains a portion of the dual tracker positioning apparatus  80  as well as system electrical and electronics means  90 . 
     The dual tracker solar panel array  70  is comprised of two segments, a proximal segment  71  and a distal segment  72 . Each segment  71 ,  72  is comprised of a double row of solar panels  73  interconnected to a central rod assembly  76 . Each panel  73  has a generally rectangular shape and is positioned so that its longitudinal axis is parallel to the transverse axis of the frame  51 . Each panel  73  is fixedly attached to the central rod assembly  76  by a slotted arm  79  along a panel long side  74 . The panels  73  for each segment  71 ,  72  are arranged so that they lie in the same segment plane. 
     The central rod assembly  76  is comprised of two concentric tubes, an outer square tube  77  with the proximal segment panels  73  attached thereto, and an interior round tube  78  extending out of the outer tube  77  and having the distal segment panels  73  attached thereto. The central rod assembly  76  is seated on a bearing plate  61  fixedly set within the frame box  60 , and extends in the general direction of the frame central longitudinal axis. 
     The positioning apparatus  80  is comprised in part of a motor  81  located in the frame box  60 . The motor  81  is attached by means of a transmission/gear box  82  to an electric actuator shaft  83 . The electric actuator shaft  83  has a longitudinal axis parallel to the frame transverse axis. The electric actuator shaft  83  terminates in a rack and pinion gear assembly  84  operatively attached to the central rod assembly inner tube  78 . The positioning apparatus  80  is further comprised of two electric motors  85  attached to the frame transverse brace  56 . The two motors  85  drive two actuator shafts  86  extending from the transverse brace  56  and terminating at the central rod assembly outer tube  77 . 
     The central rod assembly  76  is adapted to being raised and lowered by the motor-driven actuator shafts  86  changing the angular orientation of the solar panel array  70  along the longitudinal axis of the frame  51 . The central rod assembly inner tube  78  is adapted being rotated by the electric actuator shaft  83  thereby axially rotating the distal segment array of panels  73  about the central rod assembly longitudinal axis. 
     As stated above, the dimensions of the frame  51  determine whether the dual tracker  50  is adapted to fit onto a trailer or into a conventional cargo container. The dual tracker  50  illustrated in  FIGS. 16-19  is designed to fit onto a trailer.  FIGS. 20-23  illustrate a dual tracker  50  adapted to fit into a cargo container. The frame  51  for a cargo container must be narrower, i.e., the short bars  53  dimensionally less. The positioning apparatus  80  remains the same, however the arrangement of solar panels  73  must be changed. For the cargo container version of the dual tracker, the solar panels  73  are positioned so that their longitudinal axes are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame  51 . Each panel  73  is fixedly attached to a support arm  79  along a panel short side  75 , said support arm being fixedly attached to the central rod assembly  76 . 
     Referring more particularly to  FIG. 25 , there is shown a schematic diagram illustrating the electrical and electronic means  90  used with both the uni-tracker and dual tracker arrays  20 ,  50 . The solar panels  31 ,  73  in the arrays provide a DC output to a charge controller  92 . A DC disconnect  91  is also provided whereby the electrical and electronic means  90  may be isolated from the solar panel output. The charge controller  92  initially directs a DC charging voltage to one or more batteries  93 . An external source input means  94  may be provided to initially charge the batteries  93 . A portion of the DC output from the charge controller  92  is provided to a DC-AC converter  95 . A system monitor  96  and AC meter  97  may also be provided. The output from the DC-AC converter  95  is provided to a main AC panel  98 . An optional, local AC backup generator is represented at  99 . A portion of the AC output may be provided to or from a utility grid  100 , said utility grid transmission measured by an AC net meter  101 . 
     Each uni-tracker  20  and dual tracker  50  is controlled by a system controller  105 . The system controller  105  provides, in part, a GPS function determining the precise location of a particular tracker. The system controller  105  contains tables in storage that determines the exact location of the sun during the day and month for that particular location. The system controller provides commands to the positioning apparatus  40 ,  80  lifting, lowering and turning the solar panel arrays  30 ,  70  to maximize the gathering of solar energy. In case of severe weather or environmental conditions, the system controller may be manually, automatically or remotely commanded to fold down all tracker solar arrays into their respective frames. The charged batteries provide means to restart the solar energy gathering process. In case of total battery discharge, an external charging voltage  94  may be provided to the system, e.g., from a truck battery or other generator. In larger systems where a number of arrays are ganged together, one system controller may be assigned to multiple arrays, as may battery backup and the like. 
     It is understood that the above-described embodiment is merely illustrative of the application. Other embodiments may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.