Patent Publication Number: US-2018050784-A1

Title: Mobile artificial cloud

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to mobile artificial clouds. More specifically, the invention relates to a mobile formation of horizontally extending panels which are elevated above the ground for providing shade, and which can be formed of, laminated with, or covered by, thin and light photovoltaic flexible cells or any such product which would convert solar energy to electrical energy (electricity) for distribution through an electrical grid. The panels can take the form of gas-filled, flattened, large balloons, or sheets of material that may be elevated by balloons or releasably connected to fixed structures. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many areas of the world are subjected to high temperatures and significant sun exposure. For example, in Middle Eastern countries, daily high temperatures can reach almost 50 degrees Celsius, with average daily highs of more than 30 degrees Celsius. On average, there may be more than 3,500 hours of sunshine a year. This amount of sunshine, combined with the high temperatures, can make life uncomfortable for those exposed to it. In these areas, people would benefit from increased shade, which would assist in lowering the ambient temperature. At the same time, the sunshine is a readily available source of energy. With global population continuing to rise, new sources of energy are constantly being developed to meet the rising need for energy. Particular focus has been directed towards new, environmentally-friendly ways to generate electricity. Historically, electricity was generated through fossil fuel burning stations or nuclear facilities. More environmentally-friendly alternatives include hydroelectric plants; however, these require the availability of suitable waterways, which are not always available in many parts of the world. 
     More recently, attention has been focused on wind, wave, and solar alternatives. Large wind turbines have been developed, as have solar farms where large-scale photovoltaic systems supply power into the electricity grid. These solar farms are ground-mounted, with the solar arrays typically fixed-tilt or tracking (in either single or dual axes). Because they are ground-mounted, they require and occupy large areas of vacant land. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a mobile artificial cloud providing shade. 
     It is a further object of some embodiments of the invention to equip the artificial cloud with photovoltaic systems so as to harness the sun&#39;s energy for use. 
     Further objects of the invention will be apparent from detailed description and claims. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a mobile artificial cloud comprising a mobile formation of horizontally extending panels which are elevated above the ground for providing shade. The panels can take the form of gas-filled, flattened, large balloons, or sheets of material that may be elevated by balloons or releasably connected to fixed structures. Furthermore, the panels can be formed of, laminated with, or covered by, panels of thin and light photovoltaic flexible cells or any such product which would convert solar energy to electrical energy (electricity) for distribution through an electrical grid. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, a mobile cloud system comprises a plurality of panels elevated above ground level. Each of the plurality of panels comprises either a balloon or a sheet of flexible material, with adjacent ones of the panels being interconnected to form a generally horizontally-extending grid pattern. The mobile cloud system also comprises one or more anchors and one or more cables extending between the anchors and the plurality of panels. 
     The cables may extend from one or more points on a perimeter of the plurality of panels. The anchors are located exterior to a footprint of the plurality of panels. The balloons may be inflated with a gas lighter than air. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, the mobile cloud system also comprises a frame structure extending around at least one of the panels. One or more frame connectors attach the frame structure to the at least one panel. The frame structure may be made of a material capable of some flex. 
     In yet another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the sheets of flexible material comprises a film of one or more photovoltaic cells. Furthermore, at least one of the balloons may also comprise a film of one or more photovoltaic cells affixed to a surface of the balloon. 
     The plurality of panels is tethered to the ground through the anchors, with the plurality of panels being elevated above ground level by the balloons. 
     Alternatively, the plurality of panels may be tethered to one or more elevated structures on the ground. In one embodiment, the elevated structures are distributed around an upper surface of a stadium. 
     Furthermore, the anchors may be located along one or more sides of a roadway, pedestrian walkway, or rail track, with the plurality of panels being elevated above the corresponding roadway, pedestrian walkway, or rail track. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, one or more of the plurality of panels comprises one or more light-emitting device. The light-emitting device may be a light-emitting diode (LED). The light-emitting device(s) may be solar-powered. 
     In still another embodiment of the invention, one or more of the plurality of panels comprises one or more cameras. The camera(s) may be solar-powered. 
     The mobile cloud system may also comprise a propulsion system connected to at least one of the plurality of panels. The propulsion system may comprise a propeller. The propeller may be solar-powered and/or remote-controlled. Alternatively, the propulsion system may comprise a zeppelin and/or a drone. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the mobile cloud system comprises advertising material on one or more of said plurality of panels. The advertising material may appear on a bottom surface of said panels. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, a method for generating shade comprises laying a plurality of panels on the ground in a horizontal pattern, wherein at least one of the panels comprises a balloon in an uninflated state. Adjacent ones of said plurality of panels are then interconnected, and at least one of the panels is tethered to the ground using one or more cables. The balloon is inflated with a gas lighter than air, allowing the plurality of panels to elevate above ground. A length of cable is extended such that the plurality of panels is elevated to a desired elevation. 
     The plurality of panels may be moved using a propulsion system connected to at least one of the plurality of panels. 
     The foregoing was intended as a summary only and of only some of the aspects of the invention. It was not intended to define the limits or requirements of the invention. Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiments. Moreover, this summary should be read as though the claims were incorporated herein for completeness. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a top view of an embodiment of a mobile cloud system according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the mobile cloud system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of an embodiment of an individual cloud shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a mobile cloud system according to the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the mobile cloud system shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view showing a pair of individual clouds connected to one another; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of a mobile cloud system according to the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a further alterative embodiment of a mobile cloud system; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the mobile cloud system shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of a mobile cloud system; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a mobile cloud system installed over a stadium; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a mobile cloud system installed over a highway and metro station. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings. The drawings, which are not to scale, depict illustrative embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     The preferred embodiment of a mobile artificial cloud system  10  according to the invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . The mobile cloud system  10  is preferably comprised of a plurality of individual clouds  12  in the form of horizontally extended panels. Individual clouds or panels  12  are preferably either a gas-filled balloon  14  or a sheet  16  of material. Preferably, the balloons  14  are in the form of large flattened balloons  14 , such that their lengths and widths are much greater than their heights. The balloons  14  may be made of similar material as those found in conventional weather balloons. The sheets  16  can be made of any suitable material of sufficient strength. Preferably, the material is lightweight. Examples of appropriate materials include a plastic composite or the like. The material may also be perforated (or micro-perforated) to allow for some air to pass through the sheets  16  when there are heavy winds. This could prevent the sheets  16  from being tossed about and would help the sheets  16  in adjusting positions during flight. 
     In another embodiment, the sheets  16  may be formed from wind barrier nets or wind protection netting (similar to those used for plants). Such materials can block a significant portion of any wind passing through them, which may help in providing lift to the clouds  12  and in avoiding turbulence. 
     The sheets  16  may be surrounded by and connected to a substantially rigid frame  18 . 
     While not required in all circumstances, it is also contemplated that the balloons  14  could be surrounded by and connected to the frame  18 . The frame  18  can be manufactured from any suitable material such as a composite plastic or the like. Preferably, this material is light, strong, and capable of some flex (for example, like a pole vault pole or the wings of an aircraft like the Airbus A380 or the solar impulse plane). In addition, the frame  18 , and the respective individual clouds  12  connected thereto, can take any shape desired, whether oval, rectangle, square, circle, or other. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the individual clouds  12  are preferably connected to the frame  18  via frame connectors  7 . The frame connectors  7  may be cords, cables, heavy-duty steel links, or the like, and they serve to hold the individual clouds  12  rigidly in place within the frame  18 . The frame  18  can also be in the form of a number of a skeletal frame-like structures (such as in a honeycomb format as shown in  FIG. 6 ), which would make it very light and easy to add any fabric or material to it, such as photovoltaic (PV) cell fabric. Such skeletal frame-like structures may include one or more hinges  13  to allow for folding and unfolding of the structures for transport. One or more of such units could also form a cloud  12 . The frame  18  may also be equipped with a rubber surface or rubber or impact absorbing spacers along its outer edge to absorb any contact with adjacent frames  18 . 
     A plurality of individual clouds  12  may be interconnected with connectors  8 , such as parachute cords, steel cables, heavy duty steel links or hinges, or the like, either from the edges or through cleats along the sides or other suitable connection system. The individual clouds  12  are tethered to each other in order to form the generally horizontally extending mobile artificial cloud system  10 . The ultimate size and shape of the mobile artificial cloud system  10  can be varied as desired for any given application. In addition, a given mobile cloud system  10  can be comprised of either a plurality of sheets  16 , or a plurality of balloons  14 , or any combination of the two. For example, in  FIG. 1 , balloons  14  are located in the corners and the center of the mobile cloud system  10 , with sheets  16  comprising the remaining panels. For a mobile cloud system  10  comprised primarily of sheets  16 , larger external balloons  14  may be connected to provide the desired lift to the mobile cloud system  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     Once aloft, the mobile cloud system  10  can be maneuvered to a desired location to provide shade and anchored in place. As shown in  FIGS. 2, 5, 7, and 8 , the mobile cloud system  10  may be tethered to the ground so as to both set a given height for the cloud system  10  and to limit horizontal movement. This can be accomplished in a number of ways depending on the use being made of the cloud system  10  and the location. For example, the mobile cloud system  10  may be tethered to a portable telescopic tower (e.g. mobile masts used in cellular telephone systems). Such telescopic towers may be moved from one location to another and can be of various heights. 
     When tethered to the ground via one or more cables  20 , the cables  20  need to be connected in a suitable pattern to limit movement of the mobile cloud system  10  in the horizontal plane. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , with a simple rectangular cloud system  10 , cables  20  extending from the plurality of clouds  12 , preferably from points along the perimeter and possibly at an angle, are connected to one or more ground anchors  22 . The angle used may be dependent on wind conditions. Furthermore, the angle is not necessarily fixed and may be subject to change, depending on the atmospheric conditions. Although the tethering limits movement of the mobile cloud system  10 , some movement may be allowed in order to reduce the stress on the cables  20  and the ground anchors  22 . 
     However, the cables  20  may also extend from any other suitable point from the plurality of clouds  12 . The ground anchors  22  are preferably positioned outside the (horizontal) extended rectangular footprint of the plurality of clouds  12 . Depending on the size of the cloud system  10  and the number of individual clouds  12 , additional tethers may be required in order to maintain the horizontal orientation; for example, in  FIG. 2 , an additional ground anchor  22  is tethered (through cable  20 ) to one of the balloons  14  located proximate to the middle of the cloud system  10 . 
     Ground anchors  22  may take the form of a suitable weight or hook anchored to the ground, or they may be a free-standing structure. The free-standing structure could take the form of a pylon specifically erected for connection with a mobile cloud  10  or a pre-existing structure such as a lamp post, building, or other fixed structure having a portion elevated above ground level to which the mobile cloud system  10  can be anchored. Connecting to a fixed structure allows the mobile cloud system  10  to be held firmly in its extended horizontally extending form. 
     The orientation of a given cloud can also be controlled. For example, the embodiment of the mobile cloud system  10  shown in  FIG. 7  comprises a plurality of balloons  14  connected to one another via hinges  13  and coated with PV material. The balloons  14  are anchored to anchors  22  through cables  20  and wired to a ground station  34 . The orientation of the cloud system  10  can be controlled by controlling the length of the cables  20  from the anchors  22  to the balloons  14 . In this case, the cables  20  on one side of the cloud system  10  are much longer than on the other side, resulting in the entire cloud system  10  being tilted (away from horizontal). This may be desired to better track the sun or to deal with wind or other factors. In  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the mobile cloud system  10  is shown in a more level arrangement. 
     The mobile cloud system  10  can also be set up and launched in a variety of ways. For example, the mobile cloud system  10  can be assembled in a large open area, with the various individual clouds  12  being first laid out in a desired pattern and interconnected (with connectors  8 ) as required. The anchors  22  and the cables  20  may also be arranged and connected as well. Once all the individual clouds  12  are properly connected and anchored to the ground, the balloons  14  are inflated with sufficient amounts of a lighter-than-air gas to provide enough lift to raise the mobile cloud system  10  to a desired height. Initially, the anchors  22  would prevent any significant lift so that all the balloons  14  can be filled with the required amount. Once suitably inflated, the mobile cloud system  10  can be elevated to a desired height by letting out the various cables  20 , by winch or other similar device. In one embodiment, the anchors  22  will slowly reel out, or extend, the length of the cables  20  between the anchors  22  and the clouds  12  as the balloons  14  are being inflated. This will allow the positioning and inflation of the balloons  14  to proceed in a more controlled manner. This will also prevent the warping and entanglement of the cables  20 . 
     Should it be desired, the mobile cloud system  10  can be disconnected from the ground and moved via zeppelin or drones or other suitable motorized method in the air when it is desired to do so, or in the case where the clouds  12  are so large that it takes more time to bring down and relocate. They could even be connected via cables  20  to a land-based vehicle and slowly towed into position (e.g. over a highway). It is also contemplated that at least one of the individual clouds  12  could be equipped with a propulsion system, such as a remote-controlled solar-powered propeller, such as those used for drone systems, or even solar-powered drones. It could be controlled remotely by an operator or by an automatic control system with preset parameters. In this way, the mobile cloud system  10  can be moved to any desired location and can either remain mobile, or be anchored, either directly to the ground or to a fixed structure as discussed above. Alternatively, instead of the mobile cloud system  10  incorporating a propulsion system, the mobile cloud system  10  itself may be connected via cables  20  to one or more drones. Such drones may be remote-controlled. 
     In order to capture and use solar energy, in a further embodiment, the balloons  14  may be laminated with, or covered by, panels of amorphous silicon making up thin, flexible photovoltaic (PV) cells  30 . In another embodiment, the PV cells  30  may be made integrally with the balloons  14 , such as by 3-D printing. Alternatively, the balloons  14  may comprise any other similar product that converts solar energy from the sun&#39;s rays to electric energy. For example, a coating or paint containing PV materials based on nanotechnology is currently under development, whereby a surface coated with this paint would act as a PV cell and can convert the sun rays into electricity. Similarly, the sheets  16  may be made of thin, flexible PV cells  30 . The PV cells  30  of adjacent clouds  12  are interconnected by electric cables  32  and linked to the ground station  34 , which could then feed the converted solar energy to an electrical grid. In one embodiment, the cables  20  used for tethering the clouds  12  and the connectors  8  for interconnecting the individual clouds  12  may also function as electric cables  32 . Alternatively, the ground station  34  could be connected to a battery bank (not shown) for storing the generated electrical current for future use. With advancing technologies, it is also contemplated that one day the electricity could be beamed down to the ground station  34  using an electromagnetic radiation system or the like, similar to the systems currently used for wirelessly charging cellular phones. 
     The ground stations  34  can be fixed or portable or mobile structures where the monitoring and other electrical equipment are housed, or they can be intermediate structures in between various other stations housing the equipment. Preferably, the electric cables  32  feed the electric current from the PV cells  30  to the ground station  34 , which could house the converters and distribution boards/systems and batteries where needed. 
     When many clouds  12  are utilized, there may be a need for many small ground stations  34 . In these cases, the ground stations  34  may also act as anchors  22  for the clouds  12  (in addition to acting as ground stations  34  for the electric cables  32  to pass electricity through to other ground stations  34  if needed). The size and number of ground stations  34  would depend on the amount of equipment being housed and the size and number of balloons  14  or sheets  16  forming the mobile cloud system  10 . 
     It is also contemplated that cloud systems  10  could be formed from vertical stacks of horizontally extending cloud  12 , as shown in  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  shows a cloud system  10  made up of a 3×3 grid, wherein each unit in the grid is made of a set of three sheets  16  stacked substantially vertically on top of each other. The sheets  16  are interconnected and held aloft by a plurality of balloons  14 . This could further multiply the electricity being generated by the PV cells  30 . 
     In an urban setting, the mobile cloud system  10  may be used to provide shade for pedestrians, and if equipped with the PV cells  30 , for also to produce power. For example, a mobile cloud system  10  may be situated over a pedestrian walkway. The mobile cloud system  10  may provide shade, thereby lowering the temperature underneath and providing some relief for pedestrians, while also providing a source of electrical power that could in turn be used to power air-conditioning machinery for walkway tunnels. Referring to  FIG. 12 , this system may be integrated with a subway or transit network (e.g. with metro station  60  and metro tracks  61 ) so that the users can travel covered for larger distances and would only be exposed to the open climate for shorter periods of time. This would reduce the number and size of clouds systems  10  needed. It is also contemplated that the cloud system  10  may be used in conjunction with air-conditioned over-ground tunnels built to provide a new environment and comfortable atmosphere for visitors. These could be built in any areas with large numbers of pedestrians, for example on the main routes to a sporting event or concert area, such that large number of visitors would be able to move about with comfort during hot days. 
     In another example shown in  FIG. 11 , a mobile cloud system  10  could be situated above an open-air stadium  50  (with spectator seating  51 ) in order to provide shade while still maintaining an open-air feel. The mobile cloud system  10  could be held in place by way of a plurality of zeppelins, which are already often in use above stadiums during large sporting events. Alternatively, the mobile cloud could be anchored to various anchors  22  spaced about the top of the stadium  50 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . The cloud system  10  could also be launched from within the stadium  50 . Individual clouds  12  could be spread on the ground and connected together, and then slowly raised using a motorized winch pulling on the ends while having some lighter-than-air gas pumped into the balloons  14  to assist the launch and lift. Alternatively, the clouds  12  can be inserted in a cavity of the roof of the stadium  50  and slowly pulled from one end to the other by cords or steel cables. After use, the mobile cloud system  10  can be reeled in by the motorized winch to a level where the gas can be removed or a computerized system can be devised to remove the gas from the clouds to attached canisters. This is ideal to provide instant and temporary shading for existing open-air stadiums or arenas for sports or musical venues. This can also be used to provide shelter from the rain in other situations and/or locations. 
     Being portable, this system may also be used to generate electricity in remote locations or for emergencies in times of natural disasters where other means of generating electricity are difficult or impossible or would be deemed too expensive or require more time to arrange. This is especially useful in remote or desert locations. 
     It is also contemplated that the bottom of the individual clouds  12  could be fitted with at least one light-producing device  50 . The light-producing device  50  may be a light-emitting diode (LED). LED lights require little power. They could have a light-sensitive or automatic time switch, similar to ones used for street lighting. This light-producing device  50  may be used for the lighting of streets or large areas and also be used to create a pleasing visual effect (e.g. mood lighting or a fairytale-like effect with lighted panels/balloons high in the sky to give a pleasant and cheerful effect). 
     It is also contemplated that the surfaces of the individual clouds  12  may be used to carry advertising material. The advertising material may be affixed to or painted on the bottom or other surface of the clouds  12  or carried on banners below for viewing by the public, when the cloud system  10  is to be used in populated areas. 
     The balloons  14  and sheets  16  can be of various shapes and sizes, varying from very thin and flat like those of a paraglider to larger and round like a zeppelin and are or could be connected between them with the connectors  8 . The material of the balloons  14  and sheets  16  is preferably of a plastic-type material that can be laminated with thin-film PV cells  30  and also be light enough for them to be carried to appropriate altitudes by the balloons  14 . 
     So while it is possible to create as many mobile clouds of any size or shape or configuration, it is worthy to note that they would not occupy any land and consume space but on the contrary, they may be used to provide shade to the land below and even the degree and type and shape of shade can be controlled. They can be used to create shade for walkways in cities or shade for agricultural land where certain plantations have to be shaded for better effect. 
     The mobile cloud system  10  with PV cells  30  can be used over highways or railways that stretch for kilometres, and yet no land would be tied up with bulky solar collectors as is the case with the typical solar farms found on various continents. This would free up vast areas of land that can be used for many other purposes. Electricity generated can be used to power locations on the ground along the highway or railway (e.g. to enable electric cars or vehicles to be plugged in to charge/recharge, or simply to provide a supplementary source of power in the case of an electric train). 
     The mobile cloud system  10  with PV cells  30  can also be used over congested urban areas where there is no space on the ground for solar collectors. 
     It is also contemplated that observation cameras can be mounted to the bottom of individual clouds  12  for multiple purposes, from monitoring traffic or weather to providing video footage of open-air concerts or security video, all with control of the clouds  12  via a computer system. 
     The mobile cloud system  10  can act like real clouds in that that they can flex and bend and move like real clouds. For instance, the movement of the clouds  12  helps dissipate the heat absorbed by the PV cells  30 , thus improving their performance. They have movement on all axes but in various degrees and are flexible almost like natural clouds. The shape and design of the clouds  12  help in absorbing the light from the sun at all angles and can keep the PV cells  30  working in a more efficient form. Fixed vertical PV panels, such as those used on glass windows, lose efficiency when they get too hot from the sun and need to have their backsides cooled to avoid loss of the photovoltaic activity. With the cloud system  10  of the present invention, the top and bottom layers (as well as the four sides) are exposed and oscillate even if gently and act as natural ventilators, and so heat is dissipated, and the temperature is better moderated for maximum PV efficiency. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the preferred embodiment has been described in some detail but that certain modifications may be practiced without departing from the principles of the invention.