Patent Publication Number: US-2023132459-A1

Title: Oscillating Canopy Sunshade Device for Climate and Solar Mitigation

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to technology for climate change mitigation, forest fire prevention, and glacial and forest preservation. More specifically, the present invention provides a device and system to provide shade and reflect/absorb solar radiation to reduce ambient temperatures in a selected area on an adaptable and large-scale basis. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Climate change has become a significant threat to both the natural environment and man-made structures and practices. Rising temperatures have resulted in melting of the polar ice caps and glaciers, causing rising sea levels. The melting ice caps threaten many major cities, communities, wildlife, and food sources. Higher temperatures have also resulted in increased droughts in parts of the world, impacting food production, but also leading to large accumulations of dead and dried-out plants and trees. Dry plant matter has served as fuel for large devastating fires in many parts of the world, including notably, in California and Australia. Without immediate climate interventions there is a risk of extinction of numerous species of plants, animals, and even of mankind. 
     Technologies such as green energy generation, carbon capture in fossil fuel power plants, and smart energy grid technologies are just a few examples of approaches that have been developed to combat the global climate crisis issue. These technologies are helpful in controlling worldwide climate change, by reducing carbon dioxide production, and thus reducing a significant driver of climate change. However, such technologies do not provide reduction of warming in particular locations. 
     A more localized approach for controlling climate change in specific locations is the use of sunshades and other shading technology to reduce solar heating of surface features. 
     Solar shades provided over surface features such as polar ice caps, glaciers, and the like, will reduce their surface temperatures and decrease their melting rate. Solar shades over open land areas such as forests, plains, and other areas subject to the risk of wild fires, will lower their ambient temperatures, allowing greater moisture retention, thereby reducing the dry fuel available for fires. It has been suggested that limiting a global temperature increase to 1.5° C. will limit glacier melting, limit sea level rise, and limit uncontrollable fires to 35-50% of the effects anticipated from greater temperature increases. 
     Previously proposed systems have never been successfully implemented in a large scale system. Small scale shades may be useful for urban and suburban environments, and some shade coverings have been used in farming. The use of large-scale, aerially suspended solar shading technology for large areas is extremely challenging due to environmental conditions, such as changing seasons, high winds, storms, and other climate-related events. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need for technology comprising effective materials that provides large-scale solar shading over significant size areas, capable of adapting to a changing environment and other, often unpredictable, climate events. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a large-scale sunshade for mitigating solar warming effects in the atmosphere and providing localized shade. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system for managing the geolocation, elevation and shape of the sunshade and adapting its use to environmental factors. 
     The device preferably includes a canopy formed of a lightweight, flexible material containing solar cells that generate electricity when the sunshade device is open. In other embodiments, materials such as reflective white or metallized plastic films and reflective metal foils, or fabrics such as reflective white woven and non-woven fabrics may be used. The canopy may form various shapes, but will preferably form symmetric, relatively circular shapes with or without radially extending arms of a consistent length. 
     The sunshade device is controlled by a sunshade management device. The sunshade management device controls one or more lifting devices provided in a central part of the canopy which periodically are activated to lift the sunshade device to a certain altitude, whereupon the lifting devices are deactivated or turned down to reduce lift, and the sunshade device is opened to provide a slow drifting descent, similar to a parachute, until a minimum altitude is reached, whereupon the lifting devices are activated again. Preferably, air pressure provided on the lower side of the canopy caused by the canopy descent operates to expand the canopy into the fully open position. The sunshade device accordingly repeatedly oscillates in elevation above the earth’s surface. The oscillating sunshade device preferably closes up to reduce its area during lifting to reduce drag during periods of ascent, and opens to provide shade and air resistance during periods of descent. 
     The lifting devices manage the elevation, shape and geolocation of the sunshade device as well as adapting to changing weather patterns and weather-related events. The lifting devices preferably include propellers and other features to help maintain the elevation and angle (pitch) and geolocation (latitude and longitude) of the sunshade device. For example, one or more drone devices may be used as lifting devices. In the preferred embodiments, the canopy constitutes flexible solar panels having solar cells which generate electricity to operate the lifting devices, however, other solar panels may be provided in lieu of or in addition to a flexible solar panel canopy. Appropriate power storage batteries, and power management systems are provided. In one embodiment, the power storage batteries are suspended below the canopy by ropes or wires, or extending arms of the canopy, whereby the weight of the batteries assist in closing up or collapsing the canopy to reduce its area during periods of ascent, and in opening up and retaining the canopy in an open position during periods of descent. 
     Preferably, a sunshade management system for controlling the elevation and angle (pitch) and/or shape, and geolocation (latitude and longitude) of the sunshade is provided. The sunshade management system preferably employs one or more sensors to record and assess changing weather patterns and other information. The management system is also preferably in electronic communication with the one or more lifting devices. The management system’s one or more sensors preferably include information on wind speed, direction, and variation, intensity of the sun’s rays and angle of the sun, ambient temperature and humidity, barometric pressure, geolocation and elevation from the earth’s surface, temperature and humidity at the earth’s surface, precipitation status, levels, and intensity, and other maintenance related information, such as damage to the sunshade’s canopy, low-power or malfunctioning lifting devices, etc. 
     The sunshade management system may then use the information gathered by the one or more sensors and/or other data stored in or received by the management system to change the status of the sunshade device. For example, it is likely to be preferable to collapse and ground the sunshade in the evening and only launch it again after sunrise. Similarly, it is likely to be desirable to collapse and ground the sunshade during rainy days and/or cloudy days, and only launch it again when clouds have cleared. It is also very likely that it will be necessary to collapse and ground the entire device when severe weather-related events, such as thunderstorms, lightning, tornados, hurricanes, etc. are anticipated. When these weather disturbances have passed, the sunshade device may be relaunched. 
     The management system will therefore control the positioning of the sunshade via the lifting devices, and will hold the sunshade device substantially in place so that it can continue to perform its climate change mitigation functions when conditions are appropriate. However, the management system will be able to ground the sunshade device according to a predetermined schedule, or on an expedited basis when needed due to sudden and severe weather-related events or emergencies. After conclusion of the event or emergency, the management system can evaluate and determine whether to re-elevate the sunshade device. 
     Some preferable embodiments of the invention may be deployed a short or medium distance from the earth’s surface, for example in the troposphere, maximizing operability to provide cover for a particular area of the earth’s surface that is an area of concern. The present invention must be adapted to withstand the varying air temperature and pressure and other environmental factors depending on its deployment elevation, as those of skill in the art will recognize. 
     As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and arrangements described above. Other objects of the present invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and detailed description of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a top and side perspective view of an embodiment of a sunshade device according to the present invention in a collapsed state. 
         FIG.  2    is a top and side perspective view of the sunshade device of  FIG.  1    transitioning to an open state. 
         FIG.  3    is a top and perspective view of the sunshade device of  FIGS.  1 - 2    in an open state. 
         FIG.  4    is a top view of the sunshade device of  FIGS.  1 - 3    laid flat. 
         FIG.  5    is a top and side perspective view of a second embodiment of a sunshade device according to the present invention in a collapsed state. 
         FIG.  6    is a top and perspective view of the sunshade device of  FIG.  5    in an open state. 
         FIG.  7    is a top view of the sunshade device of  FIGS.  5 - 6    laid flat. 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic representation of an exemplary sunshade management device according to the principals and embodiments of the present invention depicted in  FIGS.  1 - 7   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description illustrates the technology by way of example, not by way of limitation of the principles of the invention. This description will enable one skilled in the art to make and use the technology, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. One skilled in the art will recognize alternative variations and arrangements, and the present invention is not limited to those embodiments described hereafter. 
     Referring first to  FIGS.  1 - 8   , two unstructured embodiments of the present invention is shown. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , a sunshade device  10  is a generally circular canopy  20  having a plurality of extending arms  21 . In  FIGS.  5 - 7    a sunshade device  110  is a generally circular canopy  120 . 
     Sunshade devices  10  and  110  are used to shade a portion of landscape containing a forest or a glacier, cooling the local environment and reducing heating and drying out of forested or glaciated areas. Sunshade devices  10 ,  110  include, respectively, a canopy  20 ,  120 , for providing shade from the sun, formed of a flexible lightweight sheet material. In some embodiments, canopy  20 ,  120  is a reflective material and may have tubular channels containing helium or other lighter than air gases to assist with maintaining the canopy’s elevation. Materials such as reflective white or metallized plastic films and reflective metal foils are preferred, however, fabrics such as reflective white woven and non-woven fabrics (such as a white fabric or a white knitted material). The canopy  20 ,  120  may be a solid sheet material or a perforated or otherwise discontinuous sheet material. For example, the canopy may comprise a film, or a perforated film, or a non-woven or knitted white fabric. In some embodiments, canopy  20  is preferably fabricated from, or coated with, a fire-retardant material. In some embodiments, canopy  20  is fabricated from a combination of different materials to provide a laminated sheet having multiple materials providing multiple desired qualities or benefits. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, a portion or all of canopy  20 ,  120  is formed of a variable stiffness film material such as described in U.S. Pat. 10,257,929 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference), which can become stiffer and more rigid upon the application of an electrical charge. In such case, opening of the canopy  20 ,  120  can be additionally initiated and maintained by providing an electrical charge to the canopy film material. 
     In preferred embodiments, the canopy  20 ,  120  is provided with a plurality of solar cells  24 ,  124  for receiving sunlight and converting it to electrical energy to charge the rechargeable battery power system  30 ,  130  which powers the sunshade device  10 ,  110 , and in particular its avionics and telematics systems and its electrically powered lifting devices  40 ,  140  described below. In particularly preferred embodiments, the canopy  20 ,  120  is fabricated from a flexible solar panel film  22 ,  122  containing embedded solar cells  24 ,  124 . 
     Canopy  20 ,  120  has a central portion  26 ,  126  and a peripheral portion  28 ,  128 . Canopy  20 ,  120  is preferably symmetric in shape. In the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 4   , canopy  20  is generally circular in shape, and has a plurality of canopy arms  21  extending radially from the central portion  26  of the canopy  20 . In the embodiment of  FIGS.  5 - 7   , canopy  120  is generally circular in shape. In other embodiments, the canopy  20 ,  120  may be generally square, rectangular, triangular, or other polygonal shapes, or oval or semi-circular or semi-oval or other curved and partially curved shapes. In any case, the canopy  20 ,  120  may act as a parachute as described in more detail below. 
     A rechargeable battery power system  30 ,  130  is operatively connected to the solar cells  24 ,  124  which charge the battery power system  30 ,  130  when solar cells  24 ,  124  are exposed to sunlight. The battery power system includes one or more battery storage units  32 ,  132  which are preferably a high capacity 12 volt (or higher) battery, sized to deliver sufficient electrical power to an electrically powered lifting device  40 ,  140  for a sufficient period to lift the sunshade device to a selected altitude, and retain the sunshade device at the desired altitude for a time period of at least  30 ,  45 ,  60 ,  90 ,  120 ,  150 , or 180 minutes.. In other embodiments, the battery storage units may be formed of film materials and made as part of the canopy  20 ,  120 . 
     Preferably, the one or more battery storage units  32 ,  132  of the rechargeable battery power system  30 ,  130  are contained in a container  33 ,  133  suspended from the peripheral portion  28 ,  128  of the canopy  20 ,  120  below the canopy  20  by lines  29 ,  129 . Lines  29 ,  129  may be formed of cord, rope, wire, or fabric. In the embodiment of canopy  20  shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , lines  29 ,  129  can connect to the ends of the arms  21 . 
     The battery power system  30  further includes a battery management system  34 ,  134  to monitor the battery power and reduce power usage by components of the sunshade device  10 ,  110  at the direction of a sunshade management device  50 ,  150  when battery power levels fall below a minimum threshold. 
     There is at least one electrically powered lifting device  40 ,  140  attached to the central portion  26 ,  126  of the canopy. The electrically powered lifting device  40 ,  140  is preferably a propeller-driven device having rotors or propellers  42 ,  142 . Lifting device  40 ,  140  may have a single propeller or rotor, or multiple propellers or rotors. In the embodiments shown in the Figures, four rotors  42 ,  142  are shown (e.g. a quadcopter drone embodiment) but anywhere from one to twenty rotors may be used. The number and size of each rotor  42 ,  142  may be selected depending on the size of the sunshade device  10 ,  110  and its weight to be lifted. The preferred embodiment is expected to be a single quadcopter arrangement, however, potentially 1, 2, or 4 quadcopter arrays could be used. 
     The rotors  42 ,  142  are driven by appropriately sized electrical motors  44 ,  144 . The at least one lifting device  40 ,  140  is operatively connected to the rechargeable battery power system  30 ,  130  to drive the electrical motors  44 ,  144  when directed by the sunshade management device  50 ,  150 . 
     Appropriate aircraft warning lights are provided on the lifting device  40  and the peripheral portion  28  of canopy  20 ,  120 , and potentially, elsewhere on the canopy  20 ,  120  and on the container  33 ,  133 . Typical blinking red lights may be used to provide visibility to the sunshade device  10 ,  110 , both when it is airborne and grounded. 
     Quadcopter (also known as quadrotor) drone technology is very well developed at this time, and in one preferred embodiment, the lifting device  40 ,  140  and parts of the control systems of the sunshade management device  50 ,  150  are implementations of known quadcopter concepts. Quadcopters generally have four rotors, two rotors spinning clockwise and two counterclockwise. The four rotors provide opposing torques, and can be individually manipulated to steer the quadcopter. 
     There are four primary movements that a quadcopter employs and they are controlled by each of the four rotors. In a typical layout, rotors 1 and 4 rotate clockwise, while rotors 2 and 3 rotate counterclockwise. Yaw is the clockwise or counterclockwise spin of a quadcopter. Yaw is used to rotate left, by operating rotors 1 and 4 propellers at normal speed, and rotors 2 and 3 at high speed. To rotate right, rotors 1 and 4 move at high speed and rotors 2 and 3 move at normal speed. Pitch is used to control the forward and backward movement of a quadcopter. To move forward, rotors 1 and 2 move at normal speed, while rotor 3 and 4 move at high speed. To move backward, rotors 1 and 2 run at high speed while rotors 3 and 4 run at normal speed. Roll is used to cause the quadcopter to bend left or bend right. In order to roll to the left, rotors 1 and 3 run at normal speed while rotors 2 and 4 run at high speed. To roll to the right, rotors 1 and 3 run at high speed and rotors 2 and 4 run at normal speed. Vertical positioning, e.g. ascent and descent are caused, respectively, by operating all rotors at high speed, and by operating all rotors at slower speeds. 
       FIG.  8    depicts a schematic representation of the sunshade management device  50 ,  150 . Preferable embodiments of the sunshade management device  50 ,  150  interpret flight data  514  provided by one or more sensors  60 ,  160  to determine the best positioning for the canopy  20 ,  120 . The one or more sensors  60 ,  160  may be associated with the container  33 ,  133  or they may be distributed at various locations on the canopy  20 ,  120  and lifting devices  40 ,  140 . Additional sensors may be provided at or near the earth’s surface. 
     Sunshade management device  50 ,  150  controls the elevation and angle (pitch) and geolocation (latitude and longitude) positioning of the sunshade device  10 ,  110  based on flight data  514  provided by one or more sensors  60 ,  160 . Sunshade management device  50 ,  150  controls the one or more lifting devices  40 ,  140  to activate them to lift the sunshade device  10 ,  110  and/or to deactivate or reduce activity of the lifting devices  40 ,  140  to cause the sunshade device  10 ,  110  to descend. During lifting of the sunshade device  10 ,  110 , the canopy  20 ,  120  is collapsed as seen in  FIGS.  1  and  5    respectively. Canopy  20 ,  120  is collapsed by air pressure on the upper surface of the canopy  20 ,  120  and by gravity, thereby reducing drag during lifting of the sunshade device  10 ,  110 . During descent of the lifting device  10 ,  110 , the canopy  20 ,  120  is opened by air pressure on a lower surface of the canopy  20 ,  120 , thereby providing shade and increased air resistance during periods of descent. When open, the canopy  20 ,  120  acts as a parachute to support and slow the descent of the sunshade device  10 ,  110  as seen in  FIGS.  3  and  6    respectively. 
     In another embodiment (not shown) the lifting devices  40 ,  140  may cause the canopy  20 ,  120  to invert during descent. Alternatively, the lifting devices  40 ,  140  may be mounted in a large aperture in the canopy  20 ,  120  whereby the lifting devices may pass through the plane of canopy  20 ,  120  during its oscillation cycle of lift and descent. 
     Preferably, the sunshade management device  50 ,  150  is provided with one or more sensors  60 ,  160  for sensing one or more of the sunshade’s altitude, elevation from the earth’s surface, air temperature, barometer pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction, GPS signals, solar intensity, solar angle. Data obtained by the sensors allow the sunshade management device  50 ,  150  to make determinations as to activation and deactivation of the lifting devices  40 ,  140 . 
     Desirably, the sunshade management device  50 ,  150  is provided with artificial intelligence and machine learning whereby it is able to make determinations regarding appropriate timing of takeoff and shutdown, and positioning of the elevation and angle of canopy  20 ,  120  relative to the ground below, to maximize the shade effects of canopy  20 ,  120 . 
     Sunshade management device  50 ,  150  activates the lifting devices  40 ,  140  to lift the sunshade device  10 ,  110  when a sunshade device altitude measurement is equal to or below a preselected minimum altitude setting. Sunshade management device  50 ,  150  deactivates or reduces activity of the lifting devices  40 ,  140  to allow descent of the sunshade device  10 ,  110  when a sunshade device altitude measurement is equal to or greater than a preselected maximum altitude setting. 
     In typical embodiments, sunshade management device  50 ,  150  incorporates a central flight controller module  52 ,  152  similar to a drone system. The central flight controller includes an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), a gyroscope, and satellite positioning (GPS and GLONASS). An accelerometer may be provided to determine orientation relative to the earth’s surface. Obstacle detection sensors may be included. The central flight controller receives data from IMU, Gyroscope, GPS modules, accelerometer, and obstacle detection sensors, and using programmed flight parameters and algorithms it calculates speed settings for each rotor, and sends control signals to electronic speed controllers (ESC) associated with each motor. 
     The central flight controller module  52 ,  152  may have additional features such as intelligent orientation control (IOC); signal to the motor ESCs on thrust and direction; intelligent landing gear; auto return to home; multi rotor fail protection; highly sensitive built-in damper IMU module; satellite receiver; and banked turn mode. 
     Preferable embodiments of the sunshade management device  50 ,  150  are thus in electronic communication with the lifting devices  40 ,  140 , whether directly or over a wireless connection. Accordingly, the sunshade management device  50 ,  150  is capable of: controlling the state of collapse or opening of the canopy  20 ,  120 ; controlling the elevation and geolocation positioning of the sunshade device  10 ,  110 ; and determining if grounding of the sunshade device  10 ,  110  is necessary due to one or more of weather, safety, and battery power of the sunshade device  10 ,  110 . The sunshade management device  50 ,  150  preferably performs each of these functions on a continuous, real-time basis and preferably learns from past assessments and instructions to improve its performance over time. 
     The sensors  60 ,  160  preferably collect and transmit relevant flight data  514  such as altitude and elevation from the earth’s surface, geolocation, GPS signal strength/presence, air temperature, humidity, precipitation, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, solar intensity and angle, temperature and moisture levels at the earth’s surface, and ambient precipitation. 
     Preferable embodiments of the sensors  60 ,  160  and sunshade management system  50 ,  150  also detect and transmit maintenance related data and information, such as damage to the sunshade’s canopy  20 ,  120 , low-power or malfunctioning lifting devices  40 ,  140 , etc. 
     The sunshade management system  50 ,  150  then uses the data and information collected by and transmitted from the sensors  60 ,  160  to make real-time determinations about the positioning and effectiveness of the sunshade device  10 ,  110 . 
     The sunshade management device  50 ,  150  preferably employs a data assessment module  522  to obtain the flight data  514  and related information from the sensors  60 ,  160 , perform an analysis of the present environment and anticipated future environment based upon the flight data  514 , and determine the optimal course of activities for the sunshade device  10 ,  110 . The data assessment module  522  preferably performs these functions on a continuous and real-time basis such that the sunshade management system  50 ,  150  is constantly reconsidering the optimal placement, shape, etc. for the sunshade device  10 . 
     Using the flight data  514  received from the sensors  60 ,  160 , the data assessment module  522  causes the central flight controller  52 ,  152  to generate lift instructions  516  and transmit those instructions to the lifting devices  40 ,  140 . The lift instructions  516  can alter the angle or elevation of the sunshade device  10 ,  110  can reduce the footprint of or ground the sunshade device  10 ,  110  or re-position or otherwise alter the sunshade device  10 ,  110 . The lift instructions  516  are preferably executed by the lifting devices  40 ,  140  in real-time such that data is recorded and transmitted by the sensors  60 ,  160  and analyzed and interpreted by the sunshade management device  50 ,  150  to generate lift instructions  516 , and those lift instructions  516  are then executed by the lifting devices  40 ,  140  all immediately, continuously, and in real-time. 
     Thus, for example, the sunshade management device  50 ,  150  may have the ability to determine when ambient conditions of temperature, sunlight, and humidity are appropriate and sufficient to activate the sunshade device  10 ,  110  into a flight mode, and similarly, if ambient conditions of temperature, sunlight, and humidity are appropriate and sufficient to discontinue operation of the sunshade device  10 ,  110  and ground it for the night. In other situations, grounding of the sunshade device  10 ,  110  is necessary due to one or more of weather, safety, and battery power of the sunshade device  10 ,  110 . In one embodiment, the sunshade device management device  50 ,  150  has means for receiving weather forecast data and, based on the weather forecast data, controlling the elevation and geolocation positioning, and grounding of the sunshade device 
     In the case of extreme weather events, the sunshade management device  50 ,  150  may determine that the sunshade  10 ,  110  should be folded up, grounded, or otherwise protected until the severe weather event ends. In the event of present or imminent severe weather, the sunshade management device  50 ,  150   preferably acts to protect and preserve the sunshade device  10 ,  110  by taking appropriate action. Such actions may include collapsing the sunshade device  10 ,  110  but maintaining its elevation, grounding the sunshade device, or a combination. Such actions may also include moving the sunshade device  10 ,  110  or increasing or reducing its elevation to avoid the severe weather. 
     In some preferable embodiments, user input may further be provided over a network. User input may, for example, instruct the sunshade management device  50 ,  150  to generate lift instructions  516  to form ground the sunshade device  10  for maintenance. The user instructions  520  may be used to improve the efficacy of the sunshade device  10 ,  110  or for other, non-functional reasons, such as to form a shape in celebration of or as a memorial to a certain event or holiday. Some preferable embodiments of the sunshade device  10 ,  110  may also display certain messages, colors, patterns, etc. on the underside of the canopy. In such embodiments, the sunshade management device  50 ,  150  may alter such underside display on the basis of user input. 
     Some preferable embodiments of the sunshade management device  50 ,  150  employ a user instruction module  526  to obtain, parse, and communicate the user instructions  520  with the other components of the sunshade management device  50 ,  150 . Such embodiments provide for fluid and optimized functionality of the sunshade management device  50 ,  150  by compartmentalizing the data analysis and instruction generation functions of the sunshade management device  50 ,  150 . 
     As previously mentioned, in some preferable embodiments, the sunshade management device  50 ,  150  is capable of implementing machine learning algorithms to optimize its performance. For example, upon receipt of flight data  514  indicating the presence of extreme weather, the data assessment module  522  may determine a particular course of action that results in a suboptimal result. The data assessment module  522 , in such preferable embodiments, is capable of determining that its determination of an optimal course of action was incorrect or was delayed, and will therefore react differently in the future upon receipt of the same flight data  514  indicating the presence of extreme weather. In this way, the sunshade management system  50 ,  150  performance can be improved the longer the sunshade device  10 ,  110  remains deployed and the sunshade management device  50 ,  150  remains active. 
     Furthermore, in some embodiments, there may be a plurality of sunshade devices  10 ,  110  in communication with each other to coordinate their actions, for example, one sunshade devices  10 ,  110  may be descending while a different one is ascending, to thereby optimize positioning and continuity of shade case by the sunshade devices  10 ,  110 . A swarm of autonomously controlled networked sunshade devices  10 ,  110  can thereby operate independently in remote locations without requiring continuous direct control, which may require on-site or satellite control systems. 
     The present invention provides a sunshade device  10 ,  110  which has little to no energy footprint, and which can be strategically deployed to mitigate the harmful effects of climate change over large portions of the earth’s surface. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the efficacy of the embodiments described herein for accomplishing the present invention’s objectives. While the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments and arrangements of parts, features, and the like, it is not limited to these embodiments or arrangements. Indeed, modifications and variations included in these teachings will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.