Abstract:
The solar power system includes one or more solar panels removably installed atop the roof or upper surface of a motor vehicle or non-motorized vehicle (e.g., a trailer). In one embodiment, the vehicles (semi-trailers, passenger buses, vans, etc.) are parked in a yard or terminal, and the electrical power produced by the solar panels atop the vehicles is delivered to a fixed local distribution system in the yard or terminal area. The power produced may be used for the normal electrical needs of the operation, and any excess power may be sold to the local municipal electric company or other relatively wide area electrical grid. In another embodiment, the solar panels generate electrical power while the vehicles are traveling, and the electrical power is stored aboard the vehicles until the vehicles reach a destination where the power can be transferred to the fixed local distribution system for use.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to electrical power generation and distribution systems, and particularly to a solar power system incorporating solar cells deployed atop large motor vehicles and the like, and to subsequent storage and distribution of the electrical power so generated. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    The world in general, and more industrially developed nations in particular, are ever increasingly reliant upon electrical energy. Yet, generally speaking the generation of electrical power requires the consumption of energy in other forms, with coal fueled power plants being a primary source of electrical energy in many parts of the world. While great strides have been made in reducing the pollution byproducts of such coal fueled power plants, the consumption of natural resources and the remaining pollution produced by such plants is of course undesirable. 
         [0005]    As a result, alternative means of producing electrical power have been developed. One such means comprises nuclear-fueled power plants. While nuclear power plants produce no emissions other than heat, the expended nuclear fuel is difficult to dispose of, and the potential for disaster at such nuclear power plants is ever present, even if unlikely. Hydroelectric and wind generation are also used to produce electrical power as “clean” methods of generating power, i.e., non-polluting methods, other than the construction and maintenance of their physical structures. However, relatively few sites are suitable for efficient hydroelectric and wind generation of electrical power, and the cost of producing a given quantity of electrical power from such sources is often considerably higher than the cost of power produced from an established coal burning power plant. 
         [0006]    Nevertheless, as the cost of electrical power production continues to climb, various alternative power production means are becoming more attractive. One such means is the use of photoelectric or photovoltaic cells, also known as solar cells. Solar cells are known to produce electrical energy directly from the light that reaches the photocells, which might be considered “free energy,” once the photocell array has been paid for and installed. While the initial cost of such photocells has been relatively high in the past, increasing production efficiencies are resulting in the cost of electrical power produced by such photocells slowly approaching the cost of electrical power produced by other principles, thus making the generation of electrical power by solar cells a more attractive option than in the past. 
         [0007]    As the production of electrical power by means of solar cells becomes more economically attractive, more and more sites are being considered for the installation of such solar cells. These sites are generally fixed or stationary, e.g., on rooftops, etc., where the area exposed to the sun is not otherwise being utilized. A less common installation is upon electrically powered motor vehicles, so that the electrical energy may be used to provide at least some of the power for the operation of the vehicle. However, the relatively low amount of solar energy received per unit area and the relatively low efficiency of most solar cells renders such installations impractical for conventional motor vehicles. In any event, the collection of solar power to this point has either been by stationary installations delivering their electrical power to corresponding fixed or stationary points of electrical energy consumption, or by mobile installations where the mobile device consumes the electrical energy produced to provide motive power. 
         [0008]    Thus, a solar power system solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The solar power system provides a means for collecting otherwise wasted solar energy that falls upon the roofs or tops of motor vehicles and delivering the resulting electrical energy to a fixed, stationary electrical power grid. The solar power system comprises the installation of a flexible solar panel containing a plurality of photovoltaic or solar cells on the roof or upper surface of one or more relatively large vehicles, such as semi-trailers, vans, and passenger buses. The solar power produced by the panel(s) is collected for distribution and use in a fixed, stationary electrical power grid. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the solar panel equipped vehicles are parked in a bus or truck terminal or yard, and their solar panels are electrically connected to a local network that delivers the electrical power to a distribution system in the terminal or yard, where the power may be used by the terminal or yard for normal electrical power needs. Any excess electrical power produced may be transferred to the conventional municipal or other wide area electrical grid for use. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the solar panels generate electricity while the vehicle is traveling. As the electricity produced cannot be transferred to a stationary grid or system while the vehicle is in motion, the electricity is stored on board the vehicle for later transfer to a local or wide area electrical grid when the vehicle arrives at a suitable terminal or other location capable of receiving the stored electrical energy from the vehicle. The energy storage means aboard the vehicle may comprise any of a number of principles, e.g., electrochemical storage batteries, high efficiency capacitors, kinetic storage (flywheels), etc. 
         [0012]    These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an environmental perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a solar power system according to the present invention, implemented in a truck yard. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an environmental perspective view of an exemplary second embodiment of a solar power system according to the present invention, implemented at a loading dock. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of an exemplary display panel for monitoring the electrical power output of a solar power system according to the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the various paths for electrical power in a solar power system according to the present invention from generation to distribution. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of solar panels in a solar power system according to the present invention mounted on a semi-trailer. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of solar panels in a solar power system according to the present invention mounted on a passenger bus. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of solar panels in a solar power system according to the present invention mounted on a van-type truck. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    The solar power system provides for the collection of solar energy from vehicle rooftops, and the conversion of that energy to electrical power for storage and/or distribution to a local or wide area power grid. The system may utilize parked vehicles, or may utilize vehicles in motion. The generated electrical power may be stored aboard the vehicle for distribution when the vehicle is parked. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  of the drawings provides an illustration of an exemplary solar power system  10 , as such a system might be installed or disposed in a vehicle yard or terminal  12  (e.g., truck terminal, bus storage yard, etc.). The yard  12  includes a fixed, local power distribution network  14  comprising at least two towers  16  or other elevated points and a support cable  18  extending between the two towers  16 . An electrical cable or line  20  is suspended from the support cable  18 . The electrical cable  20  comprises a number of electrically separate lines according to the number of separate positions provided in the yard from which electrical power may be drawn from vehicles parked at those positions. 
         [0023]    A plurality of drop line cords  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  extend from the electrical cable  20 . Each of the cords  22   a - 22   c  is anchored to a corresponding anchor point  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c , etc. Each of the cords or lines  22   a - 22   c  terminates in a corresponding electrical connector, e.g.,  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c  (shown schematically in  FIG. 1 ), enabling an electrical source to be connected to each connector to supply electrical power to the local electrical network  14 . Each of the drop line cords  22   a - 22   c  includes some slack therein, which is taken up by corresponding springs  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c , etc. This system anchors each of the drop lines or cords  22   a - 22   c  securely to prevent them from blowing loosely in the wind, while still providing sufficient slack to allow for some movement in the overhead support cable  18  and/or contact by a vehicle being parked in the yard. 
         [0024]    A flexible solar panel  30  or grid of panels is removably secured to the roof or upper surface of each vehicle intended to interface with the solar power system  10 , e.g., the semi-trailer vehicle  32  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The flexible solar panel  30  may be secured to the top of the trailer  32  by conventional tiedown straps or lines  34  or by any other suitable means. The flexible solar panel  30  (or grid of panels) includes a large number of conventional flexible solar cells thereon, enabling the solar panel  30  to be drawn over the sides and/or other irregularities of the upper surface of the vehicle to which it has been applied. Each flexible solar panel  30  includes an electrical connector, i.e., a power cord  36 , extending therefrom. The power cord  36  may be removably connected to a corresponding electrical connector, e.g., connector  26   a , to transfer the electrical power produced by the solar panel  30  to the network  14 . The drop line cords  22   a - 22   c  and their corresponding anchors  24   a - 24   c  are preferably spaced to allow the positioning of a conventional vehicle (e.g., bus, semi-trailer, etc.) between adjacent cords. This allows a plurality of such vehicles to be parked in the yard with each being connected to a corresponding electrical connector  26   a - 26   c  from a corresponding drop line cord  22   a - 22   c . It will be understood that the local power distribution network  14  includes an interface that steps up the voltage delivered by the cable  20  and converts the voltage delivered by the cable to the type of voltage (e.g., a.c. voltage) that can be practically used by the network  14 , while isolating the panel(s)  30  from power supplied by the network  14 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  provides an illustration of an alternative system for collecting electrical power from vehicle rooftop solar panels. In  FIG. 2 , the semi-trailer  32  with its removably installed flexible solar panel(s)  30  is shown backed up to the first loading dock  38   a  of a row of such loading docks  38   a ,  38   b ,  38   c . Each of the loading docks  38   a - 38   c  includes a loading dock receptacle and electrical cord  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c  immediately adjacent to the corresponding loading dock  38   a - 38   c . The cords  40   a - 40   c  are spring-loaded to retract them to their respective receptacles when not in use, but to allow their extension to connect to a corresponding electrical power cord  36  extending from the solar panel(s)  30  atop the vehicle  32 . The various loading dock electrical receptacles and their cords  40   a - 40   c  are electrically connected to a fixed, local power distribution network  42 , similar in function to the power distribution network  14  of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0026]    In both the embodiments of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the power distribution networks  14  and  42  connect electrically to a control and/or distribution facility  44 . The control and/or distribution facility  44  receives the electrical power produced by the various solar panels, e.g., solar panel  30 , and redistributes that power for use throughout a localized electrical grid for distributing electrical power throughout the vehicle terminal or yard as needed, e.g., for operating lights, electrically powered loading dock doors, and other electrical equipment. Alternatively, in the event that more electrical power is produced than may be needed by the local grid of the vehicle terminal, the surplus electrical power may be transmitted to a wide area public utility electrical grid or the like for sale thereto. Such systems are well known in the art of electrical power production and distribution, and need not be described in detail here. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  provides an illustration of an exemplary monitoring panel or display  46  that may be used with any of the embodiments of the solar panel system described herein. The monitoring panel or display  46  includes a sub panel  48  in the upper left portion thereof representing the loading dock positions, e.g., loading dock positions one through thirteen. Obviously, the number of positions may be adjusted to correspond with any practical number of loading docks at the vehicle storage yard or terminal. Each position includes a light therewith, with the light having two different colors. A green light indicates that the solar panel of a vehicle is connected to the system, i.e., “online,” while a red light indicates that the specific circuit is open, i.e., “offline.” The colors are exemplary, and may be adjusted as desired. 
         [0028]    A second sub-panel  50  across the lower portion of the panel or display  46  represents the various positions in the yard or terminal staging area, i.e., the positions served by the drop lines or cords  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  in the exemplary illustration of  FIG. 1 . Each position may be indicated by a light to show whether the position is active, i.e., having a vehicle solar panel connected thereto, or inactive. Alternatively, or in addition to such indicator lights, each position may display the electrical power (wattage) output of each position. 
         [0029]    A third sub-panel  52  provides for the display of the electrical power output (in watts or kilowatts) of the loading dock and staging area positions as indicated on the sub-panels  48  and  50 , and a display of the total wattage output over a predetermined period of time. The total power output may be distributed to the local grid or network, e.g., the network  14  shown in  FIG. 1  and/or the network  42  of  FIG. 2 , via the “Main Building” line  54  (to the local distribution network or grid provided from the distribution facility  44 ), or alternatively excess electrical output may be sold to the larger area or public utility grid, as indicated by the “Main Grid” line  56 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram that very briefly describes the various elements or components of the various embodiments of the solar power system and the flow of electrical power through the system. Initially, a vehicle and solar panel combination  58  (e.g., the semi-trailer  32  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  or other vehicle equipped with the solar panel  30  or other solar panel configuration) is connected to the fixed local electrical power distribution network or grid  14  of the vehicle yard or, alternatively, to the fixed local power distribution network or grid  42  of the loading dock. Both of these networks or grids  14  and  42  deliver electrical power to a conventional electrical power distribution system, as controlled by the control or distribution facility  44 . The system may be monitored by the monitoring panel or display  46  exemplified in  FIG. 3  of the drawings. The power distribution system or facility  44  delivers the electrical power produced by the vehicle and solar panel  58  to either the local power network or grid  60  of the vehicle terminal or yard, or alternatively, to the larger scale network or grid  62  of the public electric utility serving the area. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  also briefly describes an alternative means of generating or producing electrical power in accordance with the solar power system. The various vehicles of the system, e.g., the semi-trailer  30  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , etc., may be equipped with an on-board electrical storage system  64 , as indicated with the vehicle and solar panel combination  58  in  FIG. 4 . Such an on-board electrical storage system  64  may be conventional in nature, e.g., electrical storage batteries (lead-acid, lithium, etc.), high-efficiency capacitors, or perhaps mechanical energy storage in the form of one or more flywheels, or some combination of the above principles. Each of the above energy storage means is well known and conventional, and need not be described in further detail. The incorporation of any of the above energy storage means with the vehicle enables the vehicle to store electrical energy produced by its solar panels while the vehicle is in motion. When the vehicle is delivered to the terminal or yard  14 , it may be connected electrically to the local grid or network  14  or  42  as described above using a conventional power cord or cable extending from the energy storage means to an appropriate receptacle  26   a - 26   c  ( FIG. 1 ) or  40   a - 40   c  ( FIG. 2 ) in the manner used to connect the solar panel  30  directly to the fixed local electrical power grid of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 . 
         [0032]      FIGS. 5 through 7  of the drawings illustrate further embodiments of the solar power system, primarily illustrating exemplary vehicle types that might be used with the system.  FIG. 5  of the drawings illustrates a semi-trailer  30 , much like the trailer  30  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . It will be noted that such trailers  30  are conventionally provided with marker or position lights  66 . In some cases, the flexible solar panel may extend beyond the roof or upper surface of the vehicle  30 , and depend partially down the upper sides of the vehicle. This may result in the depending portions of the solar panel, e.g., the panel  68  of  FIG. 5 , covering the upper marker lights of the vehicle  30 . Accordingly, the solar panel  68  may be provided with clearance areas comprising transparent lighting display panels  70  disposed along the various vertically depending portions of the solar panel  68  when installed upon the vehicle  30 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  of the drawings illustrates another type of vehicle that may be used with the solar power system, i.e., a passenger bus  72  (school bus, tour bus, etc.) and flexible solar panel  74  therewith. Such buses often include emergency escape hatches in their roofs, and this is particularly true in the case of school buses. Accordingly, the flexible solar panel  74  may be provided with a clearance area comprising a roof opening  76  positioned congruently with the roof escape hatch of the vehicle  72 . Such roof openings  76  may be provided for other vehicles having openings or discontinuities in their roof structures, e.g., large recreational vehicles with roof-mounted air conditioning units, etc. 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  of the drawings illustrates yet another vehicle type to which a flexible solar panel may be temporarily and removably installed, the vehicle comprising a van-type truck  78 . The flexible solar panel  80  temporarily and removably installed thereon may be configured substantially like the flexible solar panel  30  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , but may have a different aspect ratio in accordance with the length and width of the roof or upper surface of the van  78 . 
         [0035]    Accordingly, the solar power system in its various embodiments provides means for utilizing the otherwise unused areas of the roofs or upper surfaces of motorized and non-motorized vehicles as those roofs or upper surfaces are exposed to the sun. The provision for on-board electrical storage extends the functionality of the system beyond the vehicle storage yard or terminal, allowing the vehicles to produce electrical power from solar energy even as they travel down the highway. While the electrical power generated per vehicle over a relatively short period of time, e.g., a day or so, may not be great, the gathering of the electrical power produced by a large number of solar panel equipped vehicles over perhaps several weeks results in a meaningful amount of electrical power produced that may assist in reducing the load required of a conventional electrical power plant. 
         [0036]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.