Patent Description:
Such a silo is per se known and is used in for instance agricultural companies for storing and/or fermenting manure, among other things. Although it is possible to leave the silo open, a cover is generally provided, on one hand to prevent rainwater from diluting manure contained in the silo and on the other to prevent or limit emissions from the silo.

Silos take up a relatively large amount of space, whereby this space cannot be used for for instance grazing, cultivation or generating energy. There is therefore a wish to use the space taken up by the silos more effectively.

<CIT> discloses a solar energy intelligent low-temperature grain storage system including an intelligent control system and a grain storage silo for stacking grain piles. The feature is that the outer surface of the roof of the grain storage silo is fixedly installed with solar panel components through a support frame. The component is connected to an electric energy storage device that provides electric energy for the intelligent control system, and an overhead passage is formed between the solar panel component and the outer surface of the roof of the grain storage warehouse.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for sterilising material, the apparatus comprising; a first pressure vessel; the pressure vessel comprising a vessel infeed and a vessel outlet; the vessel infeed and vessel outlet are adapted to form respective seals with the pressure vessel such that a desired pressure can be maintained in the pressure vessel; and wherein pressure vessel is depressurised such that the material deposited in the pressure vessel is sterilised and at least a portion of the inner surfaces of the pressure vessel are sterilised, such that the material deposited into the pressure vessel can be stored therein for a predetermined period of time.

<CIT> discloses a solar panel comprising a solar panel module as well as an adjustable foot frame, a support, a solar panel module, a ridge tile and a power box, wherein the adjustable foot frame is located on a barn roof; the support is in sleeved connection to the adjustable foot frame; the solar panel module is inlaid in the support; the ridge tile is in snapped connection with the solar panel module; and the power box is electrically connected to the solar panel module. The adjustable foot frame comprises an adjustment rod, a supporting rod, a fixation screw, a suction disk and a pressure block, wherein the adjustment rod is in sleeved connection with a base; the supporting rod is in sleeved connection with the adjustment rod; the fixation screw is in twisted connection with the supporting rod; the suction disk is adsorbed on the barn roof to fix the supporting rod and is in clamped connection with the supporting rod; and the weight of the whole base is increased by the pressure block, fixation on the barn roof is firmer, and the pressure block is in sleeved connection with the supporting rod.

<CIT> discloses a ventilation and thermal insulation temperature control system based on a granary. The system comprises a granary body and is characterized in that a top plate is arranged at the top of the granary body, an inverted-V-shaped roof is arranged on the upper side of the top plate, the long lateral wall of the granary body is provided with longitudinal air guide pipes, the short lateral wall of the granary body is provided with transverse air guide pipes, the upper ends of first air outlet pipes are communicated with the longitudinal air guide pipes, the upper ends of second air outlet pipes are communicated with the transverse air guide pipes, and the first air outlet pipes and the second air outlet pipes are provided with a plurality of air outlets; bidirectional exhaust fan are arranged in air ducts, a refrigerator is arranged in a thermal insulation cavity, and the outer sides of flow guide covers are provided with air exchanging pipes communicated with the outside; connecting pipes are provided with electric control valves A, the air exchanging pipes are provided with electric control valves B, air guide pipes are provided with electric control valves C, and the top plate is provided with an overflow pipe. The ventilation and thermal insulation temperature control system is good in ventilation and radiating effect, capable of keeping grain at appropriate temperature and capable of increasing grain storage quality.

<CIT> discloses a ventilated raw grain storage device comprising a triangular roof, a solar power generation board, a rain cover, a ventilation pipe, a tee pipe, a dehumidifier, the foot, the base, the movable cover, the observation window, the handle, the fixed frame, the negative pressure fan is connected with the triangular roof, the ventilation pipe is arranged at the left end of the warehouse body, the tee pipe and the ventilation pipe is connected with the snorkel, and the foot is arranged at the bottom of the base, the base and the movable cover is movably connected with the warehouse body, the observation window is arranged on the movable cover, the handle and the movable cover, the fixing frame is connected with the warehouse body, and the warehouse body is provided with a negative pressure fan.

<CIT> discloses a solar umbrella, comprising umbrella cloth, an umbrella rod, an umbrella base, an auxiliary umbrella, umbrella ribs, solar cells, a storage battery and a line concentration device, wherein the solar cells which are packaged are provided on the umbrella cloth, the umbrella cloth is supported by the umbrella ribs, the umbrella rod connects the umbrella ribs and the umbrella base, the line concentration device is mounted on the umbrella ribs, the line concentration device has multiple sockets, the solar cells are connected to the sockets of the line concentration device, the auxiliary umbrella is disposed above the umbrella cloth and covers the sockets, and the storage battery is located inside the umbrella rod and connected with the line concentration device.

<CIT> discloses a plastic hall manufactured from a canvas material that covers a frame construction, where at least the external part of the roof of the plastic hall is equipped externally with a number of soft solar panels, characterised in that said solar panel is fastened to an underlying soft membrane equipped with a first fastening device that is welded or sewn to the membrane, that said first fastening device is arranged to be fastened to a second fastening device that is welded or sewn to the canvas material of the plastic hall, whereby said solar panel and the membrane constitute a unit that can be separately fastened to and loosened from the canvas material.

According to the invention, this wish is met when in a silo according to the preamble at least one flexible photovoltaic device is arranged on the roof, wherein the at least one flexible photovoltaic device is fastened to the flexible roof by means of first fastening means which are fixed permanently onto the roof, and second fastening means which are fixed, optionally permanently, onto the at least one flexible photovoltaic device, wherein the first fastening means and the second fastening means are mutually releasable and reconnectable to each other in order to thus fasten the at least one flexible photovoltaic device releasably to the roof.

It is noted that the releasable connection makes it possible to remove the photovoltaic devices from the silo or the roof for maintenance. Because such maintenance is essential, it is generally not possible to use permanently attached photovoltaic devices. Owing to the releasable connection, the photovoltaic devices can also be exchanged for different ones, for instance when they are damaged.

It is noted that the flexible roof can be a single-layer roof, which is for instance manufactured from a plastic sheet. Such a roof can be manufactured substantially from polyester and can for instance be coated with an optionally synthetic coating, preferably on both sides of the material. Nevertheless, the invention can also be applied to double membrane roofs for for instance silos. Such double membrane roofs also comprise a flexible sheet to which the photovoltaic devices can be fastened.

As known in the market, flexible photovoltaic devices, i.e. flexible solar cells, are substantially different from the known rigid panels. Flexible photovoltaic devices are substantially flat, but can for instance be bent and/or rolled up in simple manner without causing damage to the device. In the case of rigid solar panels it is impossible to bend and/or roll the panels. An attempt at bending will result, at most, in a slight movement accompanied by great elastic forces which urge the panel back to its original form. As is known, the panels are very rigid. Flexible panels can conversely be bent without generating such elastic forces, among other reasons because they are very thin (for instance < <NUM> thick). It is therefore very easy for the skilled person to distinguish between a solar panel, which is rigid, and a flexible photovoltaic device which, in contrast to a panel, is flexible, as stated.

The fact that the photovoltaic device is flexible ultimately ensures a good co-action with the roof, which is also flexible, because it can be made from a sheet (or can comprise a sheet). Because such a sheet is also flexible, i.e. is deformable such that it can be rolled up, the properties of at least a part of the roof correspond to those of the photovoltaic device.

The skilled person knows that flexible roofs are distinguished from other roofs, which are rigid, by the weight of the roofs, among other things. This is because a sheet of a flexible roof is many times lighter than steel or concrete constructions used in rigid roofs.

A flexible roof further differs from a normal roof in that the flexible roof can be partially released, rolled aside or folded aside, making the silo accessible for for instance maintenance. Also providing flexible photovoltaic devices will not limit this behaviour. The flexible photovoltaic devices otherwise also have the advantage that they can be mounted on a flexible roof, for instance when this roof consists of or comprises a sheet. Rigid panels cannot be mounted thereon, for example because they require a screw connection.

The fastening means are formed by the two parts of a hook and loop fastening. Such a connection is highly suitable because an extremely good connection to the roof and the photovoltaic device can be obtained owing to its flexible character. A reliable connection can thereby be obtained, which may result in less exposure to weather influences owing to the improved connection.

It is noted that the fastening means could be replaced with adhesive, for example. It is possible to apply such a permanent fastening, for instance in combination with features described further below. It is noted that alternative and/or additional measures can then be taken for removing the photovoltaic devices for for instance maintenance. Other fastening techniques are not precluded either.

The first fastening means can for instance be welded to the roof. This results in a permanent connection between this results in a permanent connection between the first fastening means, so that photovoltaic devices can be arranged at the correct position in simple manner.

An alternative option for attaching the first fastening means to the roof is sewing. Welding and sewing can optionally be combined.

The second fastening means can be arranged on the rear side of the at least one photovoltaic device. The rear side, which forms the contact surface with the silo roof, can hereby be used to attach the photovoltaic devices. It is noted that this form of attachment is particularly advantageous when using flexible photovoltaic devices, because known methods, such as clamping of the devices, do not always result in a sufficiently safe attachment.

The second fastening means can be arranged by means of an adhesive substance, such as a glue or cement. A glue or cement which remains sufficiently flexible to accommodate the flexibility of the roof and the photovoltaic devices is preferably opted for.

Both the first and the second fastening means can comprise a plurality of mutually separate parts. In this way a fastening point can be realized at several locations, without this taking up a large surface area of fastening means. The fastening can thus be strengthened without a relatively great increase in the quantity of material needed and/or other additional costs.

Each of the first mounting means and the second mounting means can comprise a plurality of strips. A relatively reliable connection can be obtained in elegant manner by means of the strips.

In an embodiment of the silo the at least one photovoltaic device is substantially elongate and defines two end zones lying opposite each other, wherein second fastening means are arranged in each end zone.

Fastening the elongate devices to both end zones creates a reliable connection for flexible photovoltaic devices which has not yet been used heretofore. The second fastening means arranged in each end zone can particularly be arranged at a mutual distance.

In an embodiment of the silo the roof is substantially circular in top view. The roof can for instance be (frusto)conical.

The at least one photovoltaic device can in that case extend radially over the roof, preferably between the centre and the edge. A (frusto)conical roof has a relatively small curvature in this direction, whereby the flexible device need likewise bend less.

A plurality of photovoltaic devices can alternatively and/or additionally be distributed over the roof at different angular positions. By distributing a plurality of devices over the angular positions a greater angular portion of the roof can be covered without the flexible devices having to span the whole curvature of the roof over the whole angular portion. Less bending of the flexible photovoltaic device is required hereby.

The plurality of photovoltaic devices can also be distributed over the roof at different radial positions. In this way a relatively large part of the roof can be covered with photovoltaic devices with a fixed form, particularly a rectangular form.

A plurality of photovoltaic devices can particularly be distributed over the roof such that the number of photovoltaic devices per unit area of the roof varies locally.

By locally varying the density a relatively large amount of sunlight can be captured with a relatively small area of devices by taking into consideration the direction of incidence of the light. A part of the roof which generally faces toward a direction of incidence of sunlight can particularly be provided with a relatively high density of devices. The surface area of the device(s) could of course also be increased locally in order to achieve the same effect.

The at least one photovoltaic device can be electrically connected to a converter by means of a breakable, and reconnectable, coupling. Removing, repositioning and/or replacing and/or exchanging the device is relatively simple by means of such a coupling.

It is also possible to connect a plurality of photovoltaic devices to the same converter, for instance the above stated converter, optionally with the above stated coupling.

The converter need in this way not be replaced when replacing the flexible devices, for instance when they have incurred damage. This can save considerable replacement costs, but also installation costs.

Disclosed also is a cover for forming a roof for a silo, with the features described in respect of the roof of a silo as above, in any suitable combination.

The invention will be further elucidated with reference to the figures, in which:.

Corresponding elements are designated in different figures with the same reference numeral, but increased by <NUM> (one hundred).

<FIG> shows a silo <NUM> with a roof <NUM>. The silo <NUM> is cylindrical and is for instance used to store manure. Arranged on silo <NUM> is a flexible roof <NUM> of a polyester material which is coated on both sides, in this specific case with a synthetic coating. This makes the flexible roof <NUM> watertight and weather-resistant. Emission through roof <NUM> is also limited. Roof <NUM> is conical and is suspended from a support structure in the centre of roof <NUM>, and from the walls of silo <NUM>.

<FIG> show roofs <NUM>, <NUM> in top view. The support structure is partially visible in the form of a support <NUM>, <NUM> in the centre of the roof <NUM>, <NUM>. Arranged on roof <NUM>, <NUM> are photovoltaic devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. A plurality of devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are distributed in the peripheral direction O and lie at different distances in the radial direction R. This results in an inner ring of photovoltaic devices <NUM>, <NUM> and an outer ring <NUM>, <NUM>. In the case of <FIG> only a part of roof <NUM> is covered, making the local density of photovoltaic devices higher on the right-hand side in the figure than on the left-hand side. In <FIG> substantially the whole roof <NUM> is covered with photovoltaic devices <NUM>, <NUM>.

Each photovoltaic device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> has a substantially rectangular form and is flexible. Photovoltaic devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are connected releasably to the roof <NUM>, <NUM> by means of suitable fastening means, which will be elucidated further below.

<FIG> each show the rear side of a photovoltaic device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, which can be applied on the roofs <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG>. Each device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is provided with second fastening means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The second fastening means of <FIG> are formed by two strips <NUM> which are arranged at the longitudinal ends of the photovoltaic device. In <FIG> use is made of a plurality of separate strips <NUM> close to each longitudinal end. Finally, <FIG> shows a number of different positions and shapes which are also applicable for the second fastening means <NUM>. In these examples the second fastening means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged on the rear side of photovoltaic devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> with an adhesive.

Although not necessarily, the second fastening means are in this case formed by one part of a hook and loop fastening. The first fastening means form the corresponding part.

First fastening means can of course be arranged on roof <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> with shapes and/or positions corresponding to those of the second fastening means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> once again shows a top view of a silo roof <NUM>, this time without photovoltaic devices. This makes visible first fastening means <NUM>, which are in this case arranged all around roof <NUM> as two separate circular paths. The strips <NUM> of for instance photovoltaic devices <NUM> of <FIG> could be arranged thereon. A plurality of circular paths can of course be provided. Irrespective of the number or shape of the first fastening means <NUM>, they can be welded fixedly to roof <NUM> just as they are in the shown example, whereby they are thus connected permanently to the roof.

Claim 1:
Silo (<NUM>) for storing for instance manure, wherein the silo (<NUM>) is covered on an upper side thereof with a flexible roof (<NUM>), wherein the roof (<NUM>) is manufactured from a flexible material, which is optionally supported by a central column, or is otherwise deformable, wherein at least one flexible photovoltaic device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is arranged on the roof (<NUM>), wherein the at least one flexible photovoltaic device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is fastened to the flexible roof (<NUM>) by means of first fastening means (<NUM>) which are fixed permanently onto the roof (<NUM>), and second fastening means (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) which are fixed, optionally permanently, onto the at least one flexible photovoltaic device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the first fastening means (<NUM>) and the second fastening means (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are mutually releasable and reconnectable to each other in order to thus fasten the at least one flexible photovoltaic device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) releasably to the roof (<NUM>), characterised in that the first (<NUM>) and second fastening means (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are formed by respective parts of a hook and loop fastening.