DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of solar photovoltaic systems. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to the field of compact solar generators.
DEFINITIONS
The term “Foldable” used hereinafter in the provisional specification refers to the feature of the solar generator of being easily able to fold or closely pack the solar panel units disposed on the solar generator to make the solar generator more compact.
BACKGROUND
Conventional solar photovoltaic systems, typically solar generators, comprise an array of individual solar panels connected in series and/or parallel connection to generate a desired amount of electricity. Such systems are bulky in nature and occupy a lot of space, and therefore, are required to be essentially placed at a particular location. Further, the transmission of electricity from the electricity generating grid to the rural locations is a cumbersome task as it requires erection of poles, and laying electric cables through a large distance. Moreover, current and voltage drop is observed as the distance between the grid and the rural locations to be connected increases.
Therefore, there is felt a need to develop a foldable solar generator that occupies less space so as to be able to carry a plurality of solar panels to remote locations and to be able to alleviate other abovementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a solar generator constituting a set of solar panel units having a foldable configuration.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a foldable solar generator that is able to track the sunrays throughout the day.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a foldable solar generator that has compact and modular configuration.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a foldable solar generator that provides electric current for household applications.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a foldable solar generator. The foldable solar generator comprises a fixed unit, at least one moving unit, a set of solar panel units, a plurality of braces and a tilting mechanism. The fixed unit defines a housing. At least one movable unit is extendable and retractable from the housing.
The set of solar panel units are disposed on the fixed unit, wherein at least one first solar panel unit of the set of solar panel units is mounted on an operative top surface of the fixed unit. Further, other solar panel units of the set of solar panel units are hingeably connected to the first solar panel unit. The other solar panel units are adapted to be displaced from an inoperative configuration to an operative configuration.
Further, in the inoperative configuration, the other solar panel units are hingeably folded against the sides of the fixed unit. In the operative configuration, the other solar panel units are unfolded to abut each other to form a planar solar panel.
The plurality of braces is provided to support the other solar panel units in the operative configuration.
The tilting mechanism of the solar generator is configured to angularly displace the set of solar panel units in the operative configuration to facilitate tracking of solar rays.
In an embodiment, the tilting mechanism of the solar generator comprises a plurality of props and at least one telescopic rod. In an embodiment, the plurality of props is disposed between the first solar panel unit and the fixed and movable unit respectively. Further, at least one telescopic rod is connected to each of the props, and is configured to angularly displace the props with respect to surface of ground to facilitate angular displacement of the set of solar panel units.
The solar generator further includes at least one battery and an inverter. The battery is configured to store power generated by the set of solar panel units, and is further configured to provide a direct current.
The inverter is connected to at least one battery, and is configured to receive the direct current from the battery. The inverter is further configured to convert the received direct current into an alternating currrent.
In an embodiment, a plurality of wheels is configured at an operative bottom portion of at least one of the fixed unit and the movable unit. The wheels are further configured to provide mobility to the solar generator.
In another embodiment, the battery is configured to provide power to the tilting mechanism to angularly displace the set of solar panel units.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
The foldable solar generator, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of the solar generator having a set of solar panel units in an inoperative configuration;
Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the solar generator of figure 1 with other solar panel units slid to the edges of the solar generator;
Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the solar generator of figure 1 with an extended movable unit;
Figure 4 illustrates an isometric view of the solar generator of figure 1 with the set of solar panel units in an operative configuration;
Figure 5 illustrates an isometric view of the solar generator of figure 1 with the set of solar panel units parallel to the flat ground;
Figure 6 illustrates an isometric view of the solar generator of figure 1 with the set of solar panel units in angularly displaced position; and
Figure 7 illustrates an isometric view of the solar generator with a plurality of props required for angularly displacing the set of solar panel units, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERRAL NUMERALS
100 – Foldable solar generator
102 – Set of solar panel units
102A – At least one first solar panel unit
102B – Other solar panel units
103 – Fixed unit
104 – At least one movable unit
106 – Plurality of braces
108 – Plurality of props
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure envisages a solar generator that has a foldable configuration so as to keep the solar generator compact and so that the solar generator provides transportability from one location to another, thereby solving the problem of electricity at rural locations. The foldable solar generator, of the present disclosure is configured to track the sunrays throughout the day.
The foldable solar generator 100 (hereinafter referred to as “solar generator 100”), of the present disclosure, is now described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 7.
The solar generator 100 of the present disclosure comprises a fixed unit 103, at least one movable unit 104, a set of solar panel units 102, a plurality of braces 106, a tilting mechanism, at least one battery (not specifically shown in figures), and an inverter (not specifically shown in figures).
In an embodiment, the fixed unit 103 of the solar generator 100 is defined by a housing. In an embodiment, the housing has a rectangular box-shaped configuration defining a top surface, a bottom surface and side surfaces.
The movable unit 104 is removably attached to the fixed unit 103 of the solar generator 100. The movable unit 104 is extendable and retractable with respect to the housing. In an embodiment, the solar generator 100 has two movable units attached to the operative side surfaces of the fixed unit 103.
Further, the set of solar panel units 102 is disposed on the fixed unit 103. In an embodiment, at least one first solar panel unit 102A of the set of solar panel units 102 is mounted on the top surface of the fixed unit 103. Further, other solar panel units 102B of the set of solar panel units 102 are hingeably connected to the first solar panel unit 102A. The other solar panel units 102B are adapted to be displaced from an inoperative configuration to an operative configuration. The inoperative and the operative configuration is defined by folded and unfolded configuration of the solar generator 100 respectively.
In the inoperative configuration, the other solar panel units 102B are hingeably folded against the sides surfaces of the fixed unit 103. Such folded configuration makes the solar generator 100 compact and space efficient.
In the operative configuration, the other solar panel units 102B are unfolded to abut each other to form a planar solar panel.
Further, the plurality of braces 106 is provided to support the other solar panel units 102B in the operative configuration. In an embodiment, the set of solar panel units 102 are interconnected to one another via the plurality of braces 106. The plurality of braces 106 facilities folding and unfolding of the other set of solar panel units 102B with respect to each other.
In an embodiment, the plurality of braces 106 is configured to connect each of the first solar panel unit 102A and the other solar panel units 102B. The plurality of braces 106 provides locking of the each of the set of solar panel units 102 with respect to each other. The plurality of braces 106 further provides support to the planar solar panel formed by the other solar panel units 102B, thereby making it stronger and firmer.
In the operative configuration, the movable unit 104 is extended to provide support to the set of solar panel units 102. After the other set of solar panel units 102B is unfolded and positioned parallel to the surface of ground, the tilting mechanism is activated. The tilting mechanism comprises a plurality of props 108 and at least one telescopic rod (not exclusively shown in figures). The tilting mechanism is configured to angularly displace the set of solar panel units 102 in the operative configuration to facilitate tracking of solar rays.
The plurality of props 108 is disposed between the first solar panel unit 102A and the operative top surface of the fixed and movable unit 103, 104 respectively. In an embodiment, the first solar panel unit 102A is connected to the plurality of props 108 by means of a screw and nut assembly. In another embodiment, the first solar panel unit 102A is welded to the plurality of props 108. The telescopic rod is connected to each of the plurality of props 108. The telescopic rod is configured to angularly displace the plurality of props 108 with respect to the surface of the ground. In an embodiment, after the tillting mechanism is activated, the telescopic rod facilitates the angular displacement of the plurality of props 108 in the operative upward or operative downward direction. In an embodiment, the plurality of props 108 is configured to angularly displace the set of solar panel units 102 about the vertical and longitudinal axis of the set of solar panel units 102.
The angular displacement of the set of solar panel units 102 by the tilting mechanism facilitates the tracking of sunrays throughout the day and year. In an embodiment, the angular displacement of the set of solar panel units 102 facilitates an optimal absorption of sunrays, thereby increasing the amount of electricity generated by the set of solar panel units 102.
The reduction in the amount of the generated electricity by the set of solar panel units 102 due to shadow falling thereon is avoided due to the upward or downward angular displacement of the plurality of props 108. In another embodiment, the telescopic rod has a plurality of holes configured thereon to facilitate the movement of the tilting mechanism.
In an exemplary embodiment, each of the packed set of solar panel units 102 has dimensions of 1.2 m x 1.2 m x 2.2 m, which open up to a maximum dimension of 4 m x 3 m.
The solar generator 100 further includes at least one battery that is connected to the set of solar panel units 102. The set of solar panel units 102 generates a direct current that is required to be converted into an alternating current as per application requirements. The battery is configured to store power generated by the set of solar panel units 102, and is further configured to provide a direct current at its output. In another embodiment, the battery is capable of providing power back up of around two days.
The inverter is connected to at least one battery. The inverter is configured to receive the direct current from the battery. The inverter is further configured to convert the received direct current into an alternating currrent, wherein the alternating current is further used for different applications. In an embodiment, the inverter is MOSFET based PWM with instantaneous sine wave controller.
In an embodiment, a plurality of wheels (not exclusively labelled in the figures) is configured at an operative bottom portion of the fixed unit 103 and the movable unit 104 of the solar generator 100. The plurality of wheels is configured to provide mobility to the solar generator 100.
In an embodiment, the battery is configured to provide power to the tilting mechanism to angularly displace the set of solar panel units 102.
In an exemplary embodiment, the set of solar panel units 102, the fixed unit 103, the movable unit 104, and the plurality of braces 106 together are configured to provide a folding/unfolding mechanism to the solar generator 100. In an embodiment, the folding/unfolding mechanism as well as the tilting mechanism is powered by the battery or by the A.C. power supply via the inverter.
In an embodiment, the solar generator 100 system is designed for 1.5 kW to 2 kW system incorporating the batteries and inverters.
In another embodiment, the electricity generated by the solar generator 100 is used to operate household appliances like electric motors, laptops, desktop computers, mobile chargers, lamps, printers, fax machines, scanners, and internet modems.
In still another embodiment, the solar generator 100 is used to operate agricultural water pumps, power tools such as a drill machine, belt sander, circular saw and the like.
In an embodiment, the number of solar panel units, batteries, inverters, props, and braces do not limit the scope and ambit of the present disclosure and can be one or more.
The solar generator 100, of the present disclosure, is a stand-alone system. In an embodiment, the solar generator 100 is grid-interactive system. In another embodiment, the solar generator 100 is an offline system.
The solar generator 100, of the present disclosure, has foldable and transportable configuration. Therefore, the solar generator 100 is useful to generate electricity in remote locations that are difficult to be connected with the grid, thereby solving the electricity issue of the remote locations.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a foldable solar generator that:
• has simple configuration;
• is able to track the sun throughout the day; and
• has a compact modular configuration.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation. ,CLAIMS:1. A foldable solar generator (100) comprising :
a fixed unit (103) defining a housing;
at least one movable unit (104) extendable and retractable from said housing; and
a set of solar panel units (102) disposed on said fixed unit (103), wherein at least one first solar panel unit (102A) of said set of solar panel units (102) is mounted on an operative top surface of said fixed unit (103), wherein other solar panel units (102B) of said set of solar panel units (102) are hingeably connected to said first solar panel unit (102A), said other solar panel units (102B) are adapted to be displaced from an inoperative configuration to an operative configuration;
wherein:
in said inoperative configuration, said other solar panel units (102B) are hingeably folded against the sides of said fixed unit (103), and
in said operative configuration, said other solar panel units (102B) are unfolded to abut each other to form a planar solar panel;
a plurality of braces (106) is provided to support said other solar panel units (102B) in said operative configuration; and
a tilting mechanism is configured to angularly displace said set of solar panel units (102) in said operative configuration to facilitate tracking of solar rays.
2. The solar generator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tilting mechanism comprises:
a plurality of props (108) disposed between said at least one first solar panel unit (102A) and said fixed and movable unit (103, 104) respectively; and
at least one telescopic rod connected to each of said props (108), said at least one telescopic rod configured to angularly displace said props (108) with respect to the surface of ground to facilitate angular displacement of said set of solar panel units (102).
3. The solar generator (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes at least one battery configured to store power generated by said set of solar panel units (102), and further configured to provide a direct current.
4. The solar generator (100) as claimed in claim 3, which includes an inverter connected to said at least one battery, said inverter configured to receive said direct current from said battery, and further configured to convert said received direct current into an alternating currrent.
5. The solar generator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of wheels is configured at an operative bottom portion of at least one of said fixed unit (103) and said movable unit (104), and further configured to provide mobility to said solar generator (100).
6. The solar generator as claimed in claim 3, wherein said at least one battery is configured to provide power to said tilting mechanism to angularly displace said set of solar panel units (102).