Description:TITLE OF THE INVENTION: AN APPARATUS FOR ABSTERGING PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure is generally related to absterging apparatuses. Particularly, the present disclosure is related to: an apparatus, in respect of absterging photovoltaic panels. More particularly, the present disclosure is related to: an apparatus, in respect of absterging photovoltaic panels, without water.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the global transition to renewable energy sources, a major player that has emerged is solar energy. Since they are environmentally friendly, and potentially reduce long-term energy costs, photovoltaic systems have seen a lot of growth. However, soiling (building up of dirt, dust, pollutants, and other particles, on surfaces of photovoltaic panels), can seriously impair their effectiveness and performance.
The solar power industry faces a serious challenge, as a result of soiling, which reduces energy output. According to research, even a tiny layer of dirt or dust can significantly lower the effectiveness of photovoltaic panels.
Manual absterging of photovoltaic panels is time-consuming, labour-intensive, difficult, and expensive, for owners of small solar plants and solar rooftop installations. It is also costly and unfeasible, for owners of small solar plants and solar rooftop installations, to hire absterging professionals, or invest in automated robotic systems.
An issue, with existing apparatuses, for absterging small-scale solar plants, is limited supplies of water. According to data, washing a solar panel takes about 2 litres of water. Another issue is that absterging of photovoltaic panels, with inappropriate water, [desalted water, and/or the like] might cause harm.
There is, therefore, a need in the art, for: an apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and shortcomings.
 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, is disclosed. Said apparatus broadly comprises: an absterging facilitating member; and an operating support member. Said absterging facilitating member broadly comprises: a plurality of movement facilitating members; a plurality of flexible members; an at least a sweeping member; and a drive unit. Said absterging facilitating member may be enclosed, by (or with) a hood.
Said plurality of movement facilitating members facilitates back and forth moving of said apparatus, by a user, over a photovoltaic panel. Each movement facilitating member, among said plurality of movement facilitating members, broadly comprises: a rolling member; and a sliding member.
Said rolling member is configured to roll over a top surface of said photovoltaic panel’s outer frame, while said apparatus is in use. Said sliding member is configured to slide over a side surface of said photovoltaic panel’s outer frame, while said apparatus is in use.
With (or through) said plurality of flexible members, positions of said plurality of movement facilitating members, on said photovoltaic panel, are adjusted, while said apparatus is in use. Each flexible member, among said plurality of flexible members, is associated with a respective movement facilitating member, among said plurality of movement facilitating members.
Said at least one sweeping member is rotatably disposed on (or is rotatably disposed at, or is rotatably mounted on, or is rotatably associated with) a profile member, through a plurality of rotation support members. Said at least one sweeping member broadly comprises: a body; and a plurality of bristles. Said plurality of bristles is disposed over (or is associated with) said body, in a helical configuration, from one end of said body to another end of said body. Said at least one sweeping member comprises a plurality of rows (or multiple rows) of such helical-configured bristles, to: increase contact ratio; and transmit a large force.
In an embodiment, said at least one sweeping member is disposed on (or is disposed at, or is associated with) said profile member, to the extent that between about 10 mm and about 15 mm, of the length of said plurality of bristles touches said photovoltaic panel, thereby, enabling creating of adequate pressure, over said photovoltaic panel’s surface, during absterging.
Said drive unit broadly comprises: a torque generating member; a drive pulley; a driven pulley; and a torque transmitting member.
Said torque generating member generates torque. Said drive pulley is associated with an output shaft of said torque generating member. Said driven pulley is associated with said at least one sweeping member. Said torque transmitting member: runs between said drive pulley and said driven pulley; and transmits said torque, from said torque generating member to said at least one sweeping member.
Said operating support member broadly comprises: a profile member; and a handle. Said profile member facilitates disposing of said absterging facilitating member. Said profile member broadly comprises: a pair of protrusion members. With (or through) said pair of protrusion members, said user lifts and positions (or disposes) said apparatus, on said photovoltaic panel. Each protrusion member, among said pair of protrusion members, is associated with one end of said profile member.
Said handle facilitates: moving of said apparatus, by said user, from one end of said photovoltaic panel to another end, during said absterging; and shifting of said apparatus, by a user, from said photovoltaic panel to another. Said handle is configured to resemble the letter “F”. Said handle broadly comprises: a collapse facilitating member; a locking member; and a switching member.
Through (or with) said collapse facilitating member, collapsing of said handle is achieved, by said user, as and when required. Said locking member prevents collapsing of said apparatus, while said apparatus is being used. Through (or with) said switching member, said apparatus is switched ON and/or switched OFF.
A power supply member supplies power, to said apparatus.
Method of absterging said photovoltaic panel, with (or through) the disclosed apparatus, is also disclosed.
If absterging is performed daily, the disclosed apparatus achieves an efficiency that ranges between about 80% and about 95%, during a single move i.e., in a single wipe, said apparatus absterges said photovoltaic panel, at an efficiency that ranges between about 80% and about 95%, without using water.
The disclosed apparatus offers at least the following advantages: is portable; is simple in construction; is cost-effective (approximate costs range between about Rs. 20,000 and about Rs. 40,000); is light in weight; is efficient; is scalable; is user-friendly; and/or does not use water, for absterging.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates an apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a drive unit, and an at least a sweeping member, of an apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a drive unit, an at least a sweeping member, and a plurality of movement facilitating members, of an apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates a flexible member, and a movement facilitating member, among a plurality of movement facilitating members, of an apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5 illustrates disposing of an apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, over a photovoltaic panel, during absterging, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 6 illustrates an at least a sweeping member, of an apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 7 illustrates a hood, and a power generating member, of an apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Throughout this specification, the use of the words “comprise” and “include”, and variations, such as “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, and “including”, may imply the inclusion of an element (or elements) not specifically recited. Further, the disclosed embodiments may be embodied, in various other forms, as well.
Throughout this specification, the use of the word “apparatus” is to be construed as: “a set of technical components (also referred to as “members”) that are communicatively and/or operably associated with each other, and function together, as part of a mechanism, to achieve a desired technical result”.
Throughout this specification, the use of the words “communication”, “couple”, and their variations (such as communicatively), is to be construed as being inclusive of: one-way communication (or coupling); and two-way communication (or coupling), as the case may be, irrespective of the directions of arrows, in the drawings.
Throughout this specification, where applicable, the use of the phrase “at least” is to be construed in association with the suffix “one” i.e. it is to be read along with the suffix “one”, as “at least one”, which is used in the meaning of “one or more”. A person skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that the phrase “at least one” is a standard term that is used, in Patent Specifications, to denote any component of a disclosure, which may be present (or disposed) in a single quantity, or more than a single quantity.
Throughout this specification, the use of the word “plurality” is to be construed as being inclusive of: “at least one”.
Throughout this specification, where applicable, the use of the phrase “at least one is to be construed in association with a succeeding component name.
Throughout this specification, the use of the word “absterging”, and its variations, is to be construed as: “wiping; cleaning; and/or the like”.
Throughout this specification, the use of the word “absterge”, and its variations, is to be construed as: “wipe; clean; and/or the like”.
Throughout this specification, the words “the” and “said” are used interchangeably.
Throughout this specification, the phrases “at least a”, “at least an”, and “at least one” are used interchangeably.
Throughout this specification, the disclosure of a range is to be construed as being inclusive of: the lower limit of the range; and the upper limit of the range.
Also, it is to be noted that embodiments may be described as a method. Although the operations, in a method, are described as a sequential process, many of the operations may be performed in parallel, concurrently, or simultaneously. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A method may be terminated, when its operations are completed, but may also have additional steps.
An apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water (also referred to as “apparatus”), is disclosed. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated, in Figure 1, said apparatus broadly comprises: an absterging facilitating member; and an operating support member.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, said operating support member broadly comprises: a profile member (8; for example, a frame) that is configured to facilitate disposing of (or mounting of) the absterging facilitating member; and a handle (7). Said profile member (8) is of rectangular configuration, and the handle (7) is configured to resemble the letter “F”.
As illustrated, in Figure 2, horizontal projections, in (or on) an end of the handle (7), are associated with horizontal members of the profile member (8). The handle (7) facilitates: moving of the apparatus, by a user, from one end of a photovoltaic panel (15) to another end of the photovoltaic panel (15), during absterging; and shifting of the apparatus, by a user, from said photovoltaic panel (15) to another.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the handle (7) is configured to be foldable (or collapsible). Said handle (7) broadly comprises: a collapse facilitating member (4; for example, a hinge) through which (or with which), collapsing of the handle (7) is achieved, by the user, as and when required; a locking member (5) that prevents collapsing of the apparatus, while the apparatus is being used; and a switching member (6), through which (or with which), the apparatus is switched ON and/or switched OFF.
A person skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that the handle’s length can be varied, depending on size of the photovoltaic panel (15), for example, about 1.5 m, if the size of the photovoltaic panel (15) is about 2 m.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the profile member (8) broadly comprises a pair of protrusion members (3). As illustrated, in Figure 5, each protrusion member, among the pair of protrusion members (3), is associated with one end of the profile member (8). With (or through) said pair of protrusion members (3), the user lifts and positions (or disposes) the apparatus, on the photovoltaic panel (15).
As illustrated, in Figure 2 and Figure 3, the absterging facilitating member broadly comprises: a plurality of movement facilitating members (1; for example, wheels); a drive unit (11); and an at least a sweeping member (10; for example, a brush). Said plurality of movement facilitating members (1) facilitates back and forth moving of the apparatus, by the user, over the photovoltaic panel (15). Said drive unit (11) is communicatively associated with the at least one sweeping member (10).
As illustrated, in Figure 4, each movement facilitating member, among the plurality of movement facilitating members (1), broadly comprises: a rolling member (1.1); and a sliding member (1.2). Said rolling member (1.1) is configured to roll over a top surface (15.1) of the photovoltaic panel’s outer frame (may also be referred to as “outer frame”), while the apparatus is in use. Said sliding member (1.2) is configured to slide over a side surface (15.2) of the photovoltaic panel’s outer frame, while the apparatus is in use.
A person skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that size of said each movement facilitating member varies, depending on thickness and width of the photovoltaic panel’s outer frame; for example: diameter of the rolling member (1.1) is about 60 mm, while its width ranges between about 8 mm and about 20 mm; and diameter of the sliding member (1.2) is about 110 mm, while its width is about 5 mm, if thickness of the photovoltaic panel’s outer frame is about 40 mm, with its width ranging between about 8 mm and 15 mm.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, said apparatus comprises four movement facilitating members. Two movement facilitating members, among the four movement facilitating members, are disposed on (or are mounted on, or are disposed at, or are associated with) a first end (e.g., a front portion) of the profile member (8). The other two movement facilitating members, among the four movement facilitating members, are disposed on (or are mounted on, or are disposed at, or are associated with) a second end (e.g., a rear portion) of the profile member (8).
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the absterging facilitating member further comprises a plurality of flexible members (12; for example, springs). Each flexible member, among the plurality of flexible members (12), is associated with a respective movement facilitating member, among the plurality of movement facilitating members (1). With (or through) said plurality of flexible members (12), positions of the plurality of movement facilitating members (1), on the photovoltaic panel (15), are adjusted, while the apparatus is in use.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one sweeping member (10) is rotatably disposed on (or is rotatably disposed at, or is rotatably mounted on, or is rotatably associated with) the profile member (8), through a plurality of rotation support members (2; for example, bearings).
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive unit (11) broadly comprises: a torque generating member (9; for example, a motor); a drive pulley; a driven pulley; and a torque transmitting member. For example, the torque generating member (9) is a DC motor, with a RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) that ranges between about 200 and about 400.
Said drive pulley is associated with an output shaft of the torque generating member (9), and said driven pulley is associated with the at least one sweeping member (10). The torque transmitting member runs between the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The torque generated, by the torque generating member (9), is transmitted, to the at least one sweeping member (10), through the torque transmitting member.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive pulley and the driven pulley are of the same size.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive pulley is smaller than the driven pulley.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive unit (11) rotates between about 150 RPM and about 250 RPM, to achieve a maximum cleaning efficiency.
Figure 6 illustrates the at least one sweeping member (10). Said at least one sweeping member (10) broadly comprises: a plurality of bristles; and a body (for example, a cylindrical body, or a body that is of cylindrical configuration). The plurality of bristles is disposed over (or is associated with) the body, in a helical configuration (10.1), from one end of the body to another end of the body. Said at least one sweeping member (10) comprises a plurality of rows (or multiple rows) of such helical-configured bristles (10.1), to: increase contact ratio; and transmit a large force.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer diameter of the at least one sweeping member (10), with the plurality of bristles, ranges between about 110 mm and about 150 mm. Length of the plurality of bristles, from (a base or a surface of) the body ranges between about 45 mm and about 50 mm.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the body is made of nylon, polypropylene, and/or the like.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of bristles is made of nylon and/or the like.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one sweeping member (10) is disposed on (or is disposed at, or is associated with) the profile member (8), to the extent that (or such that) between about 10 mm and about 15 mm, of the length of the plurality of bristles, touches the photovoltaic panel (15), thereby, enabling creating of adequate pressure, over the photovoltaic panel’s surface, during said absterging.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated, in Figure 7, the absterging facilitating member is enclosed, with (or by) a hood (13).
A person skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that the profile member (8), the handle (7), and the hood (13) are made of any suitable, lightweight, and sturdy material, such as aluminium, aluminium sheet, and/or the like.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus further comprises a power supply member. The power supply member supplies power, to the apparatus.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, said power supply member comprises a rechargeable battery. Said rechargeable battery can be charged, from an external power source or by (or through, or with) a power generating member (14; for example, a photovoltaic panel). Said power generating member (14) is disposed on (or is disposed at, or is associated with) the hood (13) of the apparatus.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus is powered directly, by (or with, or through) the external power source.
The method of absterging the photovoltaic panel (15), with (or through) the disclosed apparatus shall now be explained.
The apparatus is positioned (or is disposed) over the photovoltaic panel (15), on the outer frame, through the pair of protrusion members (3). The plurality of movement facilitating members (1) is appropriately placed (or is appropriately disposed) over the outer frame, for smooth movement.
The movement facilitating members, in the front portion, are lifted, by gently pushing the handle (7) downwards. The handle (7) is then pushed forwards, to move the apparatus towards a top end of the photovoltaic panel (15). Next, the handle (7) is gently pushed upwards and the apparatus is switched ON.
Subsequently, the handle (7) is pulled downwards gently towards a bottom end of the photovoltaic panel (15), to perform said absterging. After reaching the bottom end of the photovoltaic panel (15), soiling is collected, and the apparatus is switched OFF.
The handle (7) is folded, and the apparatus is lifted, with (or by, or through) the pair of protrusion members (3) and positioned (or disposed) over another (or next) photovoltaic panel. Subsequently, the above steps are repeated.
If absterging is performed daily, the disclosed apparatus achieves an efficiency that ranges between about 80% and about 95%, during a single move i.e., in a single wipe, the apparatus absterges the photovoltaic panel (15), at an efficiency that ranges between about 80% and about 95%, without using water.
The disclosed apparatus offers at least the following advantages: is portable; is simple in construction; is cost-effective (approximate costs range between about Rs. 20,000 and about Rs. 40,000); is light in weight; is efficient; is scalable; is user-friendly; and/or does not use water, for absterging.
A person skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that the apparatus, and its various components, may be made of any suitable materials known in the art. Likewise, a person skilled in the art will also appreciate the fact that the configuration of the apparatus, and its various components, may be varied, based on requirements.
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations, and improvements, without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the disclosure, may be made, by a person skilled in the art. Such modifications, additions, alterations, and improvements, should be construed as being within the scope of this disclosure.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
1 - Plurality of Movement Facilitating Members
1.1 - Rolling Member
1.2 - Sliding Member
2 - Rotation Support Member
3 - Pair of Protrusion Members
4 - Collapse Facilitating Member
5 - Locking Member
6 - Switching Member
7 - Handle
8 - Profile Member
9 – Torque Generating Member
10 - At Least One Sweeping Member
10.1 – Helical Configuration of a Plurality of Bristles (or Helical-Configured Bristles)
11 - Drive Unit
12 - Plurality of Flexible Members
13 - Hood
14 - Power Generating Member
15 - Photovoltaic Panel
15.1 - Top Surface of a Photovoltaic Panel’s Outer Frame
15.2 - Side Surface of a Photovoltaic Panel’s Outer Frame , Claims:1. An apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, comprising:
an absterging facilitating member that comprises:
a plurality of movement facilitating members (1) that facilitates back and forth moving of said apparatus, by a user, over a photovoltaic panel (15), with each movement facilitating member, among said plurality of movement facilitating members (1), comprising:
a rolling member (1.1) that rolls over a top surface (15.1) of said photovoltaic panel’s outer frame, while said apparatus is in use; and
a sliding member (1.2) that slides over a side surface (15.2) of said photovoltaic panel’s outer frame, while said apparatus is in use;
a plurality of flexible members (12), through which, positions of said plurality of movement facilitating members (1), on said photovoltaic panel (15), are adjusted, while said apparatus is in use, with:
each flexible member, among said plurality of flexible members (12), being associated with a respective movement facilitating member, among said plurality of movement facilitating members (1);
an at least a sweeping member (10) that is rotatably disposed on a profile member (8), through a plurality of rotation support members (2), said at least one sweeping member (10) comprising: a body; and a plurality of bristles, with:
said plurality of bristles being disposed over said body, in a helical configuration (10.1), from one end of said body to another end of said body; and
a drive unit (11) that comprises:
a torque generating member (9) that generates torque;
a drive pulley that is associated with an output shaft of said torque generating member (9);
a driven pulley that is associated with said at least one sweeping member (10); and
a torque transmitting member that runs between said drive pulley and said driven pulley: and
an operating support member that comprises:
said profile member (8) that facilitates disposing of said absterging facilitating member, said profile member (8) comprising: a pair of protrusion members (3), through which, said user lifts and disposes said apparatus, on said photovoltaic panel (15), with:
each protrusion member, among said pair of protrusion members (3), being associated with one end of said profile member (8); and
a handle (7) that is configured to resemble the letter “F”, with said user moving said apparatus, from one end of said photovoltaic panel (15) to another end of said photovoltaic panel (15), during absterging, through said handle (7), said handle (7) comprising:
a collapse facilitating member (4), through which, collapsing of said handle (7) is achieved, by said user; and
a locking member (5) that prevents collapsing of said apparatus, while said apparatus is in use, with:
horizontal projections, in an end of said handle (7) being associated with horizontal members of said profile member (8).
2. The apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said apparatus comprises four movement facilitating members, with:
two movement facilitating members, among said four movement facilitating members, being disposed on a first end said profile member (8); and
two other movement facilitating members, among said four movement facilitating members, being disposed on a second end of said profile member (8).
3. The apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
10 mm to 15 mm, of the length of said plurality of bristles, touches said photovoltaic panel (15).
4. The apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said torque generating member (9) is a DC motor, with a RPM that ranges between 200 and 400.
5. The apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3, wherein:
the outer diameter of said at least one sweeping member (10), with said plurality of bristles, is between 110 mm and 150 mm; and
length of said plurality of bristles, from said body, ranges between 45 mm and 50 mm.
6. The apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said drive unit is configured to rotate between 150 RPM and 250 RPM.
7. The apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: a hood (13) encloses said absterging facilitating member.
8. The apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said profile member (8) is of rectangular configuration.
9. The apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said body is of cylindrical configuration.
10. The apparatus, for absterging photovoltaic panels, without water, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: a power supply member supplies power, to said apparatus.