阅读说明：本技术 能安装在农田上的用于产生太阳能的设备 (Farmland-mountable apparatus for producing solar energy ) 是由 阿里桑德罗·雷博迪 罗纳尔德·克诺奇 保罗·帕尔马 于 2018-04-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：用于产生太阳能的设备包括：支撑结构,其由固定到地面地排列的支撑杆(2)形成；用于太阳能接收器装置的运动系统,其定位在成排布置的杆上、适于允许所述装置绕大致彼此垂直的第一轴线(X)和第二轴线(Y)运动。该系统包括：围绕所述第一轴线(X)的旋转的主管(4),多个次级管(5)连接至所述主管,与所述主管相关联地,这些次级管具有固定到其的接收器装置(P)；以及用于初级管的运动机构(7)。所述设备包括布置在所述排的每一个杆上的支持和移动支撑件(6),该支持和移动支撑件具有接收所述运动系统的主管(4)并允许其绕该轴线(X)旋转的壳体。(The apparatus for generating solar energy comprises: a support structure formed by support bars (2) arranged fixed to the ground; movement system for solar receiver devices, positioned on rods arranged in rows, adapted to allow movement of said devices about a first axis (X) and a second axis (Y) substantially perpendicular to each other. The system comprises: a primary pipe (4) rotating about said first axis (X), to which a plurality of secondary pipes (5) are connected, which have, in association with the primary pipe, receiver means (P) fixed thereto; and a movement mechanism (7) for the primary tube. The apparatus comprises a support and movement support (6) arranged on each rod of the row, having a housing receiving the main pipe (4) of the movement system and allowing its rotation about this axis (X).)

1. An apparatus for generating solar energy, the apparatus comprising:

a support structure formed by support bars (2) arranged fixed to the ground,

-a movement system for a receiver device of solar energy, positioned on bars arranged in rows, adapted to allow the movement of said device about a first axis (X) and a second axis (Y) substantially perpendicular to each other, such system comprising:

-a rotating main pipe (4) around said first axis (X), to which a plurality of secondary pipes (5) are connected, which secondary pipes have, in association with the main pipe, receiver devices (P) fixed thereto;

-a movement mechanism (7) for the primary tube;

characterized in that it comprises a support and movement support (6) arranged on each bar of said row, having a housing which receives the main tube (4) of said movement system and allows it to rotate about an axis (X).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is made on an upper portion of the support (6) and comprises at least one saddle (62) arranged on a horizontal plate (63) of the support, having a substantially circular inner profile adapted to house a primary tube and allow its rotation in the saddle about the longitudinal axis (X) of the tube.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein along the profile there are a plurality of bearings (64) allowing the tube to rotate.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support bar (2) is held in position by a network of ties (3), and wherein the support (6) comprises a lower portion constrained to the bar, having four wings (61) perpendicular to each other, each wing being adapted to constrain one of the aforementioned ties to the bar.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the saddle is a pair of saddles positioned on one support, and the coupling between two adjacent pipes is made between said pair of saddles by means of a joining flange (41) arranged at the end of the pipe (4) itself.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movement mechanism for the primary tube comprises a bracket (72) crimped onto the primary tube and fixedly connected thereto, to which bracket a linear actuator (73) is constrained, which is arranged between the aforementioned bracket and the support bar (2).

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the bracket is arranged between two joining flanges (41) of two adjacent pipes (4).

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary pipe is rotated by a movement mechanism (8) about a second axis (Y) substantially perpendicular to the primary pipe.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the movement mechanism for the secondary pipe comprises a worm (83) arranged longitudinally in the primary pipe (4), the worm being rotated by suitable motor means, the worm passing through a flange (71) arranged between two flanges (41), wherein the worm rotates freely, which is fastened by means of an end fitting (86) and a plate (84) to a linear profile (85) which is also arranged longitudinally inside the main pipe, wherein a rack (88) is guided on said profile, said rack being constrained to the movable plate, and moves as a unit with the movable plate when the worm is set to rotate, said rack adjoining along its path a plurality of gears (89), each gear engaging on a secondary tube at a location where said secondary tube intersects said main tube.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a worm (83) passing through the flange (71) is able to move the racks of two adjacent tubes, so as to be able to transmit a rotary motion to a secondary tube arranged on two adjacent primary tubes constrained on the same rod.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main pipe is provided with an opening (46) closed by a cover, which is positioned at the motor and the reduction mechanism.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structure is two-dimensional "checkerboard" shaped and mounted on a field.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a plant for producing solar energy, formed by a support structure constrained to the ground, preferably an agricultural field, suitable for supporting a movement system for a device suitable for receiving solar light, such as a photovoltaic panel. In particular, the movement system of the invention allows such a device to move about two axes X and Y, allowing it to keep the photovoltaic panel or other device suitable for capturing solar energy oriented correctly towards the sun.

Such a device can be installed on farmlands, thereby leaving the possibility of using such land for its original purpose, i.e. for planting crops or for animal grazing.

Background

Systems for moving solar cell panels in two axes are well known and are referred to, by jargon, as "sun trackers".

The primary purpose of the tracker is to maximize the efficiency of the onboard containment. In the photovoltaic field, the modules carried on board the tracker are generally geometrically arranged on a single panel, which avoids the use of a tracker for each single module. The more perpendicular the alignment of the solar rays, the higher the transduction efficiency and the greater the energy produced on the same surface, and the smaller the surface of the solar panel necessary for the same power required, the lower the cost of the device.

The most complex tracker has two degrees of freedom by which the vertical of the photovoltaic panel is arranged to be perfectly aligned with the solar rays in real time. The most cost-effective but not exclusive methods for their manufacture are: one tracker is placed next to the other. With these trackers, the power production increases even by 35% -45%, but at the cost of more complex construction.

This type of solar tracker is shown in patent application WO2010103378, which describes a load bearing structure formed by support bars held in place by a network of tie bars, both of which are fixed to the ground by means of hinge pins.

The solar tracker comprises a load-bearing horizontal main pipe, which is rotatable about its axis, to which a plurality of secondary pipes are connected, fixed perpendicular to the main pipe and rotatable about its axis. Solar cell panels are secured to the secondary tubes. The end of the tracker main tube is placed and fixed on such a support bar. Also located within the main pipe are cables for connecting the various panels and transmitting the currents they generate to the outside.

The control system of the tracker, integrated in the tracker itself, is able to keep the panel always oriented towards the sun, rotating the primary and secondary tubes so that the sun is perpendicular to the capture surface of the panel.

Patent W02013076573 describes a support bar structure of this type, which also supports a wind power module. This structure is two-dimensional in a "chess board" arrangement and can also be installed on farmlands because it is raised and the distance between the support bars is such as to allow passage of even large agricultural machinery.

Patent application WO2013117722 describes a method and apparatus suitable for installation on farmlands for producing solar energy. In the apparatus, the photovoltaic modules and the support structure are oriented such that the planting area located below the modules is partially shaded. In this case, the orientation of the photovoltaic module according to the invention allows solar radiation to impinge on the crop. Obviously, the solar cell panel and its movement mechanism have a considerable weight and therefore the problems to be solved are: how to make the system as light as possible. The volume of the panels and load bearing structures must also be minimized to allow sunlight to reach the ground below the field.

In addition, the number of kinematic mechanisms arranged on the bars or in the tubes is a very critical parameter with respect to the size, weight and cost of the structure and also allows the farmland in which it is located to receive a suitable light/shade ratio for the crop positioned on the ground.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks by providing a system having the features of the appended claim 1.

Drawings

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given as an example and not for limitative purposes, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a device according to the invention comprising a support structure and a movement system;

figure 2 shows a movement system according to the invention mounted on a row of bars of a support structure;

fig. 3 shows an enlarged part of fig. 2, highlighting the support and moving supports for the primary tube and the rotation mechanism of the primary tube arranged on each such bar of the support structure;

FIG. 4a shows a support and moving support for a primary tube;

FIG. 4b shows the support of FIG. 4a without the primary rod;

FIG. 5 shows a rotation mechanism for the primary tube;

FIG. 6 shows a suitable actuator for the rotary mechanism of the primary tube;

7a-7b show the rotation mechanism of the secondary tube arranged inside the primary tube;

FIGS. 8a-8b show additional motion transmission mechanisms for the worm of the primary tube motion;

fig. 9 shows a worm motion transmission mechanism for rotation of the secondary tube.

Detailed Description

With reference to the cited figures, the apparatus for producing solar energy according to the present invention allows the means adapted to receive solar light to move on a first axis X and a second axis Y substantially perpendicular to each other, so as to allow it to maintain the correct orientation towards the sun. Such a device is, for example, a photovoltaic panel or other device suitable for capturing solar energy.

The apparatus basically comprises a support structure formed by support bars 2, preferably held in place by a network of ties or rebars 3, both of which are secured in the ground by suitable pins, for example hinge pins. Such a structure can advantageously be constructed in two dimensions, for example of the "checkerboard" type, and can also be installed on farmlands, since it is raised and the distance between the support bars is such as to allow passage of even large agricultural machines.

Such a support structure may alternatively be made by a bar made of concrete or steel having one part driven into the ground and another part located on the ground adapted to give the structure an appropriate height from the ground. The rod arrangement may or may not be connected by ties or steel bars.

The system for movement or orientation of such solar devices is positioned on the support structure and in particular on rows of bars.

Each movement system comprises a rotating main pipe 4 about its own axis, mounted substantially horizontally, to which a plurality of secondary pipes 5 are connected, preferably fixed in a rigid manner perpendicular to the main pipe, or alternatively fixed by a suitable system adapted to provide the rotation capability. To which receiver means (in the particular case illustrated, photovoltaic panels P) are fixed.

The motion system further comprises a motion mechanism for the primary tube and optionally a motion mechanism for the secondary tube.

The movement system is fixed to such bars by means of a support and movement support 6 arranged on each bar of the row, to which it is also possible to fix the aforementioned tie 3, and the support and movement support 6 has a housing which receives the main pipe 4 of the movement system and allows it to rotate about the axis X.

If the support structure is made of a driven concrete pole, such support will be provided directly by the head of the pole, which will be made flat even by means of a horizontal steel plate 63 suitably fixed to the pole.

In the aforementioned alternative embodiment, the ties may be omitted and the main pipe positioned on a row of bars, the support and movement supports being arranged on top of the row of bars.

Such support 6 comprises a lower portion constrained to the rod, having four wings 61 perpendicular to each other, each suitable for constraining one of the aforementioned ties. The upper part comprises a housing made of at least one saddle, preferably a pair of saddles 62, which rests on the cited horizontal plate 63 of the support. Such saddles have a generally circular inner profile adapted to receive the primary tube and are preferably provided along such profile by a plurality of bearings 64 which allow the tube to rotate. The straps 65 of each saddle 62 prevent the tube from coming out of the saddle, but do not prevent the tube from rotating within the straps (e.g., polyester straps).

Preferably, according to the invention, the constraint between two adjacent tubes occurs between the saddle pairs. The coupling between the two pipes is in particular achieved by means of a coupling flange 41 arranged at the end of the pipe itself.

The movement mechanism of the primary tube 7 comprises a bracket 72 which is crimped onto the primary tube and forms a unit therewith.

Such a bracket is preferably arranged between the two joining flanges 41 of two adjacent pipes, and to which the linear actuator 73 is constrained, arranged between the cited bracket and the support bar 2. In this way, the rotational motion of the tube 4 is generated by moving the linear actuator using the support rod as a fixed pin. For the movement of the actuator, a first electric motor 74 is advantageously used.

The secondary tube 5 may or may not include a movement mechanism 8 of the secondary tube about the second axis on the inside. Such a mechanism is advantageously arranged in the coupling region of two adjacent primary tubes and comprises a second motor 81 and a transmission 82, both constrained to the coupling flange 41 between the two primary tubes by a plate 71.

The motor rotates, through a suitable transmission 82, a worm 83 arranged longitudinally in the main pipe 4.

Such a worm passes through the flange 41 and the plate 71 supporting said transmission system 82 and is free to rotate and is therefore able to transmit the rotary motion linearly inside two adjacent primary tubes. In this way, a single movement mechanism of the secondary tubes is able to transmit the rotation to two sets of secondary tubes, each set of secondary tubes being arranged on adjacent primary tubes.

Such worm screws on two adjacent primary tubes are connected to a connection terminal 86 with a ball-and-socket joint adapted to allow the insertion of a pin 87 which, together with a suitable plate 84, allows the connection with a linear profile 85 also arranged longitudinally inside the main tube. A rack 88 constrained to the movable plate is guided on the profile, which moves as a unit with the worm when it is set in rotation.

The racks abut along their path a plurality of gears 89, each of which fits over a secondary pipe in the location where it intersects the primary pipe. When the racks are moved by the rotation of the worm, they rotate the pinion 89 and therefore also the secondary tube, thus rotating the panel P about the axis Y.

The main tube is also provided with an opening 46 closed by the cover and positioned at the motor and the reduction mechanism.

Obviously, the materials of the various parts are suitably chosen to achieve the correct balance between weight and strength.

The movement of the motor is controlled by a suitable electronic controller which uses the feedback of a suitable tilt sensor to determine the angle the panel must have during the day and under various weather conditions.

The system foresees: the main tube is placed on a pole having terminals comprising two adjacent movement mechanisms.

This allows the use of a single electronic controller to control the movement of both systems simultaneously, which still continue to move independently.

The electronic board of such a controller is open to different communication systems (for example Wifi, RS485 or fibre optic cables). One solution may be employed instead of another, as desired.