IE20150406A1 - Internal solar power convertor - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixed enclosed solar reflecting device, which principally operates by capturing the sun's rays through window/glazing throughout the day and reflecting these rays via a fixed parabolic/semi-parabolic/toroidal mirror into a focal/semi-focal point whereby a photovoltaic cell(s) panel is present (electric), and/or thermal heat converter is present (liquid heating). The mirror has adjustable height/pitch elevation for solar seasonal elevation in the sky. <Figure 6>

Description

The invention relates to an enclosed solar reflecting device, which principally operates by capturing the sun's rays and reflecting these rays via a mirror onto a focal/ semi-focal point whereby a solar cell(s) is present (electric), and/or a thermal heat collector (liquid heating).

This internal solar power convertor can be interlinked and installed to create farms. It can also operate on the roof tops of buildings, in the attic of a building or as a standalone box unit, it can also be scaled to suit requirements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This internal solar power convertor is an innovative extension from a previous solar patent we have, Patent No: 080935. We are now engaged in stationary concentration solar power conversion, with a pitch/slant elevation for sol seasonal elevation changes.

There currently exist solar tracking convertors i.e. parabolic mirror(s) which follow the sun, reflect the combined sunlight rays onto a focal point and produce liquid heating in this way. There exist several problems with this method. As they track the sun there are far too many moving parts and the parabolic mirrors are usually gigantic. Moving parts equates to greater expenses both in manufacturing and maintenance, expensive tracking equipment and energy is required to track the sun. Another issue is cleaning of mirror, to reduce dust, thus maintain efficiency as the sun tracking mirrors are exposed, cleaning is an issue i.e. it is not a flat surface and it is gigantic.

Photovoltaic flat panel farms are also affected by dust, as such dust build-up will occur over time, this will act as a cladding over the cells and thus reduce efficiency. As solar farms are somewhat dispersed maintenance is costly by having to clean the cells when required. -2A large land area and a lot of cabling are required for solar farms.

The rapid technological advances in photovoltaic cells renders the end user with the inability to avail of a more efficient PV cells as time lapses, as the PV cells usually are pre-panelled and installation is costly, it would not be cost effective to upgrade to more efficient PV cells when advancements become available.

There currently exists no option for a two in one solar collector on the marketplace i.e a combination or the ability to combine both a PV cell convertor and a solar water heating convertor.

Solution: This internal solar power convertor is a stationary concentration solar power conversion, with a pitch/slant elevation of a specialised shaped mirror for sol seasonal elevation changes i.e. it does not track the sun. As such there are virtually no moving parts, just a click up or click down for the pitch/slant to align the mirror with the sol seasonal elevation changes. This would be seen to be less capital intensive to produce and maintain than solar tracking convertors on an EROI bases.

This internal solar power convertor has a window/glazing and protective housing around its energy producing components. As such dust is not present inside, and the window/glazing is easy to clean.

Where farm application exists this internal solar power convertor is designed to be assembled in multiples via flush interconnection with other housings creating a halfstacked pyramid. As such this will reduce the land area and electric cabling required.

If a PV cell(s) panel is present in the internal solar power convertor it will be designed to be interchangeable, so the end user may avail of advances in PV cell technology as and when they become available.

This internal solar power convertor has the option to be either a single PV cell(s) convertor, a thermal heat convertor, or a combination of both a two in one solar convertor i.e. it can heat liquid and produce electricity. -3STATEMENT OF INVENTION The invention relates to a new concept for a solar power convertor; photovoltaic cell(s) and/or thermal heat absorbent collecting device. The device comprises of a fixed exterior housing, which will make up the frame to house the internal components and protect them from the elements. Part of the exterior housing has a pitch/slant. A window/glazing is inserted into the exterior housing in this pitch/slant. The pitch/slant is necessary to increase efficiency in tandem with the sun’s movements to help maximise solar ray intake; it is best suited to face south (northern hemisphere) as the sun moves east to west. This window/glazing enables the sun's rays to pass into the interior of the housing as the sun moves east to west (a lens/series of lenses may be used in/on the window to increase efficiency). A flashing surrounds this window/glazing to seal it completely from rain water/ocean spray/sand/dust/grit etc... incorporated in the housing is an insulated jacket with access zip to rear/side, this insulated jacket is lined internally with fire proof/retardant material (the jacket is also possibly internally reflective), this will reduces loss of heat at night or during the winter months. A base structure exists within the interior of the housing which comprises on one end a fixed adjustable stand (height/pitch) with a mounted parabolic/semi-parabolic/toroidal/specialised mirror, and on the other end of the base structure is a stand comprising of solar converting equipment comprising of one of the following arrangements; a) a photovoltaic cell(s) panel (solar to electric conversion), b) a photovoltaic cell(s) panel with a heat-sink attached to the rear, whereby the heatsink is connected to a thermal liquid pump and tube system (solar to electric conversion plus heat-sink draws excess heat away from cell(s) panel and deflects it to heat liquid via the pump and tube system), (c) a thermal heat absorbent plate incorporated thermal liquid pump and tube system (solar to liquid heating conversion).

During daylight the sunlight rays pass through the window of the fixed housing and are directed throughout the day onto this stationary parabolic/semiparabolic/toroidal/specialised mirror. The stand upon which the mirror sits has several height/pitch variations this is to ensure that during the seasonal elevation changes of the sun, the angle/pitch of the mirror is facing the elevation of the sun as it moves east -4to west, thus this will maximise capture rate of sunlight rays throughout the day when the sun elevation is higher or lower in the sky due to seasonal changes. The mirror will reflect the sunlight rays into a foeal/semi-focal point where the solar converting equipment is present, to further elaborate on the three solar arrangements; a) A photovoltaic cell(s) panel; will convert the combined sunlight rays into usable electricity which will be collected with electric cabling fitted within the stand, this now converted electricity can be stored in a battery or connected to an external transformer converting it to the necessary AC current needed for the mains electric grid. The photovoltaic cell(s) panel is designed to be interchangeable with either a push fit connection (like installing ram onto a motherboard) or bracket connection, this is to ensure more efficient PV cell(s) can be installed when advances in PV cell technology become available. b) photovoltaic cell(s) panel with a heat-sink attached to the rear; The PV cell's panel operates under the same principle as a) above, with the addition at the rear of the photovoltaic cell(s) panel is a heat-sink connected via thermal paste, as the photovoltaic cell(s) panel heats up due to the focused/semi-focused kinetic sunlight rays from the mirror, this heat-sink will draw away heat from the photovoltaic cell(s) panel and deflect the heat into an incorporated thermal liquid pump and tube system. As the thermal liquid is pumped around it will draw kinetic heat built-up in the heatsink and deflect it elsewhere most likely to heat water in a cylinder/tank. Both the tubing for the liquid pump and electric cabling for the PV cell(s) panel will travel down the stand upon which the solar converting equipment is present. c) A thermal heat absorbent plate incorporating a thermal liquid pump and tube system; operate under a principle similar to b) above, only instead of where the PV cell(s) panel is present lies a heat plate.

This device can be used as a standalone box unit for example in a garden or in an attic. It can also be scaled to suit requirements. Several units can also be interconnected together to form a farm creating a half-stacked pyramid with several units on each row whereby the pitched/slanted side of the external housing would be flush, the flashings surrounding the window/glazing would be changed as they are now interconnected, the window/glazing itself may be enlarged, a bar may also be installed connecting the angular height/pitch of all the adjustable stands with mirrors -5mounted together, thus turning the bar would turn the height/pitch of all the mirrors within each row of devices so all mirrors would face the elevation of the sun (for seasonal solstice efficiency). The electric cabling and/or liquid tubing would conjoin at a point. Where farm application exists rain water could also be collected, as the sloped side (window/glazing side) would perfectly suit this application, the conjoined thermal liquid tubing could heat the collected rain (or spring/sea/ocean) water to the boil and thus create steam, this steam could then run a generator producing electricity, the remaining steam after passing the turbine generator could be coiled and produce distilled water, this application could be fitted under/within the half-stacked pyramid. For larger commercial application the device would be scaled up to suit requirements. The mirror itself may comprise of several pieces which fit together.

Specific features relating to the drawings: (1) Window/glazing. (2) External housing (insulated jacket). (3) Solar converting equipment. (4) Base plate. (5) Stand with adjustable height/pitch. (6) Parabolic/semi-parabolic/toroidal/specialised mirror. (7) Support stand. -6BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: Fig. 1 is a two-dimensional rear view of the internal solar power convertor.

Fig. 2 is a two-dimensional side view of the internal solar power convertor.

Fig. 3 is a three-dimensional side view of the internal solar power convertor.

Fig.4 is a two-dimensional overhead view of the internal solar power convertor.

Fig.5 is a two-dimensional side view of the internal solar power convertor, including housing and window.

Fig.6 is a three-dimensional side view of the internal solar power convertor, including housing and window.

Fig.7 is a two-dimensional overhead view of the internal solar power convertor, including housing and window.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A Fixed exterior housing (2) with a slanted/pitched side which will protect the internal components from the elements whilst making the support frame, this exterior housing (2) has incorporated an insulated jacket with zip access to rear/side it is also fire proof and possibly internally reflective. This slanted/pitched side of the exterior housing (2), will have a window/glazing (1) cut out with a flashing around its edges, the flashing may be to the edge of the exterior housing (2). This window/glazing (1) will allow the sun's rays to pass into the internal components (the window may comprise of a lens/series of lenses). The internal components of the housing will comprise of; a base plate (4) to support the primary modules upon which at one end is a stand with adjustable height/pitch elevation (5), with a parabolic/semiparabolic/toroidal/specialised mirror/s (6) mounted, and on the other end of the base plate (4) is a support stand (7) with the solar converting equipment (3) attached. -7Throughout daylight the sunlight rays pass through the window/glazing (1) and are directed onto this parabolic/semi-parabolic/toroidal/specialised mirror (6). The Stand with adjustable height/pitch elevation (5) upon which the mirror (6) is mounted has several height/pitch variations this is to ensure that during the seasonal changes the angle/pitch of the mirror (6) is facing the elevation of the sun in the sky during daylight as it moves east to west, and will maximise the capture rate of sunlight rays onto the parabolic/semi-parabolic/toroidal/specialised mirror (6) when the sun is higher or lower in the sky. The angle/pitch settings can be manually operated or automated. The parabolic/semi-parabolic/toroidal/specialised mirror (6) will reflect the sunlight rays into a focal/semi-focal point where the solar converting equipment (3) is present. The solar converting equipment (3) can comprise of three arrangements; a) A photovoltaic cell(s) panel; will convert the combined sunlight rays into usable electricity which will be collected with electric cabling fitted within the support stand (7), this now converted electricity can be stored in a battery or connected to a transformer converting it to the necessary AC current needed for the mains electric grid. The photovoltaic cell(s) panel is designed to be interchangeable with either a push fit connection (like installing ram onto a motherboard) or bracket connection, this is to ensure more efficient PV cell(s) can be installed when advances in PV cell technology become available. b) Photovoltaic cell(s) panel with a heat-sink attached to the rear; The PV cell's panel operates under the same principle as a) above, with the addition at the rear of the photovoltaic cell(s) panel is a heat-sink connected via thermal paste (the PV cell(s) panel is still interchangeable as it would still be push-fit or bracket connection). As the photovoltaic cell(s) panel heats up due to the focused/semi-focused kinetic sunlight rays from the mirror (6), this heat-sink will draw away kinetic heat built up from the photovoltaic cell(s) panel and deflect the heat into an incorporated thermal liquid pump and tube system. As the thermal liquid is pumped around it will draw kinetic heat built-up in the heat-sink and deflect it elsewhere most likely to heat water in a cylinder/tank. Both the tubing for the thermal liquid pump and electric cabling for the PV cell(s) panel will travel down the support stand (7) upon which the solar converting equipment (3) is present, the pump for the thermal liquid tubing would be housed at the base of the support stand (7). -δε) A thermal heat absorbent plate incorporated thermal liquid pump and tube system; operates under a principle similar to b) above, instead of where the PV cell(s) panel is present lies a heat plate. However, the heat plate has incorporated within it a thermal liquid pump and tube system. The kinetic heat built up on the heat plate due to the combined sunlight rays focused/semi-focused from the parabolic/semiparabolic/toroidal/specialised mirror (6), will be drawn away and pumped around by the thermal liquid pump and tube system and heat for example water. The tubing will travel down the support stand (7) upon which the solar converting equipment (3) is present, the pump for the thermal liquid tubing would be housed at the base of the support stand (7).

The support stand (7) has incorporated an access panel/door.

Claims (7)

1. (1) A stationary parabolic/semi-parabolic/toroidal/specialised mirror mounted on a fixed stand with adjustable height/pitch elevations (for sol seasonal elevation), wherein sunlight rays throughout the day will converge on the mirror, which will reflect these sunlight rays into a focal/semi-focai point, whereby solar converting equipment is present.

2. (2) ) A stationary parabolic/semi-parabolic/toroidal/specialised mirror mounted on a fixed stand with adjustable height/pitch elevations (for sol seasonal elevation) as claimed in claim 1 wherein a stationary parabolic/semi-parabolic/toroidal/specialised mirror whereby the mirror/overall mirror may comprise of several individual mirrors or a single mirror.

3. (3) A stationary parabolic/semi-parabolic/toroidal/specialised mirror mounted on a fixed stand with adjustable height/pitch elevations (for sol seasonal elevation) as claimed in claim 1 wherein solar converting equipment of which will comprise of one of the following arrangements; (a) a photovoltaic cell(s) panel, or (b) a photovoltaic cell(s) panel with heat-sink attached to rear whereby the heat-sink will draw away excess heat via a thermal liquid and pump and tube system, or (c) a heat-plate incorporated thermal liquid pump and tube system.

4. (4) A stationary parabolic/semi-parabolic/toroidal/specialised mirror mounted on a fixed stand with adjustable height/pitch elevations (for sol seasonal elevation) as claimed in claim 3 wherein, if a photovoltaic cell(s) panel is present, its installation can be interchangeable via push fit connection or bracket connection, for the purposes of upgrading the photovoltaic's cell(s) to more efficient cell(s) when advances become available.

5. (5) A stationary parabolic/semi-parabolic/toroidal/specialised mirror mounted on a fixed stand with adjustable height/pitch elevations (for sol seasonal elevation) as claimed in claim three wherein the solar converting equipment is present is an -10accessible support stand which will house the electric cabling and/or the thermal liquid tubing and pump.

6. (6) A stationary parabolic/semi-parabolic/toroidal/specialised mirror mounted on a 5 fixed stand with adjustable height/pitch elevations (for sol seasonal elevation) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fixed stand with adjustable height/pitch elevations and mounted parabolic/semi-parabolic/toroidal/specialised mirror, and solar converting equipment exist, an exterior housing is present with a slanted/pitched side comprising of a window/glazing, this is to protect the internal components, whilst allowing 10 sunlight rays to pass to the interior via the window/glazing.

7. (7) A stationary parabolic/semi-parabolic/toroidal/speeialised mirror mounted on a fixed stand with adjustable height/pitch elevations (for sol seasonal elevation) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fixed stand with adjustable height/pitch elevations and 15 mounted parabolic/semi-parabolic/toroidal/specialised mirror, and solar converting equipment exist, an exterior housing is present with a slanted/pitched side comprising of a window/glazing, this is to protect the internal components, whilst allowing sunlight rays to pass to the interior via the window/glazing as claimed in claim 6 wherein an exterior housing is present, the housing can be interconnected and/or 20 stacked with other housings to create a farm.