WO2010082223A1

WO2010082223A1 - Acoustic reducer for sound barriers with integrated photovoltaic panels for lighting

Info

Publication number: WO2010082223A1
Application number: PCT/IT2009/000140
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tizzoni Giampaolo
Original assignee: URBANTECH Srl
Current assignee: URBANTECH Srl
Priority date: 2009-01-19
Filing date: 2009-04-03
Publication date: 2010-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2011-07-19
Also published as: ITPI20090003A1

Abstract

The present invention concerns an acoustic reducer suitable to be placed when used in correspondence of the top of a sound barrier 1 delimiting an area in general or a transit route. According to the invention the reducer 3 comprises at least a photovoltaic panel 6 in such a way to feed specific light plants comprised in the barrier or on the different road infrastructure in general.

Description

ACOUSTIC REDUCER FOR SOUND BARRIERS WITH INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS FOR LIGHTING

Technical Field

The present invention refers to the technical field of sound-resistant and/or sound-absorbent noise barrier. In particular it refers to a new type of acoustic reducer able to be installed on the barrier and made in such a way to feed the lighting plants in general, particularly the lighting plants integrated to the barrier and/or those relative to the road condition infrastructure.

State of the Art Nowadays are well known sound barriers commonly assembled along street routes, railroads or similar in such a way to protect specific residential areas from disturbing noise impacts. It is also known how, according to the specific requirements of functionality, it is possible to assemble sound barriers with great sound- absorbent and/or sound-resistant features.

Independently from the technical features of the barrier, it is anyway frequent the case where these have to be provided with specific illumination. This is for example the case where the road illumination does not result to be sufficient. In order to make the barrier more visible, specific lamps are placed on top of the structure and directed in a way to illuminate in the right way. In other cases, the illumination can be necessary according to the fact that the barrier has also a supporting function for the road infrastructures, as for example the commercial signs or the road signs. Also in this case it is required to have an appropriate illumination that is opportunely directed in a way to illuminate the interested areas. In all these cases is thus found a great technical problem. The illumination obviously has to be fed by- opportune electric power and this implies the necessity to realize, at the same time or after the assemblage of the barrier, both the opportune cabling of the cables and the connection of the different power plants. It is clear how all this implies big additional cost for the assemblage and project, over to the elevated costs of electric consumption. The problem results more severe in the case where the barrier result to be destined where there is no electrical line. In this case it is necessary to have the installation of plants and the realization of the entire power line at the same time of the assemblage of the barrier, the whole with clear additional costs and time of realization.

For this aim have been proposed technical solution that comprise the use of photovoltaic panels placed on the vertical wall constituting the barrier. As well known, the photovoltaic panel is run over by beams of light transforming them into electric power. In such manner it is entirely resolved the problem relative to the cabling of the cables and the predisposition or integral installation of the control units, over to the problem relative to the costs of the power consumption. However even this solution has technical inconvenient .

First of all, the realization of a barrier with vertical walls covered with photovoltaic panels implies a great alteration of the technical features of the same panels, in particular sound-absorbing and sound-resistant. It is then frequent the case where, in such condition, the barrier is not anymore able to accomplish its isolation and sound-absorbing function in a satisfying manner.

Moreover it is very probable that the same panels incurs into frequent breakings. It is indeed clear how such a predisposition puts the same to high risks of impact with bodies that are projected accidentally by the vehicles that drive on the route (as for example the rocks found on the street and thrown by the vehicle's tyre that run over them) . It is thus clear how such technical solution implies elevated repairing and maintenance cost, over than uneasiness given by an inactive illumination for long periods of time. A further problem refers to the functioning efficiency of the photovoltaic panels, highly connected to the exposition angle of the same respect to the beams of light. It is indeed known how the optimal angle of incidence of the beams of light results to be of about thirty degrees respect to the absorbing surface of the same panel, in order that this could function with highest efficiency. The predisposition of the panels in correspondence of the wall of the panel makes highly variable, and thus hardly controllable, such inclination. The positioning of the panels is indeed unavoidably influenced by the variation of the alignment of the route along which it is built the barrier, determining these continuing angle variation that are hardly settable and predictable. It is then clear how in such case it is hard to use the entire paneling with the highest efficiency, causing an insufficient and not reliable power supply to the light plants.

A further problem refers to the light reflection, phenomenon that is common to all the vitreous bodies with reflecting nature. It is clear how a predisposition of the panels in correspondence of the wall of the barrier realizes a wide reflecting surface predisposed at the height of the roadway, causing consequently blare to the drivers with clear severe consequences of accidents. The potential impacts of the vehicles can, other than having severe consequences for the safety of the people, cause continuous and frequent breaking of the barrier, the whole with elevated maintenance costs and uneasiness caused by the temporary non functioning of the illumination.

Both the need to protect the photovoltaic panels from the moving bodies, and the above mentioned problem relative to the glaring of the drivers, induce thus to place the same on the wall of the barrier that is opposite to the one towards the traffic route. In such manner the projected bodies will hit the face of the barrier that is not supplied with the photovoltaic panels other than avoiding possible and dangerous light reflection. However it is clear how also this solution is limitative. The solar panels have indeed to be placed on the side where can be run over by the highest possible light flux. The obligation to assemble the same on the side opposite to the one facing towards the traffic line of the vehicles implies often an assemblage into zones of great shadow and thus not suitable for the absorption (even not realizable if exposed towards north) . The final result will thus be of a power plant protected from possible accidental breakings but used at its lowest and sometimes even insufficient capacity. Therefore we are often forced, in such situations, to proceed with a substitution of the same with the normal electric cable, the whole with clear uneasiness and further additional costs.

Disclosure of invention It is therefore the aim of the present invention to supply a noise filtering barrier that resolves all the above mentioned inconveniences.

It is thus the aim of the present invention to give a traffic sound barrier that allows to feed lighting plants, as the common lamps suitable for the barrier or the road infrastructures, without having necessarily to comprise expensive predispositions of cables and/or power plants and sustain expensive power consumption. In particular it is the aim of the present invention to give a sound barrier supplied with photovoltaic power panels but configured in such a way to optimise their efficiency independently from the traffic route on which the same barrier is built on and limiting at the same time the risks of light reflection and consequently of glare.

It is also the aim of the present invention to limit at most the breaking and maintenance risks of the photovoltaic panels, without necessarily force to assemble the same on the wall of the barrier that is opposite to the vehicle's roadway.

These and other aims are obtained through a specific acoustic reducer suitable to be predisposed in use in correspondence of the top of a sound barrier 1 delimiting an area in general or a transition course and characterized by the fact that is configured in such a way to comprise at least a photovoltaic panel 6.

According to this, it is not anymore necessary to panel the wall of the barrier with photovoltaic panels, as these can be placed directly on the acoustic reducer. In such manner the unwanted problems of light reflection, as of breakings given by impacts of moving bodies, will result resolved.

Advantageously the acoustic reducer 3 comprises a supporting surface 5 predisposed in correspondence of its substantially plane top, in such a way to allow to place on it the photovoltaic panel 6.

According to a first possible positioning solution, the photovoltaic panel result to be internally lied on the supporting surface 5 in a way that its absorbing surface 6' result to be facing upwards.

Alternatively the photovoltaic panel can be placed according to a predetermined inclination respect to said supporting surface 5 in such a manner that the absorbing surface 6' of the panel results to be facing towards a direction of greatest incidence of the light flux.

In such case are then comprised means of support (10, 11) such to allow to maintain said inclined position of the panel.

In both solutions, the photovoltaic panel is firmly connected to the upper supporting surface 5 through opportune junction means.

Advanced technical solution can then comprise means to change automatically the inclination of the panel respect to the supporting surface in relation to the sun' s position.

It is discussed further a sound barrier suitable to delimitate an area in general or a transit course and comprising:

- At least one, preferably a plurality, of overlapped panels (2 ) ;

- Supporting elements (9) for said panels;

- An acoustic reducer (3) predisposed when used in correspondence of the top of the barrier (1);

- At least a photovoltaic panel (6) predisposed on the barrier in such a manner to feed appropriate lighting installations (7, 8 ) ; and characterized by the fact that the acoustic reducer (3) is designed in such a way to comprise said at least one photovoltaic panel (6).

Advantageously the photovoltaic panel (6) is placed at the top of said reducer (3) in such a way that it can be oriented according to a direction of greatest incidence of the light flux independently from the orientation of the barrier. Moreover the acoustic reducer comprises a supporting surface (5) predisposed in correspondence of its substantially plane top, in such a way to allow to place on it the photovoltaic panel .

Brief description of drawings Further features and advantages of the present invention will be clearer with the description of some of its pattern realization that follows, made to illustrate but not limit, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which: - Figure 1 and figure 2 show to global view of the barrier comprising a noise or acoustic reducer according to the invention;

- Figure 3 represents in view a detail of the top of the barrier comprising the acoustic reducer according to the invention;

- Figure 4 shows a view in detail of the sole acoustic reducer comprising a lighting lamp;

- Figure 5 and figure 6 show two views of the acoustic reducer installed on the barrier and supplied with a photovoltaic barrier predisposed according to a predetermined inclination angle respect to its supporting plane;

- Figure 7 shows a global view of the development in length of the barrier according to the invention. Description of some chosen pattern realizations

With reference to figure 1 and to figure 2, a sound barrier 1, comprises generally a plurality of panels 2 overlapped on each other according to a predefined height and depending on the specific requirements of acoustic isolation of the attributed area. The barrier gets developed thus in height, other than in length, starting from common supporting elements 9 able to sustain it and to allow its installation in loco along the route. Just as an example the figure 1 shows a common supporting base 9. In correspondence of the top of the barrier is commonly placed an acoustic or noise reducer 3. As well known, the reducer has the function of proclaiming the performances of the same barrier by acting on the acoustic energy and damping the secondary wave front that gets extended over the barrier. Such effect gets translated into a reduction of the acoustic pressure field behind the same barrier. In order to proclaim such technical performances, are commonly realized acoustic reducers of different geometries (for example hexagonal, circular or triangular) that facilitate and improve the acoustic damping along to the use of updated materials. Moreover, with the aim to further optimise the performances, are commonly realized damping notches 4 of the sound (qualitatively shown in figure 2) .

According to what has been described in figure 1 the invention comprises, in a possible realization pattern, an acoustic reducer 3 comprising a photovoltaic panel 6. For such aim the reducer is configured in such a way to comprise a supporting surface 5 placed in correspondence of its top and suitable to receive the photovoltaic panel 6 (or anyway a number of panels that cover a part or its entire length) . In particular (look at figure 2), the active part 3' (or rather the functional part of the reducer destined when used to be facing towards the noise) is configured with variable geometries according to the needs, while the upper part facing upwards (or rather the supporting surface 5) is realized substantially plane and such to place on it the panel. The detail solution proposed in figure 3 comprise, for example, a supporting surface 5 of rectangular shape. This overlaps the top of the barrier as kind of a roof or canopy that develops along the entire length of the barrier. On the top of the supporting surface so realized are thus placed in sequence the photovoltaic panels 6. These can trace out the rectangular shape of the upper surface and be placed in sequence along the entire length of the barrier. According thus to the variable possible solutions of predisposition, the one represented in figure provides that the panels are lies on the supporting surface. In such manner they will offer their active surface 6' always upwards.

Other possible solutions (look at figures 5 and 6) provide a positioning of the panel inclined respect to the surface. In such manner it is possible to optimise the direction of the active surface of the panel in the direction turned towards the direction of greatest incidence of light flux. For such aim opportune supporting means (10, 11) allow to maintain such inclined position. In detail, figure 6 represents -a vertical plane 10 of containment of the panel and protruding from the back edge of the supporting base 5. A supporting leg 11 supports the panel into the inclined configuration. Figure 7 represents the barrier that develops in length and comprises the panels placed according to the mentioned inclination.

The proposed solutions represent simple static positioning of the panel but, opportune means can be comprised in such a way to eventually change the inclination of the panel in relation to the time and thus to the solar positioning.

The photovoltaic panels are then duly connected to the light plants (for example lights placed on the same wall or on the road infrastructures) in such a way to feed them in a manner well known by the prior art. Figure 4 shows for example a lamp 8 placed underneath the surface

5, while figure 3 shows an example of predisposition of lights both in correspondence of the active part 3' (light 7) and in correspondence of the back part (lights 8) .

Given the functionality to which the reducer is made for, the width d of the supporting surface 5 is generally greater respect to the thickness di of the barrier. In this way, along the entire edge of the supporting edge it is developed the active shape 3' of the reducer (look at figure 3) . This comprises a wing 3'' that is projected downwards towards the direction of the same barrier, intercepting it along an entire contact line.

Obviously geometries of the reducer that are totally different from the one described in detail can be realized without having for this reason to move apart from the present inventive concept. For example a tube with hexagonal section to be placed on the top of the barrier is another possible shape commonly used. Even in this case, because of the hexagonal section, this realizes indeed a substantially plane upper surface and such to allow the application of the photovoltaic panels on the top, exactly as previously described.

The photovoltaic panels are then fixed at the top of the reducer through known and commonly used connection means, as for example gluing, bolts or similar. Obviously, without moving from the present inventive concept, can be comprised noise reducers that have already integrated the photovoltaic panels, reducing this way the assemblage costs .

It is at this point clear how all the aims of the present inventing have been reached. It is particularly clear how the predisposition of the photovoltaic panels on the noise reduces, rather than on the walls constituting the same barrier, resolves the many said inconvenient. Such predisposition allows indeed to protect the panels from the impacts with bodies coming from the roadway and moreover to greatly limit the problems of light reflection and glare without having to invalidate the exposition of optimal efficiency. The predisposition of the photovoltaic panels in correspondence of the acoustic reducer allow also to install the photovoltaic panel towards the highest sun exposition independently from the road track, thing that would result not possible if they were placed on the wall of the barrier.

The above description of a specific shape is able to show the invention from the conceptive point of view, in a way that others, by using the art, can modify and/or adapt in different applications this specific shape without any further research and without going apart from the inventive concept, and, therefore, it is intended that these adaptations and transformations will be considered as equivalent to this specific realization. The means and materials to make the many described functions can be of various nature without exiting the area of the invention, it is intended that the expressions or the terminology used have a simple descriptive aim and therefore not limiting.

Claims

1. Acoustic reducer suitable to be predisposed in use in correspondence of the top of a sound barrier (1) delimiting an area in general or a transition course and characterized by the fact that said reducer (3) is configured in such a way to comprise at least a photovoltaic panel (6) .

2. Acoustic reducer, according to claim 1, where said acoustic reducer (3) comprises a supporting surface (5) predisposed in correspondence of its substantially plane top, in such a way to allow to place on it said photovoltaic panel (6) .

3. Acoustic reducer, according to claim 1 and 2, where said photovoltaic panel is entirely lie flat on said supporting surface (5) in such a manner that its absorbing surface (6') is facing upwards.

4. Acoustic reducer, according to claim 1 and 2, where said photovoltaic panel is placed according to a predetermined inclination respect to said supporting surface (5) in such a manner that the absorbing surface (6') of the panel results to be facing towards a direction of greatest incidence of the light flux.

5. Acoustic reducer, according to claim 4, where are comprised means of support (10, 11) such to allow to maintain said inclined position of the panel.

6. Acoustic reducer, according to one or more of the previous claims, where said photovoltaic panel is firmly connected to said upper supporting surface (5) through opportune junction means.

7. Acoustic reducer, according to one or more of the previous claims, where are comprised means to automatically change the inclination of the panel respect to the supporting surface in function to the solar position.

8. Sound barrier suitable to delimitate an area in general or a transit course and comprising: - At least one, preferably a plurality, of overlapped panels (2) ;

- Supporting elements (9) for said panels;

- An acoustic reducer (3) predisposed when used in correspondence of the top of said barrier (1) ; - At least a photovoltaic panel (6) predisposed on said barrier in such a manner to feed appropriate lighting installations (7, 8); and characterized by the fact that said acoustic reducer (3) is designed in such a way to comprise said at least one photovoltaic panel (6) .

9. Sound barrier suitable to delimitate an area in general or a transit course, according to claim 8, where said photovoltaic panel (6) is placed at the top of said reducer (3) in such a way that it can be oriented according to a direction of greatest incidence of the light flux independently from the orientation of the barrier.

10. Sound barrier suitable to delimitate an area in general or a transit course, according to claim 8 and 9, where said acoustic reducer comprises a supporting surface (5) predisposed in correspondence of its substantially plane top, in such a way to allow to place on it said photovoltaic panel.