LEVI, Naim (32/1 Sinai Street, Ramat Hasharon, 47226, IL)
SHARON, Yigal (3 Hakarkom, Mevaseret Zion, 90805, IL)
ZIV AV, Amir (3 Hanessi St, Kiriyat Ono, IL)
SIEMENS CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER LTD. (3 Ha-Hac'shara, Beit Shemesh, 99107, IL)
GIL, Ori (33 Katz Street, Petach Tikva, 49374, IL)
LEVI, Naim (32/1 Sinai Street, Ramat Hasharon, 47226, IL)
SHARON, Yigal (3 Hakarkom, Mevaseret Zion, 90805, IL)
ZIV AV, Amir (3 Hanessi St, Kiriyat Ono, IL)
| Patent claims 1. Hinge (13) for a solar support structure, wherein the hinge (13} comprises at least one thin foendable strip (130) attachable to at least two frames (11, 12) of the solar- support structure such, that the frames (11, 12) can execute a link motion relatively to each other via a bending of the strip (130) . 2. Hinge according to claim 1, wherein the strip (130) is eiastically and/or plastically deformable. 3. Hinge according; to claim 1 or 2, wherein the strip (130) comprises a strip material, which is selected from the group consisting of metal,, high strength plastic and fabric. 4. Hinge according to claim 3, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum and steel. 5. Arrangement (100} with at least one hinge (13) according to one of the claims 1 to 4 and with at least two frames (11, 12) of a solar support structure, wherein the hinge (13) is attached to the frames (11, 12) such, that the frames (11, 12) can execute a link motion relatively to each other via a bending of the strip (130) . 6. Arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the strip material is metal and the strip is attached to the frames by a weld . 7. Method for manufacturing the arrangement according claim 6, the method comprising: - providing at least one thin bendable strip (130) and providing at least two frames (11, 12) of a solar support structure; - bringing the strip (130) and the frames (11, 12) together such, that the frames (11, 12) can execute a link motion relatively to each other via a bending of the strip (130) . |
HINGE FOR A SOLAR SUPPORT STRUCTURE, ARRANGEMENT WITH THE HINGE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE ARRANGEMENT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The inventions relates to a hinge for a solar support
structure, an arrangement with the hinge and a method for manufacturing the arrangement.
The invention is in the technical field of solar energy.
More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of structures for solar collectors; more particularly the present invention is in the technical field of foldable structure elements for solar energy collectors .
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional solar collectors comprise large scale 3D space frame and truss structures. Due to their large size and high volume these frame and truss structures are difficult to shij. and maneuver. Hence these frame and truss structures usually built or assembled on site.
This usually requires special machines, tools, skilled workers and fasteners of various kinds .
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a support
structure for large solar collectors. It. is another object o the invention to provide a method for manufacturing a support structure .
These objects are achieved by the inventions specified in the claims ,
A hinge for a solar support structure is provided, wherein the hinge comprises at least one thin bendable strip
attachable to at least two frames of the solar support structure such, that the frames can execute a link motion relatively to each other via a bending of the strip. The strip is eiasticaliy and/or plastically deformable
(bendable) ,
Also provided is an arrangement with at least one hinge and with at least two frames of a solar support structure, wherein the hinge is attached to the frames such, that the frames can execute a link motion relatively to each other via a bending of the strip.
Additionally a method for manufacturing the arrangement i provided. The method comprises following steps: providing least one thin bendable strip and providing at least two frames of a solar support structure and bringing the stri and the frames together such, that the frames can execute link motion relatively to each other via a bending of the strip.
The frames can be made of metal (steel, aluminum, etc.) or any other sufficiently rigid and strong material such as high-strength plastic, composite material and the like.
The hinge can comprise one or more bendable strips . The strip comprises a strip material with sufficiently plastic deformation/elongation properties. Preferably the strip material is selected from the group consisting of metal, high strength plastic and fabric. Other strip materials or combinations of different strip materials are possible, too.
Strips consisting of a metal are potentially weldahle . Hence in a preferred embodiment of the arrangement the strip material is metal and the strip is attached to the frames by a weld. Thereby the metals steel and aluminum are
advantageous.
The present invention is an integral hinge for large solar collector structures. This structure enables an easy and cost effective manufacturing. It allows shipping and handling of large volume frames or trusses at a collapsed, folded state, which is relatively flat. The structure is volume saving in storage and shipping;. Additionally the structure can easily be installed on site without the need of special tools, additional parts or fasteners, welding or gluing processes and /or surface finishing on site. With the aid of the hinge a keeping of high rigidity and backlash/rattle free
connection between the frames is possible. This is
advantageous for the solar collectors' geometrical accuracy and stiffness.
BIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the deployed state of the arrangement with the main construction components .
Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the components of Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the collapsed state or main construction components„
Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the components of Fig . 3.
Fig. 5 is a side view of the deployed state of the main construction components.
Fig. 6a and 6b are enlarged side views of the components of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a side view of the collapsed state of the main construction components .
Fig. 8a and 8b are enlarged side views of the components of Fig. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Given is an arrangement 100 with a 3D space frame constructed of relatively flat welded frames of two types of frames 11 and 12. These frames 11, 12 are attached to each other by means of the integral hinge 13. Figures 1 and 2 show the construction at its deployed state - as it would be installed in the field.
The frames 11, 12 consist of steel. The hinge 13 comprises at least one thin bendable strip 130. The strip material is steel. The strip 130 is attached to adjacent frames 11, 12 such, that the frames 11, 12 can execute a link motion relatively to each other via a bending of the strip 130. In further detail, referring figures 3 and 4, the integral hinge 13 is welded to the frames 11, 12 as a flat strip 130. The complete arrangement 100 is collapsed (folded) .
The method for manufacturing the arrangement 100 comprises following steps: providing at least one thin bendable strip and providing at least two frames of a solar support
structure and bringing the strip and the frames together such, that the frames can execute a link motion relatively to each other via a bending of the strip. The bringing together comprises the welding. The strip is attached to the frames by a weid.
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