Mobile Power Supply Units

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to mobile power supply units.

Background to the Invention and Prior Art Known to the Applicant

GB2329534 shows a power supply unit operating without gaseous emissions where the trailer is formed from a tubular frame to which a wind turbine and a solar panel are fixed.

DE3405466A1 shows a mobile power supply unit which incorporates both wind turbine and solar collectors. It emits gaseous emissions through the vapour generated when the shower of the unit is in use. The following other prior art documents are acknowledged: PCT/EP94/00689, AU658968, GB2280997, FR2748040 and US4,489,242.

The closest piece of prior art to the present invention is shown in GB2339747 where the prior art trailer incorporates a roof with multiple pitches which are adjustable relative to one another. The trailer houses traffic lights and other traffic equipment in specially provided compartments.

The invention proposes a plurality of solutions to a common technical problem of increasing the compatibility of mobile power supply units with a greater number of systems so as to readily function in a wider variety of applications than the prior art units whilst improving the supply of renewable energy.

Summary of the Invention

In a first broad independent aspect, the invention provides a mobile power supply unit comprising two or more solar panels with a hinge separating a first and a second panel and allowing said first panel to be folded onto said second panel.

This feature is particularly advantageous because it allows the panels to cover a greater area than would otherwise be possible during the capture of the solar energy. It allows the panels to extend in area beyond the area of the mobile power supply unit whilst allowing the unit to be particularly compact for transportation.

In a subsidiary aspect, one or more solar panels incorporate one face with photovoltaic cells and their opposite face without whereby when said first panel is folded onto said second panel said photovoltaic cells are covered.

This feature is particularly advantageous because it allows the photovoltaic cells to be protected which may be particularly usefully during heavy storms and transportation.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the unit is a trailer with a roof onto which said panels are attached; said second panel is located parallel to the roof and said first panel is located at an angle to said second panel.

This feature is particularly advantageous because it allows the capture of solar radiation in wider angles. It may in one embodiment mimic the shape of a radar dish which further maximises the capture of solar energy.

In a further subsidiary aspect, two or more pairs of panels are provided on said roof.

This feature is particularly advantageous because it further improves the amount of solar energy captured by the unit.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the roof is pitched with two opposite roof faces onto at least one of which two pairs of panels are secured.

This feature is particularly advantageous because it allows the unit to capture solar energy from both sides of the unit without necessarily having to displace the unit during the day.

In a second broad independent aspect, the invention provides a mobile power supply unit comprising a trailer with a chassis; the trailer being adapted for towing; a solar and/or wind energy to electricity converter attached to said trailer and connected to one or more batteries for storing electricity; characterised in that the trailer is formed of two separable parts which may be separated when releasable attachment means are released; a first part being formed of said solar and/or wind energy to electricity converter and said one or more batteries; and a second part incorporating said chassis.

This configuration is particularly advantageous because it allows part of a unit to be dropped off at a site where the supply of renewable energy is required whilst the chassis itself may be driven back to a base station for reloading with a subsequent power unit for disposal at the site. It also allows potentionally the unit to function as a conventional trailer when the first part has been removed.

In a subsidiary aspect, said first part incorporates means which allow the engagement of a fork-lift truck for lifting said first part off said second part.

In a third broad independent aspect, the invention provides an inflatable structure comprising a pump for inflating the structure and/or maintaining the structure inflated; a solar and/or wind energy to electricity converter and means for supplying electricity from said converter to said pump.

This combination of features is particularly advantageous because it marks a radical departure from the prior art where inflatable structures are powered by a fossil fuel

generator. This will allow inflatable buildings to remain inflated without any carbon emission and without the noise of the standard generator.

In a fourth broad independent aspect, the invention provides a mobile power supply unit operating without gaseous emissions and comprising; a trailer adapted for towing; a solar and/or wind energy electricity converter attached to said trailer and connected to one or more batteries for storing electricity; and a roof equipped with one or more solar collectors; when the unit houses:

a) solely power supply equipment; or b) at least the combination of power supply equipment and an inflatable structure.

One of the problems which this invention addresses is the provision of power supply units which are particularly suited for use with inflatable structures such as bouncy castles, inflatable gazebos, inflatable temporary shelters and housings or the likes.

This configuration is particularly advantageous because feature a) allows the unit to be of greater compactness than prior art units. This structure is also particularly advantageous when considering feature b) as it may allow the transportation of the inflatable structure without requiring the storage space of a conventional van. The prior art generators would naturally be heated during use and would therefore not be suitable for storing inflatable structures. This combination therefore marks a radical departure from the prior art teaching in the field of inflatable structure transportation.

In a subsidiary aspect, the invention provides a roof with multiple pitches which are fixed. The enclosure is therefore less likely to be tampered with by the users of the inflatable structures. It is therefore safer to use.

In a further subsidiary aspect, a mobile power supply unit comprises means to adjust the height of the entire roof. Since the structures may be of a certain height behind which no solar collection may be achieved, this adjustable mechanism allows a mobile power supply unit to capture solar energy even when placed out of the way behind the structure.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the wind energy to electricity converter incorporates a wind turbine and the unit further comprises means for adjusting the height of said wind turbine. This combination of features will also allow the unit to be placed behind the structures so as not to impede access to the inflatable structures.

In a subsidiary aspect, the inflatable structure comprises an exposed portion equipped with solar collectors. The prior art teaching is to place generators at ground level only which are entirely separate from the inflatable structure. This configuration marks a radical departure from the prior art teaching by suggesting equipping inflatable structures with solar collectors.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the structure incorporates a base portion and the structure further comprises batteries for storing electricity in the base portion of the structure. This will allow the inflatable structure to have increased structural stability and may for example avoid the need to use sand filled bases. It may also effectively provide cooling for the batteries if the batteries are placed in a position where the air blown by the pump into the structure passes over the batteries.

Optionally therefore the structure incorporates chambers which are inflated in use and said chambers house batteries for storing electricity.

Brief description of the figures

Figure 1 shows in perspective view a mobile power supply unit accordingly to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a mobile power supply unit in side view in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a mobile power supply unit accordingly to a third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows in side view an inflatable structure in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a mobile power supply unit according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the figures

Figure 1 shows a mobile power supply unit in a form of a trailer generally referenced 1 with a roof 2 with two flat pitches 3 and 4. Both pitches incorporate solar panels such as solar panel 5. Within the trailer there is provided a bank of batteries and electrical connectors between the panels and the batteries. The cable may be provided to establish an electrical link between the trailer and an inflatable structure such as an inflatable gazebo. The trailer has two oppositely located wheels such as wheel 6; and two bars 7 and 8 for connecting to a motor vehicle. A front support wheel 9 is also envisaged. A trailer 1 may be a closed unit without any openings other than for maintenance purposes so as to avoid any end user tampering.

Figure 2 shows a trailer 10 with a bank of batteries 11. The trailer incorporates a roof 12 and a telescopic arm 13 joining the base of the trailer 14 with the roof 12. The telescopic arm may be a hydraulic cylinder in order to adjust the height of operation of the roof.

Figure 3 shows a power supply unit with a rectangular load carrying portion 15 in which are housed batteries 16. On top of the rectangular base a mast 17 extends in the upwards direction carrying a wind turbine 18. A multiple pitched roof 19 is provided which may be covered by solar collectors of known kind. One side of the rectangular base may be opened by door 20 to reveal a compartment beneath the wind generator of sufficient size to store the deflated structure for storage or transportation. The wind generator may also be equipped with a telescopic mast.

Figure 4 shows an inflatable structure 21 in the form of a gazebo. Solar collectors are located on the roof of the gazebo such as collectors 22 and 23. A storage case 24 is provided with at least three compartments. One compartment may serve to store a bank

of batteries for collecting the electrical energy generated by the solar panels. A second compartment may house the pump which in use can be connected to the gazebo. A third compartment may be used to stow away the deflated structure after use.

The storage case may form part of a trailer with the solar panels 22 and 23 sized and shaped to act as the roof of the trailer during transportation. This may be achieved by allowing the solar panels to be detachable from the roof of the gazebo and assembled to the storage case.

Figure 5 shows a further trailer generally referenced 25. The trailer is formed of two separable parts. The two parts may be separated by releasing safety pins which are held in position through spring loaded C-cIips. Other releasable attachment means such as nuts and bolts, or a series of clamps are envisaged. The first part is constituted of a chassis 26 with two heavy duty wheels 27 and 28. Conventional stop lights and warning signs are envisaged at the rear of the trailer. A stabilising leg which may be adjustable in the vertical direction is also envisaged. The trailer also incorporates a second part 29 with a housing for enclosing banks of batteries which are known in the art. The batteries are connected internally to a plurality of photovoltaic solar panels such as panels 30, 31, 32 and 33.

The upper portion of the trailer incorporates a pitched roof with two opposite sides 34 and 35 on which solar panels may be attached. It is envisaged that these may be releasably attached. As can be seen in figure 5 on one side of the roof two pairs of solar panels are provided. The first pair incorporates solar panels 30 and which hinge relative to one another through hinge 36. The hinge allows panel 30 to be folded onto panel 31 so that when the top sides of the panels are covered with photovoltaic cells, the cells may be protected simply by closing the pair of panels in a similar fashion to closing a book. The angle of aperture of the pair of panels may be adjustable so that panel 30 may extend from panel 31 at an angle. The angle may preferably be comprised between 10 and 40 degrees. A particularly beneficial angle would be 22 degrees. The angle may be adjusted by providing a stand on the lower rear face of panel 30 which could be stood on roof side 35. Alternatively, the hinge's friction may be varied in order to adjust the angle permitted.

Whilst the figure shows two pairs of panels on face 35, the invention also envisages having at least two similar pairs on the opposite side.

Furthermore, whilst the pairs unfold into two photovoltaic faces, the invention also envisages stacks of panels which would unfold on either side of the trailer into groups of a succession of three, four, five or more panels.

The rear triangular face 37 of the trailer incorporates a number of plugs such as plug 38 to allow the connection of electricity consuming devices. It is envisaged to provide plugs of both 110 volts and 220-240 volts (AC) in order to facilitate the use of the trailer for both of these standards. The voltage at the batteries would be preferably 12 volts (DC) and a succession of inverters would convert the voltage at the batteries to the required output level. One option would be to include a 48 volts outlet for powering boats or similar devices.

In addition the upper detachable part of the trailer incorporates two longitudinal tunnels 39 and 40 which are sized and shaped to receive the prongs of a fork lift truck. Furthermore, tunnels 39 and 49 may fulfil the function of skids to allow the detached upper part of the trailer to be towed on a slippery surface such as snow upto a remote location where power consumption is taking place such as a remote ski lift or chalet.

It is envisaged that the unit may provide at least 3000 watts of power in the form of either alternating current or direct current.

A possible use for the unit may be to power sound systems to keep birds away from aircraft in the middle of active airfields.

It is also possible to scale the unit up and to permit the unit to power catering trailer whilst they wait to offload meals into aircrafts.

It is also envisaged that the unit may re-charge luggage trolleys which would also assist in reducing carbon emission at airports.