Field of the Invention

[0001 ] This invention relates generally to remote sensing equipment transportation and deployment apparatus.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0002] There is described herein apparatus designed for transporting and deploying remote sensing equipment.

[0003] The apparatus consists of a trailer subassembly with a chassis supported by wheels and a front draw bar with a tow hitch connection point.

[0004] The trailer subassembly serves as the base for the remote sensing equipment and a cage assembly encloses the base, providing protection.

[0005] At the front of the cage assembly, there is a solar panel assembly that can be adjusted between stowed and deployed configurations. In the deployed configuration, the solar panel assembly allows clearance for the sensors of the remote sensing equipment between the rear of the solar panel assembly and the rear of the cage .

[0006] For example, the sensing apparatus may comprises LiDAR sensing apparatus comprising sensors which emit a vertical laser beam within a 28° conical angle to measure windspeed for collecting data for windfarm feasibility analysis. The clearance may allow unobstructed sensing of the sky by the sensors.

[0007] Preferably, the solar panel assembly is further configured to allow clearance for the sensors of the remote sensing equipment when in the stowed configuration. In the stowed configuration, the sensors of the remote sensing equipment may even extend above the solar panel assembly.

[0008] According to a first embodiment shown in Figures 1 - 3, the solar panel assembly pivots up and down from an upper frame assembly extending in front of the cage assembly. According to a second embodiment shown in Figures 4 - 7, the solar panel assembly comprises a pair of solar panels pivotally engaged with respect to each other by the cage assembly wherein, in the stowed configuration, the solar panels may be substantially orthogonal with respect to each other and, in the deployed configuration, the solar panels may be substantially coplanar.

[0009] In the deployed configuration, the solar panel assembly is configured for increasing solar energy conversion and, in the stowed configuration, the solar panels can withstand high windspeed when being towed behind a vehicle, such as in excess of 100 km/h.

[0010] When left on-site, even in the deployed configuration, the solar panel assembly may be configured to be poised at a relatively low angle (such as approximately 10° in embodiments) to reduce any wind buffeting forces may overturn the trailer. The trailer may be stabilised with extendable stabilising legs to mitigate against such wind buffeting.

[001 1 ] In embodiments, the apparatus takes a compact configuration wherein the remote sensing equipment is stored within remote sensing equ ipment housing underneath the solar panel assembly higher than electrical housing and wherein a drawer slides the remote sensing equipment out from the remote sensing housing on top of the electrical housing. Furthermore, the remote sensing equipment housi ng may be located above a storage box which may be conveniently accessible through side doors through the cage assembly.

[0012] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014] Figure 1 shows remote sensing equipment transportation and deployment apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment in a stowed configuration;

[0015] Figure 2 shows the apparatus being deployed;

[0016] Figure 3 shows the apparatus in a deployed configuration ;

[0017] Figure 4 shows a side block level diagram of the apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment in a deployed configuration; [0018] Figure 5 shows a front perspective view of the apparatus in a deployed configuration;

[0019] Figure 6 shows a rear perspective view of the apparatus of the second embodiment in a deployed configuration; and

[0020] Figure 7 shows a rear perspective view of the apparatus of the second embodiment in a stowed configuration.

Description of Embodiments

[0021 ] Remote sensing equipment transportation and deployment apparatus 100 comprises a trailer subassembly 101 having a chassis 102 supported by wheels 103 and a frontal drawbar 132 having tow hitch connection point 104 for towing behind a vehicle in use.

[0022] The trailer subassembly 101 defines a base 105 for remote sensing equipment 106.

[0023] The apparatus comprises a cage assembly 107 defined by a front 108, rear 109 and sides 1 10 enclosing the base 105.

[0024] The apparatus 100 further comprises a solar panel assembly 1 13 at a front of the cage assembly 107. The solar panel assembly 1 13 is configurable in a stowed configuration as is shown in Figures 1 and 7 and a deployed configuration as is shown in Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6.

[0025] The solar panel assembly 1 13 is configured to allow clearance 1 18 for sensors 120 of the remote sensing equipment 106 between a rear edge 1 19 of the solar panel assembly 1 13 and a rear edge 109 of the cage assembly 107 when in the deployed configuration.

[0026] The sensing apparatus 106 may comprises LiDAR sensing apparatus comprising sensors 120 which emits a vertical laser beam within a 28° conical angle to measure windspeed. The clearance 1 18 may allow unobstructed sensing of the sky by the sensors 120.

[0027] Preferably, the rear edge 1 19 of the solar panel assembly 1 13 also defines clearance to the rear edge 109 of the cage assembly when in the stowed configuration as is shown in Figure 1 . [0028] The clearance 1 18 may be greater when the solar panel assembly 1 13 is in the deployed configuration.

[0029] As such, the clearance 1 18 may allow for a clear view of the sky by the sensors 120 of the remote sensing equipment 106 both in the stowed and a deployed configuration. Furthermore, the clearance 1 18 may allow the sensors 120 to extend above the cage assembly 107 when the solar panel assembly 1 13 is in the stowed configuration.

[0030] The apparatus 100 may position the solar panel assembly 1 13 high above the ground on top of the cage assembly 107 so as to be away from reach of any animals, such as cattle. Furthermore, sides of the solar panel assembly 1 13 preferably do not extend beyond sides of the cage assembly 107 so that sides of the solar panel assembly 1 13 cannot be damaged or reached by animals.

[0031 ] According to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 - 3, apparatus 100 comprises an upper framework 1 1 1 extending beyond the front 108 of the cage assembly 107. The upper framework 1 1 1 pivotally engages a front edge 1 12 of a solar panel assembly 1 13 between the stowed configuration shown in Figure 1 wherein the solar panel assembly 1 13 is substantially horizontal and the deployed configuration shown in Figure 2 wherein the solar panel assembly 1 13 is raised at an angle at the front edge 1 12 thereof from the framework 1 1 1 .

[0032] In embodiment shown, the framework 1 1 1 may be defined by side bars 1 14 defining upper edges of the sides 1 10 of the cage assembly 107 and wherein the sidebars 1 14 extend beyond the front 108 of the cage assembly 107 to support a front bar 1 15 orthogonally therebetween.

[0033] The apparatus 100 may comprise a pair of side struts 1 16 (such as gas struts) to bias the solar panel assembly 1 13 in either of the stowed and deployed configurations. In the embodiment shown, the struts 1 16 are gas struts.

[0034] The apparatus may further comprise a locking mechanism 1 17 to lock the solar panel assembly 1 13 to the framework 1 1 1 in the stowed configuration.

[0035] According to the second embodiment shown in Figures 2 - 7, the solar panel assembly 1 13 may comprise a rear solar panel 133A and a front solar panel 133B. The solar panels 133 may be pivotable with respect to each other between the stowed and deployed configurations.

[0036] As is shown in Figure 4, the solar panels 133 may be hingedly coupled at a front edge 134 of the cage assembly 107. As such, in the stowed configuration as is shown in Figure 7, the solar panels 133 may be substantially orthogonal with respect to each other and, in the deployed configuration as is shown in Figure 6, the solar panels 133 may be substantially coplanar. In the deployed configuration, the solar panels 133 may be angled at approximately 10° with respect to the horizontal plane. [0037] More specifically, in the stowed configuration, the rear solar panel 133A may be substantially horizontal and the front solar panel 133B may be substantially vertical and, in the deployed configuration, the rear solar panel 133A may be angled up with respect to the cage assembly 107 and the front solar panel 133B may be angled down with respect to the front edge 134 of the cage assembly 107.

[0038] The apparatus 100 may further comprise rear struts 135 which support the rear solar panel 133A in the deployed configuration between a rear edge 136 of the rear solar panel 133A and the cage assembly 107. The apparatus 100 may further comprise front struts 137 which support the front solar panel in the deployed configuration between a front edge 138 or side edges 139 of the front solar panel 133B and the cage assembly 107.

[0039] In the deployed configuration, the front struts 137 may attach to front attachment points 140 of the cage assembly as is shown in Figure 5. However, in the stowed configuration, the front struts 137 may attach to rear attachment points 141 of the cage assembly 107. The struts 137 may have a quick release mechanism for manual detachment and attachment between the attachment points 140, 141.

[0040] With reference to Figure 4, the apparatus 100 may comprise sensing equipment housing 125 for the remote sensing equipment 106. The sensing equipment housing 125 may be located under the solar panel assembly 1 13. Furthermore, the sensing a housing 125 may comprise a slide draw 130 to slide the remote sensing equipment 106 rearwardly out of the sensing equipment housing to under the clearance 1 18. [0041 ] The apparatus 100 may comprise electrical housing 130 including for electrical power supply equipment, data communication equipment and the like. The sensing agreement housing 125 may be located higher than the electrical housing 130 so that the drawer 144 slides the remote sensing equipment 106 out on top of the electrical housing 130.

[0042] The sensing a housing 125 may be located on top of a storage container 143. The storage container 143 may have an access door 145 through at least one side of the cage assembly 107. Preferably, the storage container defines access doors 145 through both sides of the cage assembly.

[0043] According to the first embodiment as is shown in Figure 2, the housing 125 may be removably attachable to the base 105. As such, during transportation, the housing 125 may be affixed to the base 105 to secure electronic equipment cases 126 therein wherein the housing 125 may be removed on site to access the electronic equipment cases 126.

[0044] The electrical housing 130 may be permanently affixed to the base 105 and may comprise a rear door 131 to access the interior thereof.

[0045] The apparatus 100 may further comprise deployable stabilising legs 121. Figure 1 shows the stabilising legs 121 retracted whereas Figures 2 and 3 show the stabilising legs 121 extended.

[0046] The apparatus 100 may comprise a pair of stabilising legs 121 substantially horizontally adjacent a solar panel assembly 1 13, to thereby support the apparatus 100 when the solar panel assembly 1 13 is buffeted by wind when in the deployed configuration.

[0047] The pair of stabilising legs 121 may locate horizontally between the front and rear edges 1 12, 1 19 of the solar panel assembly 1 13.

[0048] In the embodiment shown, the apparatus 100 comprises a front pair of stabilising legs 121 and a rear pair of stabilising legs 121 , thereby allowing stabilisation of the trailer chassis 101 with respect to the wheels 103 thereof when unhitched. [0049] The front pair of stabilising legs 121 may be extendable by lateral extension arms 122. The lateral extension arms 122 may be telescopically engaged within respective laterally orientated sleeves 123. A locking pin assembly or the like 124 may fix the arm 122 within the sleeve 123.

[0050] With reference to Figure 2, the rear 109 of the cage assembly 107 may be a rear gate 127 which may pivot open from hinges 128 as shown. Similarly, the front 108 of the cage assembly 107 may be a front gate 128 which may similarly pivot open by hinges 129.

[0051 ] As is further shown in Figure 2, the housing 125 may fit through the front gate 128.

[0052] The remote sensing equipment housing 125 or the electrical housing 130 may be IP67 rated.

[0053] In embodiments, a wind turbine attachment (not shown) may be integrated with the apparatus 100 to provide additional power to supplement power provided by the solar panel assembly 1 13.

[0054] The apparatus 100 may be used for transportation of the sensing equipment 106 to site wherein the apparatus 100 is configured in the manner shown in Figure 1 wherein the solar panel assembly 1 13 is put in the stowed configuration and locked to the upper frame 1 1 1 using the locking mechanism 1 17. Furthermore, the front and rear gates 127, 128 are closed and the stabilising legs 121 and lateral arms 122 are retracted.

[0055] Alternatively, according to the second embodiment, the rear solar panel 133A may be pivoted up and supported by the rear struts 135, and the front solar panel 133B pivoted up and supported by the front struts 137.

[0056] Once on-site, the front and rear gates 127, 125 may be opened in the manner shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, according to the first embodiment the housing 125 may be removed from the base 105 to access the sensing equipment cases 126. As shown in Figure 3, the sensing equipment 106 may be removed therefrom and placed atop the further housing 130 within the clearance 1 18. Thereafter, the housing 125 may be replaced as is shown in Figure 3. [0057] Alternatively, according to the second embodiment, the slide drawer 144 may be pulled from the sensing equipment housing 125 to pull the remote sensing apparatus 106 on top of the electrical housing 130.

[0058] Furthermore, as is shown in Figure 3, the front and rear gates 127, 128 may be closed. Furthermore, the front and rear stabilising legs 121 may be deployed once the trailer chassis 101 is unhitched and the lateral extension arms 122 of the front stabilising legs 121 extended.

[0059] Thereafter, the apparatus 100 may be left on-site wherein the solar panel assembly 1 13 powers the sensing equipment 120 for some time. As alluded to above, the sensing equipment 106 may be LiDAR windspeed sensing equipment used for collecting data for windfarm feasibility analysis.

[0060] As can be appreciated from the foregoing, the apparatus 100 is relatively lightweight and so maybe suitable for helicopter hoisting and deployment in embodiments.

[0061 ] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.