TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system for providing controlling of solar panels.

PRIOR ART

Solar power plants are electricity production plants having very big number of solar panels.

After the installation of the field is completed for big-scale solar panel power plants, a lifetime, which is dependent on the producer, is given for each solar panel. For such panels, essentially 25 years of lifetime is given, and this duration changes according to the base conditions where the field exists or according to the weather conditions. After specific duration, conditions like hotspots, breakages, cell deteriorations dependent on temperature, etc. occur on solar panels. Moreover, dust accumulates on the panels due to the medium conditions where the power plant exists, and the accumulated dusts decrease the lifetime of solar panels and decrease electricity generation. Such abnormalities and faults must be detected, and solar panels must be repaired or changed.

Since pluralities of solar panels are placed in big-scaled solar power plants, measurement of the final condition of the solar panels one by one or visually leads to excessive time loss. Particularly when a power plant using millions of solar panels is considered, realization of the detection of dirt or detection of the health of panels one by one can last for days and even months.

As a result, because of the abovementioned problems, an improvement is required in the related technical field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method, for eliminating the abovementioned disadvantages and for bringing new advantages to the related technical field. An object of the present invention is to provide a system and method where the control of solar panels is facilitated and accelerated.

In order to realize the abovementioned objects and the objects which are to be deducted from the detailed description below, the present invention is a system for providing controlling of solar panels. Accordingly, the subject matter system comprises an air vehicle for floating over the solar panels and having a light emitting unit for sending a stimulating light to the solar panels, at least one image capturing unit for capturing the image of the solar panels, and a processor unit configured to control the flight of the air vehicle, said light emitting unit and the image capturing unit; said processor unit is configured to realize the following steps:

- providing capturing of at least one reference image of at least one of solar panels by means of said image capturing unit;

- providing sending of stimulating light to the solar panel, of which the reference image is captured, by means of said light emitting unit,

- providing capturing of at least one test image of the solar panel whereon stimulating light is sent,

- providing capturing of pluralities of test images of the solar panel whereon stimulating light is sent,

- obtaining at least one of a phase image and an amplitude image by using at least two test images,

- detecting whether there is abnormality in the solar panel in accordance with the differences between the images by comparing at least one of said amplitude image and said phase images with the reference image.

Thus, solar panels are controlled in an accelerated manner, and the faults are detected.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the processor unit is configured to realize the following steps for forming the amplitude image:

- multiplying sequential test images by one each coefficients which are directly proportional with sequential amplitude values distributed to a period or period multiples and which are the time intervals directly proportional with the time intervals of a first sinusoidal signal where sequential test images are taken in between,

- summing up test images multiplied by coefficients, and obtaining the amplitude image.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the processor unit is configured to realize the following steps for forming the phase image:

- multiplying sequential test images by one each coefficients which are directly proportional with sequential amplitude values which are the time intervals directly proportional with the time intervals of a second sinusoidal signal where sequential test images are taken in between and which has 90 degrees of phase difference with respect to a first sinusoidal signal,

- summing up sequential test images multiplied by coefficients, and obtaining the phase image.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises a GPS module which detects the current position of the air vehicle; the processor unit is configured to record the position information, related to the solar panel of which said reference image and said test image (amplitude and phase image) are taken, in a memory unit.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the processor unit is configured to control the air vehicle in a manner accessing target coordinates in a memory unit comprising positions of solar panels and in a manner providing flying of the air vehicle to at least one of said coordinates.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the air vehicle comprises a first movement mechanism for adjusting orientation of the image capturing unit, a second movement mechanism for adjusting orientation of the light emitting unit, and a GPS module for detecting the current position of the air vehicle; the processor unit is configured to control said first movement mechanism and said second movement mechanism; the processor unit is configured to provide orientation of the image capturing unit and the light emitting unit to at least one solar panel by controlling the first movement mechanism and the second movement mechanism with respect to the target coordinates in the memory unit and the current position information taken from GPS module.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the processor unit is configured to correlate the coordinates of solar panels, where the light emitting unit and the image capturing unit are directed, with the received test image and the reference image and to record thereof to the memory unit.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, said system comprises a central control unit; the air vehicle comprises a communication unit for providing communication of the processor unit and the central control unit.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the air vehicle comprises a battery; a photovoltaic receiver unit for transforming the light, which falls thereon, into electrical energy; a charge equipment for providing charging of said battery by the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic receiver unit; said system comprises a laser light emitter positioned on the base and for providing charging of the battery by sending laser light to said photovoltaic receiver unit. Thus, the air vehicle is provided to stay in air for increased duration, and the control is accelerated.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the subject matter system comprises a base movement mechanism for adjusting the orientation of the laser light source, and a charge control unit configured to direct said laser light source towards the current position of the air vehicle.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, said system comprises a tracking unit associated with the charge control unit for determining the current position of said air vehicle.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, said light emitting unit comprises a light emitter, and a light modulator controlled by the processor unit for adjusting the characteristic of the light emitted by said light emitter.

The present invention is moreover a method for providing controlling of solar panels. Accordingly, the improvement is that the following steps realized by a processor unit of an air vehicle are provided:

- receiving as input the coordinate of at least one solar panel which is to be controlled,

- providing flying of the air vehicle to the coordinates received as input,

- providing capturing of at least one reference image of at least one of solar panels by means of an image capturing unit in the air vehicle,

- providing sending of stimulating light by means of a light emitting unit in the air vehicle to the solar panel of which the reference image is captured,

- providing capturing of pluralities of test images of the solar panel whereon stimulating light is sent,

- obtaining at least one of a phase image and an amplitude image by using at least two test images,

- detecting whether there is abnormality in the solar panel in accordance with the differences between the images by comparing the reference image and at least one of said amplitude images and said phase images. In another possible embodiment of the present invention, in order to form the amplitude image, the following sub-steps are provided:

- multiplying sequential test images by one each coefficients which are directly proportional with sequential amplitude values distributed to a period or period multiples and which are the time intervals directly proportional with the time intervals of a first sinusoidal signal where sequential test images are taken in between,

- summing up the test images multiplied by the coefficients, and obtaining the amplitude image.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, in order to form the phase image, the following sub-steps are provided:

- multiplying sequential test images by one each coefficients which are directly proportional with sequential amplitude values which are the time intervals directly proportional with the time intervals of a second sinusoidal signal where sequential test images are taken in between and which has 90 degrees of phase difference with respect to a first sinusoidal signal,

- summing up the sequential test images multiplied by the coefficients, and obtaining the phase image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In Figure 1 , a representative view of the system is given.

In Figure 2, a schematic view of the air vehicle is given.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject matter is explained with references to examples without forming any restrictive effect only in order to make the subject more understandable.

With reference to Figure 1 , the subject matter is a system comprising an air vehicle (100) which provides taking of images by flying over the solar panels (400) and which provides detection of the abnormalities from these images in solar panel (400) power plants.

The present invention is essentially a system which provides taking of a reference image of solar panels (400) and which provides taking of pluralities of test images by sending stimulating light and which detects the abnormalities and failures at the solar panel (400) in accordance with the differences between the phase image and the amplitude images obtained from the reference image and the test images.

With reference to Figure 2, in more details, the air vehicle (100) comprises a control unit (130). The control unit (130) can control flight of the air vehicle (100). The air vehicle (100) can preferably be an unmanned air vehicle (100) and particularly can be vehicles which can stay suspended in air thanks to its propellers.

The air vehicle (100) can comprise an image capturing unit (110) for providing taking of the image of solar panels (400). The image capturing unit (110) can be a camera. The air vehicle (100) also comprises a light emitting unit for transmitting light to solar panels (400). The light emitting unit (120) also comprises a light emitter and a light modulator for changing the characteristic of the light emitted by said light emitter. Here, the mentioned characteristic can be wavelength and/or intensity. The light modulator (122) is controlled by the control unit (130). In more details, the control unit (130) can comprise a processor unit (131). The processor unit (131) can be formed by one or more than one processor for controlling realization of flight and other tasks. The control unit (130) can also comprise a memory unit (132). The processor unit (131) is associated with the memory unit (132) in a manner realizing reading and writing of data. The memory unit (132) can comprise memories or memory combinations which provide permanent and/or temporary storage of data.

The air vehicle (100) can also comprise a battery for operation of the flight equipment and for energizing of the other components. In more details, the air vehicle (100) can comprise a photovoltaic receiver unit (162). The photovoltaic receiver unit (162) can generate electrical energy when light, preferably laser light is directed thereon. The photovoltaic receiver unit (162) operates by means of a principle like a solar panel. Charging equipment (161) is provided between the photovoltaic receiver unit (162) and the battery. There can be various electronic circuit components known in the art and which shall provide charging of the battery by means of the electricity generated by the photovoltaic receiver unit (162).

The air vehicle (100) also comprises a GPS module (150). The GPS module (150) detects the current position of the air vehicle (100). The GPS module (150) is associated with the processor unit (131). The air vehicle (100) can also comprise a communication unit (140) which provides communication of the processor unit (131) with the outer medium. The communication unit (140) is configured to realize communication by means of radio waves. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, a first movement mechanism (111) adjusts the orientation of the image capturing unit (110), and a second movement mechanism (123) adjusts the orientation of the light emitting unit. The processor unit (131) provides control of the first movement mechanism (111) and the second movement mechanism (123) and provides directing of the image capturing unit (110) and the light emitting unit to the desired solar panel (400). In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the light emitting unit and the image capturing unit (110) are moved by a movement mechanism.

The system comprises a laser light emitter (210) positioned on the base for providing charging of the battery. The orientation of the laser light emitter (210) can be adjusted by a base movement mechanism (220). The base movement mechanism (220) is controlled by a charge control unit (230).

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the charge control unit (230) and the control center are associated in a manner realizing data exchange.

The charge control unit (130) controls the movement mechanism in a manner providing detection of the current position of the air vehicle (100) and providing orientation of the laser light emitter (210) to the photovoltaic receiver unit (162). Determination of the current position of the air vehicle (100) can be realized by means of position and height information which taken from the GPS module (150) of the air vehicle (100). In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the current position of the air vehicle (100) can be realized by another target locking method known in the art. For instance, the position of the air vehicle (100) can be detected by means of a camera, in other words, by means of a tracking unit, and the movement mechanism can be locked in this position. The air vehicle (100) can comprise various markers for facilitating detection of the position thereof.

In accordance with the details given above, the processor unit (131) receives as input the position information of the solar panels which will be controlled. The processor unit (131) provides flying of the air vehicle (100) to the received position or to the vicinity of the received position. The processor unit (131) then provides the image capturing unit (110) to take a reference image of at least one solar panel (400) and provides sending of stimulating light to the solar panel (400), of which the reference image is taken, by the light emitting unit and provides taking of pluralities of test images of the solar panel (400) where stimulating light is sent. The light emitting unit can be led arrays which emit light at wavelengths for instance between 850-914 nm. Afterwards, the test images are summed up, and an amplitude image and a phase image are obtained. By comparing the phase image and the amplitude image with the reference image, the abnormalities can be detected. The processor unit (131) can record the test images and the reference images by correlating thereof with the position information. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the processor unit (131) detects the position thereof with respect to the solar panels (400) by using the position of a solar panel (400) and its own position. Then, with respect to the detected position, the processor unit (131) can provide orientation of the image capturing unit (110) and the light emitting unit such that the image capturing unit (110) and the light emitting unit are facing to said solar panel (400). The processor unit (131) then records the received reference image, the test images and the phase image and the amplitude image together with the position of the solar panel (400) at which the image capturing unit (110) and the light emitting unit are oriented.

In more details, the formation of the phase image and the amplitude image is as follows: A sinusoidal first signal is accessed. For each test image, one each amplitude values are determined from the first signal such that said one each amplitude values are directly proportional with the time intervals where the sequential test images are taken. Coefficients are obtained which are directly proportional with the determined amplitude values. The sequential test images are multiplied with the related coefficient. An amplitude image is obtained by summing up the multiplied sequential test images. The amplitude values here are selected in a manner spreading to a period of the first signal or to an exact multiple of the period, and in more details, the amplitude values are selected symmetrically with respect to the middle of the period. In other words, the amplitude values are selected such that when the negative amplitude values and the positive amplitude values are summed up, they zero each other.

A second signal is accessed which has sinusoidal structure and which has phase difference between said first signal and itself. Said second signal preferably has cosine form and in other words, it has phase difference of 90 degrees with respect to the first signal. For each test image, one each amplitude values are determined from the second signal such that said one each amplitude values are directly proportional with the time intervals where the sequential test images are taken. Coefficients are obtained which are directly proportional with the determined amplitude values. The sequential test images are multiplied with the related coefficient. The multiplied sequential test images are summed up and a phase image is obtained. Flere, the amplitude values are selected in a manner spreading to a period of the second signal or to an exact multiple of the period, and in more details, the amplitude values are selected symmetrically with respect to the middle of the period. In other words, the amplitude values are selected such that when the negative amplitude values and the positive amplitude values are summed up, they zero each other.

Abnormalities are detected by comparing at least one of the phase image and the amplitude image with the reference image.

Here, said abnormalities are points where efficiency and function losses occur which are defined as deformation or hotspot which occurs due to reasons like undesired items like dust, dirt, etc. which cover the solar panel (400) and cracks due to physical damage in the solar panel or various reasons. Since the parts where such abnormalities exist give reactions to the stimulating light which are different from the reactions of the regions which have no abnormalities, detection can be realized from the differences between the reference image and the phase image and the amplitude image by means of image processing methods. The processor unit (131) provides the air vehicle (100) to fly in a manner realizing scanning so as to receive the image of each of the solar panels (400) which exist in a pre-selected region.

The protection scope of the present invention is set forth in the annexed claims and cannot be restricted to the illustrative disclosures given above, under the detailed description. It is because a person skilled in the relevant art can obviously produce similar embodiments under the light of the foregoing disclosures, without departing from the main principles of the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

100 Air vehicle

110 Image capturing unit

111 First movement mechanism

120 Light emitting unit

121 Light emitter

122 Light modulator

123 Second movement mechanism

130 Control unit

131 Processor unit

132 Memory unit

140 Communication unit 150 GPS module

160 Battery unit

161 Charge equipment

162 Photovoltaic receiver unit 210 Laser light emitter

220 Base movement mechanism 230 Charge control unit 300 Central control unit 400 Solar panel