ELECTRICITY-PRODUCING AWNING

Solar cell systems of just fairly great capacity are space-demanding.

For households the solution usually is to place the solar cells on the roof of the house concerned. It is, however, an expensive and esthetically unsatisfactory solution.

By combining the protection against the sunbeams with utilization of them, that is by supplementation of the awning with solar cells, a cheap and esthetically satisfactory solution is obtained.

Besides the sunbeams, possibly also the infrared radiation may be utilized.

The invention will be further described in connection with the drawing, in which

Fig.1 is a vertical cross-section taken along the line I-I in Fig.2 Fig.2 er et plan view of a fabric with vertical open cells Figs.3-5 are vertical sections through three porous fabrics with different structures

Fig.6 is a vertical cross-section taken along the line II-II in Fig.7

Fig.7 is a plan view of a folded perforated membrane

Fig.8 is a vertical section through an awning consisting of parallel lamellas

Fig.9 is plan view of a flexible membrane formed with up- and downward- directed bulges

Fig.10 is a section taken along the line IH-III in Fig.9 Fig.11 is plan view of a flexible awning consisting of two perforated layers

Fig. 12 is a section taken along the line IV-IV in Fig. 11

Fig.13 is plan view of an awning consisting of a continuous layer of perforated bubbles

Fig.14 is a vertical section taken along the line V-V in Fig. 13 Fig. 15 is plan view of an unfolded awning consisting of a rigid folding plate

Fig.16 is section taken along the line VI-VI in Fig. 15 Fig. 17 is section taken along the line VI-VI in Fig. 16 Fig.18 is plan view of an alternative design of the support shown in Figs. 16-17

Fig.19 is section taken along the line VIII-VIII in Fig. 15 and 16 Fig. 20 is a vertical section of an awning with solar cell panel Fig, 21 is a vertical section of an alternatively formed solar cell panel Fig. 22 is a section taken along the line IX-IX in Fig. 23 Fig. 23 is a section of a console consisting of a telescopic pipe and a rolled spring

Fig. 24 is a section taken along the line X-X in Fig.25 Fig.25 is a plan view of a console consisting of an inflatable hose and a rolled spring Fig. 26 is side view of an up-rolled spring

Fig.27 is side view taken along the line XI-XI in Fig. 26.

Fig. 28 is vertical section through awning consisting of parallel half- cylindric pipes connected by elastic perforated material.

The solar cells comprise the traditional more or less rigid type of panels (60), Figs, 15-21, as well as a flexible membrane that can be rolled together, as for example shown in Figs. 11-12, as well as the spray-type that can be sprayed on or impregnated in any type of material, for example Figs.1-5.

Depending on the type of solar cell, support and geometry the produced electricity current is let out at one or the other end or the middle of the awning.

In the simplest case the tight fabric of the traditional rolled awning is replaced by or supplemented with a flexible solar cell membrane. The spring-driven roll (25) of awning fabric, Figs.11-12, typically is mounted on the wall, and the parallel rod (27) in the other side of the un-rolled awning is carried by two folding arms hinged on the wall.

A tight awning being exposed to the full wind load, the invention also includes various designs in which the awning is supplied with perforations that allow the air but not the sunbeams to pass through the awning. Thereby the wind load is minimized, and the area underneath the awning is ventilated.

The structures of perforated awning material that prevent passage of the sunbeams mainly may be divided into two groups:

The structures of the awning fabric for prevention of passage of the sunbeams may be divided into two groups:

- awning consisting of relatively thick porous flexible material, and/or

- awning containing openings formed so that the sunbeams cannot pass the lower edges of the shadowed sides of the openings.

The material typically will be plastic. The necessary strength of the porous type of awning may be obtained by means of one or more layers of supporting flexible net of high material strength, for instance one layer of mosquito net, (8) or (11), in the upper side of the sandwich structure and another layer, (9) or (14), in the lower side.

The porous structure of the awning may have different designs, for instance:

- a mat of horizontal parallel layers of perforated fabric (6), for example mosquito net, that together stop the sunbeams, but allow for more or less

free passage of air.

- two parallel spaced nets, for instance mosquito nets, (8) and (9), with the space filled with threaded material in all directions or light porous fill material of one of the many different sorts known for instance from the wrapping industry. The materials in the felt-like structure is so soft that it easily is compacted by rolling or folding.

The other main type includes for example

- vertical tube formed cells (2), open at both ends, Figs.1-2.

The tube cross-section for instance may be rectangular as shown, hexagonal or circular.

The channels may be vertical as shown or slant away from the sun, so that the dimension of the channels in this direction may be increased. The cell walls Cl) consist of flexible material, for instance plastic or rubber, so that the material can be rolled or folded.

- parallel perforated flexible membranes (3) and (5), where the perforations mutually are placed so that the sunbeams (10) cannot pass the perforations in the lower membrane.

The two plates are interconnected with light flexible net or fill material

C4). Alternatively the awning (24), Figs.11 - 12, may consist of two layers of flexible material (30) and (31), for instance normal awning fabric, that are perforated with holes, (28) and (29) respectively. The holes in the two layers are mutually staggered, so that the wind but not the sunbeams can pass through the awning.

Like normal the awning is rolled around a roll (25) in bearings (26) on the wall (1) and stretched between the roll (25) and a parallel rod (27).

- a folded thin plate, (12), (13), in which the folds (12) on the sunny side are sun-tight and the folds (13) on the shaded sides are perforated, so that the wind can pass through with minimum resistance.

The folded plate may be placed on top of the net (11) or between two layers of net (11) and (14) or hang from stretched, for instance nylon, cords (19).

If the folding plate is mounted by means of cords (11) and (14) around a pipe (15), the inclination of the folds may be adjusted to the inclination of the sunbeams (10) by pulling one or the other cord.

- parallel lamellas (16) of light sun-tight material interconnected by cords, (17), (18), that for instance may go round a pipe (15), like a shutter. The inclination of the lamellas may also here be adjusted by pulling the cords above (17) or below (18), or by rotation of the pipe (15).

- a flexible plate or fabric (20), Figs.9 - 10, in which the edges of each of the regularly placed cuts (21) are bent upwards (22), respectively downwards (23), so that oppositely directed half-bowl shaped surfaces are formed.

With an awning facing South an increasing part of the sunbeams in the morning and the evening will pass through the openings (24). But then the intensity of the radiation and the need for protection will be minimum.

- a horizontal bed of open net that perpendicular to the net on its either or other side is supplied with threads, shreds or continuous bands of flexible sun-tight material hanging down from the net or lying on top of this.

- a layer of coherent bubbles (32), Figs. 13 - 14, where top and bottom (33) of all or part of the bubbles are perforated. The shape of the bubbles prevents passage of the sunbeams from any direction.

- a coherent carpet of parallel half-cylinders of thin material, for instance of solar cell plast /62), Fig. 28. The edges of the cylinders are

interconnected by perforated material (63), for example continuous mosquito net or inter-spaced strips of tape across the half-cylinders, allowing for passage of air so the wind load is minimized. With successively varying diameters of the cylinders, this design allows for rolling of the carpet. The direction (64) of the sunbeams when the sun peaks decides the maximum distance between the half-cylinders, that is the width (63). To maximize this width the half-cylinders may be supplied with bulges (65).

The traditional rigid type of solar cells may make up or be mounted on an awning formed as a folding plate of rigid material (62), in which the sunny sides (62) are covered by solar cells, while the shaded sides (61) are perforated, Figs.20 - 21.

As the lowermost part of the solar cells (60) only are utilized when the sun peaks, the solar cells for economical reasons may be limited to cover only the uppermost part of the supporting membrane (62), Fig 21.

Furthermore the profile of the folding plate may be made asymmetrical so the perforated shaded sides (61) are narrower than the sunny sides (62), Figs.20 - 21. For compensation of the hight difference in the folded condition, all of the bottom between (61) and (62) may be made flexible, Fig.21, or the bottom may consist of a longitudinal rigid lamella that is flexibly hinged along both sides.

The efficiency may be increased by means of reflection of the sun rays, for instance by means of diffuse light brought about by an uneven reflective surface on the shaded side (61) of the folds, Fig.20.

The accordion-shaped awning (39), Fig.15, may for instance be supported and un- and up-folded by being placed between two mutually diagonal layers of systems of parallel telescopic pipes (40) and (41), Fig.15. The assembling rails for example may consist of two parallel U-profiles (34) and (35). The profile (34) is bolted to the wall (36).

Two of the telescopic pipes, for instance (37) and (38), may be hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders for horizontal un- and up-folding of the system.

As the height of the solar cell panel (39) is larger in folded than in unfolded position, the vertical distance between the pipes (40) and (41) should vary in the same pace as the height of (39), so that the panel in all positions is secured vertically.

This may be achieved by means of a closed cylinder (42) that through holes in top and bottom is positioned by the axle (43) and supports the cylinder (40). The diameter of the cylinder is so large that the end of the pipe (40) can turn around (43) within the periphery of the cylinder. The cylinder is prevented from rotating by means of the screw (44).

At one side the upper edge of the cylinder (42) has a cutting out with a slope (45) of the cylinder wall. In folded condition the pipe (40) lies close to the wall (36) and rests here in uppermost position on the upper side of the cylinder (42). During the unfolding of the structure the pipe (6) will turn outwards and thereby slide downwards on the edge (45) until it reaches the bottom of the cutting out as shown in Fig.17, corresponding to the decreasing height of the solar cell panel (39) during the unfolding.

As an alternative to the cylinder (42) the oblique supporting surface (45) may be produced by means of a U-profile (46) with sloping edge of its vertical "back", Fig.18 - 19. The two horizontal flanges of the profile are kept in place by the vertical bolt (5). The lower flange of (46) under the pipe (41) rests on the lower flange of the U-profile (34).

Besides the gradual change of the distance between the two layers of telescopic pipes (40) and (41), the outward gravitational component obtained by means of the sloping surfaces (45), which may be established under all pipe supports, brings about that the hydraulic cylinders (37), (38) may be left out, so that the unfolding of the awning (39) exclusively may take place by loosen the cords that must be used for compacting the awning in the night.

The folding for instance may be achieved by means of a cord drive that from each end of the profile (35) via pulleys in the profile (34) or on the wall (36) is connected with a manual winch on the wall.

The ends of the profile (35) in this way may be controlled individually, one end my be unfolded more than the other so the direction of the folds of the solar panel (39) may be turned horizontally in accordance with the actual position of the sun.

If the manual winch is replaced by a mechanical winch continuously controlled by the actual electricity production or a computer program based on the position of the sun during the day, the shadow effect, etc., an optimum efficiency of the system may be achieved.

For support of the ends of the awning (39) and for stabilizing of all of the whole structure, the ends of the profiles (34) and (35) may be connected by folding beams (47) consisting for example of vertical U- profiles hinged together by vertical bolts (48) and hinged around the bolts (43) at either end of the profiles (34) and (35).

In case the awning is not facing south, hinging mountings possibly may be established at one or both ends of the solar panel so that it can be swung out from the wall (36) around the axle (43).

Besides protection against the sun and production of electricity, the system may also be used for protection against mosquitoes if the profile (35) is supplied with a spring agitated roll (49) with mosquito net that can be pulled down to the floor when it is to be applied. Along each side (50) a curtain-string with a folded vertical mosquito net may be pulled out from the wall (36).

In the present structure the load at either end of the awning is carried by a console consisting of a rolled spring (51) as straining element and the compressed air in either an air-tight telescopic pipe (52), Figs.22-23,

or an inflatable hose (53) as pressure element. Alternatively the pressure medium in the telescopic pipe may be a fluid, for example oil or water. The cross-section diameter of the hose may be constant or vary over the length of the hose.

The outer end of the spring (51) is in fixed connection with the connecting rod (54) which carries and rolls the awning when the spring rolls up by reduction of the air pressure in the telescopic pipe (52) or the hose (53).

The hose (53) may be rolled up directly on the rod (54). By pumping air through the valve (55) the rod with the awning is pressured out from the wall (36). Because of the fixed connection between rod and the innermost winding of the spring (51), the rod will rotate and unroll the awning during the unrolling and roll up the awning during the up-rolling. The pumping preferably is done by means of a pump that automatically can maintain an arbitrarily chosen pressure.

Alternatively the hose may be rolled around a drum mounted on the rod via a ball- or slide-bearing. During the unrolling the spring (51) thereby is straightened out independently of the rotation of the drum and thereby keeps the awning constantly stretched out. The rolling up of the hose for example is secured by means of a loop around the rod and with its end fastened to the side of the drum. Due to the friction the loop during the up-rolling will tighten around the rod, so that drum and rod will rotate together, during the un-rolling the loop because of the friction will loosen, so that the rod can rotate freely.

Correspondingly the telescopic pipe may be hinged (59) on the wall (36) and be connected with the rod (54) via a spherical ball-, roll- or sliding bearing (58), so that the rod with the spring (51) rotates freely in both directions.