GB2240517A - Vehicle with adjustably mounted solar panel - Google Patents

Vehicle with adjustably mounted solar panel Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2240517A
GB2240517A GB9002591A GB9002591A GB2240517A GB 2240517 A GB2240517 A GB 2240517A GB 9002591 A GB9002591 A GB 9002591A GB 9002591 A GB9002591 A GB 9002591A GB 2240517 A GB2240517 A GB 2240517A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
solar panel
vehicle
caravan
track
tracks
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9002591A
Other versions
GB9002591D0 (en
Inventor
Robert George Crockett
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB9002591A priority Critical patent/GB2240517A/en
Publication of GB9002591D0 publication Critical patent/GB9002591D0/en
Publication of GB2240517A publication Critical patent/GB2240517A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L8/00—Electric propulsion with power supply from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
    • B60P3/00—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
    • B60P3/32—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects comprising living accommodation for people, e.g. caravans, camping, or like vehicles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
    • F24S30/20—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for linear movement
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F24S2025/01—Special support components; Methods of use
    • F24S2025/016—Filling or spacing means; Elastic means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/60—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules
    • F24S2025/6007—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules by using form-fitting connection means, e.g. tongue and groove
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
    • Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/7072—Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)

Abstract

The panel 10 is mounted to a caravan or other vehicle by an arrangement which allows for readily changing the orientation of the solar panel relative to the vehicle, to suit the direction from which sunlight is being received at the time. The solar panel 10 is slidable along tracks 12 which extend along the roof and partly down a wall of the vehicle. A spring-return roller mechanism 18 serves for retracting the solar panel along the tracks 12 when desired. <IMAGE>

Description

Solar Panel Mounting Arrangement This invention relates to the mounting of a solar panel on a vehicle, more particularly on a caravan.
It is known to fix solar panels on cars, caravans and other vehicles in order to provide a means of recharging the electrical battery of the vehicle. However in the case particularly of a caravan when parked, the caravan needs to be parked in a direction which will ensure that sunlight falls on the solar panel: it can often occur that the caravan has to be parked in some other direction, in which case the solar panel is ineffective and the battery of the caravan is likely to become discharged through use of the normal electrical systems within the caravan.
In accordance with this invention, there is provided an arrangement for mounting a solar panel on a caravan or other vehicle which allows for readily changing the orientation of the solar panel relative to the vehicle.
In use of this mounting arrangement, the orientation of the solar panel can be changed readily in order to suit the direction from which sunlight is being received at the time.
Preferably the mounting arrangement mounts the solar panel permanently on the caravan or other vehicle.
Preferablyf the solar panel exhibits a streamlined profile so as to give minimum wind resistance.
Preferably the mounting arrangement comprises at least one track fcr fitting to the roof of the caravan or other vehicle and extending partly down a wall of the caravan or other vehicle, particularly the front wall, the solar panel then being movable along that track. Preferably the mounting arrangement comprises a spring-return roller mechanism (as in a roller blind) with its flexible element connected to the solar panel.
Preferably also an elongate hooked handle is provided for engaging the pulling the solar panel forwardly, the spring return mechanism serving to retract the solar panel when desired.
An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 gives two views of a caravan having a solar panel mounted to it in accordance with this invention, one of the views showing the solar panel in a retracted position on the top of the roof and the other view showing the solar panel in a forward position against the sloping top of the front of the caravan; FIGURE 2 is a section through the solar panel and two tracks in which it slides; FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-section through one of the tracks and showing a bolt used for locking the solar panel against movement; FIGURE 4 is a view of a spring-return roller mechanism of the mounting arrangement; and FIGURE 5 is a view of a hooked pull-handle for use in moving the solar panel.
Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a caravan to which a solar panel 10 is mounted in accordance with this invention. The mounting arrangement comprises two lengths of track 12 which are fixed to the carravan roof parallel with each other, running forwardly over the top of the roof and curving down over the sloping top of the front of the caravan. The track 12 is flexible so that it can be bent to follow the profile of the roof, and is preferably formed of plastics material. The track 12 has the cross-section shown in Figure 3, namely of box section with an opening along its top wall. The solar panel 10 has two legs 14 projecting from its undesirable adjacent opposite ends, the legs 11 having feet 16 which fit within the tracks 12.
Preferably the legs 14 are adjustable in height to allow for different degrees of curvature that the tracks 12 may have to adopt on the different caravans to which they might be fixed.
The mounting arrangement also comprises a springreturn roller mechanism 18 which is fixed to the caravan roof at the inner ends of the tracks 12. Two flexible cords 20 (Figure 4) are attached to the trailing edge of the solar panel and are engaged around a roller within the mechanism 18. The leading edge of the solar panel is provided with a pull ring 22. The solar panel exhibits a streamlined profile so that, at least when in the forward position shown in Figure 1, it presents minimum wind resistance.An elongate, hooked handle 24 as shown in Figure 5 is provided, and is preferably telescopic, for engaging the pull rlng 22 and pulling the solar panel 10 forwardly along the tracks 12, or for pulling the panel forwardly through a short distance so that upon release the s?ring-return roller mechanism 18 will retract the panel.
For travelling, the solar panel will be pulled to its forward position and then locked in that position using a bolt 25 which passes through apertures in the opposite sides of each track 12 and through the respective leg 14, as shown in Figure 3, the bolt being secured by using nuts 28.
Preferably the solar panel is provided with an extensible coil-type electric lead 30 extending from its leading edge and through the front wall of the caravan.
It will be appreciated that the mounting arrangement is easy to fit to a caravan roof and enables the solar panel to be moved easily between different positions in which it will be oriented to suit the direction from which sunlight is being received.

Claims (6)

1) A solar panel apparatus comprising a solar panel and an arrangement for mounting the solar panel on a caravan or other vehicle, which mounting arrangement allows for readily changing the orientation of the solar panel relative to the vehicle.
2) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the mounting arrangement comprises at least one track for fitting to the roof of the caravan or other vehicle to extend partly down a wall of the vehicle, the solar panel being movable along the track or tracks to change its orientation.
3) An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the mounting arrangement comprises a spring-return roller mechanism to which the solar panel is connected, for retracting the solar panel along the track or tracks.
4) An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which the or each track is flexible so that it can be bent to follow the profile of the vehicle roof.
5) An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, in which the or each track has a box-shaped cross-section with an opening along its top, receiving legs projecting from the underside of the solar panel.
6) A solar panel apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB9002591A 1990-02-06 1990-02-06 Vehicle with adjustably mounted solar panel Withdrawn GB2240517A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9002591A GB2240517A (en) 1990-02-06 1990-02-06 Vehicle with adjustably mounted solar panel

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9002591A GB2240517A (en) 1990-02-06 1990-02-06 Vehicle with adjustably mounted solar panel

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9002591D0 GB9002591D0 (en) 1990-04-04
GB2240517A true GB2240517A (en) 1991-08-07

Family

ID=10670479

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9002591A Withdrawn GB2240517A (en) 1990-02-06 1990-02-06 Vehicle with adjustably mounted solar panel

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2240517A (en)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2300157A (en) * 1995-04-25 1996-10-30 Mervyn William Scane Solar panel in the ventilation cover of a caravan for running an alarm.
GB2374139A (en) * 2001-02-01 2002-10-09 Kuldip Singh Virk Solar energy system suitable for use on a pitched roof
EP1993145A2 (en) * 2007-05-17 2008-11-19 Massimo Sillano Solar energy collection panel for rooftop and similar installations
CN102177785A (en) * 2011-03-09 2011-09-14 浙江大学 Solar intelligent mowing robot
US20120043143A1 (en) * 2010-08-18 2012-02-23 Hui Joseph Y Solar Electric Vehicle with Foldable Body Panels on a Sun Tracking Chassis
EP2472189A3 (en) * 2010-12-28 2013-11-13 Philippe Batselé System to make hot water in a vehicle
GB2502661A (en) * 2013-02-20 2013-12-04 Renovagen Ltd A mobile solar power plant
US8622454B2 (en) 2009-07-28 2014-01-07 Micah F. Andretich Mobile structure having sufficient internal structural rigidity to eliminate need for load-bearing perimeter support structures
CN104716893A (en) * 2015-03-26 2015-06-17 长沙中瞿新材料科技有限公司 Vehicle and power supply system thereof
CN105270189A (en) * 2015-04-30 2016-01-27 佛山市海氏汽车用品有限公司 Multifunctional solar automobile luggage frame
CN106004464A (en) * 2016-05-27 2016-10-12 浙江大学城市学院 Solar racing car power system and designing method thereof
US11677350B2 (en) 2019-12-20 2023-06-13 Randy Barclay Solar panel tilt adjustment system

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4181188A (en) * 1978-08-28 1980-01-01 Richard Dessert Energy efficient passenger vehicle
GB2045181A (en) * 1979-02-26 1980-10-29 Nissan Motor Battery recharging arrangement for an automotive vehicle
GB2126179A (en) * 1982-08-19 1984-03-21 Edmardo J Tomei Solar powered vehicle

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4181188A (en) * 1978-08-28 1980-01-01 Richard Dessert Energy efficient passenger vehicle
GB2028739A (en) * 1978-08-28 1980-03-12 Dessert R Energy efficient passenger carrying vehicle for road use
GB2045181A (en) * 1979-02-26 1980-10-29 Nissan Motor Battery recharging arrangement for an automotive vehicle
GB2126179A (en) * 1982-08-19 1984-03-21 Edmardo J Tomei Solar powered vehicle
US4592436A (en) * 1982-08-19 1986-06-03 Tomei Edmardo J Solar powered vehicle

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2300157B (en) * 1995-04-25 1998-12-02 Mervyn William Scane Power supplying system for a caravan
GB2300157A (en) * 1995-04-25 1996-10-30 Mervyn William Scane Solar panel in the ventilation cover of a caravan for running an alarm.
GB2374139A (en) * 2001-02-01 2002-10-09 Kuldip Singh Virk Solar energy system suitable for use on a pitched roof
GB2374139B (en) * 2001-02-01 2004-08-25 Kuldip Singh Virk Solar energy systems
EP1993145A2 (en) * 2007-05-17 2008-11-19 Massimo Sillano Solar energy collection panel for rooftop and similar installations
EP1993145A3 (en) * 2007-05-17 2010-05-19 Massimo Sillano Solar energy collection panel for rooftop and similar installations
US8622454B2 (en) 2009-07-28 2014-01-07 Micah F. Andretich Mobile structure having sufficient internal structural rigidity to eliminate need for load-bearing perimeter support structures
US9132764B2 (en) 2009-07-28 2015-09-15 Micah F. Andretich Portable structure having sufficient internal structural rigidity to eliminate load-bearing perimeter support structures
US8720125B2 (en) 2009-07-28 2014-05-13 Micah F. Andretich Sustainable, mobile, expandable structure
US8701800B2 (en) * 2010-08-18 2014-04-22 Monarch Power Corp Solar electric vehicle with foldable body panels on a sun tracking chassis
US20120043143A1 (en) * 2010-08-18 2012-02-23 Hui Joseph Y Solar Electric Vehicle with Foldable Body Panels on a Sun Tracking Chassis
EP2472189A3 (en) * 2010-12-28 2013-11-13 Philippe Batselé System to make hot water in a vehicle
CN102177785A (en) * 2011-03-09 2011-09-14 浙江大学 Solar intelligent mowing robot
GB2502661A (en) * 2013-02-20 2013-12-04 Renovagen Ltd A mobile solar power plant
GB2502661B (en) * 2013-02-20 2014-04-16 Renovagen Ltd Mobile power system
CN104716893A (en) * 2015-03-26 2015-06-17 长沙中瞿新材料科技有限公司 Vehicle and power supply system thereof
CN105270189A (en) * 2015-04-30 2016-01-27 佛山市海氏汽车用品有限公司 Multifunctional solar automobile luggage frame
CN106004464A (en) * 2016-05-27 2016-10-12 浙江大学城市学院 Solar racing car power system and designing method thereof
US11677350B2 (en) 2019-12-20 2023-06-13 Randy Barclay Solar panel tilt adjustment system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9002591D0 (en) 1990-04-04

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Legal Events

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)