AU2003262435B2 - Awning with flexible solar modules - Google Patents

Description

A

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 DIVISIONAL APPLICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S): Hermann-Frank Muller ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys 1 Nicholson Street Melbourne, 3000.

INVENTION TITLE: "Awning with flexible solar modules" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: AWNING WiTHi FLEXIBLE SOLAR

MODULES

Description This is a divisional of Australian patent application. No. 43693/99, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Sun visors, blinds, or awnings as protective means against sun radiation are useful in many applications and are known in the prior art for buildings and vehicles, for example, motor homes.

U.S. patent 5, 076,634 discloses a sun visor for vehicles. It has solar modules mounted on an outwardly facing surface for converting sun radiation into electrical energy to be stored in appropriate storage cells.

From German Patent 38 32 688 a rigid awning Is known which Is comprised of a frame that has a light-transmissive foil attached thereto. At the upper side a cutout is provided that receives solar modules mounted on a support The electricity produced by the solar modules is stored in storage means (4) mounted on a base plate and is used for illumination purposes.

The rigid mounting of the awning presents a drawback since the awning cannot be retracted depending on weather conditions.

German patent application DE 196 20 619 describes a rollable blind for roof windows designed to reduce the amount of heat generated in an apartment by sun radiation entering through the slanted windows, The blind can be automatically rolled up (retracted) or rolled down (extended) by a motor. The energy for -1operating the motor may be derived from solar modules mounted separately from the blind.

U.S. patent 5, 433,259 shows a retractable awning comprising an articulated slat system at the end where the awning is connected to a building, a camping trailer or motor home. The slat system provides a protective cover for the awning and carries a solar panel on one of the slats. The solar panel is of a relative small size compared to the surface area of the awning in the extended position. The amount of energy conversion achievable with such an arrangement is therefore relatively small.

The known sun visors or awnings that have solar modules mounted thereon all show solar modules of a small size that therefore provide only a limited amount of renewable energy. The shown arrangements of the solar modules also require a solid support structure and therefore are limited with regard to their design.

It would therefore be desirable to have a retractable awning that provides solar modules across a large surface area and also allows many design variations, The invention is based on employing flexible (rollable) solar modules that, because of their flexibility, can be mounted, if desired, on the entire surface area of the flexible support material (fabric, foil, -2- P,\OPERUCC SPECIFICATIONSU23711 30031106 U SPA dom.21)22067 -3film, sheet, etc.) of the canopy. It is thus possible to provide rollable (retractable) awnings for vehicles and for buildings having a large surface area covered with flexible solar modules that can produce a large quantity of renewable electric energy in order to be able to operate the awning automatically (position adjustment, rolling up and down etc.) and also to provide renewable electric energy for other electric consumers related to the awning such as lighting or cleaning devices. Also, external electrical devices can be operated by the solar-derived energy, e.g. lawn mowers, gardening tools etc.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an awning comprising: a frame; a flexible canopy mounted to said frame so as to be retractable into a retracted position and extendable into an extended position; said canopy having an upper side and an underside; said canopy comprising at least one flexible solar module on said upper side; said frame comprising a roller onto which said canopy is rolled in said retracted state; at least one storage cell for storing electrical energy produced by said at least one solar module, said at least one storage cell being connected to said at least one solar module characterized in that said at least one storage cell is mounted in said roller; and in that said solar modules are solar module strips; and wherein the awning comprises a fabric that changes according to the exterior light conditions to provide in use of the awning uniform lighting within a space covered by the awning.

The solar modules are thin lamellas that are securely attached to a flexible support material. Together, the support material and the solar modules attached thereto form the awning canopy. The support material can be a light-transmissive fabric that allows sufficient light to pass in order to have the space under the awning sufficiently lighted or to allow light into a room when the awning is used as a vertical shade in front of a window or door. In this context, solar modules that are transparent would be especially useful.

Rollable (retractable) awnings comprising flexible solar modules can be positioned at many angles and orientation relative to the sun. The solar modules can be distributed over a large surface area of the canopy and, therefore, can generate a V t considerable amount of electric energy. By providing storage means (storage cells) for the electric energy produced, the awning and related (or unrelated electric consumers) can be operated autarkically with renewable and environmentally friendly solar energy.

It is also possible to provide openings for light to pass into the space beneath the awning. The light passing through the openings is reflected at mirrors positioned underneath the opening such that the light is uniformly distributed. The mirror can then provide the feeling of a light-transmissive awning.

It is also possible to connect solar modules to the underside of the awning canopy so that the daylight and reflected light in the space under the awning is also converted into electrical energy by the solar modules arranged underneath. Of course, the efficiency is much reduced, but additional energy can be provided in this manner to a certain extent.

The canopy, respectively, its support material can comprise light collectors (based, forexample, on fluorescent compounds) that will provide additional energy to the solar modules.

However, it is also possible to envision a transparent flexible solar module for awnings which are mounted on the support material and allow light to pass through like conventional awnings.

-4- It is a preferred embodiment of the Invention to position the required storage cells (batteries, accumulators, capacitors) as well as the drive motor(s), the control unit, and, optionally, water reservoir(s) and air container(s), for example, to be used for cleaning the canopy of the awning, into the cylindrical body of the roller onto which the awning material is to be rolled. One or more current-conducting tracks or other electrical connections are to be mounted on the canopy of the awning in order to connect the solar modules to the storage cell(s). An electrical connector (socket) connected to the storage cell(s) may provide different consumers, for example, a lawn mower, illumination for a bill board or name plate, lights, etc. with energy from the storage cells.

It is also possible to connect a plurality of awnings, positioned at different locations, to one common storage cell so that the electrical current consumers can be uniformly provided with current.

This is beneficial in order to compensate different efficiency of the solar modules resulting from cloudy skies that will produce different radiation intensities of the sun on the solar modules.

Furthermore, air filter/fan units may be provided to filter the air inside or outside the building or the vehicle. Combustion processes, mostly caused by mankind, have resulted in gases and dust particles within the air, and these pollutants present a danger P:\OPERUCCSPECIFICATIONS 1 237113003106 In SPA.doc-21/022037 -6to people in the open air as well as in buildings. It would be advantageous to have a fan Sfor filtering the air through a filtering device (active carbon particle filter or a particle filter of the type CO 2 Bentax gas cleaner) integrated into the awning and operated by the IND electrical energy stored in the storage cell.

Cc The solar modules on the canopy over the course of time can be contaminated by Sdirt and dust particles which will reduce the efficiency of the solar modules. Accordingly, it may be expedient to provide a cleaning device for the solar modules. The cleaning device may comprise a pump for pumping a cleaning fluid onto the surface of the canopy.

The awning may have a cover covering said canopy in said retracted state, wherein said cleaning device is mounted in said cover. Such a cleaning device is preferably provided in the form of a cleaning strip, including nozzles and/or brushes, mounted transverse to the retraction and extension direction above or in front of the roller where the canopy will pass it. The surface of the canopy and the surface of the solar modules can then be cleaned by water and/or air, by spraying water and/or air onto the surface of the canopy.

Preferably, the water spray operates in conjunction with a brush arrangement, preferably arranged at the roller, so that the canopy is scrubbed when retracted or extended. The cleaning device may comprise a cleaning liquid reservoir mounted inside said roller or inside frame portions of said frame.

It is also possible to collect rain water impinging on the awning in a rain gutter mounted at the awning and to clean the rain water with a coarse and fine filter before introducing it into the cleaning liquid reservoir of the cleaning device. This cleaned rain water can then be used for cleaning the canopy. Thus, the awning may comprise a collecting device for collecting precipitation and guiding the collected precipitation into said cleaning liquid reservoir, wherein said collecting device is connected to a forward end of said canopy remote from said roller in said extended position. In this case the awning may comprise a pump for pumping the collected precipitation to said cleaning device, wherein a shut-off valve is provided for controlling flow to said cleaning liquid reservoir.

PA OPERUCC3SPECIFICATIONSI2371130031106 In SPAdA-21M21237 -7- A coarse and a fine filter may be mounted between said collecting device and said cleaning device for filtering the collected precipitation. Of course, it is also possible to use tap water for this purpose when the awning is connected to a building.

The surface of the canopy/solar modules can be coated by a protective coating (a foil, gel or film etc.) for various purposes. The protective coating does not impede energy transmission to the solar modules. Such protective coatings are known to a person skilled in the art. For example, a soil-resistant protective coating can be provided so that the canopy has a reduced tendency for soiling. Frictional wear-resistant and/or water-repellent coatings are also possible. The protective gel or foil coating can also be designed to prevent or delay ice formation on the awning.

It is also possible to provide a thawing device for removal of snow and ice from the awning. Such a device is, for example, disclosed in German Patent application 36 17 439.

The inventive awning may be used at a motor home, camping trailer, boat, yacht or (ocean-going) ship as a sun protection and an electrical supply system. Auxiliary electrical devices can be operated with the electric energy derived by the solar modules on the awning. Camping trailers and motor homes are often equipped with a mount at the roof structure for attaching an external tent structure thereto as an extension of the living quarters. Instead of the conventional tent structure it is then possible to use the awning as sun protection and electrical energy supply.

The awning can also be combined with other awnings of the same type and mounted on a central support structure such that pairs of awnings can be extended in opposite directions from the central support structure thus forming a free-standing large shade. In an embodiment of the invention the awning comprises supports for stretching said canopy wherein each one of said supports has a joint and a locking device for bridging said joint that when activated, direct said canopy downwardly when extended.

The awning can be operated by remote control that, for example, employs sending/receiving units operated by infrared radiation, radio waves, ultrasound, audible sound or inductive coils.

P:\OPER\JCC\SPECIFICATIONS23711 30031106 la SPA.doc-21 2200 -8-

C)

Advantageous details of the awning, including the arrangement of the storage cells (batteries etc.), a device for cleaning the surface of the canopy, a device for employing the t solar modules in conjunction with artificial lighting, and its use in conjunction with auxiliary electrically operated devices, are disclosed in the following. It is understood that IND the awning can be used in connection with commercial buildings, private homes, camping trailers, motor homes, trailer homes, etc. or as a separate structure when a corresponding Scommon support structure is provided. It can also be used in a vertical position to shade a window or glass door, it can function as a blind.

In an embodiment of the present invention at least one storage cell is mounted so as to be exposed to an air current for heat dissipation. The awning may comprise a cooling device with circulating cooling liquid for dissipating heat of said at least one storage cell.

The cooling device may comprise components for recirculating the cooling liquid and wherein said components are mounted at least partially external to said awning in a stationary location or mounted at least partially on parts of said frame.

The inventive awning will be disclosed in the following with the aid of particular embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying non-limiting drawings. It is shown in: Fig. 1 an inventive awning in a partial view from below; Fig. 2 a roller arrangement with canopy in a partial view; Fig. 3 the arrangement of a motor drive for the roller in a partial view; Fig. 4 a pump schematic for pumping water for the cleaning device for cleaning the surface of the canopy; Fig. 5 a schematic representation of two adjacently arranged awnings; and Fig. 6 a schematic view of an arrangement having a common support structure with four awnings attached thereto, wherein the awnings can be extended to the right and/or the left of the central support and wherein the drawing shows all four awnings in their extended position.

Fig. 1 shows the inventive awning 1 in a partial view of the underside. The solar modules in the form of solar module strips 2 are flexible and mounted on a flexible support material so that the canopy, comprised of the support material and the solar modules, can be easily rolled onto a roller 4. According to Fig. 1, the solar -9module strips 2 extend in the direction of movement (retraction and extension) of the awning 1. However, an arrangement of the solar module strips 2 perpendicularly to the direction of movement is also possible. The adjacently positioned solar module strips 2 are connected to one another in a water-tight manner whereby the design of the seams 3 will be obvious to a person skilled in the art depending upon the material to be used. It is also possible to provide a detachable connection of the solar module strips 2 to the support material in case that an exchange of the solar module strips 2 should be necessary when individual strips 2 are damaged. Of course, if necessary, individual solar module strips 2 can be replaced by support material, for example, when the damaged solar module strip 2 cannot be replaced in a timely manner, in order to be able to still operate the awning 1. The solar module strips 2 can cover the entire canopy surface area or can be arranged with spacing therebetween so that the solar module strips alternate with canopy support material. The individual solar module strips may be attached to a support material and the resulting individual strips (support material strip with attached solar module strip) may then be connected to one another. It is also possible to have the entire canopy surface area covered with a single piece of solar module.

The canopy with the solar module strips 2 that are connected 1 9.

to one another and the canopy support material la are rolled up onto or rolled down from the roller 4 and are maintained in a stretched position by the jointed supports 12a, 12b. This extension or retraction can be performed manually by a non-represented crank connected to the roller 4 provide with an eye 5 whereby the hooks of the crank will engage the eye 5 (see Fig. 2) or can be achieved by an electric motor 6. The motor 6 is mounted within the roller 4 and can be operated by actuating a switch or by an electronic control unit, for example, with the aid of a timer 7 or according to certain weather-related parameters, such as sunlight intensity, humidity, temperature, wind, etc. (see Fig. measured by sensors connected to the control unit.

In order to protect the solar module strips 2 against external influences, they may be provided, individually or the entire canopy surface, with a protective coating which will not inhibit light transmission. The type of protective coating to be selected depends substantially on the required specifications and can be selected as desired. For example, a water-repellent coating can be provided or a wear-resistant coating or a soiling resistant coating etc. The wearresistant coating, for example, will protect against wear resulting from cleaning by a brush or the friction caused upon retraction and extension of the canopy. A soiling resistant coating will reduce, due -11 to its antistatic properties, adhesion of dirt particles. A protective layer against ice formation on the canopy is also possible.

It is also possible to provide heating wires within the canopy in order to provide a thawing device. The required heating energy can be derived from the storage cells charged by the solar modules on the canopy. A thawing device for an awning is, for example, disclosed in German Patent 36 17 439.

In order to store the energy that is produced by the solar module strips 2, storage cells such as batteries are required which can be positioned within the roller 4. A compact and self-contained awning is thus realized. For example, polypyrrole or lithium foilbased batteries having layers of the respective material can be used as electrode material, whereby the layers are embedded in gel.

The batteries positioned within the roller 4 can be combined and connect to one another by current-conducting tracks which may have a plug-in device (electrical connector or socket) so that one is able to tap the energy stored In the batterIes for eternal use. For example, it is possible to use the stored energy for a possible illumination of the free end of the awning canopy Ia that may have provided thereat an advertisement or company name on a strip 8.

When the awning is connected to a building or house, the stored electrical energy can be used for garden maintenance (lawn -12mowers, trimmers, hedge clippers etc.) or for lighting at night for security reason's or illumination of advertisements or company name plates etc.

For cleaning the surface of the awning material la, it is possible to provide a cleaning device 20 with brush at the awning cover 10 which must be supplied with water for the cleaning step.

When the awning 1 is mounted at the wall of the building, the supply of tap water Is easily realized, optionally by providing a storage container 17, so that it is possible to clean the surface of the canopy la by simply retracting or extending the canopy multiple times so that the cleaning device 20 with brush will act on the entire surface area of the canopy. However, when the supply of tap water is difficult to realize, a sufficiently large storage container 17 for cleaning water must be provided. Whether sufficient space is available in the interior of the roller 4 for such a container 17 depends on the size of the awning. However, sufficient space will be available in the hollow supports 12a, 12b provided for stretching the canopy 1 a or it is possible to attach container 17 at the exterior side of the supports 12a, 12b so that they are not visible by persons sitting under the awning. It is furthermore, possible to provide a precipitation (rain or snow water) collecting device 14 at the free end of the awning material la opposite the roller 4, for example, a rain -13gutter-type arrangement, which may collect, In addition to the rain water or melting snow, the water dispensed by the cleaning device The water collected in the collecting device 14 is pumped by a pump 15 through a coarse and a fine filter 16 and is then directly supplied to the cleaning device 20 for further use, it is used to refill the water reservoir 17. Shut-off valves 18 are provided that are automatically operated and prevent overfilling of the reservoir 17.

A water overflow may be provided at the collecting device14.

As mentioned above, the inventive awning 1 not only can be used as protection against sun radiation and against precipitation, but can also be used, because of the presence of the solar module strips 2, to provide electrical energy derived from the sunlight. The efficiency of the solar modules depends on the intensity of the sunlight. Additional solar modules may be attached to the underside of the canopy in order to produce additional energy. This means that during the day the effect of the sun radiation will provide the greatest possible energy efficiency while at night the conversion to useful energy is practically zero. However, in cases where strong illumination devices are present in the adjacent areas, for example, in sports stadiums etc, it is possible to use the light radiation from the strong Illumination devices which are used for illumination of only a certain area, but will emit horizontally propagated light rays -14so that the surrounding areas are also illuminated. When these light rays Impinge on the solar modules of the inventive awning, they can also be converted into electrical energy. Even though the energy yield may be low, an additional energy source is thus provided for the already present solar modules. Thus, an additional source of energy conversion is realized which otherwise would not be possible at night.

For this particular use, it is best to extend the canopy from the roller 4 such that it is positioned perpendicularly downwardly relative to the roller. For this purpose, the supports 12a, 12b must be prevented from stretching the canopy substantially forwardly and horizontally which is accomplished by the hydraulic or pneumatic device 19 that bridges the joint 12c of the two arms of the supports 12a, 12b. This can be achieved, for example, by a pivotable holder for the supports 12a, 12b positioned below the roller 4 that allows a downward positioning of the supports 12a, 12b. In the simplest scenario, the canopy l a will be detached from the supports 12a, 12b and the pneumatic or hydraulic actuation will be deactivated. The canopy will then roll automatically downwardly when extended. Of course, by providing a pivotable arrangement of the supports 12a, 12b, the canopy will be supported and stretched and thus be of a much stiffer and secure. When a pivoting mechanism is provided at the joints 12c, the canopy, when extended and pivoted at the joints 12c, Is positioned substantially at a right angle (or any other suitable angle, preferably greater than a right angle) with approximately half its surface area in a downward position. Either the entire canopy surface area or the forward half that is folded down is thus exposed to the light rays coming from the illumination devices operating at night. The light received from the illumination devices can thus be converted into energy. As a further advantage, it should be noted that the folded arrangement, i.e., forward canopy half is folded down, also provides wind protection for persons seated under the awning.

The folding mechanism, folding the awning at approximately half its length downwardly, can also be used during the day to provide extra protection from the elements, the sun, wind, rain. A pivotable holder, when adjustable overthe pivot range, can also be used to vary the angle at which the awning is positioned relative to the sun.

The batteries (storage cells) are preferably mounted within the roller 4 for storing energy produced by the solar module strips mounted on the support material. This self-contained awning can be detached from the building or vehicle and stored away or mounted at a different location. This is especially advantageous in connection with vehicles and trailers.

-16- Since the energy storage in a battery and also the use of energy stored in batteries results in heat being produced due to the chemical processes occurring, it is necessary to remove excess heat from the arrangement.

This can be solved in multiple ways.

When the batteries are positioned in the roller 4 that is provided for retracting and storing as well as extending the canopy, the heat dissipation caused by natural events such as air flow (wind) is often insufficient, especially since the roller 4 is usually mounted at a protected location along the wall of a building or a vehicle so that air flow only will pass along a portion of the roller 4. This cannot be sufficiently improved by providing the roller 4 with a fan, especially since such a fan would also require energy, and because the air flow produced by the fan only has a minimal reach.

A

separate tube as a housing for receiving the batteries may be mounted at the free end of the canopy. This would provide sufficient natural air flow about the entire circumference of the tube and the entire length of the tube so that, by doing so, the heat dissipation would be considerably improved without increasing cost of electrical cable connections to the batteries or storage cells by a considerable amount. Furthermore, the space that is then available within the roller 4 could be used for mounting therein other devices or -17reservoirs as disclosed above.

Another possibility of heat dissipation is the use of a cooling liquid know in various forms and preferably in the form of water.

Since the amount of heat energy to be dissipated Is relatively small, the required components such as cooling tubes, heat exchanger, pump, are all small and can be easily installed, for example, at the wall to which the awning is connected or at one of the supports 12a, 12b of the awning. These additional components can be even smaller when instead of cooling water a special type of cooling liquid, for example, Galinstan, is used which has a substantially improved heat conductivity, compared to water.

A possibility for energy storage is also the use of highly efficient capacitors (for example, electric double layer capacitors available from Panasonic), especially when made of environmentally safe materials, that are to be used instead of batteries because in this manner no chemical reactions take place and no heat is produce. The installation of such highly efficient capacitors depends on whether their construction allows a rotary movement about their axis (when mounted in the roller) without their efficiency being negatively effected by rotation within the roller.

When this is the case, it is possible to arrange them within the roller 4. in other cases, highly efficient capacitors are stationarily 18mounted, for example, at the vehicle or building to which the awning is connected, or, for example, in one of the supports 12a, 12b.

The energy stored within the batteries, accumulators, or the highly efficient capacitors can be used for operating different electrical consumers depending on the specific needs of the customer. For example, the energy can be used in connection with functions relating to the awning itself, for example, the retraction or extension of the awning from the roller, which may be controlled so as to be performed by a control unit based on a timer or sensors measuring various parameters such as temperature, humidity, sunlight intensity etc. It is expedient to perform certain operations as a function of time and/or environmental influences, for example, by arranging certain sensors cooperating with an electronic control unit that will provide a controlling function according to preset parameter limits. The artisan will be able to determine easily which range and magnitude the respective parameter limits should have and how to connect these senors most effectively.

The stored energy can also be used for operating the cleaning devices of the canopy and/or for water storage (collecting rain water and melted snow and pumping the water into the reservoir of the cleaning device).

The energy balance of the inventive awning can further be -19improved by solar modules mounted on the underside of the canopy so that the additional solar modules can collect and convert reflected sunlight The inventive awning can be used on houses with curved roof structures or at bus stop shelters with curved roofs, for example, also connection with greenhouses, pavilions, and similar structures. The awning can be adapted to various types of roof structures having a concave or convex curvature. The energy stored in the storage cells can be used, for example, for operating a climate control unit in the greenhouse. In these embodiments, the frame of the awning can be a component of the constructive parts of the bus stop shelter or the greenhouse.

Since the canopy can provide both a roof as well as a sun protection means, It is possible to save material and thus produce' the buildings more cheaply. The awning (comprised of the canopy and the awning frame) is matched to the curvature of the roof structure. The canopy support material having solar module strips mounted thereon can also be suspended from cables with which the awning is then pulled into position. The awning can be manually manipulated or can be moved by a respective motor.

The energy storage means, motors and other electrical devices can be mounted within the hollow space of the components 20 of the structure to which the awning is to be connected.

According to another embodiment, it is possible to connect a plurality of awnings la, lb (Fig. 5) or 1c, Id, le, if (Fig. 6) to one another. A common support structure may be provided. It is especially advantageous when such awnings ic, id, le, If can be extended from the central support structure (not shown) to both sides (in opposite directions) so that a substantially free standing large surface area awning Is provided (see Fig. 6, showing awnings lc, ld on one side of the common support structure and awnings le, If extending on the other side from the common support structure in the opposite direction). As shown in Fig. 6, the awnings can extend at different angles, depending on the position of the sun.

All of the awnings may be connected to a central control unit and may have a common central storage cell.

For large buildings (high rise buildings, office buildings, large hotel complexes etc) that have multiple awnings in various locations it may be expedient to have all awnings connected to a central control station that may monitor, in addition to controlling the operation of the awnings (extension, retraction, angle adjustment, cleaning, etc), also the proper function of the solar modules in order to indicate at the central station when a solar module is defective and needs replacement. Also, other malfunctions may also be -21reported electronically to the central control station so that repair and maintenance personnel can be sent out immediately. Such a central monitoring station can also be operated remote by the contractor who installed the awnings and who offers a service and maintenance contract. To a person skilled in the art, various control and monitoring devices, including computers and sensors, for such a purpose are known and will therefore not be discussed in detail in this context.

Institutions and businesses such as banks have bullet proof glass in their windows in order to provide extra protection. The awning material can also be embodied in a bullet-proof manner and can also be designed such that temperature fluctuations can be compensated. Bullet proof embodiment of the awning material can be realized by providing various layers of Kevlar fabric.

Temperature fluctuation can be compensated by integrating foamed materials and/or integrated paraffins. Such an embodiment retains more heat energy so that people can sit comfortably under the awnings even at night. The preferred size of the inventive awnings is 3 to 4 meters. However, larger or smaller size awnings are also possible.

It is also possible to provide a substantially vertically suspended protective sheet at the awning as a lateral protection.

22 I I -23- The visual impression of people sitting under or behind the awning can be improved by providing light-reflecting mirrors at the awning. However, awning fabric (canopy materials) are known which change according to the exterior light conditions and thus provide a uniform lighting within the space that is covered by the awning.

A further improvement of the awning would be to have a transparent solar module that allows light to pass through so that the space under the awning is not too dark and still illuminated sufficiently. This is also important when the awning is used as an individual vertical window or glass door shade, for example.

The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to the specific disclosure of O the specification and drawings, but also encompasses any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

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Claims (21)

1. An awning comprising: a frame; a flexible canopy mounted to said frame so as to be retractable into a retracted j position and extendable into an extended position; said canopy having an upper side and an underside; said canopy comprising at least one flexible solar module on said upper side; said frame comprising a roller onto which said canopy is rolled in said 0 retracted state; at least one storage cell for storing electrical energy produced by said at least one solar module, said at least one storage cell being connected to said at least one solar module characterized in that said at least one storage cell is mounted in said roller; and in that said solar modules are solar module strips; and wherein the awning comprises a fabric that changes according to the exterior light conditions to provide in use of the awning uniform lighting within a space covered by the awning.

2. An awning according to claim 1, characterized by a motor mounted inside said roller and connected to said at least one storage cell, wherein said motor is supplied with electrical energy by said at least one storage cell for rotating said roller in order to extend and retract said canopy.

3. An awning according to claim 1, characterized by an electrical connector to connect an external electrical consumer to said at least one storage cell.

4. An awning according to claim 1, characterized by a cleaning device for cleaning said canopy.

An awning according to claim 4, characterized in that said cleaning device comprises P:\OPER\JCC\SPECIFICATIONS\12371 130031106 Ist SPAdoc 21r2/07 Sa cleaning liquid reservoir mounted inside said roller or inside frame portions of said frame.

6. An awning according to claim 5, characterized by a collecting device for collecting precipitation and guiding the collected precipitation into said cleaning liquid N reservoir, wherein said collecting device is connected to a forward end of said canopy IND Cc remote from said roller in said extended position.

7. An awning according to claim 6, characterized by a pump for pumping the collected 0 precipitation to said cleaning device, wherein a shut-off valve is provided for controlling flow to said cleaning liquid reservoir.

8. An awning according to claim 7, characterized by a coarse and a fine filter mounted between said collecting device and said cleaning device for filtering the collected precipitation.

9. An awning according to claim 5, characterized in that said cleaning device further comprises a pump for pumping the cleaning liquid onto the surface of said canopy.

10. An awning according to claim 4, characterized by a cover covering said canopy in said retracted state, wherein said cleaning device is mounted in said cover.

11. An awning according to claim 4, characterized in that said cleaning device has at least one cleaning brush.

12. An awning according to claim 1, characterized in that said canopy or said solar modules comprise a protective layer that does not impede energy transmission to said solar modules.

13. An awning according to claim 12, characterized in that said protective coating reduces frictional wear and/or is water-repellent and/or is soil-repellent. P:\OPERUJCC\SPECIFICAT1ONS\12371130031106 Ist SPAdoc 21/2/07 -26- S

14. An awning according to claim 1, wherein said frame comprises supports for stretching said canopy wherein each one of said supports has a joint and a locking device for bridging said joint that when activated, direct said canopy downwardly when extended.

An awning according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one storage cell is mounted so as to be exposed to an air current for heat dissipation. 0

16. An awning according to claim 1, characterized by a cooling device with circulating cooling liquid for dissipating heat of said at least one storage cell.

17. An awning according to claim 16, characterized in that said cooling device comprises components for recirculating the cooling liquid and wherein said components are mounted at least partially external to said awning in a stationary location or mounted at least partially on parts of said frame.

18. An awning according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one storage cell is a highly efficient capacitor comprised of environmentally friendly materials.

19. An awning according to claim 1, characterized in that said frame further comprises a tubular member connected to an end of said canopy remote from said roller, wherein said at least one storage cell is mounted in said tubular member.

20. An awning according to claim 1, characterized in that said canopy comprises additional solar modules on said underside.

21. An awning substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying Figures. P:\OPERJCC\SPECIFICATIONS\12371130031106 Is SPA.doc- 21/2/07