AU2012101345A4 - Extendable solar panel assembly for a container - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a solar panel assembly that can be mounted to the top of a container. The solar panel assembly is mounted to an extendable frame thereby increasing the number of solar panels that can be used to provide power to the container. The solar panel assembly can be slideably extended when more power is required or retracted when there is less demand or during transport. Fig. 1 10 -2-2 -25 26 K' K - 17 '24

Description

- 1 EXTENDABLE SOLAR PANEL ASSEMBLY FOR A CONTAINER FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to mounting of solar panels on structures and in 5 particular, mounting to transportable containers. While the invention will be described with reference to transportable containers, the invention is not limited to transportable containers and can be mounted to other structures including demountable buildings and sheds. O BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Transportable containers have been fitted out for use as living quarters at mining sites and remote rural locations. They have the advantage that they are sturdy and can be easily relocated on the back of semi-trailers. Many of these fitted containers have solar panels mounted to the roof of the container. Solar panels 5 mounted to the roof of the container do not provide enough power to supply all of the electricity demands and additional power is often provided by diesel generators. The electricity demands include lighting, cooking, water heating and air conditioning. While additional power produced from the diesel generator addresses the shortfall of power, it requires a constant supply of diesel to be shipped to the mining site or 0 remote rural location. With the need to use additional power from a diesel generator, there is an acute dependency on the others to sustain the electrical operation of the fitted container. As well, the diesel generator must be constantly maintained for people to live and work at the location. Furthermore, the operation of the diesel generator is often noisy and disturbing to those living and working on site. 25 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternate solar panel assembly that addresses at least in part one or more of the above mentioned problems. 30 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect the invention broadly resides in an extendable mounting frame for a container including -2 a substantially rectangular support frame securable to the top of the container; and one or more extendable frames extendable from one or more sides of the support frame, wherein the one or more extendable frames are arranged to move 5 between a substantially covered non-extended position and an overlapped extended position with respect to the support frame. Preferably, there is at least one extendable frame extendable from a first side of the support frame and at least one extendable frame extendable from a second side of the support frame where the first side is opposite the second side. O Preferably, there are at least two extendable frames that overlie each other in a layered arrangement when the extendable frames are not extended. More preferably, there are at least two extendable frames extendable from the first and second sides. Preferably, the first and second sides are the longitudinal sides of the 5 substantially rectangular support frame. Preferably, each extendable frame can slide outwardly from the support frame. More preferably, each extendable frame is prevented from sliding out from the support frame by a stopping lug fixed to the extendable frame and abutting the support frame. O The support frame is preferably securable to the top of the container by a standard coupling that can lock the container with the support frame. In another aspect the invention broadly resides in extendable solar panel assembly for a container including a substantially rectangular support frame securable to the top of the container; 25 one or more extendable frames extendable from one or more sides of the support frame, wherein the one or more extendable frames are arranged to move between a substantially covered non-extended position and a overlapped extended position with respect to the support frame; and one or more solar panels mounted to each of the one or more extendable 30 frames. The features described with reference to the first aspect of the invention also apply to this aspect of the invention. Preferably, there are a plurality of solar panels mounted to each of the one or more assembled frames. The plurality of solar panels are preferably mounted to -3 each of the one or more extendable frames in a manner that the solar panels are flush or slightly recessed with the top side of each of the one or more extendable frames so that the solar panels do not touch the support frame when the extendable frame moves within the support frame. 5 In one embodiment, the one or more extendable frames with the plurality of solar panels is manually extended outwardly from the support frame. In another embodiment, the one or more extendable frames with the plurality of solar panels is electrically operated to extend outwardly from the support frame. Preferably, there are one or more solar panels mounted to the support frame 0 and these one or more solar panels overlie the plurality of solar panels mounted to the one or more extendable frames. In another aspect, the invention broadly resides in an extendable solar panel assembly for a container including a substantially rectangular support frame securable to the top of the container; 5 one or more extendable frames extendable from one or more sides of the support frame, wherein the one or more extendable frames are arranged to move between a substantially covered non-extended position and a overlapped extended position with respect to the support frame; one or more solar panels mounted to each of the one or more extendable 0 frames; and one or more solar panels mounted to the support frame. The features described with reference to the abovementioned aspects of the invention also apply to the second aspect of the invention. In one embodiment, the solar panels mounted to the support frame are fixed 25 in position. In another embodiment, the solar panels mounted to the support frame and consequently the one or more extendable frames can tilt to increase the efficiency of solar power generation. Preferably, the power generated from the solar panels mounted to the support frame is directed to a first charge module while the power generated from the solar 30 panels mounted to the one or more extendable frames is directed to a second charge module. More preferably, the second charge module receives power from the solar panels mounted to the extendable frames when one or more of the extendable frames are extended outwardly from the support frame.

-4 In a further aspect, the invention broadly resides in an extendable solar panel assembly for a container including a substantially rectangular support frame securable to the top of the container, said support frame has transversely extending rails; 5 a plurality of extendable frames extend from each longitudinal side of the support frame, wherein the plurality of extendable frames are arranged to move between a substantially covered non-extended position and an overlapped extended position with respect to the support frame, said plurality of extendable frames slideably move along the rails and form a layered arrangement within the support 0 frame; one or more solar panels mounted to each of the plurality of extendable frames; and one or more solar panels mounted to the support frame. In a further aspect the present invention resides in an extendable solar panel 5 assembly for a container including a substantially rectangular support frame securable to the top of the container, said support frame has transversely extending rails, said support frame has a container mounting on each corner and adapted to lock the support frame to a container coupling on each top corner of the container; 0 a plurality of extendable frames extend from each longitudinal side of the support frame, wherein the plurality of extendable frames are arranged to move between a substantially covered non-extended position and an overlapped extended position with respect to the support frame, said plurality of extendable frames slideably move along the rails and form a layered arrangement within the support 25 frame, each of the plurality of extendable frames is prevented from sliding out from the support frame by a stopping lug that is fixed to the extendable frame and abuts the support frame as it slides outwardly; one or more solar panels mounted to each of the plurality of extendable frames; and 30 one or more solar panels mounted to the support frame. In another aspect, the invention broadly resides in an extendable solar panel assembly for a container including a substantially rectangular support frame securable to the top of the container, said support frame has transversely extending rails, said support frame has a -5 container mounting on each corner and adapted to lock the support frame to a container coupling on each top corner of the container; a plurality of extendable frames extend from each longitudinal side of the support frame, wherein the plurality of extendable frames are arranged to move 5 between a substantially covered non-extended position and an overlapped extended position with respect to the support frame, said plurality of extendable frames slideably move along the rails and form a layered arrangement within the support frame, each of the plurality of extendable frames is prevented from sliding out from the support frame by a stopping lug that is fixed to the extendable frame and abuts 0 the support frame as it slides outwardly; one or more solar panels mounted to each of the plurality of extendable frames; and one or more solar panels mounted to the support frame, wherein the power generated from the solar panels mounted to the support frame is directed to a first 5 charge module while the power generated from the solar panels mounted to the plurality of extendable frames is directed to a second charge module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 0 In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the solar panel assembly with solar panels mounted to the extendable frames and the extendable frames in an extended 25 position. For convenience, the solar panels mounted to the support frame are removed. Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of an extendable frame. Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of an extendable frame with solar panels mounted to the extendable frame. 30 Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side view of the solar panel assembly. Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the solar panel assembly where the extendable frames have been extended. Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of a solar panel assembly where the extendable frames are not extended.

-6 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the figures, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the solar panel assembly 10. The solar panel assembly 10 has a support frame 11 and 5 four extendable frames 12. The support frame 11 includes transverse arm 25 and longitudinal arm 26 which serve to provide the support frame 11 with strength and integrity. The support frame 11 also has four container mountings 24 with a container mounting 24 on each corner of the rectangular support frame 11. Each of the extendable frames 12 has five solar panels 13 mounted thereto. 0 The solar panels 13 mounted on substantially C-shaped studs 14 on each of the extendable frames 12. The C-shaped studs 14 are fixed between an end of the extendable frame 15 and a cross arm 16 that extends approximately half way across the width of the extendable frame 12. Each of the extendable frames 12 moves along rails 17 which form part of the 5 support frame 11. Each of the extendable frames 12 has a stopping lug 18 that prevents the extendable frame 12 from moving further outwardly from the support frame 11. Figure 1 shows the extendable frame 12 in an extended position where the stopping lug 18 abuts the rail lug 19 and prevents further outward movement of the 0 extendable frame 12. With particular reference to Figure 4, there is shown support frame 11 including container mountings 24, a plurality of rails 17 and transverse arm 25. The support frame 11 has a plurality of solar panels 28 mounted to the top and extending above the support frame 11. Each of the four extendable frames 12 are positioned 25 on the rails 17 located below the solar panels 28. The four extendable frames 12 are arranged in a layer formation where the lower extendable frame 12a can extend outwardly in a first direction while the upper extendable frame 12b can extend outwardly in a second and opposite direction. The container mounting 24 is a container mounting adaption used by a 30 standard container coupling to lock containers to each other. The container mounting 24 is a recess with one or more apertures to lock the container coupling to the support frame. \ -7 The solar panel assembly of the preferred embodiment is mounted to an extendable frame thereby increasing the number of solar panels that can be used to provide power to the container. The solar panel assembly can be slideably extended when more power is required or retracted when there is less demand or during 5 transport. Furthermore other containers can be electrically connected to use power from the battery electrically charged by the solar panel assembly. VARIATIONS It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of 0 illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth. Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not 5 intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims (5)

1. An extendable mounting frame for a container including a substantially rectangular support frame securable to the top of the container; 5 and one or more extendable frames extendable from one or more sides of the support frame, wherein the one or more extendable frames are arranged to move between a substantially covered non-extended position and an overlapped extended position with respect to the support frame. 0

2. An extendable solar panel assembly for a container including a substantially rectangular support frame securable to the top of the container; one or more extendable frames extendable from one or more sides of the support frame, wherein the one or more extendable frames are arranged to move 5 between a substantially covered non-extended position and a overlapped extended position with respect to the support frame; one or more solar panels mounted to each of the one or more extendable frames; and one or more solar panels mounted to the support frame. 0

3. An extendable solar panel assembly for a container including a substantially rectangular support frame securable to the top of the container, said support frame has transversely extending rails; a plurality of extendable frames extend from each longitudinal side of the 25 support frame, wherein the plurality of extendable frames are arranged to move between a substantially covered non-extended position and an overlapped extended position with respect to the support frame, said plurality of extendable frames slideably move along the rails and form a layered arrangement within the support frame; 30 one or more solar panels mounted to each of the plurality of extendable frames; and one or more solar panels mounted to the support frame.

4. An extendable solar panel assembly for a container including -9 a substantially rectangular support frame securable to the top of the container, said support frame has transversely extending rails, said support frame has a container mounting on each corner and adapted to lock the support frame to a container coupling on each top corner of the container; 5 a plurality of extendable frames extend from each longitudinal side of the support frame, wherein the plurality of extendable frames are arranged to move between a substantially covered non-extended position and an overlapped extended position with respect to the support frame, said plurality of extendable frames slideably move along the rails and form a layered arrangement within the support 0 frame, each of the plurality of extendable frames is prevented from sliding out from the support frame by a stopping lug that is fixed to the extendable frame and abuts the support frame as it slides outwardly; one or more solar panels mounted to each of the plurality of extendable frames; and 5 one or more solar panels mounted to the support frame.

5. An extendable solar panel assembly for a container including a substantially rectangular support frame securable to the top of the container, said support frame has transversely extending rails, said support frame has a o container mounting on each corner and adapted to lock the support frame to a container coupling on each top corner of the container; a plurality of extendable frames extend from each longitudinal side of the support frame, wherein the plurality of extendable frames are arranged to move between a substantially covered non-extended position and an overlapped extended 25 position with respect to the support frame, said plurality of extendable frames slideably move along the rails and form a layered arrangement within the support frame, each of the plurality of extendable frames is prevented from sliding out from the support frame by a stopping lug that is fixed to the extendable frame and abuts the support frame as it slides outwardly; 30 one or more solar panels mounted to each of the plurality of extendable frames; and one or more solar panels mounted to the support frame, wherein the power generated from the solar panels mounted to the support frame is directed to a first - 10 charge module while the power generated from the solar panels mounted to the plurality of extendable frames is directed to a second charge module.