AU2015100272A4 - Pumping System - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile solar powered power source comprising a support structure adapted to be moved, and a plurality of solar panels mounted on the support structure, the solar panels providing electrical energy for operating a compressor, wherein the compressor comprises a brushless direct current electric motor for operation of the compressor. (N~ (N~ / (N~ / I, 'I (N~ >1

Description

PUMPING SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a solar powered power source. [0002] The invention has been devised particularly, although not necessarily solely, in relation to a mobile solar powered power source for driving of a pumping system. BACKGROUND ART [0003] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application. [0004] Mobile power sources as well as power sources driven by, for example, solar energy are particularly useful. This is particularly true at remote locations where the electricity provided by the power plants that provide electric energy to the cities are not accessible. [0005] However, there is a pressing need of electric energy at remote locations. For example, pumping means for pumping liquids out of water sources such as wells, ponds or rivers that are located at remote locations require a continuous supply of electric energy. [0006] Moreover, typically at remote locations the power sources need to be continuously moved to different locations where the electric energy is required. As an example, new water sources may need to be utilised for which pumping systems operated by electric power are needed to extract the water contained therein. [0007] It is against this background that the present invention has been developed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0008] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a mobile solar powered power source comprising a support structure adapted to be moved, and a plurality of solar panels mounted on the support structure, the solar panels providing electrical energy for operating a compressor, wherein the compressor comprises a brushless direct current electric motor for operation of the compressor. [0009] Preferably, the mobile solar powered power source comprises the compressor. [0010] Preferably, the mobile solar powered power source further comprises means for storing the electric energy for operating the compressor. [0011] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a pumping system comprising at least one pump means, and at least one mobile solar powered power source located at a location distal from the pump means, the mobile solar powered power source comprising a support structure adapted for movement, and at least on solar panel mounted on the support structure, the solar panel providing electric energy for operating the pump means. [0012] Preferably, the pumping system further comprises a compressor driven by the electricity generated by the solar panels, and the compressor being operatively connected to the pump means for operation thereof. [0013] Preferably, the solar panel or solar panels are adapted to track the sun. [0014] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided compressor, wherein the compressor comprises a brushless direct current electric motor for operation of the compressor to force air into a confined area for increasing the pressure of the air so as to generate a flow of compressed air. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mobile solar powered power source; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the mobile solar powered power source shown in figure 1 in use; DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0016] Figures 1 and 2 show a mobile solar powered power source 10 in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention. The power source 10 is particularly useful for use at remote locations. This is because the power source comprises a solar array 12 mounted on a trailer 14. This arrangement of solar powered power source 10 is particularly useful because it permits movement of the power source to remote locations where power is required. [0017] Moreover, in a particular arrangement the power source 10 comprises a compressor 26 for generating compressed air. The compressed air may be used for driving machinery such a pump means 28 to allow liquid displacement from liquid sources such as wells, rivers or ponds located at remote locations. [0018] Further, in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention, the compressor 26 is adapted to be driven by direct current instead than alternate current. The fact that the compressor 26 is driven by direct current instead than alternate current is particular useful because it reduces the power consumption of the compressor 26. [0019] We refer now to figure 1. Figure 1 shows the mobile solar powered power source 10 in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention. [0020] The power source 10 comprises a trailer 14 having a chassis 16 mounted on wheels 18. This allows displacement of the power source 10. [0021]A platform 20 is mounted on the chassis 16. The platform 20 is adapted to support a plurality of support structures 22. The support structures 22 are adapted to receive solar panels 24 defining the solar array 12. [0022] In the particular arrangement shown in the figures, there are three support structures 22. The support structures 22 comprise beams that extend perpendicularly from the platform 20. The beams are arranged in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other to avoid the solar panels 24 from interfering with each other. [0023] Each beam is adapted to receive a solar panel 24. The solar panels 24 are tilted with respect to platform 20 and all solar panels 24 are oriented at the same angels with respect to the platform 20. [0024] In a particular arrangement of the present embodiment of the invention the solar panels 24 may be adapted to track the sun. [0025] The solar panels 24 generate electric energy that may operate machinery such as a compressor 26 - see figure 2. In a particular arrangement, the compressor 26 may comprise a brushless direct current electric motor (BLDC motor) for operation of the compressor to generate a flow of compressed air. . [0026] In an arrangement of the present invention there is provided a compressor that comprises a brushless direct current electric motor for operation of the compressor to force air into a confided area for increasing the pressure of the air so as to generate a flow of compressed air. [0027] In the particular arrangement shown in the figures, the compressor 26 is incorporated onto the mobile power source 10. In other arrangements, the compressor 26 may be located at a location distal from the power source 10. [0028] Further, the power source 10 may comprise means for storing the electric energy 27. These means may be batteries. The stored electric energy may be used for operating, for example, the compressor 26. This arrangement may be particularly useful for operation of the compressor 26 at night-time. [0029] Furthermore, the present embodiment of the invention also relates to a pumping system operated by the mobile solar powered power source 10. In this arrangement, the compressor 26 (driven by the power source 10) is adapted to provide compressed air to, for example, a pumping means 28 - see figures 1 or 2. The air may be provided to the pump means 28 through a pipe 29. The pipe 29 may be of variable length. [0030] As shown in figure 1, in accordance with a particular arrangement of the present embodiment of the invention, the power source 10 is adapted to be operatively connected to a pumping system 28 that is located at a remote location with respect to the power source 10. In alternative arrangements, the power source 10 may be operatively connected to a plurality of pump means 28 via a plurality of pipes 29. There may be pipes 29 of different length. This system is particularly advantageous because it allows locating the power source 10 at a central location and feeding (with electric power or compressed air) a plurality of pump means 28 located at different locations with respect to each other and that are distal to the power source 10. [0031] The pump means 28 may comprise a gas displacement pump. A gas displacement pump is adapted to be operated using compressed air. In particular, a gas displacement pump comprises a chamber for receiving a liquid (to be pumped from, for example, a well); the pump is adapted to provide compressed air into the chamber for displacement of the liquid out of the chamber and of the well. The compressed air is delivered into the chamber when the liquid reaches a certain level within the chamber of the pump means 28. The pump means 28 comprises a liquid level sensing system for detecting when a particular quantity of liquid has entered the chamber and for permitting compressed air to enter the chamber for displacement of the liquid. These types of pump means 28 are particularly useful for pumping liquids out of wells that produce relative small amount of liquid during a day. An example, of such a well is a stripper well. [0032] In operation, the mobile solar powered power source may be transported to a remote location for operating, for example, one or more pump means 28 as described above. At the remote location, the power source 10 may be operatively connected to one more pump means 28 adapted to pump liquid from water sources such as wells, rivers or ponds. Or, alternatively, other liquid sources such as oil wells may be operated by the power source 10. [0033] The present mobile power source 10 is particularly useful because it provides a self-sustained power source 10 that may operate at a remote location one or more pump means 28 for extracting liquids from one or more water sources such as wells, rivers or ponds. [0034] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, it should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments disclosed.

[0035] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims (5)

1. A mobile solar powered power source comprising a support structure adapted to be moved, and a plurality of solar panels mounted on the support structure, the solar panels providing electrical energy for operating a compressor, wherein the compressor comprises a brushless direct current electric motor for operation of the compressor.

2. A mobile solar powered power source according to claim 1 wherein the mobile solar powered power source comprises the compressor.

3. A mobile solar powered power source according to claims 1 or 2 further comprises means for storing the electric energy for operating the compressor.

4. A pumping system comprising at least one pump means, and at least one mobile solar powered power source located at a location distal from the pump means, the mobile solar powered power source comprising a support structure adapted for movement, and a at least on solar panel mounted on the support structure, the solar panel providing electric energy for operating the pump means.

5. A pumping system according to claim 4 further comprising a compressor driven by the electricity generated by the solar panels, and the compressor being operatively connected to the pump means for operation thereof.