DE102007062694A1 - Solar-decorative fountain for use in e.g. park, has photovoltaic module provided for receiving light and for supplying electric power to pump, where module is arranged below collecting tank - Google Patents

Abstract

The fountain has an electric pump (3) provided for upward-extraction of water. A pipe (8) is provided with an outlet (4) for spewing the extracted water. A collecting tank (1) is arranged for receiving the spewed water and for supplying the received water to the pump, where the collecting tank is provided with a transparent base region. A photovoltaic module (5) is provided for receiving light and for supplying electric power to the pump, where the photovoltaic module is arranged below the collecting tank.

Description

The The present invention relates to a decorative well, as it z. B. in gardens and parks or public Places finds use.

Such Ornamental fountains use flowing or sprayed water, to set visual accents, and often include for example a performing or abstract figure. There are, however, too Ornamental fountains in which the flowing or sprayed water even this figure provides. In any case needed Such a fountain a pump for the transport of Water, be it at an outlet at a raised point of the well, be it a nozzle for spraying the water, in which case the nozzle also in the lower part of the well can be arranged to move the water upwards into a collecting vessel squirt.

The Pumps used are almost exclusively electric pumps, and therefore require during the operation of the well a power supply. In this context it is already known to avoid power lines, to power solar energy to use in a photovoltaic system in electrical energy was converted. Such photovoltaic systems are appropriate set up in close proximity next to the actual well, so that only short power lines are required.

It But it is felt that just the visual accent, by the flowing water should be set by the sight the photovoltaic system is significantly disturbed.

To solve this problem is in the utility model DE 203 11 791 U1 a fountain has been proposed in which the photovoltaic modules are arranged flat below the water surface in the water basin. However, this arrangement causes difficulties for two reasons: Firstly, an electrical connector in the water is needed, which involves a risk of short circuit, but to other is also the orientation of the photovoltaic modules to the sun and thus their efficiency unfavorable.

The The present invention therefore addresses the problem of solar powered To provide ornamental wells in the photovoltaic modules effectively and are arranged safely, and in which by the flowing Water-set visual accent yet little disturbed.

For this the invention proposes a decorative well according to claim 1 before, where the photovoltaic module below the catch basin is arranged for the water.

It is thereby enabled, the photovoltaic module or the photovoltaic system entirely in the performing or abstract Integrate elements of the well, leaving the module or plant at least not noticeable, so the overall picture does not bother, or even in preferred embodiments completely out of sight of the viewer.

In Another preferred embodiment has the water catch basin a transparent, convex bottom, so that the therein Water on incident sunlight a convergent effect Has. The photovoltaic module is below the catch basin arranged, thus receiving focused light to some extent and can therefore relatively much per unit area of the module Supply electricity.

In further, likewise preferred embodiments is the photovoltaic module directly outside at the bottom of the catch basin arranged where it is virtually invisible to the viewer is. In a further embodiment, the photovoltaic Module below the catch basin on an uprising part of the Well arranged, preferably such that it is towards the sun is aligned. The photovoltaic module can also be on the inside the catch basin, it being electrically from the outside will be contacted. Here, the catch basin does not need transparent to be, provided that the photovoltaic module from the water by a transparent sealing layer is protected.

In Still other embodiments is a memory circuit provided with the converted energy first stored and only from a certain time or from one certain memory contents are delivered to the pump. This results a favorable delay effect of well operation relative to the sun's course, and also a certain buffering effect Fluctuations in solar radiation.

The The invention is explained in more detail in the following drawings:

1 shows a first, symmetrical embodiment of the decorative well according to the invention;

2 shows a second, asymmetrical embodiment of the decorative well according to the invention; and

3 shows a preferred embodiment of the decorative well according to the invention;

4 shows another preferred Ausfüh tion form of ornamental well according to the invention.

In the embodiment according to 1 is the pool of water 1 at least partially around an upwardly extending base element 2 arranged around. In the base element is a pump 3 for pumping the water from the pool 1 out to spray nozzles 4 arranged. The power supply for the electrically operated pump 3 is through the on the side surfaces of the base element 2 arranged solar modules 5 provided, and by the controller 6 controlled if necessary. For example, the controller 6 be programmed to first feed a battery element in the morning hours with the energy provided by the solar panels, and only after a preset time to start the operation of the pump. In this way, first, the pump can be readily operated at a sufficiently high rate of power, and the noise associated with the tips of the water into the pool can be limited to socially acceptable times without sacrificing energy supply at other times. Otherwise indicated 7 the inlets for the water from the pool 1 to the pump 3 , and 8th the pipes for that of the pump 3 to the nozzles 4 to be guided water.

In mid-European latitudes, the sun never rises higher than 65 ° even in mid-summer high summer. However, the critical threshold of photovoltaic modules will 5 not at lunchtime, but reached in the morning and evening hours. Therefore, it is convenient, the modules 5 to arrange so that they are in the morning and evening hours at a favorable angle to the sun, so relatively steep and oriented to the east or west. This arrangement has the favorable side effect that less easily deposits on the modules 5 accumulate, as would be the case with a flat arrangement.

According to the in 2 the asymmetrical embodiment shown is on the one hand, the solar module 5 Although below, but also laterally opposite the pool 3 shifted arranged. To change this is the spray nozzle 4 different than according to 1 below the water basin 1 arranged so that the water is sprayed upward, namely by another way up, than afterwards until reaching the water level 9 of the water basin 1 falls. It is again preferred, the solar module 5 to orient to the south, or at least between the east and west, preferably between southeast and southwest. The other components, ie base part 2 , Pump 3 , Control 6 , Intake 7 and conduit 8th ,

According to the in 3 illustrated, also asymmetrical embodiment is the spray nozzle 4 similar to the embodiment according to FIG 1 above the water basin 1 arranged so that the water is sprayed downwards or at least so that the distance traveled by him down the path is further than the optionally traveled upwards. The pump is back in the base part 2 arranged, as well as the controller 6 and the conduit 8th , The solar module 5 is laterally on the base part 2 arranged. The special here is the transparent trained, so for example made of glass or Plexiglas floor area 1a the water basin, through which the sunlight to some extent on the solar panel 5 is focused. The supply pipe 7 leads from a deep place of the ground 1a to the pump 3 ,

In the embodiment according to 4 the basic arrangement of the components is similar to that according to 1 However, the photovoltaic modules are 5 not outside on the base part 2 where they could affect the visual impression because of their coloring, but in an inclined position inside on peripheral side walls 1b of the water basin 1 arranged. The power lines 10 for the supply of the pump 3 by means of the controller 6 are useful on the side facing away from the water of the solar modules 5 arranged, so between the modules 5 and the pelvis 1 or completely in the pelvis 1 ,

Without own illustration are variants in which several of the above described arrangements are combined, so for example, a transparent Water basin above a common water basin is arranged, in which solar modules on the inner side surface are arranged, allowing sunlight through the water and the ground the transparent basin on the second basin and the below arranged from the water level, from the outside almost completely invisible solar modules is focused.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 20311791 U1 [0005]

Claims (12)

Ornamental fountain comprising: an electric pump ( 3 ) for upward promotion of water; a line ( 8th ) with an outlet ( 4 ) for spitting out the pumped water; a first catch basin ( 1 ) for receiving at least a portion of the flushed water and for providing the collected water for the pump ( 3 ); and at least one photovoltaic module ( 5 ) for receiving light and providing electrical power to the pump ( 3 ), characterized in that the at least one photovoltaic module ( 5 ) below the first catch basin ( 1 ) is arranged. Ornamental well according to claim 1, wherein the first catch basin ( 1 ) a substantially transparent floor area ( 1a ) having. Ornamental fountain according to claim 2, wherein the at least one photovoltaic module ( 5 ) is arranged in such a way that the light to be received by it is stored in the first collecting basin ( 1 ) has penetrated absorbed water. Ornamental fountain according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the at least one photovoltaic module ( 5 ) at a distance below the first catch basin ( 1 ) is arranged so that the light after passing through the first catch basin ( 1 ) and the water received therein first passes through an air space and only then from the photovoltaic module ( 5 ) Will be received. Ornamental well according to claim 4, wherein the substantially transparent floor area ( 1a ) of the first catch basin ( 1 ) has a downwardly convex shape, so that the light when irradiating the first collecting basin ( 1 ) and the water received therein is bundled. Ornamental well according to claim 5, further comprising a second, below the first catch basin ( 1 ) arranged collecting basin for receiving another part of the outpoured water and / or from the first catch basin ( 1 ) drained or overflowed water. A decorative well as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second catch basin is located between the first catch basin (12). 1 ) and the photovoltaic module ( 5 ) is arranged that at least a part of the light, the first catch basin ( 1 ) and the water absorbed therein, before being received by the photovoltaic module ( 5 ) also radiates the water absorbed in the second catch basin. Ornamental well according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bottom region of the first collecting basin ( 1 ) has a downwardly convex shape, and the at least one photovoltaic module ( 5 ) at the peripheral part ( 1b ) of the bottom portion of the first catch basin is arranged. Ornamental well according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion of the first catch basin ( 1 ) has a downwardly convex shape, and the at least one photovoltaic module ( 5 ) is disposed at the peripheral part of the bottom portion of the first catch basin. Ornamental fountain according to claim 2 or 8, wherein the at least one photovoltaic module ( 5 ) directly below the first catch basin ( 1 ) is arranged so that the light from the photovoltaic module ( 5 ) is received after passing through the first catch basin ( 1 ) and the water absorbed in it to have penetrated an airspace. Ornamental fountain according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one photovoltaic module ( 5 ) comprises an array of multiple photovoltaic modules. Ornamental fountain according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a memory circuit ( 6 ) to store electrical energy provided first and to deliver to the pump only when a predetermined time or a predetermined amount of stored energy is reached.