DE102017009378A1 - Method and device for cleaning and keeping track of tracked solar modules - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method in connection with a device for cleaning and keeping clean the surface of a tracked solar module. It is characterized in that the energy for the movement of a cleaning carrier from the energy for the tracking movement of the solar module is provided. The movement of the cleaning carrier takes place using the rotational movement of the solar module, which is effected by the tracking device. With the rotary movement of the solar module, the cleaning carrier is lifted. With a correspondingly large angle of inclination and an associated height, the cleaning carrier begins to slip. It performs a linear movement and glides along the surface of the solar module according to the basics of an inclined plane. Part of the kinetic energy is converted to the removal of impurities from the surface of the solar module. The periodically rocking or even completely circular movement of the solar module moved by the tracking device ensures a cyclic, linear, reciprocating movement of the cleaning carrier over the surface of the solar module.

Description

Various methods and devices for cleaning the surface of solar systems are known. In the mechanical cleaning processes, inter alia, rotating brush rollers ( EP 3 112 037 A1 ) or also on the cleaning device vorbeischiebbare solar panels ( WO 2014/179894 A1 ) Application. These cleaning systems are designed accordingly consuming. Also known are different tracking systems for solar systems. Tracking devices serve to achieve an additional yield through the optimal alignment of the modules to the position of the sun. These systems are either single or biaxial.

According to the invention, a method for providing the required kinetic energy of a cleaning carrier is proposed, which is characterized in that the energy for the movement of the cleaning carrier from the energy for the tracking of the solar module is provided. The movement of the cleaning carrier is thus carried out using the tracking device of the solar modules according to the basics of an inclined plane. Part of the kinetic energy is converted to remove impurities on the surface of the solar modules.

The method is therefore particularly suitable for uniaxially tracked systems with horizontal axis, but it can also be used for other types of trackers. This makes it possible to efficiently reduce impurities from dust and sand particles, as they prevail, especially in dry desert climates.

The specified in claim [1] invention is based on the problem to reduce the equipment complexity for a cleaning device and the ongoing effort for the cleaning of the solar system.

These problems are solved by the features listed in claim [1].

The advantages achieved by the invention are that no complicated construction with its own drive is required for the movement of the cleaning carrier. According to the invention, the movement of the cleaning carrier takes place using the rotational movement of the solar module, which is effected by the tracking device. The constant keeping clean of the solar module is ensured by the periodically rocking or completely circular movement of the moving of the tracking solar module. According to the invention, this circular movement is converted into a cyclical back and forth movement of the cleaning carrier on the surface of the solar module. By this effect of self-cleaning, the effort for external cleaning can be reduced or avoided. The combination of tracking and cleaning device increases system efficiency.

According to the invention, a device for cleaning tracked solar modules is proposed, which is characterized in that the cleaning is carried out by a linearly moving cleaning carrier. The cleaning carrier is expediently designed in the form of a bar. The cleaning material is attached to the cleaning carrier. The cleaning carrier is connected to a guide device. The guide device can be designed differently. Possible embodiments are rail or cable guides. The movement of the cleaning carrier is stopped by a stop and the end position can be fixed.

• 1: Schematisch eine Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsvorrichtung mit einer Schienen-Führungseinrichtung
  • • Mit (1) der Solarmodul mit seiner zu reinigenden Oberfläche,
  • • mit (2) dem Reinigungsträger, der sich mit einer linearen Bewegung über die Oberfläche des Solarmoduls (1) bewegen kann,
  • • mit (3) dem Reinigungsmaterial (Bürste, Schwamm, Gummi, Leder und ähnliche Materialien), das auf dem Reinigungsträger befestigt ist und über die Oberfläche des Solarmoduls gleitet,
  • • mit (4) der Schienen- Führungseinrichtung, die mit dem Reinigungsträger (2) über die Halte- und Vorspanneinrichtung (5) verbunden ist,
  • • mit (5) die Halte- und Vorspanneinrichtung zur Erzeugung eines bestimmten Anpressdrucks des Reinigungsmaterials (3) auf der zu reinigenden Oberfläche des Solarmoduls (1) und
  • • mit (6) einem Anschlag mit Dämpfer zum stoppen der Bewegung des Reinigungsträgers (2).
• 2: Schematisch eine Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsvorrichtung mit einer SeilFührungseinrichtung
  • • Mit (1) der Solarmodul mit seiner zu reinigenden Oberfläche,
  • • mit (2) dem Reinigungsträger, der sich mit einer linearen Bewegung über die Oberfläche des Solarmoduls (1) bewegen kann,
  • • mit (3) dem Reinigungsmaterial (Bürste, Schwamm, Gummi, Leder und ähnliche Materialien), das auf dem Reinigungsträger befestigt ist und über die Oberfläche des Solarmoduls gleitet,
  • • mit (4) der Seil- Führungseinrichtung, mit der der Reinigungsträger (2) verbunden ist,
  • • mit (5) einer Seilspanneinrichtung zur Erzeugung einer Seilspannung und damit eines bestimmten Anpressdrucks des Reinigungsmaterials (3) auf der zu reinigenden Oberfläche des Solarmoduls (1) und
  • • mit (6) einem Anschlag mit Dämpfer zum stoppen der Bewegung des Reinigungsträgers.
  In der nachfolgenden wird das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren zur Erzeugung der Bewegung zur Reinigung eines nachgeführten Solarmoduls dargestellt.
• 3: Schematische Darstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Gegenstandes als Verfahren bei unterschiedlichen Neigungswinkeln des nachgeführten Solarmoduls

In the following figures, according to the invention, first possible embodiments of devices are shown:

• 1 : Schematically an embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention with a rail guide device
  • • With ( 1 ) the solar module with its surface to be cleaned,
  • • With ( 2 ) the cleaning carrier, which moves with a linear movement over the surface of the solar module ( 1 ),
  • • With ( 3 ) the cleaning material (brush, sponge, rubber, leather and similar materials), which is mounted on the cleaning carrier and slides over the surface of the solar module,
  • • With ( 4 ) of the rail guide device, with the cleaning carrier ( 2 ) via the holding and pretensioning device ( 5 ) connected is,
  • • With ( 5 ) the holding and biasing means for generating a certain contact pressure of the cleaning material ( 3 ) on the surface of the solar module to be cleaned ( 1 ) and
  • • With ( 6 ) a stop with damper to stop the movement of the cleaning carrier ( 2 ).
• 2 : Schematically an embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention with a cable guide device
  • • With ( 1 ) the solar module with its surface to be cleaned,
  • • With ( 2 ) the cleaning carrier, which moves with a linear movement over the surface of the solar module ( 1 ),
  • • With ( 3 ) the cleaning material (brush, sponge, rubber, leather and similar materials), which is mounted on the cleaning carrier and slides over the surface of the solar module,
  • • With ( 4 ) of the cable guide device with which the cleaning carrier ( 2 ) connected is,
  • • With ( 5 ) a cable tensioning device for generating a cable tension and thus a certain contact pressure of the cleaning material ( 3 ) on the surface of the solar module to be cleaned ( 1 ) and
  • • With ( 6 ) a stop with damper to stop the movement of the cleaning carrier.
  In the following the inventive method for generating the movement for cleaning a tracked solar module is shown.
• 3 : Schematic representation of the subject invention as a method at different angles of inclination of the tracked solar module

The tracking of the solar module ( 1 ) takes place by a rotary movement. Here, the solar module ( 1 ) the sun altitude (elevation) tracked. With the rotation of the solar module ( 1 ), the cleaning carrier ( 2 ) lifted. With a correspondingly large angle of inclination and an associated height, the cleaning carrier ( 2 ) to slide. It performs a linear movement and glides along the basis of an inclined plane over the solar module ( 1 ). Part of the kinetic energy converted in this process is spent on cleaning. The rocking or completely circular movement of the solar module ( 1 ) ensures a cyclic linear reciprocating movement of the cleaning carrier ( 2 ) over the solar module ( 1 ). The cleaning carrier ( 2 ) does not require the process according to their own drive mechanism, since the kinetic energy is provided through the system of tracking. This method thus allows the execution of an efficient cleaning device.

The invention is not limited only to the forms shown and described above, further modifications are possible.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 3112037 A1 [0001]
• WO 2014/179894 A1 [0001]

Claims (9)

Method and device for cleaning and keeping clean the surface of tracking solar modules, characterized in that the energy for the movement of a cleaning carrier from the energy for the tracking movement of the solar module is provided. The movement of the cleaning carrier takes place using the rotational movement of the solar module, which is effected by the tracking device. With the rotary movement of the solar module, the cleaning carrier is lifted. With a correspondingly large angle of inclination and an associated height, the cleaning carrier begins to slip. It performs a linear movement and glides along the surface of the solar module according to the basics of an inclined plane. Part of the kinetic energy is converted to the removal of impurities from the surface of the solar module. The periodically rocking or even completely circular movement of the solar module moved by the tracking device ensures a cyclic, linear, reciprocating movement of the cleaning carrier over the surface of the solar module. According to the invention, a device for cleaning and keeping clean the surface of solar modules according to the method of claim [1] is proposed, which is characterized in that the cleaning and keeping clean by a linear guided cleaning carrier. According to a preferred embodiment, the cleaning carrier is expediently designed in the form of a bar. The movement is stopped by an end stop. Cleaning carrier according to claim [2], characterized in that the cleaning carrier, the cleaning material, for example in the form of brushes, rubber or leather is attached. Cleaning carrier according to claims [2] to [3], characterized in that the cleaning carrier is connected via a holding and biasing device with a linear guide device. Linear guide device according to claim [4], characterized in that the linear guide device is arranged parallel to the sides of the solar module and can be advantageously designed as a rail or cable guide. Linear and guide device according to claims [4] and [5], characterized in that the linear guide unit is to be arranged so that little or no shading of the solar module by the device for cleaning and keeping clean the solar module occurs. Holding and pretensioning device according to claim [4], characterized in that the required for efficient cleaning and keeping clean the cleaning material on the surface of the solar module on the weight of the cleaning carrier according to claims [2] to [3] and the holding and Biasing device according to claim [4] is generated. End stop according to claim [2], characterized in that the linear movement of the cleaning carrier is stopped by an end stop, which is preferably equipped with a damper device. End stop according to claims [2] and [8], characterized in that the end stop can be extended by a fixing device. This fixing device enables the controlled release of the cleaning carrier, so that the starting time of the linear movement of the cleaning carrier according to claim [1] can be influenced.

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