EP3925068A1

EP3925068A1 - Rotatable solar system framework

Info

Publication number: EP3925068A1
Application number: EP20701265.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Emil BÄCHLI
Original assignee: Emil Bachli Energietechnik AG
Current assignee: Emil Bachli Energietechnik AG
Priority date: 2019-01-14
Filing date: 2020-01-14
Publication date: 2021-12-22
Also published as: DE102019118622A1

Abstract

In a device for converting light energy, more particularly sunlight, into another form of energy, more particularly electrical energy, wherein corresponding modules (6) for receiving the light are arranged in a rotatable manner, the modules (6) should be arranged on a framework (1) made of reinforcing steel (2).

Description

Rotatable truss solar system

The invention relates to a device for converting light energy, in particular sunlight, into another form of energy, in particular into electrical energy, wherein corresponding modules for receiving the light are rotatably arranged.

Technical field

Rotatable solar systems that can be tracked by the sun (abbreviated to rotary solar) all have a higher efficiency in energy generation than permanently installed energy modules. Rotary solar only brings benefits or benefits if the higher efficiency is not negated by the higher construction costs of "rotatable". This is the reason why "rotatable" has so far not been used for solar power plants. task

The object of the present invention is to design rotatable solar systems in such a way that their technical and economic use becomes attractive.

Solution of the task

The solution to the problem is that the modules are arranged on a framework made of reinforcing steel.

Reinforcing steel, reinforcing steel or reinforcing bars, formerly also called reinforcing bars, are known to serve as reinforcement (reinforcement) for reinforced concrete components and are poured with concrete after installation in the formwork. The new thing about the present invention is to use this completely normal reinforcing steel for a new purpose, namely as a support for solar modules.

The present invention is characterized by a considerable reduction in construction costs due to the chosen truss structure. The present price reduction of rotary solar with a higher energy efficiency is due to the price reduction of half-timbered structures as carriers of energy modules and the use of the new material for the construction of half-timbered structures from a completely different field, such as reinforcing steel reinforcement. Reinforcing steel is high strength and has a 30% higher tensile strength, is 30% cheaper than e.g. the angle steel 37 used today. Thanks to its enormous resistance to buckling, the reinforcing steel is the new medium for truss constructions in various applications, as well as for rotating solar.

Reinforcing steel is not only high-strength and less expensive, it also has the advantage of a very small area exposed to the wind. Approx. 5 x less than today for Truss used angle steels and pipes. This justifies considerably more safety in the event of gusts of wind and hurricanes.

Summary of the advantages of high-strength reinforcing steel for half-timbered buildings instead of section steel 37:

1.) Reinforcing steel is high strength with 30% higher tensile strength than steel 37.

2.) Reinforcing steel is about 30% cheaper than angle steel 37

3.) Floating buckling strength

4.) Reinforcing steel truss constructions have significantly less, about 5 times less wind attack area than conventional angle steel

5) approx. 5 x less zinc consumption for hot-dip galvanizing, thanks to 5 x smaller surfaces

6.) Bifacial reinforcing steel truss shades significantly less than conventional truss made of angle steel

7.) Very little shading of the solar bifacial light reflections from below

8.) The energy of reinforcing steel truss solar systems is cheaper.

9) The use of reinforcing steel not only brings great advantages for rotating solar systems, but also a significant price reduction for most other half-timbered systems.

10.) The high-strength reinforcing steel is made from abundant recycling of old materials (old cars), which is why the new application for truss constructions also makes a major contribution to saving on Fewer going iron ore stocks contributes. The new application of reinforcing steel for trusses completely reduces the ever-increasing mountains of car scrap in terms of environmental protection.

Thanks to these important advantages of reinforcing steel trusses, rotating solar is practically the same price or only slightly more expensive than permanently installed energy modules, so that the additional energy gain is "rotatable".

But also in all other framework applications than for rotating solar, the use of reinforcing steel instead of steel brings 37 economic advantages.

The pressure and kink resistance tests at the Swiss materials testing institute EMPA in Dübendorf brought surprisingly good results.

The ends of the test rods are welded on.

Reinforced steel bars have the following kink resistance when pressed:

Length of the bars diameter compressive strength

600 mm 12 mm 1, 6 tons

600 mm 14 mm 2.9 tons

800 mm 16 mm 3.0 tons

800 mm 18 mm 5.0 tons

800 mm 20 mm 7.0 tons

With a simple measure, the compressive strength can be significantly increased by pushing the reinforcing steel rod in the kink zone with a short piece of pipe. Or with the same compressive strength, the bar length can e.g. be doubled. The same increase in compressive strength is achieved by welding a short piece of reinforcing steel in the kink zone.

By using reinforcing steel for truss constructions, a considerable price advantage can be achieved compared to the use of conventional steel 37, which results in a favorable electricity price for rotary solar. The new bifacial solar modules, effective from both sides, also generate electricity by reflecting light on bright surfaces from the floor. This is especially efficient in higher altitudes with many months of snow.

Usual half-timbered constructions made of angle iron would shade (shade) the light from below too much. Round reinforcing steel shades much less than angular steel and is also far superior to bifacial solar modules in this respect.

In Germany, solar systems have recently been approved for agricultural crops and even partially protect against hail. This may also enable more than one harvest.

The modules must be so high above the crops and supported as far as possible that tractors and agricultural machines can drive through underneath unhindered. These support widths of up to approx. 20 m can only be achieved with the truss system. An ideal application for the new, lower-cost reinforcing steel truss system.

In the present invention, use is made primarily of construction crane technology. This is where the horizontal, triangular part of the construction crane boom with truss bracing lends itself. This can be used for the present invention. Rotated by 180 °, it is suitable in a horizontal position for the ideal support of solar modules. It is then rotatably supported at both ends, which essentially creates an axially rotatable solar system with wide support, as is required by agriculture. Figure description

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawing; this shows in

FIG. 1 shows a schematically represented side view of a device according to the invention for converting light energy into another form of energy;

FIG. 2 shows the side view according to FIG. 1 in a further position of use;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a rotating solar truss module from the device according to FIG. 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of another

Embodiment of a rotating solar truss module according to Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 5 is a schematically illustrated side view of another

Embodiment of an inventive device for converting light energy into another form of energy;

FIG. 6 shows a schematically represented side view of a further development of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5;

Figure 7 is a plan view of a parallel arrangement of a plurality of devices for converting light energy into another form of energy.

In Figure 1, a framework 1 according to the invention is shown from a plurality of reinforcing bars 2. These reinforcing bars 2 are preferably arranged in the manner of a truss and are connected to one another at nodes 3, for example by welding. The space between these individual reinforcing bars 2 is free so that the wind can blow through unhindered. At the same time, however, light reflected from the floor 4 can also reach an underside 5 of solar modules 6, so that these solar modules 6 can be bifacial, ie they utilize both the light from above and the light from below.

The framework 1 with the solar modules 6 is arranged between two masts 7.1 and 7.2. These masts 7.1 and 7.2 are anchored in the floor 4. The truss 1 is connected to a bearing 9.1 and 9.2 via a stub shaft 8.1 and 8.2 on both sides, a drive, for example an electric motor, with which the truss 1 rotates about its horizontal axis A is located in at least one bearing 9.1 and / or 9.2 can be.

The rotation of the truss 1 by 90 ° is shown in Figure 2. This means that the solar modules 6 can be rotated by a maximum of 180 ° and thus follow the course of the sun.

In Figure 3 it can be seen that the truss 1 is triangular in cross section. In the construction of this truss 1, the technology from the construction crane construction is used and only the arrangement is rotated through 180 °, which results in an ideal horizontal support 10 for the solar modules 6. It can also be seen that the reinforcing bars 2 are formed from round bars, as are known from structural steel technology. The corresponding ribs on the reinforcing steels are not shown in the drawing, however, they actually contribute significantly to the rigidity of the reinforcing steels 2.

In FIG. 4 it is additionally indicated that the framework 1 can be reinforced, for example, by an additional welded-on reinforcing steel 2.1, in particular in the kink or node points. FIG. 5 shows again schematically how several trusses 1 are arranged in a line between masts 7. It can also be seen that the distance between the masts 7 can be very large, so that this arrangement is particularly suitable for agricultural crops. The masts 7 also have a sufficient post height so that agricultural machines can pass between them unhindered.

With these distances between the masts 7, it may be possible that the anchoring of the masts 7 in the ground is no longer sufficiently stable, especially when storm gusts occur. According to the invention, this problem is solved by a wire rope 11, which is preferably fastened in the upper third of the masts 7. The two ends of the wire rope 11 are preferably arranged and tensioned on very stable masts.

FIG. 6 also shows that, instead of the wire rope 11 or also in addition to the wire rope 11, the masts 7 are connected to one another via their own truss structure 13. This may even provide a better solution than with the wire rope.

Furthermore, it is shown in FIG. 6, however only schematically, that the individual stubs 8 of the trusses 1 are moved by a common drive 14. For this purpose, there is a common connection with the drive 14 via connecting pieces 15 and a rope or linkage 16. How this is designed in detail should be of minor importance. Many options are conceivable. A force accumulator 12 is also connected to the cables 16, which supports mechanical return of the drive 14 to an initial position. This energy store could also be a simple weight.

FIG. 7 shows that a plurality of trusses 1 can be arranged in a line and parallel to one another. The corresponding masts 7 can be connected to one another via steel cables 11 and / or framework structures 13.

5

WEISS, ARAT and Partner mbB

Patent attorneys and lawyers

European Patent Attorney

Case number: P 5553 PCT Date: 01/12/2020

Reference list

Claims

1. Device for converting light energy, in particular sunlight, into another form of energy, in particular into electrical energy, wherein corresponding modules (6) for receiving the light are rotatably arranged, characterized in that the modules (6) on a truss (1 ) made of reinforcing steel (2).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Truss (1) made of round bars (2) made of reinforcing steel.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the rods

(2) have a reinforcement (2.1) in the kink zone in order to

To increase the resistance to buckling.

4. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the truss (1) is triangular in cross section.

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the

Modules (6) are arranged on the hypotenuse of the triangle.

6. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the truss (1) is assigned a drive (14) with which the truss (1) is rotatable about a horizontal axis (A).

7. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the framework (1) between two masts (7.1, 7.2) is arranged.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that at least two masts (7) are connected to each other via a wire rope (11).

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the wire rope (11) between two connections has at least one energy store (12).

10. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of masts (7) with trusses (1) with solar modules (6) are arranged parallel to each other.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the masts (7), which are arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the trusses (1) with the solar modules (6), are interconnected via truss structures (13) made of reinforcing steel (2).

12. Use of reinforcing steel for producing a device for converting light energy, in particular sunlight, into another form of energy, in particular into electrical energy, the corresponding modules (6) for receiving the light being rotatably arranged and the modules (6) on a truss (1) from the reinforcing steel (2) are arranged.

13. Use of a crane boom to produce a device for converting light energy, in particular sunlight, into another form of energy, in particular into electrical energy, wherein Corresponding modules (6) for receiving the light are arranged on the crane boom.