GB2439151A

GB2439151A - A kinetic structure for a solar energy generating device

Info

Publication number: GB2439151A
Application number: GB0612013A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Laurence Neil Chetwood
Original assignee: CHETWOOD HOLDINGS Ltd
Current assignee: CHETWOOD HOLDINGS Ltd
Priority date: 2006-06-16
Filing date: 2006-06-16
Publication date: 2007-12-19
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-16
Also published as: GB2439151B; GB0612013D0

Abstract

A kinetic structure 100 comprising at least one sunlight receiving means 106 mounted on a movable support member 104, said sunlight receiving means comprising conversion means for generating electrical energy when exposed to sunlight, a storage means 110 for storing said electrical energy generated by said sunlight receiving means, a controller 112 arranged to receive electrical energy directly from said storage means and deliver said electrical energy to functional components 114 of the installation, whereby said functional components deliver functions dependent on the environmental conditions of the environment in which the structure is located, and a sensor 116 for sensing said environmental conditions of said installation, whereby, responsive to the environmental conditions, the support member of the at least one sunlight receiving means is moved from an open position to a closed position 120. The functional units may be lighting, or sound production means. Further disclosed is a rain water collection and storage device. A wind power generator and thermal chimney may also be incorporated into the apparatus. An embodiment comprises an air evaporative cooling means for generating cool air that may be pumped to seating means arranged around the device 100.

Description

KINETIC STRUCTURE

This invention relates to environmental installations, particularly but not exclusively to a kinetic structure for harnessing resources from the local environment and using the resources to improve the surrounding area.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a kinetic structure comprising: at least one sunlight receiving means mounted on a movable support member, said sunlight receiving means comprising conversion means for generating electrical energy when exposed to sunlight; a storage means for storing said electrical energy generated by said sunlight receiving means; a controller arranged to receive electrical energy directly from said storage means and deliver said electrical energy to functional components of the installation, whereby said functional components deliver functions dependent on the environmental conditions of the environment in which the structure is located; and a sensor for sensing said environmental conditions of said installation, whereby, responsive to the environmental conditions, the support member of the at least one sunlight receiving means is moved from an open position to a closed position.

In one embodiment, the sunlight receiving means further comprises: a curved support means, said conversion means being mounted on a concave surface of said curved support means such that rain water falling on said conversion means is channelled along said sunlight receiving means; and collection means for collecting rain water channelled along said sunlight receiving means.

In another embodiment, the kinetic structure further comprises generating means for generating electrical energy when driven by wind, wherein said storage means is further arranged to store electrical energy generated by said generating means.

Preferably, the kinetic structure further comprises a central chimney, whereby an upper portion of the central chimney is coloured a dark colour, such that the temperature of the air in said upper portion is greater than the temperature of the surrounding air, causing air to be drawn from a lower portion of the central chimney to said upper portion.

Preferably, the kinetic structure further comprises water storage means for receiving and storing water collected by said sunlight receiving means.

In another embodiment, one of said functional components is a means for cooling air in the environment in which the structure is located, said means for cooling air comprising evaporative cooling means for cooling said air using water stored in said water storage means, and pumping means for pumping cooled air into the environment in which the structure is located. Preferably, the kinetic structure further comprises seating means located at the base of said kinetic structure, wherein said cooled air is pumped to said heating means.

In another embodiment, the kinetic structure further comprises irrigation means for taking said water from water storage means and irrigating the environment in which the structure is located.

Preferably, the storage means comprises at least one battery. Preferably, the environmental condition sensed by said sensor is sunlight.

In another embodiment, one of the functional components comprises lighting means for lighting the structure. In another embodiment, one of the functional components comprises sound production means.

Preferably, the environmental conditions dependent on which the functional components deliver functions comprise at least one of temperature, time, sunlight or movement.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an energy generating element comprising: at least one sunlight receiving means comprising conversion means for generating electrical energy when exposed to sunlight, a curved support means, said conversion means being mounted on a concave surface of said curved support means such that rain water falling on said conversion means is channelled along said sunlight receiving means, and a collection means for collecting rain water channelled along said sunlight receiving means; and a water storage means for receiving and storing water collected by said sunlight receiving means.

Preferably, the conversion means is a curved photovoltaic panel.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a kinetic structure according to a first embodiment; Figure 2A shows the movable arm in an open position; Figure 2B shows the movable arm in a closed position; Figure 3 shows a kinetic structure according to a second embodiment; Figure 4 shows a cross-section through a solar panel; Figure 5 shows a detailed plan view of the structure; and Figure 6 shows a detailed schematic of the structure functionality.

Reference is first made to Figure 1, which illustrates a kinetic structure according to a first embodiment. The structure comprises a central tower 102, upon which are mounted a set of movable arms 104. Mounted on each movable arm is a solar panel 106. In preferred embodiments, the solar panel is a photovoltaic (PV) panel or array. The solar panels 106 convert sunlight into electrical energy. Each of the solar panels are electrically connected (via connections 108) to an energy storage device 110, which comprises a charging controller and a battery.

When the structure is exposed to sunlight, the solar panels 106 generate electrical energy which is provided to the storage device 110. The storage device 110 retains the electrical energy, for example by charging a battery.

The stored electrical energy can then be directly utilised for various applications in the locality of the structure.

In the example shown in Figure 1, the storage device 110 is connected to a controller 112 and the controller is connected to a set of functional units 114.

The controller delivers the stored electrical energy to the functional units 114 in dependence on a variety of inputs from sensors 116 sensing environmental factors, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. The controller 112 is programmable to control the functional units 114 depending on the locality.

The movable arm 104 of the solar panel 106 is rotatably connected to the central tower 102 by a pivot 118. The pivot 118 allows the solar panel to be moved from an open position (as illustrated by solar panel 106 in Figure 1) to a closed position (as illustrated by solar panel 120 in dashed lines in Figure 1). By moving the solar panel into the closed position, the solar panels are protected from damage, kept clean from debris, and the wind loading on the structure is reduced.

The manner in which the solar panels 106 are moved from the open to the closed position can be seen illustrated in more detail in Figures 2A and 2B.

Figure 2A illustrates the movable arm 104 in the open position, and Figure 2B illustrates the movable arm 104 in the closed position. The movable arm 104 is shown connected to the pivot 118 as shown previously in Figure 1. The pivot 118 is connected to a central column 202, which runs up the centre of the central tower (not shown in Figure 1 for clarity). Also pivotally mounted on the central column 202 is an electrical screw jack 204. The electrical screw jack 204 has an extendable pillar 206, such that the length of the extendable pillar 206 can be controlled responsive to an electrical current applied to the electrical screw jack 204.

In Figure 2A, the electrical screw jack has been controlled such that the extendable pillar 206 has been retracted to a relatively short length. The result of this is that the end of the movable arm 104 to which the extendable pillar 206 is connected is pulled upwards towards the electrical screw jack 204. The movable arm 104 is therefore rotated about the pivot 118, and the end of the movable arm 104 to which the solar panel 106 is connected is lowered, moving the solar panel 106 into the open position.

In Figure 2B, the electrical screw jack has been controlled such that the extendable pillar 206 has been extended to a relatively long length. The result of this is that that end of the movable arm 104 to which the extendable pillar 206 is connected is pushed downwards, away from the electrical screw jack 204. The movable arm 104 is therefore rotated about the pivot 118, and the end of the movable arm 104 to which the solar panel 106 is connected is raised towards the central tower, thereby moving the solar panel 106 into the closed position.

Instead of an electrical screw jack, a hydraulic jack or alternative worm screw arrangement could also be used.

The electrical screw jack 204 can act as one of the functional units 114 illustrated in Figure 1. The electrical screw jack 204 is therefore under the control of the controller 112, which delivers the electrical energy to the electrical screw jack 204 as required to move the solar panels 106 from the open position to the closed position.

In particular, as mentioned, the controller is connected to a plurality of sensors 116, and one of these sensors is a sunlight sensor. The controller can detect the presence of sunlight, and in response thereto move the solar panels 106 into the open position. Conversely, the controller can detect the absence of sunlight, and move the solar panels 106 into the closed position. When there is no sunlight, the solar panels are not generating significant electrical energy, and hence they can be moved to the closed position for protection, as mentioned previously.

In alternative embodiments, the controller is also able to move the solar panels into a closed position in response to a manual command, such as from a switch or transmitted signal, or in response to other environmental factors, such as wind speed. In further alternative embodiments, the solar panels 106 may be moved from the open to the closed position, and vice versa, in response to a pre-determined timeline that is programmed into the controller 112, such as the observed sunrise and sunset times.

In addition to the solar panels 106 shown in Figure 1, the structure can, in alternative embodiments, also comprise further techniques for generating electrical energy. For example, a blade assembly 122 is mounted on the top of the central tower 102, such that the blade assembly 122 is rotated by the wind. The blade assembly 122 is connected to a turbine 124, and the rotation of the blade assembly 122 causes the turbine 124 to generate electrical energy. Like the solar panels 106, the turbine is electrically connected to the storage device, in order to allow the electrical energy to be stored.

Figure 3 illustrates the kinetic structure according to a second embodiment.

Figure 3 shows the same kinetic structure as that illustrated in Figure 1, but in Figure 3 the electrical connections and storage device are not shown (although they may still be present, but are not illustrated for clarity), and rain collection pipes 302 and a water storage tank 304 are included.

In Figure 3, the surface area of the solar panels 106 are used to collect rain water. In a preferred embodiment, the solar panels 106 have a curved cross-section in order to increase the rain catching ability of the solar panels. This is illustrated in Figure 4, which shows a cross-section through one of the solar panels 106. The solar panels 106 comprise a curved supporting beam 402, and on the upper concave face of the curved supporting beam 402 are mounted PV cells 404. Rain water falling on the solar panels 106 is channelled into the central part the curved supporting beam, thereby reducing the amount of water that runs off the solar panel 106, and maximising the amount of water collected. Channelling the water into the central part of the curved supporting beam 402 also allows the water to be more easily collected and stored.

The movable arms 104 have incorporated therein a receptacle that can catch the rain water channelled by the curved supporting beam 402, and the rain water is passed through a channel in the movable arm 104. Referring again to Figure 3, the movable arms 104 are connected to collection pipes 302. The rain water flows from the channel in the movable arms 104 and into the collection pipes 302, and from the collection pipes 302 into a water storage tank 304.

The water stored in the storage tank 304 can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, according to one embodiment, the water is used for irrigating an area in the vicinity of the structure. One of the functional units 114 is a pump for pumping water from the storage tank and delivering it to plants around the structure. The pump can be powered by the electrical energy stored by the storage device 110 (not shown in Figure 3), and controlled by the controller 112. The controller controls the operation of the pump in accordance with several parameters. For exampte, the pump delivers water at set time periods, or sensors 116 are used to determine when water is required. The sensors 116 can sense ambient temperature or soil moisture levels and the controller can drive the pump to provide irrigating water in response to these environmental factors.

According to another embodiment, the water stored in the water storage tank 304 is also used for air cooling. This employs an evaporative cooling technique to cool the air around the base of the structure. Air is taken into the structure and pumped through water in order to lower the air temperature. The cooled air can then be blown into the area at the base of the structure using a fan. The air pump and fan are functional units 114 and are powered by the stored electrical energy in the storage device 110, and are under the control of the controller 112. The controller delivers the power to the air cooling system in response to environmental factors such as the ambient temperature as determined using a sensor 116. In preferred embodiments, a number of seating areas or "pods" are located around the base of the structure. The cooled air is blown into these "pods" to provide cool environment for those seated therein.

Further cooling around the base of the structure can also be achieved by using a thermal chimney technique. The top portion of the central tower 102 can be coloured black, such that this part becomes hotter due to increased absorption of radiation. The warmer air in the top portion of the central tower rises, drawing cooler air in from the base and creating a cooling air-flow around the base of the structure.

In further embodiments, additional functional units 114 are also included.

Lighting can be included on and around the structure. For example, floodlights can illuminate the overall structure (ultraviolet (UV) floodlights are also utilised), and spotlights, LEDs and fibre-optic projectors can illuminate specific areas of the structure. Daylight lamps are used to provide bright illumination when the ambient light is low (such as at night).

The various light sources are powered by the electrical energy stored in the storage device 110, and are under the control of the controller 112. The controller 112 controls some or all of the lights to operate according to a specific schedule, i.e. in accordance with a particular timeline. The timeline is produced by observing the locality of the structure, and setting the lights to be activated at specific predetermined times (for example rush hours, lunchtime etc.). In alternative embodiments the controller is reactive to inputs from the sensors 116 when activating the lights. For example, the controller detects the presence of movement using a passive infra-red (PIR) sensor or other type of movement detector, and trigger the illumination of all or some of the lights.

Alternatively, the controller detects sounds (for example using a microphone) and active the lights accordingly. Additionally, the controller can activate lights according the ambient light levels.

A further functional unit 114 can be a sound system. The structure can comprise a sound store, which, in preferred embodiments, is in the form of digitally encoded audio information stored on an optical or magnetic disk or in a memory. The audio information can be provided to a power amplifier within the structure, which amplifies the audio information and drives speakers located in and/or around the structure. In preferred embodiments, speakers are placed within the "pods" around the base of the structure.

The sound system is powered by the electrical energy stored in the storage device 110, and is controlled by the controller 112. The controller 112 can control the sound system according to a specific schedule or timeline (i.e. in dependence on the current time). A timeline is produced by observing the location of the structure, and setting the sounds to be produced at times when, for example, there are likely to be people in the locality of the structure.

Alternatively, the controller 112 controls the sound system in a reactive way according to inputs from the sensors 116. For example, the controller detects the presence of movement using a PIR sensor or other type of movement detector, and trigger particular sounds to be played through the speakers.

Alternatively, the controller detects the presence of sounds (for example using a microphone) and play specific sounds in response.

In a preferred embodiment, the controller is a DMX controller, although other types of special effects controllers could also be used. Alternatively, the controller could comprise a suitably programmed microprocessor or computer.

The controller is connected to shutdown switches to allow the electrical energy to the structure to be manually shut down. A controlled shutdown switch is provided that closes the solar panels and powers down the structure, and an immediate shutdown switch is provided that immediately disconnects the power to the structure.

As mentioned previously, the electrical energy to power the functional units 114 of the structure is stored in a storage device 110, which comprises a battery, and electrical energy is provided to the storage device 110 from the solar panels 106 (and in alternative embodiments, also from the wind-driven turbine 124) via a charging controller. However, if further electrical energy is required, and there is insufficient stored electrical energy in the storage device 110, this can be provided by a fuel cell located in the structure. The structure is also provided with a methanol tank to provide the fuel cell with the fuel it requires to produce electrical energy for long periods.

The fuel cell can be arranged to provide electrical energy to the controller directly, or can alternatively be arranged to provide electrical energy to the storage device 110, such that the fuel cell charges the batteries in the storage device 110.

Inverters are provided to convert the stored electrical energy in the storage device 110 from a relatively low DC voltage (for example 48VDC) to the level of the domestic mains supply (for example 24OVAC). This permits use of mains-powered functional units in the structure.

Figure 5 illustrates a detailed plan view of the structure. In particular, Figure 5 illustrates the storage device 110, controller 112 and water storage tank 303 in the base of the structure, and the central column 202 at the centre. Figure 5 shows a charging controller 502 and batteries 504 from the storage device 110, and a fuel cell 506 and methanol tank 508. Figure 5 also shows a master DMX controller 510 and a slave DMX controller 512 (comprising the controller 112), and a wireless/IR communications controller 514, isolation controller 516 (for controlled or immediate shutdown), load fuse 518, and mains inverters 520. Figure 5 also shows a settling tank 522 for holding rain water, an irrigation tank 524 and irrigation pump 526 (for irrigating plants), and an air cooling tank 528, short muffler 530, input filter 532, fan 534, long muffler 536 and a manifold 538 for the cooling system.

Also illustrated in Figure 5 are plants 540, "pods" 542, a performance stage 544 for entertainment, UV floodlights 546, spot light 548 and fibre optic projectors 550.

Figure 6 shows a detailed schematic of the structure functionality. Figure 6 shows the controller 112 connected to various functional units 114 and the storage device 110. In particular, Figure 6 shows the PV panels 404 and fuel cell 506 connected to the charging controller 502. The charging controller is also shown connected to a mains supply 602 and a mains connector 604, in case the batteries 504 require charging when other charging supplies are not available or inoperative. The batteries 504 are connected to a circuit breaker 606 and to isolation controller 516 and load fuse 518, which in turn are connected to the controller 112 and to mains inverters 520. The mains inverter 520 is connected to a circuit breaker 608 which is connected to a socket 610.

The socket 610 can be used to add more functional units as required, using a standard mains plug. For example, amplifiers for use by a performer on the performance stage 544 can be powered using socket 610.

The controller 112 comprises a DMX controller 612 connected to a wireless/lR communications controller 514 and multiple driver units 614. The DMX controller 612 receives inputs from sensors 116, which include a PIR sensor 616, sound detector 618 and light detector 620. The DMX controller 612 also receives an input from manual switch 622, which is used to manually trigger the controller to perform an action, such as closing the solar panels 106 or putting the structure into a "demo" mode. The DMX controller 612 also has an input from shutdown switched 624 and 626, which command the DMX controller 612 to respectively perform controlled or immediate shutdown of the structure.

The DMX controller 612 driver units 614 provide power to the electric screw jacks 628 for moving the movable arms 104 from the open position to the closed position and vice versa. The DMX controller 612 is connected to a sound store 630, which provides audio information to a power amplifier 632.

The power amplifier 632 drives speakers 634 and 636 located in the "pods" and around the structure, respectively. The DMX controller 612 driver units 614 are also connected to an irrigation pump 526 driven by an electric pump motor 638 and fan blades 640 driven by an electric fan motor 642. The blade assembly 122 and turbine 124 are also connected to the DMX controller 612.

The DMX controller 612 driver units 614 also power the lighting functional units. The DMX controller 612 driver units 614 are connected to fibre optic projectors 550, which transmit light into optical fibres 644. The driver units 614 are connected to a mains inverter 520 that provides electrical energy to UV floodlights 546. An effects unit 646 is connected to the controller 112 and drives LED lights 648 located in the central tower 102. The DMX controller 612 driver units 614 are also connected to DMX drive units 650 which power spotlights 548, which illuminate selected points around and on the structure.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appendant claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A kinetic structure comprising: at least one sunlight

receiving means mounted on a movable support member, said sunlight receiving means comprising conversion means for generating electrical energy when exposed to sunlight; a storage means for storing said electrical energy generated by said sunlight receiving means; a controller arranged to receive electrical energy directly from said storage means and deliver said electrical energy to functional components of the installation, whereby said functional components deliver functions dependent on the environmental conditions of the environment in which the structure is located; and a sensor for sensing said environmental conditions of said installation, whereby, responsive to the environmental conditions, the support member of the at least one sunlight receiving means is moved from an open position to a closed position.

2. A kinetic structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sunlight receiving means further comprises: a curved support means, said conversion means being mounted on a concave surface of said curved support means such that rain water falling on said conversion means is channelled along said sunlight receiving means; and collection means for collecting rain water channelled along said sunlight receiving means.

3. A kinetic structure as claimed in claims 1 or 2, further comprising generating means for generating electrical energy when driven by wind, wherein said storage means is further arranged to store electrical energy generated by said generating means.

4. A kinetic structure as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a central chimney, whereby an upper portion of the central chimney is coloured a dark colour, such that the temperature of the air in said upper portion is greater than the temperature of the surrounding air, causing air to be drawn from a lower portion of the central chimney to said upper portion.

5. A kinetic structure as claimed in claim 2, further comprising water storage means for receiving and storing water collected by said sunlight receiving means.

6. A kinetic structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein one of said functional components is a means for cooling air in the environment in which the structure is located, said means for cooling air comprising evaporative cooling means for cooling said air using water stored in said water storage means, and pumping means for pumping cooled air into the environment in which the structure is located.

7. A kinetic structure as claimed in claim 6, further comprising seating means located at the base of said kinetic structure, wherein said cooled air is pumped to said heating means.

8. A kinetic structure as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7, further comprising irrigation means for taking said water from water storage means and irrigating the environment in which the structure is located.

9. A kinetic structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the storage means comprises at least one battery.

10. A kinetic structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the environmental condition sensed by said sensor is sunlight.

11. A kinetic structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one of the functional components comprises lighting means for lighting the structure.

12. A kinetic structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one of the functional components comprises sound production means.

13. A kinetic structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the environmental conditions dependent on which the functional components deliver functions comprise at least one of temperature, time, sunlight or movement.

14. An energy generating element comprising: at least one sunlight receiving means comprising conversion means for generating electrical energy when exposed to sunlight, a curved support means, said conversion means being mounted on a concave surface of said curved support means such that rain water falling on said conversion means is channelled along said sunlight receiving means, and a collection means for collecting rain water channelled along said sunlight receiving means; and a water storage means for receiving and storing water collected by said sunlight receiving means.

15. An energy generating element according to claim 14 or a kinetic structure according to claim 2, wherein the conversion means is a curved photovoltaic panel.