GB2458105A - Power generating vertical blinds using solar cells - Google Patents

Abstract

A power generating vertical blind comprises solar cells attached to the surface of the vanes 9 of the blinds. The blind also includes an aluminium track with copper sleeve insert 1, 10 which houses a truck or carriage 2 that includes a cogged system 3, 6 which is used to connect to and turn the conductive connections 8 of a solar vane 9. The conductive parts are separated by use of insulated materials 4, 7. The power is finally transferred to the track through two wheels 5 which are made of copper or a conductive material.

Description

i 2458105 Power vertical blinds.

This invention relates to a simple way of using existing technologies in a new way to produce power.

With the need to find increasing amounts of power, there is a larger responsibility for individuals, companies and government bodies to find ways to generate there own power, either for there own use or for being fed back into the national grid. To achieve this can be time consuming and also have the effect of changing the existing look of the building. Gaining planning permission can be costly as well as having problems over unsightly structures and having the problems of unwanted frequencies produced.

This invention takes existing technologies to over come these problems.

Solar panel vertical blinds incorporates three systems of working:- 1/ vertical blind technology 2/ solar panel technology 3/ electrical track Solar panel blinds replace existing types of louvers with the latest solar panel technology, one side of the panels being the backing (which can be covered in a persons personal choice of fabric, as with existing blinds) and the other side being the solar panel. The connection from the solar panel to the truck / carrier is also the means by which the charge from the panel is transferred to the track, this eliminates the need for wire connections. The drawing shows the two connections (what would be red and black wires from a normal panel) separated by an insulator (this being the connections from the panel), with connection to the truck being made by pushing the two panel connections into the truck connections. The panel is locked into place by way of a lip on the outer connection from the panel overlapping an inner lip on the truck. The charge is then transferred through the truck design to the wheels (all the parts where the charge is transferred being made of copper or an alternative conductive material or metal) which are used as a means of moving the lotvers (as with normal blind deign, although some blinds use a friction method) to there desired position and to transfer the charge to the track. The track is to be made of the same metal as existing tracks (normally aluminium) but will also include a conducting sleeve which the truck runners will run on and also conduct there charge through. At the end of the track two terminals (connected to the two sleeves, not seen in drawing) will be used to connect wires so as the charge can then be transferred to some form of storage (battery), this could then be used for personal use orfed back into the main electrical supply. The means by which the panels would rotate is the same as is in common use, this involves a cogged system which uses a chain to turn a wheel that rotates a rod (running the length of the track) that turns a cog in the truck which turns the panel. Tne system of moving the panels from side to side is by means of a looped chorded type used in existing blinds. There are various designs of vertical blind available although the means by which the louvers are turned, moved and connected together is virtually the same, this system is based along these fundamental designs.