GB2483085A

GB2483085A - Floating solar panel for a water feature with a pump and anchor

Info

Publication number: GB2483085A
Application number: GB201014219A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Charles; Justin Daubeney
Original assignee: MEIKA Ltd
Current assignee: MEIKA Ltd
Priority date: 2010-08-26
Filing date: 2010-08-26
Publication date: 2012-02-29
Also published as: GB201014219D0

Abstract

A float has a solar panel 9, a submersible pump 14 and an anchoring mechanism to constrain movement, but accommodate rising and falling water surface levels. One embodiment has an anchoring mechanism in the form of a rod 13 extending into the base of a vessel 12, with the pump within the rod. Another embodiment has an anchoring mechanism with interlocking links (19, fig 3). A water outlet (e.g. 24, fig 4 & 27, fig 5) may extend through the solar panel, and the pump may be attached to the float.

Description

Background

In the art, a solar panel is often used as a means of supplying power to a water pump. The panel will be connected to the water pump which is in turn connected to the outlet of a water feature. The panel receives and stores solar energy which it then uses to power the water pump. This form of power supply is both efficient and cost effective. It negates the need to connect the water pump to a mains supply or to replace batteries within the pump at regular intervals. Instead the pump runs off a limitless power source which is highly environmentally friendly.

There are numerous examples of previous art concerning the positioning of solar panels in relation to the water feature they are powering. Some panels are mounted in the ground next to the water feature but this method requires wiring the panel to the pump through one method or another.

Another possibility is to attach the panel to the base of the water vessel so that it is submerged in the water contained in the vessel. This method however, affects the efficiency of the solar panel since the water stops the panel from absorbing as much sunlight as possible.

Alternatively the panel can be raised above the water upon a platform as seen in many tiered fountains whereby the panel is attached to the highest tier but the water collects in the lower tiers.

Floating solar panels have been implemented in certain water features, however, they have no form of anchor and therefore float freely. This might mean that the panel floats to an area with very little sunlight or might drift into the shadow cast by another object thus reducing the exposure to sunlight.

Summary

The invention relates to a floating solar panel with an anchoring mechanism which secures the panel in a specified position. The anchoring mechanism allows the panel to move up and down at surface level but prevents it from drifting sideways. The panel therefore remains at surface level the entire time, maximising the potential for receiving and storing sunlight.

The anchoring mechanism can either be a rod or set of interlocking links extending from the base of the floating solar panel. The rod mechansim requires a vessel with a aperture formed in its base to receive the rod. As the solar panel moves up and down with the changing water level, the rod moves up and down within the aperture. However, as the aperture is sized to receive the rod it prevents the rod from drifting horizontally whilst allowing vertical movement.

The link mechanism makes use of interlocking clips which extend from the base of the solar panel and attach to the base of the vessel. The nature of the interlocking clips means that they will allow vertical movement but restrict horizontal movement in similar fashion to the rod mechanism. The panel will therefore remain anchored to a specific position whilst being capable of moving up and down with the changing water level.

The invention is a new way of implementing a floating solar panel into an existing water feature.

The solar panel can be placed in any vessel which is designed to receive the weighted mechanism meaning it is highly flexible. The method allows the panel to remain in the optimum position to receive and store sunlight which will in turn make the water pump more efficient.

The nature of the weighted mechanism mneans that the solar panel can be easily removed from the vessel in which it is placed should it require maintenance or repair. This level of flexibility is not possible with many existing solar panels which are mounted to the feature they are powering. In such cases, if the panel stops working, the entire feature will need replacing. The invention allows for the replacement of the floating panel and/or weighted mechanism alone, which will be considerably cheaper than replacing the entire feature.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a cutaway side view of the floating solar panel with the rod mechanism extending down into the basin of a vessel.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the floating solar panel with the rod mechanism extending down through the aperture in the vessel basin into the reservoir.

Fig. 3 is a cutaway side view of the floating solar panel with the interlocking link mechanism connected to the basin of a vessel.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the solar panel mounted on a circular float.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the solar panel mounted on a rectangular float.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the solar panel float with a submersible water pump.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the solar panel float with a submersible water pump attached to the base of the float.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment(s) RefelTing initially to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a side view and cross-sectional side view of the floating solar panel placed inside a vessel 1. The panel 3 is mounted to or rests upon the float 2 which keeps the panel at surface level in the water 6. The anchor mechanism in the form of a rod 4 extends form the base of the float 2 into the aperture 5 in the basin of the vessel 1. The rod 4 can be produced in a variety of widths and lengths to suit multiple vessels. The vessel 1 can also be produced in various shapes and sizes all with different water 6 capacity. The aperture 5 formed in the base of the vessel 1 can also be produced in many diameters to receive the rod 4 as securely as possible The cross-sectional view in Fig. 2 shows the solar panel 9 mounted on the float 8 at surface level in the water 10 contained in the vessel 7. The rod mechanism 13 extends down into the vessel base 12 and the reservoir 11 built into or contained within the base 12. The water 10 will collect in the reservoir 11 where it can be circulated by the submersible water pump 14. The submersible pump, in this example, is contained within the rod mechanism 13 and connected to the solar panel via the water tight connecting wire 15. The float 8 will remain at surface level at all times but will be prevented from straying from the centre of the vessel 7 by the rod mechanism 13 which is held in place by the aperture 38 in the base of the vessel 7.

Fig. 3 best displays the interlocking link mechanism as an alternative to the rod mechanism. The solar panel 18 is mounted on the float 17 which sits at surface level in the water 21 contained in the vessel 16. The interlocking links 19 extend from the base of the float 17 and connect to the hooks affixed to the basin of the vessel 16. The interlocking links 19 allow enough flexibility for the float 17 to move up and down with the changing water level 21 yet anchor the float 17 to the centre of the vessel 16 to maintain the best position for optimum exposure to sunlight.

The floating solar panel can best be viewed in Figs. 4 and 5 which show the panel from a top plan view. Fig. 4 indicates the solar panel 23 mounted on a circular float 22. The water outlet 24 extends from the centre of the solar panel 23. Fig. 5 shows the solar panel 26 mounted on a rectangular float 25 with the water outlet 27 extending from the centre of the solar panel 26. The float can be manufactured in various shapes and sizes to fit a number of vessels or decorative styles whilst the water outlet can also be tailored to spout water in a number of different ways. This adds to the flexibilty of the invention and makes it useable in a wide range of water features.

The float is shown in Figs 6 and 7 in a cross-sectional side view depicting two versions of connection to the water pump. In Fig. 6 the water pump 30 is independent of the float 28 and can either float in surrounding water, sit at the base of any vessel it might be used in or can be contained within another object as in Fig. 2 where it is contained within the rod mechanism 13. It connects to an aperture 32, formed through the float vertically, via a water tight connecting wire 31. The water can then be pumped through the aperture 32 and out through the water outlet 29. This method of connecting the water pump allows for a great degree of flexibility regarding the placement of the pump.

In Fig. 7 the float is shown with the water pump attached to the base. The pump 35 can be affixed to the base of the float 33. The water tight connecting wire 36 is received by the aperture 37, formed vertically through the float, and water is pumped through to the water outlet 34. This method of attaching the water pump to base of the float is particularly convenient due to the compact size and ease of use.

Claims

Claims 1.A floating solar panel characterised in that the panel remains at the surface of the water to compensate for changing levels of water; the floating solar panel connects directly to a submersible water pump capable of supplying water to at least one water outlet; and an anchoring mechanism extends from the base of the floating solar panel designed to anchor the panel in a specific position within a vessel.
2. An anchoring mechanism as in claim 1 whereby the mechanism is a rod extending from the base of the floating solar panel designed to fit into an aperture formed within a vessel, thereby aligning the panel with the vessel aperture and anchoring it in that position.
3. An anchoring mechanism as in claim 1 whereby the mechanism is at least one set of interlocking links extending from the base of the floating solar panel designed to attach to the base of a vessel and anchor the panel in that position.
4. A submersible water pump as in claim 1 whereby the pump is attached to the base of the floating solar panel.
5. A submersible water pump as in claim 2 whereby the pump may be housed within the rod mechanism which extends from the base of the solar panel.