GB2517786A

GB2517786A - Solar thermal cogeneration device embedded in a sunshade

Info

Publication number: GB2517786A
Application number: GB1315599.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tamunoemi Chamberlain Oyibo
Original assignee: TECOLOGY ENERGY Ltd
Current assignee: TECOLOGY ENERGY Ltd
Priority date: 2013-09-02
Filing date: 2013-09-02
Publication date: 2015-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 2033-09-02
Also published as: WO2015028776A1; GB201315599D0; GB2517786B

Abstract

A sunshade generates usable electrical power by a combination of photovoltaic solar panels 230 and thermoâ€�electric generation means 240. Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels 230 are located at the top of thermoelectric module over the surface of a parasol canopy. A thermoelectric generating means is also provided, comprising a Fresnel lens collector 220. A fan 270 is driven by power generated from the thermoelectric module. The fan sucks air in through windows 250 and over a domed interior towards constricted gaps 260. Low pressure is generated as the air exits the gaps 260 and additional air is entrained into the flow by the Coanda effect, resulting in a cooling airflow underneath the umbrella. The solar panels 230 are also cooled by the air flowing in to the fan 270 via windows 250. This cooling effect is beneficial for the efficiency of the solar powered panels.

Description

Description of Related Art

In many developing countries where domestic power supplies are either erratic or not widely available [e.g. many African and South American countries] emerging mobile telephone markets have been hindered by problems encountered when trying to charge/power the mobile devices.

The spread of mobile technology through these regions has benefitted individuals and businesses alike, but in order to encourage the growth of the mobile market, easy access to charging means must be made available.

In light of the lack of easily accessible domestic power supply, entrepreneurs (often sponsored by mobile network corporations] have set up market/street stalls providing charging facilities for customers whilst they wait, or carry out other tasks in town before collecting their charged devices afterwards.

There is a need for an improved method and means of providing clean, reliable and cheap energy for charging of mobile devices. Additionally, extracting usable energy from solar photovoltaic system is hindered by inefficient energy conversion. Overheating of PV modules cause the voltage to drop and power loss) thus, reducing the extent of overheating of the PY panels will lead to increased operational efficiency and a longer lifespan. An effective way of improving efficiency and reducing the rate of thermal degradation of a photovoltaic (PV) module is by reducing the operating temperature of its surface. This can be achieved by cooling the module and reducing the heat stored inside the PV cells during operation.

Summary of Invention

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide usable and self sufficient electrical generation device and a cooling system for comfort in combination with a parasol.

The system includes; a solar collector which forms the top part of a module system. The rest of the module which is integrated into top section of the parasol is made up of a pico photovoltaic system attached to the outside of module casing and thermoelectric hybrid system connected to a heat conductive layer and a heat sink and a thermoelectric powered fan which are housed inside the module casing. The fan is located in the bottom part of the module with a domed interior and bottomed out with small slits running around its edges for air outlet for the fan. The parasol pole attaches to the bottom of the domed area of the casing.

The photovoltaic panels are attached perpendicularly to the outside of the casing above the air inlet windows in the housing.

The parasol rib and canopy is attached to the outside of the casing, in this regard, the casing also functions as a top notch.

Brief descriptions of the drawings

The invention as well as a FIG.1 is a front view of the invention with the canopy in the open position FIG.2 is a top view of the invention in an open position FIG.3 is a front and inside view of the invention with the canopy in an open position FIG.4 is a front and inside view of the invention in greater detail, with a blowout section detailing the configuration of the internal components.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Examining FIG 1, The detailed picture is a photovoltaic-thermoelectric module incorporated into the top part of the parasol. the diagram shows the solar collector 200, preferably a fresnel lens collector, the rib and canopy 120 as well as the stem pole 110 and the electrical outlet 300.

FIG 2,is an illustration of the open parasol, clearly detailing two photovoltaic panels 230, and a fresnel lens solar thermal collector 220. The photovoltaic panels are attached to the sides of the casing just above the parasol canopy.

FIG.3, A clearer view of the invention, with the parasol in an open configuration, detailing at least two panels 230, the fresnel lens collector 220 and the ducted fan 270 attached to the thermoelectric and heat sink casing 240. the heat sink is partially visible through the window on the side of the casing 250 and the concentric air outlet vents 260 attached to the parasol stem 110 FIG.4, Is an exploded view of the invention. According to the drawing, attached to the outer shell of the casing 240, are hinges 235 which support the solar panels 230. The rib over which the canopy goes on 120 is also attached to the outer shell of the casing by brackets 245.

Inside the casing, a metal heat spreader 221 lies underneath the fresnel lens collector and is thermally glued to the hot side' of at least one thermoelectric module 225. A heat sink 250 is also attached with thermal glue to the thermoelectric module on its cold side. The windows in the casing are located directly below the panels. When operational, the thermoelectric powered fan 270 sucks in air via the windows, which passes through the heat sink and into the ducted section, where the dome shaped interior 265 forces the air to flow through the constricted gaps 260. The air velocity increases as a result of this and the low pressure caused by the high velocity of the exiting air. The Venturi effect as this phenomenon is known causes the leads air exiting to be entrained utilising the Coandä effect. The resulting airflow conditions the air under the parasol shade to provide comfort during hot and humid periods.

A low pressure area is created around the panels by the air being sucked into the heat sink through the window leading to an increased airflow around the panels which cools the surface of the panels thereby increasing the operational efficiency of the panels.

The electrical energy created from the panels is connected to a Universal Serial Bus outlet 300 located on the bottom third of the parasol pole by wires which run from the panels and alongside the body of the parasol pole 110.

This embodiment is advantageous over the prior art in that it not only utilises and combines currently known existing technology by utilising solar cells and thermoelectricity which when coupled with the appropriate battery system can be harnessed off-grid and on demand, but it also combines these technologies in a synergistic manner especially with respect to how thermoelectric generation is applied in powering a heat activated fan which cools the solar cells as well as its climate control and personal comfort applications.

Claims

Claims 1. A sunshade supporting both Pico-Photovoltaic [SPS] and thermo-electric cogeneration with active air coofing of the panels using a thermoelectric module and heat conductive connecting body.
2. A sunshade according to claim 1, wherein the energy generation unit forms part of the structural support of the entire unit, especially with respect to rib support and stem support.
3. A sunshade according to any preceding claim, wherein a lens collector is located at the top of the embodiment.
4. A sunshade according to any preceding claim, wherein the sunshade is a parasol.
5. A sunshade according to any preceding claim, wherein the thermo-electric device comprises at least one thermo-electric generator connected to a heat conductive inner body.
6. A sunshade according to any preceding claim where the heat powered fan is an impeller shaped fan
7. A sunshade according to claim 1, wherein the thermo-electric device is arranged so that in use only the pico-photovoltaic cells and the lens collector are exposed to the Sun and the rest of thermo-electric module casing is in the shade provided by the sunshade.
8. A sunshade according to preceding claims wherein a thermoelectric powered fan is used for climate control.
9. A sunshade according to claim 1 where a heat powered fan is used to actively cool the solar panels
10. A sunshade according to claim 1 and 2, wherein the heat conductive inner body further comprises copper or aluminium.
11. A sunshade according to claims 1 and 2 wherein the thermo-electric device powers a fan which increases the solar cell efficiency by movement of fluids
12. A sunshade according to claim 9, wherein the heat transfer device is a fan,heat sink or a water-cooled device.
13. A sunshade according to any preceding claim, further comprising an electrical storage and delivery system 14. A sunshade according to any preceding claim, further comprising a battery.15. A sunshade according to claims 11, wherein the inverter or a battery are incorporated into a hollow stem/support of the sunshade.16. A sunshade according to any preceding claim wherein the photovoltaic cell and the thermo-electric device provides power to electrical devices.17. A sunshade according to claim 1. wherein the photovoltaic module and thermo-electric devices working in cohorts are capable of charging rechargeable power supplies.18. A sunshade according to claims 17 or 18, wherein the electrical devices are powered/charged from a micro-converter or battery or directly from the modules via a universal serial bus [USB) interface.19. A sunshade according to claims 15, wherein the sunshade further comprises a low voltage, universal serial bus wireless router electrical with or without an adapter to engage with the electrical device.20. A sunshade according to claims 15, wherein the electrical devices are mobile phones and small consumer electronics such as tablet electronic devices.21. A sunshade according to preceding claims wherein a dome shape interior is used to increase the velocity of the flow of the fluids exiting the embodiment.22. A sunshade according to preceding claims where the thermoelectric module and heat conductive inner body is contained in a heat resistant shell.23. A sunshade according to claim 22 where the heat resistant shell has openings for the intake of air.24. A sunshade according to 22 and 23 where the windows or openings in the shell are located below the underside of solar cells.25. A sunshade as substantially described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.Amendment to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A sunshade supporting both Pico-Photovoltaic panels (SPS), and thermo-electric module-working in tandem, with active air cooling of the panels using a thermoelectric module powered heat fan connected to a heat sink in a specially designed aerodynamic casing shell.2. A sunshade according to claim 1,-wherein an energy generation unit -comprising both the pico-photovoltaic panels and the thermo-electric module forms part of the structural support of the entire unit, especially with respect to rib support and pole support.3. A sunshade according to any preceding claim, wherein a lens collector is above a heat spreader.4. A sunshade according to any preceding claim, wherein the sunshade is a parasol.5. A sunshade according to any preceding claim, wherein the thermo-electric device uç.J. comprises at least one thermo-electric module connected to a heat sink.6. A sunshade according to any preceding claim where the thermo-electric module powered ° heat fan is an impeller shaped fan.(0 7. A sunshade according to claim 1, wherein the thermo-electric device is arranged so that in use, only the pico-photovoltaic panels and the lens collector are exposed to the Sun and the rest of thermo-electric module casing is in the shade provided by the sunshade.8. A sunshade according to preceding claims wherein a thermoelectric module powered fan is used for climate control.9. A sunshade according to claim 1 where thermoelectric module powered heat fan is used to actively cool the solar panels 1O.A sunshade according to claim 1 and 2, wherein the heat spreader further comprises copper or aluminium.11. A sunshade according to claims 1 and 2 wherein the thermo-electric module powers a fan which increases the photovoltaic cell efficiency by movement of fluids 12. A sunshade according to claim 9, wherein the thermoelectric powered heat fan acts as a heat exchanger.13. A sunshade according to any preceding claim, further comprising an electrical storage and delivery system.
14. A sunshade according to any preceding claim, further comprising a battery.
15. A sunshade according to claims 11, wherein an inverter or a battery is connected to the electrical outlet in the pole support of the sunshade.
16. A sunshade according to any preceding claim wherein the photovoltaic panell and the thermo-electric module provides power to electrical devices.
17. A sunshade according to claim 1, wherein the photovoltaic panel and thermo-electric module working in cohorts are capable of charging rechargeable power supplies.
18. A sunshade according to claims 17, wherein the electrical devices are powered/charged from a micro-converter or battery or directly from the pico-voltaic modules via a universal serial bus (USBJ interface.
19. A sunshade according to claims 15, wherein the inverter or battery comprises a low voltage, universal serial bus (USH) wireless router electrical with or without an adapter to uç.J.. engage with the electrical device.r"
20. A sunshade according to claims 15, wherein the electrical devices are mobile phones and small consumer electronics such as tablet electronic devices.
21. A sunshade according to preceding claims wherein a dome shape interior of the outer (0 shell of the casing is used to increase the velocity of the flow of the fluids exiting by the embodiment by utilising the Venturi effect.
22. A sunshade according to preceding claims where the thermoelectric module and heat sink is contained in a casing.
23. A sunshade according to claim 22 where the casing has openings for the intake of air.
24. A sunshade according to 22 and 23 where the windows or openings in the casing are located below the underside of solar panels.
25. A sunshade as substantially described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.