WO2011154787A2

WO2011154787A2 - Photovoltaic brise-soleil with water drainage system

Info

Publication number: WO2011154787A2
Application number: PCT/IB2011/001030
Authority: WO
Inventors: Umberto Alesi
Original assignee: Umberto Alesi S.R.L.
Priority date: 2010-06-11
Filing date: 2011-05-16
Publication date: 2011-12-15
Also published as: WO2011154787A3; ITAN20100033U1

Abstract

The object of the present invention is a brise-soleil (1) comprising a pair of opposing beams (2; 2.h, 2.g) able to support a series of shading device blades (3). This brise-soleil (1) has suitable means for the collection and downflow of rainwater that falls on said shading device blades (3).

Description

PHOTOVOLTAIC BRISE-SOLEIL WITH WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION

The object of the present invention is a shading device system able to house photovoltaic solar panels and endowed with construction devices so as to allow the correct downflow of rainwater according to prearranged directions.

Therefore the invention comes within systems, in the construction industry sector, where it is necessary to utilise architectural solutions connected with the facade of the building in order to shield it from direct sunlight radiation and produce shade and passive cooling for the building itself.

In general a shading device is composed of a horizontal or vertical support frame to which is connected a series of blades, parallel to each other, and placed according to a prearranged or variable orientation and inclination. Said components are realised of material which is suitable for exposure to air and other atmospheric elements.

In the horizontal type shading device, i.e. with the support frame anchored perpendicularly to the building, the shading device essentially assumes the form of a pergola or cantilever, creating an underlying space outside the building with its own shade and which may be used for other functions.

Said shading device systems are also commonly referred to by the term "brise-soleil": and this term shall be used in the present description to exclusively identify a horizontal type shading device system and endowed with fixed blades, secured to the facade of a building or to other similar structures able to support its weight. Note that, in the horizontal type brise-soleil, the lie plane of the system need not be perfectly perpendicular to the vertical plane of the facade to which it is fixed, indeed the brise-soleil is often slightly inclined. One of the drawbacks of brise-soleil experienced so far is their ineffective treatment of rainwater; the rain, in fact, which falls on each blade, strikes its lower edge and falls to the ground in a concentrated downpour along the line of vertical projection of this edge. This is at least annoying and noisy but, over time, it marks the ground surface, something which does not occur if the rain falls freely in an evenly distributed manner.

Note that a brise-soleil is not necessarily required to provide total shelter from the rain, nevertheless it should not cause the aforesaid problem which aggravates the inconvenience in the event of rain, instead of, at least partly, reducing it.

The so-called photovoltaic brise-soleil are also known, i.e. those shading device systems on whose blades are positioned some photovoltaic solar panels, thus allowing the dual function of brightness and temperature adjustment inside the interior environments and the conversion of solar energy into electricity.

These types of photovoltaic brise-soleil do not solve the aforesaid drawback regarding rain. Also unsatisfactory is the degree of integration between the load bearing structures of the brise-soleil and the functional structures of the panels.

In general, since the main object of a brise-soleil is to shield sun radiation, without blocking the passage of diffused light, the brise-soleil is a structure that envisages walkway lighting and, therefore, as it is currently designed, has the disadvantage of being unable to constitute a shelter from the rain in the basically horizontal lie versions.

The first object of the present invention is to obviate at least a part of the drawbacks outlined above by providing a brise-soleil with suitable means to prevent the collection of rainwater by the single blades causing the rain to fall to the ground in a concentrated downpour along the line of vertical projection of the lower edge of the blades and without this entailing modifications to the overall and usual appearance of a generic brise-soleil. An additional object of at least some variants of the invention is to indicate a brise-soleil that ensures total shelter from the rain, again without changing the overall appearance of the brise-soleil itself.

An additional object of at least some variants of the invention is to provide suitable surfaces for the installation of photovoltaic solar panels, without said surfaces being affected by the presence of means to realise an effective rainwater collection and downflow system.

An additional object of at least some variants of the invention is to provide a strong integration between the load bearing structures of the brise-soleil and the functional structures of photovoltaic solar panels.

These and other aims, as will become clear, are achieved with a brise-soleil which conforms to the indications of the main claims enclosed.

Other objects can also be obtained through the additional features of the dependent claims. Additional features of the present invention shall be better highlighted by the following description of a preferred embodiment, in accordance with the patent claims and illustrated in the enclosed designs. Such figures should be considered as having an illustrative and non-limiting purpose, in which:

figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first variant of the brise-soleil according to the invention;

figure 2 shows a lateral section of the support frame of the first variant of the brise-soleil according to the invention;

figure 3 is a perspective sectional view of a detail of the brise-soleil; figure 4 shows a detail of the shading device blades of the first variant of the brise-soleil according to the invention;

figure 5. a shows a perspective view of the brise-soleil according to a second variant of the invention;

figure 5.b is a lateral section view of the support frame of the variant of the brise-soleil in fig. 5. a;

figure 6.a represents a perspective view of the brise-soleil according to a third variant of the invention;

figure 6.b shows a detail of the shading device blades and of the support frame of the variant of the brise-soleil in fig. 6. a.

The features of the invention are now described using the references in the figures.

Reference numeral 1 denotes the brise-soleil as a whole, including, as known in the art, two opposing beams 2 which support a series of shading device blades 3, whose lateral ends are inserted in slots 2.c realised on each of said beams 2.

Each of said slots 2.c has a prearranged and, preferably, constant angle of inclination, so that the shading device blades 3 are also all parallel to each other and oriented according to said angle of inclination.

In agreement with the variant of the invention shown in figs, from 1 to 4, the beams 2 are securely anchored to the facade of the building (or to other structures able to support their weight, such as, for example, columns or pillars) through the usual immovable fastening means, according to a lie plane perpendicular or inclined to the facade.

However, additional variants of the invention permit the modification of the inclination of the brise-soleil 1 even after its initial installation: in particular the solution represented in figs. 5.a and 5.b envisages that each beam 2 is endowed with a hinge 2.d at the fastening end with the support facade and with a tension bar 2.e that connects said support facade to the basically opposite end of the beam 2. Therefore it is possible to modify the inclination of the lie plane of the brise-soleil 1 by acting on said tension bars 2.e, and varying their length using the mutual screw couplings 2.f.

Moreover, other than manually, such modification of the inclination of the brise-soleil 1 may also be carried out by automated means, e.g. always operating on said screw couplings

2. f.

As shown in figs. 1, 3 and 5. a, the distinctive feature of each beam 2 is that of consisting of a U-shaped channel section comprising a pair of opposing walls 2.a and 2.b which define an upwardly open channel.

Note that the slots 2.c able to house the lateral ends of the shading device blades 3 are realised on both opposing walls 2. a and 2.b of the beam 2: in fact, as shown in detail in fig.

3, it is sufficient that only the inner wall 2. a is endowed with such slots 2.c, since the shading device blade 3 only rests on said inner wall 2.a and is only secured to it by screws, rivets or equivalent means operating on a section bar 3. a jutting out lower down at the lateral end of the blade.

Also the corresponding slot 2.c realised on the outer wall 2.b of the beam 2, however, has a main function: it serves both to facilitate the fixing, with known tools (electric screwdrivers, riveters, etc.), of the shading device blade 3 to the inner wall 2. a, as well as to house the blade of an additional brise-soleil, possibly installed adjacent to the first brise- soleil 1.

In practice, therefore, it is possible to modularly position several brise-soleil 1 side by side, with a single beam 2 interposed between two brise-soleil, without having to provide for the superfluous presence of two adjacent beams 2.

The particular conformation of the beam 2, in addition to the usual task of supporting the shading device blades 3, serves the additional function of a gutter for the collection and downflow of rainwater, both for the rain which falls directly inside the U-shaped channel section created by the opposing walls 2.a and 2.b, as well as the rain guided into it by the shading device blades 3.

In fact, each shading device blade 3 is endowed with a C-shaped lower edge 3.b, and able to collect rainwater and drain it laterally towards the beams 2 (from where, like any standard gutter, the water is then made to drain away into additional drainage channels or directly outside the space of the overhanging brise-soleil 1, with known means and not shown in the figures, such as downpipes or drains).

Fig. 4 shows a detail of the configuration of the profile of the shading device blade 3: more precisely, this image shows two partially overlapping shading device blades 3, of which are shown the lower edge 3.b for the collection of rain and the upper edge 3.c, which has no particular features except that, for aesthetic reasons only, it is slightly lowered so as to follow the inclination of the upper edge of the inner wall 2.a of the beam 2 on which it rests.

Therefore, the variants of the brise-soleil 1 represented in the figs, from 1 to 5.b present the innovative feature that the beams 2, besides being supporting elements of the structure, also act as channels for the collection and downflow of rainwater.

This innovative feature is also achieved by the brise-soleil 1 shown in the additional variant of figs. 6.a and 6.b, although it shows a number of modifications compared to the variants described above.

In this solution each beam 2 comprises two constituent elements: a longitudinal member 2.g and a basically U-shaped channel section 2.h, secured lower down to said longitudinal member 2.g. This longitudinal member 2.g performs the task of supporting the structure, being secured to the facade of the building, in a fixed or removable manner (in agreement with the various possibilities mentioned above); besides the shading device blades 3 are secured to the inner wall 2.k of this longitudinal member 2.g which, this time, are not inserted in slots ad hoc, but are simply in contact with the edges 2.i, specifically inclined according to the desired angle of these blades, of the channel section 2.h.

Said channel section 2.h, therefore, has lateral walls terminating in edges 2.i to house some shading device blades 3 with the U-shaped channel section being created by said lateral walls. This channel has a greater width than the thickness of the longitudinal member 2.g above it, to which it is fixed. Therefore, laterally to said longitudinal member, two channels are realised, which ultimately represent the gutters for the collection and the downflow of rainwater.

In order that the water collected by the lower edge 3.b of the shading device blades 3 is made to drain into the channel of the channel section 2.h, it is necessary that the two lateral ends of said edge 3.b are endowed with drainage holes 3.d. Fig. 6.b clearly shows how this drainage hole 3.d is realised almost adjacent to the inner wall 2.k of the longitudinal member 2.g, precisely to ensure that the water drains into the underlying channel section 2.h.

In the same way as the variants of figs, from 1 to 5.b, also in this solution the beam 2 is utilisable to position several brise-soleil 1 adjacent to one another without having to use two beams side by side. In fact, the shading device blades 3 of a second adjacent brise- soleil may be respectively secured and supported by the outer wall 2.m of the longitudinal member 2.g and on edges 2.i of the outer wall of the channel section 2.h, whose rainwater would be collected and made to drain from the other portion of the channel lateral to the longitudinal member 2.g.

As may be seen from the description of the present invention, the main advantage of the brise-soleil 1 object of the invention is the possibility to collect and convey rainwater in an organised manner, by downflow means integrated into the structure itself and, therefore, minimally invasive in terms of appearance.

As a result the formation of cascades of water is prevented from concentrating at the edges of the shading device blades and, if there is sufficient overlap between two successive blades of the brise-soleil structure, as indeed is represented in all the figures enclosed, the underlying surface is entirely sheltered from the rain.

The brise soleil 1 may also be advantageously converted into photovoltaic mode, by applying photovoltaic solar panels to the upper surface of the shading device blades 3. Flexible photovoltaic panels have proved particularly suitable for the object, consisting of an ultra-thin film of semiconductor material, usually amorphous silicon, affixed to a support plate (such as, for example, a metal sheet).

In fact, according to a preferred variant of the invention, since the aforesaid flexible photovoltaic panels are distributed on a support consisting of a metal sheet wider than the photovoltaic panels themselves and whose width may be the size required by the client, it is this same metal sheet which constitutes the shading device blade, thus realising the strong integration between the load bearing structures of the brise-soleil and the functional structures of photovoltaic panels which had been declared among the objects of the invention.

It is clear that numerous variants are possible for the brise-soleil 1, object of the invention, for those skilled in the art, without departing from the innovative spirit and scope of the invention as it is clear that in the practical embodiment of the invention the various components described above may be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

As mentioned, the enclosed figures have always represented the shading device blades 3 with a projection which partially overlaps the immediately following blades, so that the brise-soleil 1 acts as a proper roof for shelter against the rain.

However, the position of the partially overlapping shading device blades 3 would not take full advantage of the entire surface of the photovoltaic panels applied therein, a part of which would always be in the shade. On the other hand, for certain environments, it may not be necessary for the brise-soleil 1 to necessarily ensure a total barrier against the rain: consider a brise-soleil to be utilised as a cantilever for a car park or for a greenhouse, in which there is no impediment to the underlying space being exposed to rainwater provided that cascades of water do not form.

Therefore, in such circumstances, it may be envisaged that the shading device blades 3 are sufficiently spaced out and not overlapping, to the full advantage of the solar panel applied above, which may then have an optimally exposed solar collection surface compared to the variant with partially overlapping blades.

As an alternative to the previous solution, naturally, the photovoltaic panels may be applied only along the outermost part of the shading device blades in the zone that receives a satisfactory amount of solar energy.

Claims

Brise-soleil (1) comprising at least one pair of opposing beams (2; 2.h, 2.g) able to support a series of shading device blades (3),

characterised in that

each of said shading device blades (3) is endowed with a C-shaped lower edge (3.b), able to collect the rainwater that falls on said shading device blades (3) and to drain it laterally towards said beams (2),

each of said beams (2; 2.h, 2.g) including a U-shaped channel section (2; 2.h) for the collection and downflow of said rainwater that falls on said shading device blades (3).

Brise-soleil (1) according to claim 1,

characterised in that

said U-shaped channel section (2; 2.h) for the collection and downflow of rainwater consists of the same beam (2; 2.h, 2.g) supporting the shading device blades (3).

Brise-soleil (1) according to the previous claim,

characterised in that

each of said shading device blades (3) is inserted in a slot (2.c) realised on said beam (2; 2.h, 2.g,) and fixed to the inner wall (2.a) of said U-shaped channel section (2; 2.h)

Brise-soleil (1) according to claim 1,

characterised in that

said beam (2; 2.h, 2.g) includes a longitudinal member (2.g) supporting the shading device blades (3) while said U-shaped channel (2; 2.h) for the collection and downflow of rainwater consists of a channel section (2.h) fixed lower down to said longitudinal member (2.g).

Brise-soleil (1) according to the previous claim,

characterised in that

each of said shading device blades (3):

- is resting on the edge (2.i) of said channel section (2.h) and fixed to the inner wall (2.k) of said longitudinal member (2.g)

- has the lower edge (3.b) endowed with drainage holes (3.d) at its lateral ends, said drainage holes (3.d) being realised in proximity to said inner wall

(2.k) of the longitudinal member (2.g) to allow the downflow of water into the underlying channel of said channel section (2.h).

Brise-soleil (1) according to any previous claim,

characterised in that

said beams (2; 2.h, 2.g) are securely anchored in a fixed manner to the facade of the building or to other structures able to support the weight of said brise-soleil (1).

Brise-soleil (1) according to any previous claim up to and including claim 5, characterised in that

said beams (2) are securely anchored to the facade of the building or to other structures able to support the weight of said brise-soleil (1) by means able to adjust its inclination.

Brise-soleil (1) according to the previous claim,

characterised in that

said means able to adjust the inclination include:

- a hinge (2.d) at the fastening end of each beam (2),

- a tension bar (2.e) connected to the end basically opposite said beam (2) and endowed with a screw coupling (2.f)

Brise-soleil (1) according to the previous claim,

characterised in that

said tension bar (2.e) may be adjusted in length by automated means.

Brise-soleil (1) according to the previous claim,

characterised in that

said automated means act directly on said screw coupling (2.f).

Brise-soleil (1) according to any previous claim,

characterised in that

photovoltaic solar panels may be applied to the upper surface of the shading device blades (3).

12. Brise-soleil (1) according to the previous claim,

characterised in that

said photovoltaic solar panels may consist of flexible panels, comprising a thin film of amorphous silicon affixed to a support plate.

13. Brise-soleil (1) according to the previous claim,

characterised in that

said shading device blades (3) consist of said support plate of said photovoltaic solar panels.

14. Brise-soleil (1) according to any previous claim,

characterised in that

each of said beams (2; 2.h, 2.g) of said pair of beams (2; 2.h, 2.g) which supports said shading device blades (3) of the brise-soleil (1) itself, is able to support, on the outer sides, the shading device blades (3) of an additional brise-soleil installed in the adjacency of said first brise-soleil (1).