WO2013017962A1

WO2013017962A1 - Bearing structure for photovoltaic or solar modules or panels

Info

Publication number: WO2013017962A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/052307
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giampaolo SASSANO
Original assignee: Sunteco Srl
Priority date: 2011-08-04
Filing date: 2012-05-09
Publication date: 2013-02-07

Abstract

A support and load bearing structure (1) of photovoltaic or solar modules or panels (F) with tubular elements in thermal contact with said photovoltaic or solar panels (F), comprising hollow tubular bearing elements (2, 21a, 21b ), for the circulation of a fluid, to rest on a plane or surface in general or on supports suitably spaced and suitable to support said photovoltaic or solar panels (F), and plane modules (3) in thermal contact with the photovoltaic or solar panels (F), each module (3) in turn comprising one or more tubular elements (32) in which a heat exchange fluid circulates, and wherein said hollow tubular bearing elements (2, 21a, 21b) are hydraulically connected to said plane modules (3), for the circulation of said heat exchange fluid.

Description

TITLE

BEARING STRUCTURE FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC OR SOLAR

MODULES OR PANELS DESCRIPTION

This patent relates to support and load bearing structures for photovoltaic modules or solar panels and in particular it concerns a new type of support and load bearing structure for photovoltaic or solar modules or panels with a heat exchanger function.

Photovoltaic or solar systems comprising a plurality of photovoltaic or solar modules or panels with their own supporting or load bearing structure are already known.

These support structures comprise a plurality of uprights or bearing elements constrained to the support plane, and one or more plane modules constrained to said uprights or bearing elements and on which the photovoltaic or solar panels are attached.

These plane modules, in turn, comprise one or more rods or linear elements arranged in such a way as to create a support surface or grid for the photovoltaic or solar panels.

These rods or linear elements may for example be straight, arranged aligned and parallel or crossed to form grids.

These panel support structures are generally made of metal material.

Support and load bearing structures which are fixed or equipped with means for solar tracking, so as to guide the panels according to the position of the sun are also known.

Currently, photovoltaic or solar panels are installed in extended open areas, such as parking lots, gardens, rooftops, etc.

It is well known that photovoltaic or solar panels heat up significantly which results in lower efficiency with respect to their potential.

There are also solar or photovoltaic panels with higher yields comprising an internal coil in which a cooling fluid circulates. These panels, however, are much more expensive compared to traditional panels.

The object of this patent is a new type of support and load bearing structure for photovoltaic and solar panels, with a heat exchanger function.

The main task of the present invention is to exploit the entire area affected by the installation of solar or photovoltaic panels for the exchange of heat and for the recovery or dispersion of heat by creating a circuit for a fluid that exchanges the heat with the air and with the panels themselves.

Another purpose is to reduce the overall cost of the system, increasing its efficiency as it can be used with traditional panels not equipped with cooling circuits and therefore much less expensive.

An advantage of the present invention is that it can also be applied on existing support and load bearing structures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger fully integrated in a structure with minimal visual impact, since the structure is outwardly and structurally identical to a normal support structure for photovoltaic or solar panels.

Another object of the present invention is that it can be used as a reservoir of heat and/or as a heat dispersion system, depending on requirements.

Another object of the present invention is to exploit enormous otherwise unused surfaces for heat exchange.

These and other objects, direct and complementary, are achieved by the new support and load bearing structure for photovoltaic or solar panels, comprising in its main parts:

• one or more hollow tubular bearing elements suited for the circulation of a fluid, to rest on a plane or surface in general or on supports suitably spaced and suitable to support said photovoltaic or solar panels;

• one or more plane modules in thermal contact with the photovoltaic or solar panels, to cool and/or heat the photovoltaic or solar panels themselves. Each module in turn comprises one or more tubular elements of any shape and arrangement, in which a heat exchange fluid circulates,

and wherein said tubular bearing elements are hydraulically connected to the plane modules, for the circulation of the heat exchange fluid in all or part of the structure.

These tubular bearing elements can be of any suitable section having adequate and sufficient rigidity.

In the preferred embodiment, these tubular bearing elements include ribs, reinforcements or thickenings aimed at increasing the rigidity of the element itself.

This structure can be modular, that is, comprising two or more of these plane modules hydraulically connectable to the tubular bearing elements by means of rigid or mobile, even flexible, sleeves or unions, so that the exchange fluid circulates in the two or more modules.

The tubular bearing elements also include tubular elements suitable to allow the fluid to circulate and be hydraulically connected to the modules, so as to form one or multiple ducts for the circulation of the fluid through the entire structure.

Alternatively, this new structure may be made of a single tubular element or multiple tubular elements mutually connected to constitute both the bearing elements and a plane support module for the panels, so as to have a single continuous circuit for the circulation of the heat exchange fluid along the entire structure.

Said photovoltaic or solar panels can be located on top of said one or more plane support modules or set in and constrained to the tubular elements forming the plane modules themselves and coplanar to them.

According to the invention, the circulation of the fluid inside the duct of one or more of said modules is induced by mechanical pumping means.

In addition, the new structure comprises at least one tank containing the fluid, connected to the duct and suited to be connected to one or more users intended to exploit heat energy and/or directly or indirectly use the fluid.

For example, if said fluid is water, it can be used directly for domestic water systems or it can be used as an exchange fluid in one or more heat pumps. Said tank may in turn be used as a heat exchanger, for example as a heat disperser or as the heat source for a heat pump.

Said heat pumps and any other similar devices can be powered by the photovoltaic system itself, so as to have an on-site power consumption which translates into additional energy savings and better efficiency.

The present invention can also be obtained using a pre-existing support and bearing structure, where on the hollow tubular elements constituting the structure itself, on the bearing elements and on the plane modules, openings hermetically connected to other tubular elements can be made to complete a duct involving a part or the entire structure.

Each of these modules of this structure may comprise at least one pair of facing plates or panels, wherein said tubular elements forming the fluid circulation duct are obtained from the deformation and coupling of said plates or panels and defined by air spaces between the two facing plates or panels. When the fluid flow in contact with the walls of the duct exposed to the air and in contact with the photovoltaic or solar panels is heated, the heat stored by the fluid can be used as a source of a heat for example in a heat pump connected to said tank, or can be used for heating or directly in the case the fluid is water for domestic use.

The new structure has a large heat exchange surface with the air, and therefore can also be used to dissipate the heat stored by the circulating fluid.

Thus for the heat exchange the present invention exploits surfaces normally unused for such purposes.

The tank for the fluid circulating inside the structure can be conveniently used as a heat dissipater if properly connected to an air conditioning system, where the tank is in thermal contact with the condenser, and where any excess of heat is quickly dissipated when the fluid circulates inside the tubular elements of the structure which are in contact with the air.

In addition, if the system is located in geographic locations characterized by a mild climate where the average air temperature ranges between 2 and 10°C during the cold season, the new structure can be conveniently used as a heat exchanger also in winter.

The heat exchanged by the new structure can also be used for the production of electricity, for example, if used to power a Sterling engine.

The new structure may also include one or more sprayers connected to the duct through pressure valves for example and where increasing the pressure in the duct, causes the outflow of part of the fluid for the purpose of further dispersion of heat.

These sprayers, distributed along the bearing elements and the tubular elements of the support plane modules, achieve the further purpose of avoiding the damage of the duct due for example, to the freezing of the fluid inside the duct.

In particular, if the fluid is water with no anti-freeze additives, and if it begins to freeze due to a decrease in the ambient temperature, the pressure would rise inside the duct, causing the pressure valves to open and the consequent outflow of water from the sprayers, thus preventing the duct from bursting.

The characteristics of the new structure will be better clarified by the following description with reference to the annexed drawings by way of a non- limiting example.

Figs. 1 and 2 show side and perspective views of one embodiment of the new support and bearing structure for photovoltaic or solar panels not shown in the figures.

Fig. 3 shows perspective view of the new structure (1) with a pair of ducts (21a, 21b) for the inflow and outflow of fluid and a plurality of modules (3) connected in parallel.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the new structure (1) with a pair of ducts (21a, 21b) for the inflow and outflow of fluid and a module (3) on which a schematically represented solar panel (F) is installed.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the new structure (1) in a preferred embodiment.

Fig. 6 shows a section of the tubular bearing element, according to another possible embodiment.

It is a support and load bearing structure (1) for photovoltaic or solar panels which are not represented in the figures.

The new structure (1), for example, made of metal material in whole or in part, comprises uprights or bearing elements (2) suited to be rested on a plane or surface in general, and at least one or more plane modules (3) constrained to said bearing elements (2) and forming a substantially plane surface (31) suited to support one or more photovoltaic or solar panels. Said at least one plane support module (3) in turn comprises one or more tubular elements (32) of any shape or arrangement, for example coil-shaped as shown Fig. 2, and wherein the at least one tubular element (32) defines at least one duct (W) for the circulation of a heat exchange fluid.

The uprights or bearing elements (2) comprise one or more tubular elements (21a, 21b, 22) suitable for the circulation of the fluid and hydraulically connected to said at least one module (3), so as to constitute a single or multiple ducts (W) for the circulation of the fluid, and wherein the duct (W) substantially occupies the entire structure (1).

This structure can be modular, that is comprising two or more of the plane modules (3) hydraulically connectable, for example in parallel as in Fig. 3, by means of rigid or movable, even flexible, sleeves or unions, between the tubular elements, so that the exchange fluid circulates in said two or more modules (3).

This structure (1) and/or each one of the plane support modules (3) comprise means (Wl, W2) for the inflow and outflow of the exchange fluid in/out of said duct (W).

Said photovoltaic or solar panels (F) can be located on top of said one or more plane support modules (3) or set in and constrained to said plane module (3) so that they are coplanar with it, in the space (33) between two tubular elements (32) or between the scrolls of a single tubular element (32) curved like a coil for example, as shown in Fig. 4.

Said modules (3) can also be integrated with the photovoltaic or solar modules (F) and connected to the bearing elements (22) through mechanical connections, sleeves or the like.

The support plane modules (3) may comprise at least one pair of facing plates or panels, wherein the tubular elements (32) forming the fluid circulation duct (W) are obtained from the deformation and coupling of the plates or panels and defined by air spaces between said two facing plates or panels.

With reference to Fig. 3, in an example of embodiment of the same inventive concept, said modules (3) are connected in parallel.

In this embodiment, the structure (1) comprises a pair of tubular elements resting on the ground and suited for the circulation of fluid, one for the outflow (21a) and one for the inflow (21b) and wherein on said tubular elements (21) two or more of said modules (3) are installed in parallel.

Said tubular elements (21a, 21b) are hydraulically connected to the modules (3) to form a single circulation duct (W) in said tubular elements (21a, 21b) and in all the modules (3).

As shown in Fig. 4, the tubular elements (21a, 21b) can in turn be constrained to one or more support brackets (23) and located at different or equal heights.

The new structure (1), however shaped, is, entirely or partly made of any material suited to its function, for example with pipes made of polymers or plastic materials.

These tubular elements, for example, are conveniently made with a metal core or reinforcements.

In the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 5, said new structure (1) is modular and comprises at least one pair of hollow tubular bearing elements (21a, 21b), arranged parallel to each other, suited for the internal circulation of exchange fluid, typically water, wherein the fluid is in direct contact with the wall of the tubular elements (21a, 21b) themselves.

This direct contact between the fluid and the walls of the tubular elements ensures high heat exchange efficiency.

The new structure (1) also comprises a plurality of said plane modules (3) for the heat exchange with the panels (F). Each of said plane modules (3) comprises a tubular element or tube (32), preferably arranged as a coil, and hydraulically connected to the tubular bearing elements (21a, 21b), for example by means of unions (4).

Said plane modules (3) are connected in parallel to the tubular bearing elements (21a, 21b), forming a modular structure (1).

Said tubular bearing elements (21a, 21b) are multifunctional, being suited to allow the circulation of fluid inside them and also to support the weight of the photovoltaic or solar panels (F), as described below, and are suited to be rested directly on a bearing surface, like a roof for example, and constrained to the surface itself, or on suitably spaced supports.

Said panels (F) are in fact resting on said tubular bearing elements (21a, 21b) and constrained to them for example by brackets (5) or other fastening means.

One of said tubular bearing elements (21a), conveniently the one at the lowest level, is suited for the intake of the hydraulic circuit (W) of fluid or cold water, while the second tubular bearing element (21b), conveniently the one at the highest level, is suited for the outtake of the fluid which, after having circulated in said plane modules (3), has stored heat and therefore cooled down the panels (F).

Said tubular bearing elements (21a, 21b) have a section of any shape, in any case suited to discharge the weight of the photovoltaic or solar panels (F) and of the structure (1) itself on the bearing surface. An embodiment of the tubular bearing elements (21a, 21b) is shown in Fig. 6.

Said tubular bearing element (21a, 21b) comprises for example a tubular wall (6) determining a section (66) of any shape, generally closed, for example substantially circular or elliptical, with ribs, reinforcements or enlargements (61, 62) to stiffen the section itself, of any shape, suited to increase the rigidity and prevent the collapse of the section.

In the embodiment in Fig. 6, said tubular bearing element (21a, 21b) comprises for example a pair of substantially L-shaped upper ribs (61), specular with respect to a longitudinal symmetry plane of the tubular wall (6), suited to determine at least one seat or track or guide (64) for the insertion and support of the brackets (5) of the photovoltaic or solar panels (F).

Said tubular bearing element (21a, 21b) comprises for example a further pair of substantially L-shaped lower ribs (62), specular with respect to the longitudinal symmetry plane of the tubular wall (6), also determining at least one seat or track or guide (65) to constrain the tubular bearing elements (21a, 21b) to the bearing surface.

Said tubular wall (6) further comprises one or more enlarged parts (63), internally or externally, pierceable, that is, suited to be perforated for the installation of said connecting sleeves (4), taps, vents (7) or the like.

These tubular bearing elements (21a, 21b) are preferably made of metal material and are preferably extruded.

Therefore, with reference to the preceding description and the attached drawings, the following claims are made.

Claims

1. Support and load bearing structure (1) of one or more photovoltaic or solar modules or panels (F) with tubular elements in thermal contact with said photovoltaic or solar panels (F) themselves, characterized in that it comprises:

• one or more hollow tubular bearing elements (2, 21a, 21b), for the circulation of a fluid, suited to be rested on or constrained to a plane or surface in general or on supports suitably spaced and suited to support said photovoltaic or solar panels (F);

· one or more plane modules (3) in direct thermal contact with said photovoltaic or solar panels (F), to cool and/or heat said photovoltaic or solar panels (F), each module (3) in turn comprising one or more tubular elements (32) of any shape and arrangement, in which a heat exchange fluid circulates,

and wherein said tubular bearing elements (2, 21a, 21b) are hydraulically connected to said plane modules (3), for the circulation of said heat exchange fluid through all or part of said structure (1).

2. Structure (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one pair of said tubular bearing elements suited for the circulation of fluids, one for the outflow (21a) and one for the inflow (21b) of said fluid, at the same height or at different heights, and wherein on said tubular bearing elements (21a, 21b) two or more of said plane modules (3) are installed in parallel, said tubular bearing elements (21a, 21b) being hydraulically connected to said modules (3) to form a single circulation duct (W) of said fluid in said tubular elements (21a, 21b) and in all said modules (3).

3. Structure (1), according to claims 1, 2, characterized in that each of said tubular bearing elements (21a, 21b) comprises a tubular wall (6) of any shape determining a section (66), generally closed, for the circulation of the fluid, and ribs, reinforcements or enlargements (61, 62, 66) to stiffen the section itself, suited to increase the rigidity and prevent the collapse of the element (21a, 21b).

* Structure (1), according to claim 3, characterized in that each of said tubular bearing elements (21a, 21b) comprises one or more substantially reshaped upper ribs (61), suited to determine at least one seat or track or guide (64) for the insertion and support of the brackets (5) of the photovoltaic or solar panels (F), and one or more additional substantially L-shaped lower ribs (62), also suited to determine at least one seat or track or guide (65) to constrain said tubular bearing elements (21a, 21b) to the bearing surface.

5. Structure (1), according to claim 3, characterized in that each of said tubular bearing elements (21a, 21b) comprises one or more substantially reshaped upper ribs (61), suited to determine at least one seat or track or guide (64) for the insertion and support of the brackets (5) of the photovoltaic or solar panels (F), and, at the bottom, one or more substantially flat ribs suited to generally determine a bearing surface of the element (21a, 21b).

6. Structure (1), according to the previous claims, characterized in that said tubular wall (6) of said tubular bearing elements (2) comprises one or more parts (63) externally and/or internally enlarged, suited to be pierced for the installation of said sleeves (4) to connect said plane modules (3), taps, vents (7) or the like.

7. Structure (1), according to the preceding claims characterized in that said tubular element (32) of said plane element (3) is curved like a coil.

8. Structure (1), according to the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said plane support modules (3) comprise at least one pair of facing plates or panels, wherein said tubular elements (32) forming said fluid circulation duct (W) are obtained from the deformation and coupling of said plates or panels and defined by air spaces between said two facing plates or panels.

9. Structure (1), according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises brackets (5) or other elements for the bearing and direct constraint of said photovoltaic or solar panels (F) on said tubular bearing elements (21a, 21b).

10. Structure (1), according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises one or more sprayers (9) or vents distributed along said tubular elements (22, 32) of said tubular bearing elements (21a, 21b) and/or of said plane support modules (3), connected to said duct (W) through controlled or automatic valves, and wherein the opening of said vents, sprayers or valves causes the outflow of air and/or part of said fluid.

11. Multi- function tubular element (21a, 21b) characterized in that it comprises:

• a tubular wall (6) defining a section (66) generally hollow and closed for the circulation of a fluid;

• one or more ribs, reinforcements or enlargements (61, 62) to stiffen said section, suited to increase the rigidity of the tubular element,

• one or more parts (63) of said tubular wall (6) enlarged, internally and/or externally, and suited to be pierced for the installation of said connecting sleeves (4), taps, vents (7), valves or the like.