WO2015122891A1

WO2015122891A1 - Retractable intelligent reflector system

Info

Publication number: WO2015122891A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/016120
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andy GOREN; Yehuda Goren; Daniel Hafid; John Mccoy
Original assignee: Goren Andy; Yehuda Goren; Daniel Hafid; John Mccoy
Priority date: 2014-02-12
Filing date: 2014-02-12
Publication date: 2015-08-20

Abstract

A retractable intelligent reflector system for directing light onto a solar device includes one or more movable reflectors operable to direct light at the solar device, a support structure for supporting the one or more movable reflectors, at least one motor for motivating the one or more movable reflectors, and a controller for issuing actuation signals to the motor as a function of one or environmental conditions. The solar device can be a photovoltaic cell array, or a solar water heater. The environmental conditions can include at least one of time of day, calendar date, season, location, latitude, temperature, wind speed, wind direction, strain, and light conditions.

Description

RETRACTABLE INTELLIGENT REFLECTOR SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the collection of solar energy, using reflectors to direct and concentrate its intensity.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Energy is required to support all life functions on earth. As humans we harness natural energy to support everyday life activities. The cost of harnessing the various energy sources varies based on amount of work required to unleash the natural energy source and its ultimate usage. One of the most common uses of energy is in the heating of water. In fact, when electric water heaters are used in a residential or commercial setting, they can easily account for 50% or more of the cost of electricity; therefore, in many locations around the world the use of solar water heaters is abundant. The majority of solar water heaters are installed on a fixed base at an inclined angle and facing south. This configuration is the optimal for year round solar exposure; however, the sun's angle of incidence varies as the earth rotates on its various axes; thus, a solar panel that tracks the sun will capture the optimal amount of solar energy for heating water. While various solar tracking panels have been used, the prior art designs lack the ability to accommodate the enormous amount of already-installed solar water heating units. This invention discloses an intelligent reflector that when installed in the vicinity of an existing solar water heater increases the energy captured from the sun.

OVERVIEW

[0003] As described herein, a retractable intelligent reflector system for directing light onto a solar device includes one or more movable reflectors operable to direct light at the solar device, a support structure for supporting the one or more movable reflectors, at least one motor for motivating the one or more movable reflectors, and a controller for issuing actuation signals to the motor as a function of one or environmental conditions. The solar device can be a photovoltaic cell array, or a solar water heater. The environmental conditions can include at least one of time of day, calendar date, season, location, latitude, temperature, wind speed, wind direction, strain, and light conditions. [0004] Also as described herein, a solar water heating system includes a solar water heater in which water is circulated for heating by the sun, one or more movable reflectors operable to direct sunlight onto the solar water heater, at least one motor for motivating the one or more movable reflectors, and a controller for issuing actuation signals to the motors as a function of one or environmental conditions. Also as described herein, a system for generating electricity using light includes one or more photovoltaic cells, one or more movable reflectors operable to direct sunlight onto the photovoltaic cells, at least one motor for motivating the one or more movable reflectors, and a controller for issuing actuation signals to the motors as a function of one or environmental conditions

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more examples of embodiments and, together with the description of example embodiments, serve to explain the principles and implementations of the embodiments.

[0006] In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a solar heating system 100 in accordance with one embodiment herein;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a controller and various detectors in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the user of a parabolic frame in accordance with certain embodiments herein;

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram showing the user of fan-shaped reflectors;

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram showing the use of a single movable reflector between different sides of a solar device;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a retractable intelligent reflector system for directing light onto a solar device such as a photovoltaic cell array or water heater in accordance with certain embodiments; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram depicting the user of lens in accordance with certain embodiments. DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Example embodiments are described herein in the context of retractable intelligent reflector system. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following description is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of the example embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used to the extent possible throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or like items.

[0008] In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with application- and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0009] The term "exemplary" is used exclusively herein to mean "serving as an example, instance or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a solar heating system 100 in accordance with one embodiment herein. The system is shown in a morning configuration (A) and afternoon configuration (B). System 100 includes a pair of retractable reflector panels 102, 104 on opposite sides of a solar heater 106, which may be a conventional solar water heater, for example one having a maze of tubes through which water is passed for heating by the sun. Alternatively, the system can be used with photovoltaic cells, to generate electricity, in lieu of a solar water heater. [0011] Each panel 102, 104, is provided with at least one reflective surface, R, on the side confronting the sun when the panel is extended. In the morning configuration (A), with the sun in eastern part of the sky (left side of the drawing), panel 102 is extended into a deployed position, and panel 104 is retracted. In the afternoon configuration (B), with the sun in western part of the sky (right side of the drawing), panel 104 is extended into a deployed position, and panel 102 is retracted. A third configuration, not shown, can retract both panels, partially or completely, for example at sundown or during severe weather conditions for protection.

[0012] Extension and retraction of the panels 102, 104 is automated and may be accomplished using any mechanical means (not shown). Some contemplated expedients are rails for sliding the panels along their planes (up and down along the arrows A in the drawing figure) into the extended and extracted positions. Alternatively, the panels 102, 104 may be swung into position, in which case one edge of each panel is hingedly attached in the vicinity of a corresponding edge of solar heater 106. The sliding or swinging may be motivated by a motor 108 that is shared by the pair of panels through a suitable mechanical linkage (not shown).

Alternatively, each panel may be provided with a dedicated motor (not shown). In addition, panels may be constructed of more than one piece and the movement of all pieces can be mechanically coordinated such that the final configuration resembles a single large panel; for example, a fanning out of triangular panels in a circular pattern. Further, while the panels 102, 104 are shown to be vertical in the deployed position, other deployment angles are also contemplated, for example 45°.

[0013] The operation of motor 108 (or dedicated motors in certain embodiments) is managed by a controller 110, shown in more detail in FIG. 2. In certain embodiments, controller 110 issues commands to the motor 108 based on time of day. For instance, at 1 PM, when it is desired to flip from the morning configuration (A) to the afternoon configuration (B), controller 110 commands motor 108 to retract extended panel 102, and extend retracted panel 104.

[0014] Controller 110 may also, or alternatively, issue commands to motor 108 based on factors other than time of day, including calendar date, season, latitude and location. With reference to FIG. 2, controller 110 may receive information relating to light intensity, wind conditions, wind speed, strain experienced by the panels 102, 104 (which may be indirectly related to wind conditions), and other environmental conditions. One or more sensors for each of light detector 210, wind detector 212, and strain detector 214 may provide this information, and other detectors may be used to provide other information about environmental conditions. Controller 110 determines the optimal deployment configuration of the panels 102, 104 using the environmental conditions information such as from detectors 210, 212 and 214. For instance, in the morning configuration, under high cross-winds, panel 102 may be only partially extended, while panel 104 is fully retracted. Furthermore, the extent of extension of panel 102 may be adjusted in real-time, tracking wind intensity as it ebbs and flows. Extension and retraction of the panels may thus more generally be performed dynamically, in real-time, as a function of prevailing environmental conditions as sensed by detectors 210, 212 and 214 for example, and may also be based on time of day, calendar date, season, and so on, as tracked by suitable clock information (not shown) provided to controller 110. Temperature of the panels, water heater, water in the water heater, or ambient temperature can also be sensed as part of the control algorithm. Multiple motors 108 are shown in FIG. 2, although motor functionality can be coupled/decoupled as explained above to reduce the number of motors and save cost.

[0015] It should be noted that, as mentioned above, panels 102, 104, can each be comprised of a number of sub-panels (not shown) that can be more finely adjusted and controlled, using dedicated motors or linkages. In addition, the number of panels may vary depending on the application, and panels in addition to 102, 104, are contemplated.

[0016] Panels 102, 104 are not limited to the planar rectangular shapes depicted in FIG. 1. For instance, it is contemplated that reflectors made of flexible material, such as thin aluminum or foil, can be used, in a configuration such as that of FIG. 3. A frame 302 having a parabolic shape is provided to guide the flexible reflectors 304 into position in an extended or deployed position. When retracted, the reflectors can be rolled up in the manner of a window shade, as shown at 306. The edges of the reflectors 304 can be confined by and slide within guides or tracks (not shown) provided in the parabolic edges 308 of the frame 302, such that when extended, the panels assume the parabolic shape for improved reflectance of sunlight onto the solar water heater 310. Shapes other than parabolic (for example cylindrical, hyperbolic, aspherical, etc.) are also contemplated, with or without the use of guiding frames, depending on the flexibility of the material of the reflectors. The frames can be suitably configured, for example linear or parabolic edges, to commensurately direct the shape of the reflectors to the desired configuration. The reflectors can be made of flexible aluminum or foil, and can be provided with holes or perforations to reduce wind resistance. Furthermore, applications that deploy rigid reflectors may also be provided with such perforations, and may nevertheless also use frames, for structural support and stability. Suitable rigid materials can be any reflective or reflectively-coated material, and can include aluminum or other metal, glass, wood, plastic, particle board, and the like.

[0017] As mentioned above, in certain embodiments, several reflectors can be assembled into a large panel (102, 104). The smaller reflectors can be ridged or flexible and can be assembled with the use of guiding frames. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 3A, long triangular reflectors 301 can be fixed to a pin 303 at one apex of the triangular shape. A fanning motion, F, would then be employed to open up a large reflector to take the place of each panel 312 or 314. When not in use, reversing the fanning motion would provide for compact storage of the reflector, as seen at 314. Many shapes are possible. For example, reflectors can be arranged into a configuration resembling an umbrella, which can be opened or closed depending on the time of day.

[0018] It is also contemplated to use a single reflector, that moves to different locations depending on the environmental factors discussed above. FIG. 3B is directed to such an arrangement, in which panel 318 is shown to travel on rails 320 from the morning configuration (solid lines) to the afternoon configuration (broken lines, 318').

[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a free-standing intelligent reflector system 400 that is distinct from a solar water heater, which is not shown. Free-standing intelligent reflector system 400 is configured to be retrofit to an existing solar water heater or photoelectric cell panel to improve light collection efficiency. It includes a support structure 402 having legs 404 and supporting extendable/retractable panels 102', 104'. Support structure 402 also supports control module 406 in which are housed a controller and motor(s) (not shown) as described above.

[0020] In certain embodiments, lenses can be deployed for magnification or light amplification. The lenses can be common to the entire system, or dedicated to each reflector. FIG. 5 depicts the former arrangement, in which a lens 502 is disposed above the intelligent reflector system designated generally at 504. The lens may be conventional design or Fresnel lens for reduced cost, weight and size. Lenses may also be provided confronting the reflectors of the system to focus sunlight onto the reflectors, or to focus sunlight reflected by the reflectors onto the solar water heater. [0021] In many commercial or industrial applications, arrays of water heaters or photovoltaic cell panels are deployed, to harness large amounts of sunlight. To improve the efficiency of such large arrays of solar devices, corresponding arrays of free standing intelligent reflector systems 400 or built-in intelligent reflector systems, as described herein, can be used. In such an application, one-to-one correspondence of solar device to intelligent reflector system can be employed. Alternatively, other ratios of solar device to reflector system are possible, such as two or more solar devices per intelligent reflector system, or two intelligent reflector systems per solar device, and so forth. In the multiple intelligent reflector arrangements, multiple intelligent reflector systems can be bundled together to share a common controller, eliminating the cost of a dedicated controller for each intelligent reflector system.

[0022] While embodiments and applications have been shown and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that many more modifications than mentioned above are possible without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A solar water heating system comprising:

a solar water heater in which water is circulated for heating by the sun;

one or more movable reflectors operable to direct sunlight onto the solar water heater; at least one motor for motivating the one or more movable reflectors; and

a controller for issuing actuation signals to the motors as a function of one or

environmental conditions.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more environmental conditions include at least one of time of day, calendar date, season, location, latitude, temperature, wind speed, wind direction, strain, and light conditions.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to deploy a first reflector and retract a second reflector during a first period of daylight hours, and retract the first reflector and deploy the second reflector during a second portion of daylight hours.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflectors are flat panels that are movable in a planar direction into and out of deployment position.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflectors are rigid.

6. The system of claim 1, further including a frame for supporting the one or more reflectors.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the reflectors are rigid.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the reflectors are flexible and operable to conform to the shape of the frame.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the reflectors are retractable into a rolled-up

configuration.

10. The system of claim 1, further including at least one lens operable to focus sunlight onto the water heater.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the frame is parabolic or linear in shape.

12. A system for generating electricity using light, comprising:

one or more photovoltaic cells;

one or more movable reflectors operable to direct sunlight onto the photovoltaic cells; at least one motor for motivating the one or more movable reflectors; and

environmental conditions.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more environmental conditions include at least one of time of day, calendar date, season, location, latitude, temperature, wind speed, wind direction, strain, and light conditions.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the controller is operable to deploy a first reflector and retract a second reflector during a first period of daylight hours, and retract the first reflector and deploy the second reflector during a second portion of daylight hours.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the reflectors are flat panels that are movable in a planar direction into and out of deployment position.

16. The system of claim 12, further including a frame for supporting the one or more reflectors.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the reflectors are flexible and operable to conform to the shape of the frame.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the reflectors are retractable into a rolled-up

configuration.

19. The system of claim 12, further including at least one lens operable to focus sunlight onto the one or more photovoltaic cells.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the frame is parabolic or linear in shape.

21. A retractable intelligent reflector system for directing light onto a solar device, comprising:

one or more movable reflectors operable to direct light at the solar device;

a support structure for supporting the one or more movable reflectors;

at least one motor for motivating the one or more movable reflectors; and

a controller for issuing actuation signals to the motor as a function of one or

environmental conditions.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the solar device is a photovoltaic array.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the solar device is a solar water heater.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the one or more environmental conditions include at least one of time of day, calendar date, season, location, latitude, temperature, wind speed, wind direction, strain, and light conditions.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the controller is operable to deploy a first reflector and retract a second reflector during a first period of daylight hours, and retract the first reflector and deploy the second reflector during a second portion of daylight hours.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein the reflectors are flat panels that are movable in a planar direction into and out of deployment position.

27. The system of claim 21, further including a frame for supporting the one or more reflectors.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the reflectors are flexible and operable to conform to the shape of the frame.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the reflectors are retractable into a rolled-up

configuration.

30. The system of claim 21, further including at least one lens operable to focus sunlight onto the solar device.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein the frame is parabolic or linear in shape.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more movable reflectors consists of a single reflector movable between different sides of the solar water heater.

33. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more movable reflectors consists of a single reflector movable between different sides of the one or more photovoltaic cells.

34. The system of claim 21, wherein the one or more movable reflectors consists of a single reflector movable between different sides of the solar device.

35. The system of claim 21, said system being one of multiple retractable intelligent reflector systems used per solar device.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the multiple retractable intelligent reflector systems share a common controller.

37. The system of claim 21, said system being used with multiple solar devices.