WO2016020804A1

WO2016020804A1 - Shed structure

Info

Publication number: WO2016020804A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/055762
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimo CARDELLI
Original assignee: Artigianfer Di Virgilio Cardelli S.R.L.
Priority date: 2014-08-07
Filing date: 2015-07-30
Publication date: 2016-02-11

Abstract

A shed structure (10) for outdoor environments comprising a roof (11), support means (12) for supporting said roof (11) on the ground, and a solar concentration system (13) which comprises, in turn, a plurality of mirrors (13A) that are arranged on the roof (11) and can be directed in motorized fashion, and at least one receiving element (13B) that receives the solar rays coming from said mirrors (13A), is designed to acquire heat and is arranged above said mirrors (13A).

Description

"SHED STRUCTURE"

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of solar energy; especially, the object of this invention is a shed structure for outdoor environments, with which a solar energy collection system is associated, to be used, for example, in greenhouse structures, covered parks, verandas, grain warehouses.

State of the Art

Solar panels have been increasingly used in the last years on the building roofs top produce electricity or thermal energy.

Arranging the panels on the roofs has clear advantages. Namely, roofs are usually free surfaces, not used for practical purposes.

However, there are some limits in arranging solar panels on roofs, for instance when the panels shall be put in a given position due to the shape of the roofs, that is not optimal for sun exposure. In these cases, when the energy yield is poor due to a wrong exposure, the use of solar panels could be not recommended.

In other cases, the panels cannot be used on the whole roof as they change significant parameters such as the light coming from the roof (for exam- pie, in the case of a greenhouse, or an industrial building requiring windows on the roof) or in case the air shall pass through the roof.

Object and summary of the invention

An object of the invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems; more in particular, an object is to provide a shed structure for outdoor environ- ments allowing to recovery solar energy optimally.

One more significant object of the invention is to provide a shed structure for outdoor environments that can be integrated with the solar energy systems.

These and other objects, that will be clearly apparent from the description below, are achieved through a shed structure for outdoor environments com- prising a roof, support means for supporting the roof on the ground - like columns, uprights, pillars, walls, reticular structures, made of various materials, etc. - and a solar concentration system that comprises, in turn, a plurality of mir- rors (primary mirrors) that are arranged on the roof and can be directed in motorized fashion, and at least one receiving element (called, for example, tube collector) that receives the solar rays coming from the mirrors, is designed to acquire heat and is arranged above the mirrors.

The solar concentration system of the present invention is preferably a

CSP (Concentration Solar Power) Fresnel system.

The mirrors extend, for example, longitudinally, are parallel to one another and can rotate around an axis parallel to their longitudinal extension, preferably horizontal. Analogously, also the receiving element extends longitudinally, par- allel to the mirror extension.

The longitudinal mirrors can be directed, for instance rotating around the longitudinal axis; to this end, they require space between themselves and towards the roof. Air and light can therefore pass between the mirrors and below them, and can cross the roof (respectively in the case of transparent roof and roof with ventilation openings).

The ability of mirrors to change orientation so as to concentrate the rays towards the receiving element makes the solar energy system adaptable to a high number of shed structures, differently oriented.

Preferably, the receiving element also has a longitudinal secondary mirror (CPC-Compound Parabolic Concentrator), with the concavity facing the roof, i.e. the primary mirrors; in the concavity the receiving device (tube collector) is inserted, suitable to receive both the rays directly reflected by the rotating primary mirrors and the rays reflected by the secondary mirror, that have been previously reflected by the primary mirrors. For instance, inside the device there is a fluid that acquires heat and is fed to the users, like a steam and/or hot water generator to produce electricity directly in a magnetic levitation expander/turbine, or in a thermal/solar cooling system (for a refrigerating machine) for solar cooling, or for other uses, such as civil/industrial heating.

Preferably, the roof has at least two levels; a first level, which is formed by a cover that is at least partially inclined or curved, and a second level, above said first level, where the structures for supporting the plurality of mirrors are arranged. This configuration allows to manage optimally the space between mir- rors and cover, to allow the desired light/air effects or to avoid problems with mirrors interfering with other devices on the roof, like tied rods, doors, etcetera.

According to some preferred embodiments, the shed structure comprises at least one nave whose part of roof is formed by at least two inclined roof pitches concurrent downwards and towards the center of the nave.

"One nave" means a single central space comprised between the side support pillars, or other support means as described above, for supporting the roof structure on the ground. In a structure with more naves adjacent to one another, two adjacent naves have common side support pillars (or other support means) on a side.

According to preferred embodiments, the shed structure comprises at least one roof truss or reticular frame with reverse inclination, i.e. comprising at least one inclined or curved intrados portion, to which there is fixed the cover defining one or more pitches of the roof, and one extrados, preferably horizon- tal, onto which the mirror supporting structures are fixed or extend. The roof truss is preferably comprised of a reticular structure (i.e. rods connected together).

Preferably, there are at least two roof trusses or reticular frames, between which the cover is arranged.

According to some preferred embodiments, the cover between two consecutive roof trusses or reticular frames has at least one opening window. Preferably, there is a same ridge with two opposite parts, inclined from the top downwards, starting from the ridge; in an inclined part of the ridge there is said at least one opening window; preferably, there are at least two opening win- dows at opposite sides of the same ridge.

According to preferred embodiments, the opening window (or two windows) is (are) arranged in the space comprised between intrados and extrados of the roof trusses.

According to some embodiments, there are at least two opening windows, arranged at least partially above the extrados of the roof trusses, so that there are cover portions extending from the intrados towards the extrados, in some cases achieving or even going beyond the extrados. According to preferred embodiments, the extrados of said at least one roof truss is essentially horizontal.

According to some embodiments, the roof is formed by a reticular structure comprising some vertical beams, at the upper ends of which there are hinged at least some of said mirrors. In this case, the reticular structure preferably comprises the roof truss (or reticular frame) comprising an intrados and an extrados and wherein said vertical beams carrying at their ends the mirrors project at the top from the extrados; other beams carrying further mirrors are preferably fixed on at least one horizontal beam defining the extrados. This configu- ration allows to optimize the production costs for the shed structures, and to increase the structural strength thereof.

According to some preferred embodiments, the receiving element(s) is(are) fixed onto at least one rod (preferably two rods) extending upwards from the roof; tie-rods are preferably present, suitable to constrain and/or further stiffen the set formed by the receiving element(s) and the rod.

According to preferred embodiments, there are rain collecting means arranged between two concurrent portions, inclined downwards, of the cover; these means preferably comprise a collection conduit.

A further object of the invention is a greenhouse, characterized by com- prising a shed structure according to one or more of the previous embodiments. Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the description of a preferred, although not exclusive, embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the attached tables of drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a perspective schematic view of a shed structure according to the invention;

figure 2 is a schematic front view of a second shed structure according to the invention, a variant of that illustrated in the previous figure;

figure 3 is a schematic front view of a third shed structure according to the invention, a variant of those illustrated in the previous figures;

figure 4 is a schematic front view of a fourth shed structure according to the invention, a variant of those illustrated in the previous figures; figure 5 is a schematic front view of a fifth shed structure according to the invention, a variant of those illustrated in the previous figures;

figure 6 is a schematic front view of a sixth shed structure according to the invention, a variant of those illustrated in the previous figures.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

With reference to the previously listed figures, a shed structure for outdoor environment according to the invention is indicates, as a whole, with number 10; it comprises a roof 1 1 , support means for supporting the roof on the ground - like columns 12 (or uprights, pillars, walls, reticular structures, made of various materials, etc.) and a solar concentration system 13, preferably of the CSP (Concentration Solar Power) Fresnel type.

In particular, this solar concentration system 13 comprises a plurality of primary mirrors 13A that extend longitudinally, are parallel to one another and can rotate around an axis X parallel to their longitudinal extension. Thanks to electric actuators, these primary mirrors can be oriented around the axis in automatized fashion. Moreover, the solar concentration system 13 comprises a receiving element 13B that receives the solar rays coming from the primary mirrors 13A, is designed to acquire heat, is arranged above the primary mirrors, extends longitudinally and is parallel to the mirrors.

More receiving elements 13 can be provided, wherein with each of them a respective group of primary mirrors 3 A is associated, reflecting the rays towards it.

Primary mirrors and receiving element extend preferably horizontally. The receiving element 13B also has, in this example, a longitudinal secondary mirror (CPC-Compound Parabolic Concentrator, not indicated in the figures), with the concavity facing the primary mirrors, i.e. the roof; in the concavity the receiving device (tube collector, not shown) is inserted, suitable to receive both the rays directly reflected by the primary mirrors 13A and the rays reflected by the secondary mirror, that have been previously reflected by the primary mirrors 13A. For instance, inside the tube collector there is a fluid that acquires heat and is fed to the users, not shown. For the sake of simplicity, the motorized orientation mechanism for the primary mirrors is not described, as its operation is similar to an orientation mechanism of a known CSP Fresnel system.

The roof 1 1 has two levels; a first level L1 , which is formed by a cover 14 that is at least partially inclined or curved, and a second level L2, above the first level, where the structures for supporting the plurality of mirrors 13A are arranged, better described below. In figure 1 , the cover 14 is explicitly highlighted by means of broken lines only in the right part of the nave of the greenhouse.

In the examples of figures 1 -4, the shed structure comprises only one nave N, whose longitudinal extension is indicated by means of the axis Z, parallel to the rotation axis X of the primary mirrors 13A. The roof part 1 1 is formed by two inclined roof pitches concurrent downwards and towards the center of the nave. Figure 6 shows the example of a structure with two naves N, sharing central columns 12'. For each nave, the roof part 1 1 is formed by two inclined roof pitches concurrent downwards and towards the center of the nave.

In this example/ the roof comprises two roof trusses 15 with reverse inclination, i.e. comprising at least one inclined intrados portion, essentially corresponding to the first level L1 (below, also the intrados will be indicated with L1 ), to which there is fixed the cover 14 defining one or more pitches of the roof, and one extrados 15B, essentially corresponding to the second level L2 (below, also the extrados will be indicated with L2), preferably horizontal, onto which the support structures are fixed for the primary mirrors 13A.

The cover 14 (two roof pitches extending longitudinally according to X or Z between the roof trusses) is provided between the two roof trusses 15 and connected thereto in correspondence of the intrados. Poles 15C are adequately provided to support the cover pitches, connecting the intradoses of the two roof trusses.

Clearly, in other examples the number of roof trusses can be greater than two, according to the longitudinal length of the cover structure. Columns 2 are adequately provided at the ends of the roof trusses 15.

In the example of figure 1 and 3, each roof truss is provided with inclined portions 15' delimiting two roof pitches, substantially flat (i.e. not curved), con- current downwards and towards the center of the nave. The roof truss is preferably made of a reticular structure, i.e. it is formed by rods connected to one another, i.e. it forms a reticular frame shaped like a roof truss. In other embodiments, the reticular frames supporting the beginning and the end of the cover can have different shape than that of a reverse roof truss.

In the examples, the extrados L2 of the roof trusses is substantially horizontal.

The reticular structure of each roof truss comprises vertical beams 15D, at the upper ends of which there are hinged at least some of the primary mirrors 13A, according to a longitudinal horizontal axis, as mentioned above. These vertical beams extend from the intrados L1 and project with their end above the extrados L2. Each mirror is hinged at its ends on respective ends of the vertical beams 15D of the two roof trusses.

More beams 15E, carrying more primary mirrors, can be fixed to and ex- tend directly from a horizontal beam defining the extrados L2, according to the actual needs.

In these examples, each receiving element 13B is fixed, at its ends, to the ends of respective rods 15F extending upwards, fixed to the roof, for instance to the extrados L2. If necessary, tie-rods 15G, connecting for instance the upper end of the rod 15F to the extrados, are suitable to constrain and/or further stiffen the set formed by each receiving element 13B, support rod 15F and extrados L2.

The example of figure 2 shows a cover 14, between two consecutive roof trusses 15, with a pair of opening windows 14A (one window closed, the other open). Practically, there is a same ridge 14B with two inclined cover parts 14K, extending upwards towards the center of the nave, i.e. inclined from the top downwards, starting from the ridge 14B. In these inclined parts, opposite to the same ridge 14B, there are respective windows 14A.

In the example f of figure 2m, the windows are arranged in the space comprised between intrados L1 and extrados L2 of the roof trusses, so as to increase the space for the primary mirrors 13A. Arranging the openings below the extrados line L2 allows not to sacrifice space for the primary mirrors. In the examples of figures 4 and 5, two opening windows 14A are provided, arranged at least partially above the extrados 15B of the roof trusses (in this case, the two windows are open), so that there are portions 14H of the cover 14 extending from the intrados L1 towards the extrados L2. In this example again, the windows 14A are arranged at opposite sides of the ridge 14B.

Adequately, there are rain collecting means arranged between two concurrent portions, inclined downwards, of the cover 14, for instance collection conduits C.

Obviously, the number of windows can vary according to the needs. Fig- ures 2, 4, and 5 show only two windows 14B. From a practical viewpoint, only one window can be provided, whose longitudinal length is suitable to the needs, for each roof pitch associated with the ridge, or a plurality of windows can be provided, longitudinally adjacent along each roof pitch associated with the ridge. The window(s) can also be on only one roof pitch of the ridge.

The shed structure 0 can be used for different purposes. A particularly innovative and advantageous use is as cover for greenhouses, as shown in figure 4.

Figure 3 shows a shed structure 10, wherein the solar concentration system 13 with the primary mirrors 13A is arranged above only a part of the cover 4, for instance a half thereof, in correspondence of the side thereof.

Figure 5 shows a shed structure 10 with only one nave N, wherein the roof is provided with at least one pair of roof trusses 15" formed by adjacent pairs of roof trusses 15 as shown in figure 4.

It is understood that what illustrated above purely represents possible non-limiting embodiments of the invention, which may vary in forms and arrangements without departing from the scope of the concept on which the invention is based. Any reference numbers in the appended claims are provided for the sole purpose of facilitating the reading thereof in the light of the description before and the accompanying drawings and do not in any way limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1) A shed structure for outdoor environments comprising a roof, support means for supporting said roof on the ground, and a solar concentration system which comprises, in turn, a plurality of mirrors that are arranged on the roof and can be directed in motorized fashion, and at least one receiving element that receives the solar rays coming from said mirrors, is designed to acquire heat and is arranged above said mirrors.

2) Shed structure according to claim 1 , wherein said roof is provided with at least two levels, a first level formed by a cover that is at least partially in- dined or curved, and a second level above said first level, where said plurality of mirrors is arranged.

3) Shed structure according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one nave whose part of said roof is formed by at least two roof pitches concurrent downwards and towards the center of the nave.

4) Shed structure according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said roof comprises at least one roof truss or reticular frame with reverse inclination, i.e. comprising at least one inclined or curved intrados portion, to which there is fixed said cover defining one or more pitches of the roof, and one extrados, preferably horizontal, onto which said mirrors are fixed.

5) Shed structure according to claim 4, wherein there are at least two said roof trusses or reticular frames, between which there is arranged said cover.

6) Shed structure according to claim 5, wherein said cover between said two roof trusses or reticular frames has at least one opening window; wherein there are preferably at least two opening windows arranged at opposite sides of a same ridge and inclined from the top downwards, starting from the ridge.

7) Shed structure according to claim 6, wherein said at least two opening windows are arranged in the space comprised between intrados and extrados of the roof trusses.

8) Shed structure according to claim 6, wherein said at least two opening windows are arranged at least partially above said extrados of the roof trusses, so that there are cover portions extending from said intrados towards said extrados.

9) Shed structure according to one or more of claims 4 to 8, wherein the extrados of said at least one roof truss is substantially horizontal.

10) Shed structure according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said roof is formed by a reticular structure comprising some vertical beams at the upper ends of which there are hinged at least some of said mirrors.

1 1 ) Shed structure according to claims 4 and 10, wherein said reticular structure comprises said roof truss or reticular frame comprising an intrados and an extrados and wherein said vertical beams carrying at their ends said mirrors project at the top from the extrados; said beams preferably extending from the intrados; other beams carrying further mirrors being preferably fixed on at least one horizontal beam defining said extrados.

12) Shed structure according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said at least one receiving element is fixed onto at least one rod extending upwards from said roof; tie-rods being preferably present, suitable to constrain and/or further stiffen the set formed by said receiving element and Said rod.

13) Shed structure according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said mirrors and said at least one receiving element have longitudinal extension; said mirrors being able to rotate around an own axis parallel to the preferably horizontal longitudinal extension.

14) Shed structure according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein there are rain collecting means arranged between two concurrent portions, inclined downwards, of said cover; said means preferably comprising a collection conduit.

15) Shed structure according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said cover is at least partially transparent or anyway suitable to allow the light to pass at least partially.

16) A greenhouse, characterized by comprising a shed structure according to one or more of the previous claims.