Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CLAIMS
Claim A
All detailed specifications and 4 sheets of drawings are listed
under the patent protected Claim sections A & B of this patent
application for the invention entitled Solar Array Tracking
Apparatus.
THE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
AND PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
Figure 1 of the drawings diagrammatically illustrates the solar
array sitting on a unique stand alone photovoltaic array table 1
(the table containing readily available silicon solar cells
connected in series into the same array panel of solar cells
connected in parallel) within the 58-75 degree range of the sun
during the daylight hours.
Figures 2, 3, and 4 illustrate the unique solar table top 2 and
bottom enclosure 5, and the rotational capability of the solar
tracking device, through its system of steel reinforced angles 4,
bearings 3, pulleys 6, drive gear 7, track 8, to position itself
latitudinally within the 58-75 degree range of the sun during the
daylight hours in accordance with the embodiment of the present
invention.
Figure "A" is a detailed side view and Figure "B" is a detailed
end view of Figure 3.
Figure 5 illustrates the electrical panel including the fuse box
9, diodes 10, oscillation generator 11,12,13, transformer 11,
current impressing unit 15, the timing capacitor 14 and the
ground wires. The voltage input of the generator is with the
output of the series wired solar module. The A.C. oscillation
generator 11,12,13, is selected to establish correct voltage set
for supplying useful voltage and alternating current to the A.C.
wiring within Canadian and American homes.
CLAIM B patent protected "Claim" of this patent application.
THE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
AND PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. One object of this invention is to provide a unique apparatus
which is a self-contained rotating photovoltaic array with a
gravity-weight drive arrangement which provides a maximum of
constant and regulated 115 volts alternating current with 60
amperes at a frequency of 60 Hertz during normal sunshine hours,
and will operate at wind speeds greater than 50 Kph.
2. The purpose of this invention is to provide remote individual
residences and mobile homes with a stand alone solar radiation
tracking unit with its own unique active power supply; thereby
eliminating the need for connections to an electrical grid,
and/or oil or gas generation to supplement the power system.
Where supplementary power is required at night a battery bank
system can be used.
3. This self-contained photovoltaic power pack includes:
a) a series-parallel array of photovoltaic cells which utilizes
sunlight which is converted to electrical power by means of a
unique structure upon which the solar array will sit;
b) The unique cell holding solar array table of the solar array
tracking apparatus can be adjusted to accommodate monthly changes
in the solar position. The surf ace of this box being at an angle
which accommodates those parts of the world within the range of
58 degrees to 75 degrees latitude; but which can be modified to
accommodate other parts of the world.
c) The unique structure which consists of a unique system of
gears, bearings, and pulleys, sits on the ground and is a simple,
rigid, wood and steel frame platform with concrete footings for
stabilization and support, and the grounding system itself
consists of a wire ground and iron or steel rods.
d) a gravity-weight drive arrangement effects rotation of the
transducer element;
4. Tracking Device: Daily, the sun crosses the sky from east to
west, and climbs and descends from the southern horizon with the
progression of seasons. The JHVH Solar Array Tracking Apparatus,
using a unique two axis turntable with a gravity weight
arrangement steering mechanism, is designed to provide full
tracking of the sun allowing for sweeping of the sky in two
directions by following the sun's east-west route and it is
adjustable in relation to the sun's height (angular distance from
the horizon) at a compromise angle.
This unique solar tracking apparatus tracks the sun during
all daylight hours each day, thereby, constantly redirecting or
imaging the sun's rays directly onto the solar cell array during
all daylight hours each day throughout the year.
5. Steering Mechanism: The angle of incident of the solar array
is arranged on the table in the desired position with a given
angle to the sun; in this case within the 58 degree to 75 degree
latitude range to accommodate most of Canada and the United
States of America.
For two-axis tracking this invention uses a unique turntable
and power drive which includes sisal rope, direction turning
gears, pulleys, bearings, and a gravity weight drive mechanism.
6. Gravity Weight Drive Mechanism: Law of gravitation states
that all bodies in the universe have a mutual attraction for one
another. This attractive force is in direct proportion to
product of masses of bodies concerned and varies inversely as
square distance between them. Gravitation constant is force
exerted by a body with mass of 1 gram upon another body with same
mass at a distance of 1 cm. Gravity is that force operating
between other bodies and the earth. This force is the cause of a
body's having weight; the force is considered to act upon the
whole body at a definite point (the center of gravity) within the
body. The force of gravity varies slightly in different places,
therefore the weight also varies accordingly. Gravity near the
earth gives to a downward moving body a uniform acceleration.
The balanced weight drive mechanism 4 is enclosed within the
frame of the solar tracking apparatus 5 to minimize disturbance
due to air current and other outside influences. It is mounted on
a turntable so that it can be brought first under one of the
counter-poised spheres, then under the other, and the consequent
tilt of the balance.
Two measured masses of formed concrete (one being divided
for return-to-start position) are connected by a sisal rope that
passes over four pulleys 6; since the inertia to motion
(effective mass) depends on the sum of the two masses and the
inertia of the pulley, whereas the gravitational pull depends on
the difference of the masses, the acceleration is regulated by an
attached drive gear 7, detailed diagrams "A" and "B", which moves
through a corresponding gear track 8 with stops attached at each
end of the gear track.
Two measured concrete spherical masses attached to the ends
of connected eye bolts encased into the concrete weights which
are suspended by sisal rope at its midpoint. When two large
spheres A,B, are brought together each will move together causing
the opposite side small sphere to retract from its position and
thus the torque will cause the beam with the drive gear to
revolve, generated by the pulley gear shaft.
7. Boosting Voltage and Amperage: The solar cells, when
illuminated, act like a battery in that they produce electrical
voltage and current, increasing the light on a cell increases the
power output, which by directing the light onto the array permits
a decrease in the number of cells needed for a specified power
output; resulting in this invention having the solar array
consist of only two solar cell modules.
The amount of current is limited by the amount of light
falling on the cells and the sunlight conditions usually
encountered is calculable by Air Mass2 (AM2) an illumination of
800 w/m2.
The peak power current changes proportionally to the amount
of sunlight, but the voltage drops only slightly with large
changes in the light intensity.
As the load resistance increases, causing the voltage output
of the cells to increase, the current remains relatively constant
until the "knee" of the current-voltage curve is reached (P max=
Vm x lm).
The movement of the electrons within the solar cells of the
array that produces the electric current of ultraviolet radiation
is done by photons of light of sufficient energy to cause the
electrons to jump from the valence bands to a conduction band
causing "holes" to exist and the "holes" move when electrons fall
into them, creating new "holes". "Holes" from both the valence
band and conduction band carry electric current and the number of
excited electronic states in any atom is theoretically infinite.
Some of the above mentioned solar cells are gathered into
groups and wired in parallel (current building), other cells are
strung together and wired in series (voltage building). It is the
gathering and stringing of the cells in series which builds up
the voltage which is the prime mover of the a.c. generator; then
grouping strings of cells in parallel with the use of a solar
powered electric generator increases the amperage sufficiently to
provide the total power output of this invention.
8. A fuse box is incorporated. (Figure 5 Number 9)
9. Regulators: The output of this solar array is at a
predetermined and fixed level of correct alternating voltage in
order to ensure a consistent useable alternating current output.
10. Diodes: Blocking diodes 10 are used in series with the array
to prevent current from flowing in a reverse direction. These
diodes are voltage rated for both maximum forward and reverse -
bias voltages (anodic and cathodic). When applying voltage in
reverse-bias direction, the voltage must be increased to a much
higher value of the diode before the diode crystal will finally
break down and conduct reversal voltage.
11. Electric Generator: The windings of the driver electro-
magnet in the externally excited A.C. oscillating generator is
fed by the voltage and current from the solar array series
connected module itself. This generator gives an alternating
electromotive force which for uniform apparatus oscillation does
not vary with time (daytime).
There are many ways of modulating a dc signal converting it
to alternating voltage. The necessary increase of e.m.f. is
obtained by an appropriately rated potential transformer.
The initial unidirectional D.C. current reverses each time
the generator e.m.f. changes direction. In this simple A.C.
generator, the output from the reed assembly will oscillate
between the normally open contacts and the normally closed which
provides a steady output.
This apparatus uses a center-tap power transformer, except
that its volt-ampere rating is low. The primary of said apparatus
is wound for array voltage and its secondary for 115 volts.
This invention's A.C. electric generators' initial induced
e.m.f. is small. The direction of the induced e.m.f. is reversed
during its course at the center-tapped transformer's primary
coil, resulting in alternating voltage.
The method used in this application is the so-called
vibrator generator power supply design. An alternating voltage
applied to this invention's driver coil 12 causes the reed to
oscillate at the same frequency of 120 times per second. The
armature reed acts as the common terminal in the single pole
double throw relay which alternates the direction of voltage flow
through the primary coil of the transformer 11. This induces an
alternating voltage (which is also the line frequency) in the
secondary coil of the transformer, the resulting output is
proportional to the input signal and in phase with the voltage in
the driver coil.
Current in the electromagnetic coil produces an electro-
magnetic movement which uniformly energizes and de-energize the
coil. The oscillation is limited by fixed frequency 13. When
applied across a resistance, the alternating e.m.f. gives rise,
in accordance with Ohms Law, to an alternating current of the
same frequency; and the frequency of electrical supply from this
generator is a set 60 full cycles per second (120 oscillations
per second).
In combination, an alternating electromotive force (e.m.f.) of
this inventions' a.c. generator, there is the impressing unit 15
which is attainable by superposition of the direct current module
which is directed by the frequency regulated alternating flow,
and being resonant with the predetermined frequency of said
device which produces a source of alternating voltage and maximum
current of said predetermined frequency.
12. As in accordance with one of Kirchoff's Laws: in any
closed circuit, the algebraic sum of the products of the current
and resistance of each part of the circuit is equal to the sum of
the e.m.f.'s. round it; this law is also true for alternating
current if impedance are used in place of resistances.
Such coupling is smoothed through "run" capacitors (not
shown) utilized in unpolarized circuits with a steady potential
across the capacitors positive and negative plates, whereby the
meshing of the two circuits causes both the e.m.f. and the
current to be in phase with the regulatory circuit of C1.
The inventions main supply circuit (C2) is changed by
making a change in the current through the principle of super
position. This change in the overall current (inclusive of the
voltage branch) is equal to that which would be produced through
conventional power supplies since e.m.f. is equalized by being
added in series restricted from reverse flow by diodes 10.
The e.m.f. placed in the voltage circuit 1 produces the same
voltage at the capacitors for circuit 2, then the equal e.m.f. is
meshed into circuit 2 producing in the main supply capacitors a
resonant current as though the impressed e.m.f. in circuit 1 is
the prime mover.
