RETRACTABLE SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM

• US 20100065104A1
• Filed: 08/31/2007
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bradford G. Baruh
• Original Assignee: Bradford G. Baruh
• Inventors: Baruh, Bradford G.
• Application Number:
  US11/848,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20100065104A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/251
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 15/0083 Masts for sailing ships or boats
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2015/0075 with mast foot adapted for being moved, e.g. athwartship
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 41/00 Drop keels, e.g. centre boards or side boards ; Collapsible keels, or the like, e.g. telescopically; Longitudinally split hinged keels keels integral with hull B63B3/38; foils or keels on surf-boards B63B32/50; stabilising foils B63B39/06
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 9/06 Types of sail; Constructional features of sails; Arrangements thereof on vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B63J 2003/003 using photovoltaic power generation, e.g. using solar panels
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 20/50 Rollable or foldable solar heat collector modules
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 20/55 made of flexible materials
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 20/67 in the form of roof constructions in the form of shingles or tiles F24S20/69
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 20/70 Waterborne solar heat collector modules for working fluids forming pools or ponds F24S10/10
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 30/20 for linear movement
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 30/452 Vertical primary axis
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/00 Supporting structures for PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/23 specially adapted for roof structures
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 30/20 Collapsible or foldable PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/44 Heat exchange systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/00 Maritime or waterways transport

Abstract

A solar panel system, which includes a plurality of solar panels; a support structure comprised of a track system adapted to receive a plurality of solar panels; and a system for extending and retracting the plurality of solar panels.

Claims

1. A solar panel system comprising:

a plurality of solar panels;

a support structure comprised of a track system adapted to receive a plurality of solar panels; and

a controller for extending and retracting the plurality of solar panels.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of solar panels is a photovoltaic panel, which is comprised an assembly of solar cells used to generate electricity.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of solar panels are attached to one another via a hinge, such that the plurality of solar panels can be stored in a stack when not in use.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the track system is attached to a roofing member.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the roofing member is a roof of a building.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the roofing member is a roof of an automobile.

7. A solar system, the system comprising:

a plurality of solar panels; and

a support structure adapted to fit over a peak of a roof, the support structure comprising a solar panel portion and a secondary panel portion, and wherein the solar panel portion has a plurality of horizontal support members, which are adapted to receive the plurality of solar panels.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the solar panel portion extends to the peak of the roof with the secondary panel portion extending down the other side of the roof, and wherein the solar panel portion faces into the sun with the secondary panel portion being on an opposite side of the roof.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the solar panels are a roofing material.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the support structure is a solar water panel, which includes a circulating fluid supply.

11. A solar system, the solar system comprising:

a solar hot water panel system, the solar hot water panel system comprising an inlet to receive a fluid from a fluid source, an outlet to return the fluid to the fluid source, and at least one solar thermal collector; and

at least one solar panel.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one solar panel is positioned on an outer surface of the at least one solar thermal collector.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one solar panel comprises a plurality of solar panels, wherein each solar panel is comprised of an array of solar-thermal panels or photovoltaic (PV) modules.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the solar system is a roofing material.

15. An inflatable solar panel support comprising:

a lower section adapted to be filled with water to provide weight to the support; and

an upper section adapted to be filled with air to shape the support, the upper section having a horizontal base, and a pair of angled sides, which join together forming an angled surface having at least one cavity, which is adapted to receive a solar panel.

16. The support of claim 15, wherein the lower section has an inlet and an outlet for filling or draining water from the lower section.

17. The support of claim 15, further comprising at least one solar panel, and wherein the at least one solar panel fits within the at least one cavity.