PORTABLE, SELF-SUSTAINED SOLAR DEPLOYMENT

• US 20120313569A1
• Filed: 06/11/2012
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Houston (University of Houston System)
• Original Assignee: University of Houston (University of Houston System)
• Inventors: Curran, Seamus
• Granted Patent: US 9,046,281 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/012 Foldable support elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2030/132 in the form of compasses, scissors or parallelograms
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2030/16 Hinged elements; Pin connections
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/10 extending in directions away from a supporting surface
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/70 with means for adjusting the final position or orientation of supporting elements in relation to each other or to a mounting surface; with means for compensating mounting tolerances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/40 Mobile PV generator systems
• 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 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

A solar panel deployment system includes a main support frame and a solar panel array providing at least one solar panel, wherein the solar panel array is coupled to the main support frame, and each of the solar panels are mounted in a solar panel frame. The system also includes a lift mechanism coupled to the main support frame and solar panel array, and an array extender/retractor coupled to the solar panel array, wherein the array extender/retractor is actuated to deploy the solar panel array or to retract the solar panel array.

Claims