Device for converting solar radiation into electric power

• US 6,930,237 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2002
• Issued: 08/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gilberto Mattiuzzo
• Original Assignee: Gilberto Mattiuzzo
• Inventors: Mattiuzzo, Gilberto
• Primary Examiner(s): DIAMOND, ALAN D
• Application Number:
  US10/289,322
• Publication Number:
  US 20030094194A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 136/251, 136/244, 136/291, 136/293, 136/246, 136/259, 257/433
• US Class Current: 136/251
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/10 extending in directions away from a supporting surface
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 30/40 for rotary movement
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/10 Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground H02S20/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/30 Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 Applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/293 Circuits

Abstract

A device for converting solar radiation into electric power, constituted by a substantially vertically elongated body from which multiple supporting arms for one or more modules constituted by multiple photovoltaic cells protrude in an upward region. The body is hollow and contains an inverter suitable for the conversion of electric power.

Claims

1. A device for converting solar radiation into electric power, comprising a vertically elongated body, multiple supporting arms protruding from said elongated body at an upward region thereof said arms supporting a supporting and resting frame, said frame being made of supporting elements selected from structural and tubular elements that are fixed and arranged so as to constitute a support for at least one flat panel which comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells distributed therein, said device further comprising any of brackets and supports which provide connection between said at least one panel and said frame, said brackets and supports being arranged transversely to said frame so as to allow to orientate said at least one panel at a selected angle with respect to a horizontal plane.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising conversion means for converting electric power, said elongated body being hollow and made so as to contain said conversion means.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said arms are arranged so as to protrude radially and upward from the upper end of said body.

4. The device of claim 3, having four of said arms.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said frame is rectangular or square.

6. The device of claim 1, comprising at least two of said panels with photovoltaic cells distributed therein which have identical dimensions and are arranged on said frame so as to lie on mutually parallel and equidistant planes that are inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.

7. The device of claim 2, further comprising electrical cables, which are arranged on a path provided in any of a location inside and outside said body and inside and outside at least one of said arms, for transmitting generated electric current to said conversion means.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said conversion means comprises at least one device for converting direct current into alternating current.

9. The device of claim 8, comprising a seat provided so as to be inspectionable from outside, which is formed at a lower end of said elongated body, said conversion means being accommodated in said seat.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising connection means located at said lower end of said elongated body for providing electrical connection to the ground, said connection means comprising a base preferably made of metallic material, wherein said base is coupled with a flat and rigid lower surface.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said vertically elongated body has a height of at least two meters.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said elongated body is constituted by any of a longitudinally elongated shaft, a column and a pillar, arranged vertically.

13. The device of claim 10, further comprising electrical coupling means provided at the lower end of said elongated body for connection to a mains and to user devices.