Solar panel supporting system

• US 7,730,676 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2007
• Issued: 06/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wai Man Hon
• Original Assignee: Wai Man Hon
• Inventors: Hon, Wai Man
• Primary Examiner(s): Chilcot, Jr.; Richard E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bartosik; Anthony N
• Application Number:
  US11/936,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20090120016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 52/18, 521/733, 526/46, 526/481, 136/244, 136/246, 126/570, 126/571
• US Class Current: 52/173.3
• 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 25/13 Profile arrangements, e.g. trusses F24S25/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 30/425 Horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 40/85 Arrangements for protecting solar collectors against adverse weather conditions F24S40/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/00 Supporting structures for PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/30 Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

A solar panel supporting system includes a main frame, a solar panel, and a spring mechanism. The main frame has two opposite lateral sides. The solar panel is pivotally mounted on the main frame along a first pivot axis defined by a first rod extending between the opposite lateral sides of the main frame. The spring mechanism is operatively coupled to the solar panel for resiliently holding the solar panel at a predetermined position. The solar panel is adapted to pivot in response to wind strong enough to stretch or compress the spring mechanism.

Claims

1. A solar panel supporting system comprising:

a main frame comprising two opposite lateral sides;

a solar panel pivotally mounted on the main frame along a first pivot axis defined by a first rod extending between the opposite lateral sides of the main frame;

a spring mechanism operatively coupled to the solar panel for resiliently maintaining the solar panel at a predetermined position, the solar panel adapted to pivot in response to wind strong enough to stretch or compress the spring mechanism and return to the position when wind diminishes; and

a first collapsible frame hingedly connected to a lower surface of the solar panel and defining a first parallelogram collapsible frame structure, the solar panel being pivotally coupled to the main frame along a second pivot axis defined by a second rod extending through a lower frame member of the first collapsible frame parallel to the solar panel and between the opposite lateral sides of the main frame;

a second collapsible frame hingedly connected to an upper frame member of the main frame at each lateral side thereof and defining a second parallelogram collapsible frame structure, each of the two opposite ends of the second rod being attached to a lower frame member of the second collapsible frame parallel to the upper frame member of the main frame.

2. The solar panel supporting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring mechanisms comprises a pair of compression springs operatively coupled to the first collapsible frame, each compression spring being disposed at each opposite side of the first and second pivot axes, each compression spring comprising one end hingedly connected to the solar panel and the other end hingedly connected to a bar, each bar comprising one end hingedly connected to the solar panel and the other end slidably coupled to a track by a roller bearing assembly, the track being provided on the lower frame member of the first collapsible frame parallel to the solar panel.

3. The solar panel supporting system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the solar panel is adapted to pivot clockwise or anticlockwise up to about 90 degrees from the predetermined position.

4. The solar panel supporting system as claimed in claim 1,wherein the spring mechanisms further comprises a pair of compression springs operatively coupled to the second collapsible frame, each compression spring being disposed at each opposite side of the first and second pivot axes, each compression spring comprising one end hingedly connected to the upper frame member of the main frame and the other end hingedly connected to a bar, each bar comprising one end hingedly connected to the upper frame member of the main frame and the other end slidably coupled to a track by a roller bearing assembly, the track being provided on the lower frame member of the second collapsible frame parallel to the upper frame member of the main frame.

5. The solar panel supporting system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the solar panel is adapted to pivot clockwise or anticlockwise more than 90 degrees and up to about 180 degrees from the predetermined position.

6. A solar panel supporting system comprising:

a main frame comprising two opposite lateral sides;

a solar panel pivotally mounted on the main frame along a first pivot axis defined by a first rod extending between the opposite lateral sides of the main frame;

a pair of tension springs provided at two opposite sides of the first pivot axis respectively at each lateral side of the main frame, each pair of tension springs being connected to and extending between the solar panel and the main frame, the tension springs being operatively coupled to the solar panel for resiliently maintaining the solar panel at a predetermined position, the solar panel adapted to pivot in response to wind strong enough to stretch the tension springs and return to the position when wind diminishes;

a first collapsible frame hingedly connected to a lower surface of the solar panel and defining a first parallelogram collapsible frame structure, the solar panel being pivotally coupled to the main frame along a second pivot axis defined by a second rod extending between the opposite lateral sides of the main frame and through a lower frame member of the first collapsible frame parallel to the solar panel; and

a second collapsible frame hingedly connected to an upper frame member of the main frame at each lateral side thereof and defining a second parallelogram collapsible frame structure, each of the two opposite ends of the second rod being attached to a lower frame member of the second collapsible frame parallel to the upper frame member of the main frame, a pair of compression springs operatively coupled to the second collapsible frame, each compression spring being disposed at each opposite side of the first and second pivot axes, each compression spring comprising one end hingedly connected to the upper frame member of the main frame and the other end hingedly connected to a bar, each bar comprising one end hingedly connected to the upper frame member of the main frame and the other end slidably coupled to a track by a roller bearing assembly, the track being provided on the lower frame member of the second collapsible frame parallel to the upper frame member of the main frame.