Robot for solar farms

• US 9,020,636 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2010
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BTPatent, LLC
• Original Assignee: BTPatent, LLC
• Inventors: Tadayon, Saied
• Primary Examiner(s): HOLLOWAY, JASON R
• Application Number:
  US12/969,588
• Publication Number:
  US 20120152877A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,594 Days
• Field of Search: 700/247, 700/248, 700/249, 700/253, 700/255, 700/258, 700/259, 901/1, 901/30, 901/41, 901/46, 901/47
• US Class Current: 700/247
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 11/0085 Cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 5/00 Manipulators mounted on wheels or on carriages B25J1/00 takes precedence; programme-controlled manipulators B25J9/00 ; vehicle aspects B60, B62, e.g. remote-controlled steering for motor vehicles B62D1/24; control of position of vehicles G05D1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 5/005 mounted on endless tracks or belts
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 5/02 travelling along a guideway
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/014 Methods for installing support elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2050/25 Calibration means; Methods for initial positioning of solar concentrators or solar receivers
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2201/00 Prediction; Simulation
• 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: F24S 40/20 Cleaning; Removing snow
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 40/90 Arrangements for testing solar heat collectors
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 50/20 for tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/01 Mobile robot
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/41 Tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/46 Sensing device

Abstract

The solar energy and solar farms are used to generate energy and reduce dependence on oil (or for environmental purposes). The maintenance and repairs in big farms become very difficult, expensive, and inefficient, using human technicians. Thus, here, we teach using the robots with various functions and components, in various settings, for various purposes, to improve operations in big (or hard-to-access) farms, to automate, save money, reduce human mistakes, increase efficiency, or scale the solutions to very large scales or areas.

Claims

1. A robot operating in a solar farm, said robot comprising:

an arm;

a trunk;

wherein said arm is connected to said trunk; and

a toolbox;

wherein said toolbox is attached to said trunk;

said toolbox comprises one or more tools;

a signal connector;

an electrical probe for electrical measurements on a solar panel located in said solar farm;

wherein said electrical measurements comprise monitoring voltage, current, or power output of said solar panel;

wherein said signal connector is connected to said arm;

wherein said electrical probe is connected to said signal connector;

wherein a processor normalizes values of said voltage, current, or power output of said solar panel;

wherein said processor compares said normalized values of said voltage, current, or power output of said solar panel with a previously stored expected normalized value, average output value, or historical output, stored in a first memory;

wherein said processor determines if a cleaning procedure is needed for said solar panel, based on said comparison of said normalized values of said voltage, current, or power output of said solar panel with said previously stored expected normalized value, average output value, or historical output;

wherein said processor transmits said determination of need for cleaning procedure to a controller;

wherein said controller transmits commands to said robot;

wherein said robot moves on one or more set of rails or tracks, located in said solar farm.

2. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, said robot further comprises a mechanism to change directions on said one or more set of rails or tracks.

3. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, said robot further comprises one or more of the following:

flat bed, lifter, pusher, camera, light source, vacuum cleaner, cable, wire, antenna, pipe, conduit, lens, mirror, bag, container, gear box, gear, spare parts container, valve control, mixing unit, pump, cover, cylinder, gas tank, water supply, liquid supply, water or liquid or recycle waste container, battery, charger, outlet, recycling or garbage bin, overflow sensor, and water or liquid recycle or waste tray.

4. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, said robot further comprises one or more wheels.

5. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, said robot further comprises metal brush or broom to connect to a power line.

6. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, said robot further comprises a battery, solar panel, rechargeable battery, or power outlet.

7. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, said robot further comprises a finger, gripper, grip tool, clamp, hook, or tool holder.

8. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, said robot further comprises one or more of the following tools, tool tips, or devices:

brush, broom, wiper, nozzle, light source, camera, probe, plug, mechanical grip, magnetic grip, vacuum suction grip, vacuum cleaner head, screw driver, soldering device, welding device, and oil dispenser.

9. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, said robot further comprises one or more telescopic arms.

10. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, said robot further comprises a sweeper, attached to said trunk.

11. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, said robot further comprises a power connector, a data connector, an antenna for communication or data transmission, or an antenna for wirelessly power transmission.

12. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, said robot further comprises a crank axel, lift, jack, axial joint, spherical joint, ball joint, coupler, lift support, motor, screw-type lifting device, wrench driver, spherical hinge, or hinge.

13. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, wherein said robot carries one or more tools fitted for flat panels or surfaces.

14. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, wherein said robot carries one or more tools fitted for curved panels or surfaces or dishes.

15. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, wherein said robot further comprises one or more devices to adjust height or angle of a panel, with respect to a horizontal plane.

16. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, wherein said robot further comprises one or more devices to track Sun.

17. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, wherein said robot carries one or more baby robots.

18. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, wherein said robot tests or calibrates one or more calibration cells, devices, or sensors.

19. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, said robot further comprises one or more of the following:

communication device, controller, analog-to-digital converter, digital-to-analog converter, navigation device, servo-motor unit, sensor, detector, accessory, and attachment.

20. The robot operating in a solar farm as recited in claim 1, said robot further comprises one or more of the following sources, measurement devices, and detectors:

X-ray, photodetector, detector, ultrasonic, laser, photoluminescence, Raman Spectroscopy, camera, flash light, flood light, LED light, halogen light, fluorescent light, sensor, two-probes, multiple-probes, thermocouple, thermometer, power meter, frequency analyzer, ohm meter, voltmeter, ammeter, GPS system, and RFID system.