Systems, vehicles, and methods for maintaining rail-based arrays of photovoltaic modules
US10122319B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 3, 2014 |
| Grant date | Nov 6, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 20, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A system includes an elongated rail including support surfaces and a mounting surface disposed between the support surfaces. Photovoltaic modules can be coupled to the mounting surface and raised relative to the support surfaces. A first maintenance vehicle can include a cleaning head, actuator, motor, and support legs. The support legs can suspend the cleaning head over the photovoltaic modules and can be respectively movably coupled to the support surfaces so as to laterally and sequentially move the cleaning head parallel to the elongated rail and across each of the photovoltaic modules responsive to actuation of the motor. At least a portion of the cleaning head can be vertically movable between a disengaged position spaced apart from the photovoltaic modules and an engaged position in contact with at least one of the photovoltaic modules responsive to actuation of the actuator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.