Title of Invention

A SOLAR POWER GENERATOR ACTING AS A SENSOR WITH AN AUTOMATIC CLEANING DEVICE AND A METHOD OF CLEANING

Abstract The invention relates to an automatic cleaning device comprising at least one solar module (1) mounted on a support (2,3); a battery (9), a charge controller, a sensor circuit with a timer (8) configured on the solar module (1); a DC pump (5) operably connected to the timer circuit (8) at a first end, a second end of the pump (5) being flowably attached to a water tank (4), the sensor circuit (8) upon sensing a preset level of voltage generated on the at least one solar module (1) transmits a signal to activate the pump (5), wherein water is sprinkled on the module (1) to clean the module (1) for a period pre-set in the timer circuit (8), the sprinkled water is supplied through water holes (10) configured on the discharge side of the pump (5).
Full Text

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a solar module/s as a solar power generator as
well as a sensor with an automatic module cleaning device for solar modules
used in solar power systems.
More particularly the proposed invention is related to development of a simple
device and method for automatic cleaning of the solar modules by water
sprinkling on the solar module for a predetermined time for optimized
performance of the solar battery without detaching any module integrated and
electrically interconnected into an array once mounted.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
At present large number of solar systems/installations are installed and being
installed to meet the energy requirement in village and remote areas. The
system/installation relies on seasonal cleaning of the modules during rains and is
adapted at higher rating than usual requirement of load.

Moreover the system is often encountered with deep discharge of the solar
battery and eventuality of getting damaged in the extreme dust conditions as the
modules with dust accumulated on it does not generate energy sufficient to meet
up the load.
Usually in practice, a manual cleaning schedule is recommended for such kind of
installations but the said cleaning procedure is cumbersome or difficult as the
solar modules are installed at the top of the solar installation to avoid shading
effects and thus not easily reachable to make quick cleaning.
There was a long felt need of solar industry to develop an undisturbed system of
cleaning of solar module/s once they are installed.
No prior references has been found in this technological field.
The proposed invention is aimed to develop a real time and cost effective
installation and method by cleaning the modules automatically on water spray on

the solar modules for a predetermined short time without detaching any module
of the battery panel or disturbing the continuous operation of the solar battery
once the integrated and electrically interconnected modules are formed into an
array and mounted.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
When photovoltaic solar cells are illuminated, a solar cell acts like a battery,
pushing positive and negative charges to opposite sides. These charges are
collected by conductive films and are available as electrical currents.
A solar module is an assembly of one or more solar cells that are electrically
interconnected. A module is generally sealed in a frame or encapsulating
substance by known art, to protect the cells from damaging effects of dirt,
moisture and other environmental hazards. Electrical connections are provided to
pass electrical currents out of the frame or encapsulant. A single solar module
produces enough energy to charge a 12 volt battery. Solar modules when
assembled and electrically connected together in series and parallel to increase
the total output voltage and current, such assembly is called an array.

A solar module is used as solar power generator as well as a sensor on incidence
of sunlight producing voltage to charge the battery or to run the load.
But in spite of such protection of the mounted solar cells, the frame or
encapsulant cannot prevent the hazardous atmospheric conditions and the cells
get damaged in the extreme dust conditions.
According to one objective of the proposed invention there is provided an
installation for automatic cleaning of the solar module/s by water sprinkling
through a DC pump for a preset time of a timer, by a sensor circuit on sensing a
preset level of voltage of a module to run the said pump.
According to another objective of the invention the cleaning is carried through
automatically without disturbing the operation of the solar cells once mounted.
According to yet another objective of the invention the modules are cleaned once
in a morning for a preset time of 30 seconds to 5 minutes by a timer located on
the sensor circuit and connected with the DC pump.

A further objective of the invention is to operate a solar module as a solar power
generator and charging the battery through a charge controller.
According to the invention there is provided a solar module or an array of solar
modules as a solar power generator as well as a sensor with an automatic
cleaning device comprising of a solar module mounted on a support, a charge
controller, sensor and a timer running a DC pump for predetermined time by a
timer adapted in the sensor circuit on sensing a preset level of voltage of the
module, wherein water is sprinkled on the module to clean the module from any
dust through water holes in the module repeatedly on every morning on sensing
incident sunlight to produce a voltage to charge the battery or to run a load
continuously.
According to the invention there is also provided a method of automatic cleaning
from dust a solar module or an array of modules as a solar power generator and
a sensor comprising the steps of running a DC pump by a timer adapted in a
sensor circuit for a predetermined time to sprinkle water on the module/s to
clean the module/s on sensing a preset level of voltage of the module/s and

operating the solar module as a power generator and sensor optimisingly
through sensing incident sunlight to produce a voltage to charge a battery or to
run a load continuously.
The proposed invention will be better understood from the following description
with reference to the accompanying drawing in which
Figure 1 represents an automatic cleaning installation of a solar module
and
Figure 2 represents circuit diagram illustrating schematically mode of
operation of the automatic cleaning device.
Figure 1 shows a solar module (1) mounted by a vertical column (2) and a
horizontal support (3). On the column a charge controller, sensor and timer
circuit (8) are fixed. The sensor circuit (8) is connected with a DC pump (5),

which sprinkles water from a water tank (4) on the solar module (1) through
water holes (10). The solar module used as a solar power generator as well as a
sensor, on incidence of sunlight produces voltage to charge the battery (9) or
run a load (7), viz a lamp.
The sensor circuit on sensing a preset level of voltage of the module runs the
small DC pump (5) for a time (-60 seconds) set by a timer.
The pump (5) being connected with the load (7) through a connector (6) via the
sensor circuit (8). The pump stops after predetermined time and the system
continues to charge the 12 volt battery (9) via the charge controller IC 7815 on
incidence of sunlight and run load (lamp) at night.
The timer can be preset or can be varied from 30 seconds to 5 minutes through
a preset timer located on the sensor circuit. It has been observed that 60
seconds of running of the pump is enough to clean the solar module.

The solar module also functions as solar power generator and charges the
battery through a charge controller. The charged battery either runs a light or
any other load, which can be run through a switch, or some other automatic
switching device such as a dusk to dawn switch. The charged battery alternately
can be used for running any other load such as fan etc. also.
The mode of sequential operation of the automatic cleaning device is illustrated
in Figure 2 as narrated below:
1. At dawn, relay Rl starts and remains on till dusk.
2. Relay Rl operates Timer which also remains powered till dusk.
3. Timer operates relay R2 for a preset period ranging 0.5-5.0 minutes.
4. R2 in turn operates the pump for the time it remains on.
5. Pump sprinkles water on the module for cleaning for a preset time.
6. The cycle repeats next day and so on. .
The invention is illustrated with the help of the following example.
An automatic module cleaning system is installed on a 70—watt solar lighting
system. The system had a CFL based luminaire consisting of a solar charge
controller, CFL inverter, and dusk to dawn switch. The solar module charges a

sealed maintenance/low maintenance lead acid battery in the day time so that
battery is available for running a lighting load in the night. A sensing circuit along
with IC 555 based timer has been installed independently to sense the voltage of
the module and run a DC pump on battery for a predetermined time.
A 12-volt DC pump used for water sprinkling of the windscreen in the cars was
installed for sprinkling of water on the module. The Dc pump was found to
consume about 36 watt at 12 volt while sprinkling the water. As the pump runs
only for short time (about 60 seconds), it consumes less than a watt-hour, which
is much less than the power generated by the system (200 to 300 watt hours per
day).
The present invention is applicable to dozens of integrated solar modules and
can be used optimisingly to an array of precalculated designed size of preformed
multiple number of modules.
The invention as herein narrated and illustrated should not be read and
construed in a restrictive manner as various adaptations, alterations and
modifications are possible within the scope and limit of the invention defined in
the appended claims.

We Claim:
1. An automatic cleaning device comprising at least one solar module (1)
mounted on a support (2,3); a battery (9), a charge controller, a sensor
circuit with a timer (8) configured on the solar module (1); a DC pump (5)
operably connected to the timer circuit (8) at a first end, a second end of
the pump (5) being flowably attached to a water tank (4), the sensor
circuit (8) upon sensing a preset level of voltage generated on the at least
one solar module (1) transmits a signal to activate the pump (5), wherein
water is sprinkled on the module (1) to clean the module (1) for a period
pre-set in the timer circuit (8), the sprinkled water is supplied through
water holes (10) configured on the discharge side of the pump (5).
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor circuitry comprises a
first relay (R1) operating the timer (8) , the timer (8) in turns operates a
second relay (R2) for a pre-determined period, and wherein the second
relay (R2) activates the pump (5) for a period corresponding to said
predetermined period.
3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the battery is enabled to power
an indication lamp or any other load (7), controllable through an
automatic switching device such as a dusk to dawn switch.
4. The device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the
sensing circuit along with the timer (8) is enabled to sense the voltage of
the module (1) and correspondingly activate the DC pump (5) through the
power from the battery (9).

5. The device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the DC
pump (5) consumes about 36 watt for sprinkling water for a period of 60
seconds as compared to the power generation of 200 to 300 watt/hour,
by the solar module (1).
6. The device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the pump
(5) is deactivated via the timer circuit (8) after operation of a
predetermined time upon cleaning the module (1) through water
sprinkling, and wherein the module (1) continues solar power generation.
7. A method of automatic cleaning of dust on a solar module or an array of
modules acting as a solar power generator, the method comprising the
steps of:
periodically running a DC pump to be activated by a sensor circuit
integrated on the module for a predetermined time to sprinkle water on
the module/s, the pump being activated upon sensing availability of a
preset level of voltage on the module/s, wherein, the solar module acting
as a power generator, and continuously charging a battery via a charger
to run a load, and wherein the sensor is sensing incidence of sun rays on
the module including the generated voltage.
8. An automatic cleaning device for cleaning dust on a solar module as
herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A method of automatic cleaning of dust of a solar module or an array
modules acting as a solar power generator as herein described reference
to the accompanying drawings.


ABSTRACT

TITLE: " A SOLAR POWER GENERATOR ACTING AS A SENSOR WITH AN
AUTOMATIC CLEANING DEVICE AND A METHOD OF CLEANING"
The invention relates to an automatic cleaning device comprising at least one
solar module (1) mounted on a support (2,3); a battery (9), a charge controller,
a sensor circuit with a timer (8) configured on the solar module (1); a DC pump
(5) operably connected to the timer circuit (8) at a first end, a second end of the
pump (5) being flowably attached to a water tank (4), the sensor circuit (8) upon
sensing a preset level of voltage generated on the at least one solar module (1)
transmits a signal to activate the pump (5), wherein water is sprinkled on the
module (1) to clean the module (1) for a period pre-set in the timer circuit (8),
the sprinkled water is supplied through water holes (10) configured on the
discharge side of the pump (5).

Documents:

00224-kol-2007-correspondence.pdf

00224-kol-2007-form-18.pdf

0224-kol-2007-abstract.pdf

0224-kol-2007-assignment.pdf

0224-kol-2007-claims.pdf

0224-kol-2007-correspondence others.pdf

0224-kol-2007-description(complete).pdf

0224-kol-2007-drawings.pdf

0224-kol-2007-form-1.pdf

0224-kol-2007-form-2.pdf

0224-kol-2007-form-3.pdf

224-KOL-2007-(16-12-2011)-ABSTRACT.pdf

224-KOL-2007-(16-12-2011)-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

224-KOL-2007-(16-12-2011)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

224-KOL-2007-(16-12-2011)-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

224-KOL-2007-(16-12-2011)-DRAWINGS.pdf

224-KOL-2007-(16-12-2011)-FORM-1.pdf

224-KOL-2007-(16-12-2011)-FORM-2.pdf

224-KOL-2007-(29-02-2012)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

224-KOL-2007-ABSTRACT 1.1.pdf

224-KOL-2007-ABSTRACT-1.2.pdf

224-KOL-2007-ABSTRACT-1.3.pdf

224-KOL-2007-AMANDED CLAIMS-1.1.pdf

224-KOL-2007-AMANDED CLAIMS-1.2.pdf

224-KOL-2007-CLAIMS.pdf

224-KOL-2007-CORRESPONDENCE 1.2.pdf

224-KOL-2007-CORRESPONDENCE-1.1.pdf

224-KOL-2007-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

224-KOL-2007-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE) 1.1.pdf

224-KOL-2007-DRAWINGS 1.1.pdf

224-KOL-2007-EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECIEVED.pdf

224-KOL-2007-EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

224-KOL-2007-FORM 1 1.1.pdf

224-KOL-2007-FORM 1-1.2.pdf

224-KOL-2007-FORM 1-1.3.pdf

224-KOL-2007-FORM 18.pdf

224-KOL-2007-FORM 2 1.1.pdf

224-KOL-2007-FORM 3.pdf

224-KOL-2007-FORM 5.pdf

224-KOL-2007-GPA.pdf

224-KOL-2007-GRANTED-ABSTRACT.pdf

224-KOL-2007-GRANTED-CLAIMS.pdf

224-KOL-2007-GRANTED-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

224-KOL-2007-GRANTED-DRAWINGS.pdf

224-KOL-2007-GRANTED-FORM 1.pdf

224-KOL-2007-GRANTED-FORM 2.pdf

224-KOL-2007-GRANTED-SPECIFICATION.pdf

224-KOL-2007-OTHERS.pdf

224-KOL-2007-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

Abstract.jpg


Patent Number 254391
Indian Patent Application Number 224/KOL/2007
PG Journal Number 44/2012
Publication Date 02-Nov-2012
Grant Date 31-Oct-2012
Date of Filing 12-Feb-2007
Name of Patentee BHARAT HEAVY ELECTRICALS LIMITED
Applicant Address REGIONAL OPERATIONS DIVISION(ROD), PLOT NO:9/1, DJ BLOCK, 3RD FLOOR, KARUNAMOYEE, SALTLAKE CITY, KOLKATA-700091 HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT BHEL HOUSE,SIRI FORT NEW DELHI-110049,
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 SINGH, SON PAL BHARAT HEAVY ELECTRICALS LIMITED, CORPORATE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, VIKASNAGAR, HYDERABAD-500093
2 KUMAR, SURENDER BHARAT HEAVY ELECTRICALS LIMITED, CORPORATE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, VIKASNAGAR, HYDERABAD-500093
3 DIXIT, VIRENDRA BHARAT HEAVY ELECTRICALS LIMITED, CORPORATE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, VIKASNAGAR, HYDERABAD-500093
PCT International Classification Number E04D13/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA