Apparatus for Conditioning Space Under Solar Collectors and Arrays Thereof

Abstract

An apparatus for conditioning a space under an array of solar collectors has a conditioner for conditioning the space under the array, a condensation surface for condensing water vapor in the space, a drip surface for collecting the condensed water vapor, a radiant barrier for insulating the space under the array from a heat radiating from above the radiant barrier, a wall member for enclosing the space under the array, and a cover member for covering a gap between adjacent solar collectors of the array. The apparatus can be adapted for use with a single solar collector or an array of solar collectors.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to solar collectors and arrays thereof. Particularly, the invention relates to the space under solar collectors and arrays thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to conditioning of the space under solar collectors and arrays thereof

2. Description of Related Art

Solar power is electricity produced from the energy in sunlight, and can be from either a direct conversion using photovoltaic cells, or by concentrating solar radiation to provide a heat source for conventional electrical generation. Photovoltaic cells transform solar radiation into electric currents via the photoelectric effect, and are employed in two types of solar collectors: flat solar panels and concentrators. Flat solar panels contain photovoltaic cells that are exposed to direct sunlight. Solar concentrators utilize optical elements such as reflectors and lenses to concentrate solar radiation onto specific areas of photovoltaic devices.

Photovoltaic-based solar panels and concentrators can be installed as free-standing single units, or arranged into an array. For example, a single solar panel can be mounted to the roof of a building to heat water or provide electricity for the building. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a side elevational view of a single-unit prior art solar collector 1000. The solar collector 1000 is a solar panel containing photovoltaic cells. A support structure 1001 supports the solar collector 1000 above the ground 1003. The sun emits solar radiation 1004, shown in FIG. 1 as arrows with waved stems. Because the direction of the solar radiation 1004 depends on the position of the sun in the sky, prior art solar collectors can be connected to the support structure 1001 with a pivoting mechanism 1002. The pivoting mechanism 1002 allows the solar collector 1000 to pivot relative to the support structure 1001 in order to align the solar collector 1000 with the direction of solar radiation 1004. Aligning the solar collector 1000 with the solar radiation 1004 maximizes energy generation of the solar collector 1000. The solar collector 1000 absorbs or reflects the solar radiation 1004, and the ground 1003 under the solar collector 1000 is shaded by the solar collector 1000.

Multiple solar reflectors can be arranged so as to concentrate sunlight to produce extremely high temperatures, as is needed to boil water into steam for standard turbine-driven conventional electricity generation. Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a top view of prior-art solar collectors 1005 arranged in arrays 1006 and 1007. The solar collectors 1005 in FIG. 2 are solar reflectors, and the arrays 1006 and 1007 of reflectors in combination with a photovoltaic cell 1008 act as a solar concentrator. The solar collectors 1005 in array 1006 are arranged in an arched formation around the photovoltaic cell 1008. In contrast, the solar collectors 1005 in array 1007 are arranged in a rectangular formation. Each of the solar collectors 1005 of arrays 1006 and 1007 is pivoted about a support structure so that the reflection of solar radiation, shown by dashed lines 1009 and 1018 for arrays 1006 and 1007, respectively, aligns with the photovoltaic cell 1008. Array 1006 has two rows 1011 and 1012 of solar collectors 1005, and array 1007 has two rows 1013 and 1014 of solar collectors 1005. Prior art arrays can have any number of rows and any number of solar reflectors needed for a given energy requirement.

Solar collectors are typically contained within structural support assemblies that can also be designed for secondary purposes. Previous adaptations to the support infrastructure of solar collector arrays allow for positioning and repositioning of the panels or concentrators in order to track the position of the sun for optimal exposure. Further modifications include structural support systems that yield minimal ground disturbance in environmentally sensitive areas, and ease of installation in regions of non-ideal terrain. The support systems can also provide for a dual use of the surface area under the solar collectors, through shelter and integration of ancillary equipment such as electrical cables, lighting, and water lines.

Conditioning systems can utilize solar collectors in either a thermal or source power capacity, for a range of space sizes and air-conditioning applications, such as cooling or drying. Within solar collectors or the modules used to assemble solar collector arrays, applications exist for the conditioning of air with the intent of removing moisture that may either disrupt the function of key optical elements, or prove harmful to electrical components and electronic devices. Removal methods include air circulation systems and condensers for moisture capture and redirection internal of a solar collector. Conversely, solar collectors can be used to power devices for the capture and collection of atmospheric moisture in the external environment.

In many locations throughout the world, solar energy produced by solar collectors is utilized as an efficient, reliable, and sustainable source of renewable power. The locations of solar collectors and arrays thereof are often typified by hot, arid, and remote environments where the capture of solar energy can be maximized from predictable amounts of direct sunlight.

Establishing and maintaining a suitable habitat for humans and animals is a problem in these hot, arid environments because of the scarcity of water and vegetation. Prior art solar collectors provide sources of energy and shelter; however, the scarcity of water and vegetation can make survival in such environments extremely challenging, if not impossible. Such environments are often low in humidity, and when water sources are available in such environments, water evaporates quickly and the water sources have a shorter lifespan than corresponding water sources in cooler, humid environments. Correspondingly, without adequate supplies of water, vegetation cannot survive. Thus, there is a need to reduce the scarcity of water and vegetation in such hot, arid environments having ample supplies of solar energy so that the environments are more conducive to the survival of humans and animals.

Another problem is, even when water sources are available in the hot, arid locations of solar collectors and arrays thereof, many farming techniques are challenging and even unsustainable. Traditional farming is generally not sustainable in hot, arid locations because water sources are generally too scarce. Irrigation is more sustainable than traditional farming, yet farmers fight a constant battle with supplying enough water for crops or livestock because available water evaporates extremely quickly in hot, arid environments. Aquaculture is a farming practice that encompasses the cultivation of saltwater and freshwater organisms under controlled conditions. The levels and saltwater and freshwater are difficult to control and make aquaculture generally unsustainable in hot, arid environments. Hydroponics is an aquaculture method of growing terrestrial plants in either a nutrient-rich mineral aqueous solution, or an inert medium such as sand, gravel or various kinds of clay and rock pellets submerged in water. This farming technique is an efficient means of growing plants while conserving water because hydroponic crop yields use only a fraction of the needed water for comparable amounts of traditionally grown terrestrial plants; however, even hydroponic techniques are challenging in hot, arid environments. Prior art includes environmental conditioning systems for both the removal and harvesting of atmospheric moisture for component protection inside a solar collector assembly and simple water collection using the energy provided by a solar collector; however, there is a need to create micro-environments external of a solar collector and arrays thereof in hot, arid locations so that farming of plants and animals is less challenging and more sustainable.

It is an object to condition the space under a solar collector, or array of solar collectors, for the purpose of conserving water.

It is another object to condition the space under a solar collector, or array of solar collectors, for the purpose of cooling the space.

It is another object to condition the space under a solar collector, or array of solar collectors, for the purpose of providing convection of moist, humid air, and water vapor in the moist, humid air.

It is another object to create a micro-environment under a solar collector, or array of solar collectors.

It is another object to reduce the loss of water and water vapor from a micro-environment under a solar collector, or array of solar collectors.

It is another object to use farming techniques such as traditional farming, irrigation aquaculture, and hydroponics in hot, arid environments having supplies of solar energy.

It is another object to provide habitation and shelter for humans and animals in hot, arid environments having supplies of solar energy.

It is another object to maintain humidity for a micro-environment in hot, arid environments having supplies of solar energy.

It is another object to maintain a temperature for a micro-environment in hot, arid environments having supplies of solar energy.

It is another object to condition space under an array of solar collectors while accommodating for changes in inclination of the terrain.

It is another object to combine the interiors of enclosed spaces under multiple solar collectors arranged in an array, for the purpose of providing spaces of varying sizes.

It is another object to partition combined interiors of enclosed spaces under multiple solar collectors arranged in an array, for the purpose of providing multiple spaces.

It is another object to connect multiple solar collectors, for the purpose of expanding the enclosed space thereunder.

The objects and advantages of the invention are not limited to those disclosed above. These and other objects and advantages are made apparent by the specification and claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed invention is an apparatus comprising an array of solar collectors, a conditioner for conditioning a space under the array, a condensation surface for condensing water vapor in the space, a drip surface for collecting the condensed water vapor, a radiant barrier for insulating the space under the array from a heat radiating from above the radiant barrier, at least one wall member for enclosing the water vapor in the space under the array, and a cover member for covering a gap between adjacent solar collectors of the array. The radiant barrier is positioned between the conditioner and the solar collector, and the wall member extends downward from the solar collector.

The conditioner moves the water vapor toward the condensation surface in the space under at least one solar collector of the array. The conditioner cools the condensation surface. The conditioner conditions the space enclosed by the wall member. The conditioner is positioned adjacent at least one solar collector of the array. The conditioner comprises a duct positioned under at least one solar collector of the array, an air-conditioner connected to the duct, and a vent positioned in an opening of the duct. The vent is oriented toward the space under the array.

The condensation surface condenses a water vapor thereon when cooled by the conditioner. The condensation surface is positioned under at least one solar collector of the array. The condensation surface has at least one sloped portion in fluid communication with the drip surface, and the sloped portion of the condensation surface amasses the condensed water vapor toward the drip surface.

The conditioner, condensation surface, drip surface, radiant barrier, cover member, and wall member can be configured for use with a single solar collector or with an array of solar collectors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side elevational view of a prior art solar collector.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of prior art solar reflectors arranged in arrays for a solar concentrator.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of prior art solar panels arranged in an array.

FIG. 4 shows a side elevational view of a first embodiment of the disclosed apparatus.

FIG. 5 shows a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a second embodiment of the disclosed apparatus having an array of solar collectors and five drip surfaces.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of a third embodiment of the disclosed apparatus having an array of solar collectors and three drip surfaces.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of a fourth embodiment of the disclosed apparatus having an array of solar collectors and one drip surface.

FIG. 9 shows a side elevational view of a fifth embodiment of the disclosed apparatus having an array of solar collectors placed on an incline and separate conditioned spaces for each solar collector in the array.

FIG. 10 shows a side elevational view of a sixth embodiment of the disclosed apparatus having an array of solar collectors placed on an incline and one conditioned space under the array.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The disclosed invention has a single solar collector or an array of solar collectors. Whether solar collectors are used as a single unit or in arrays, solar panels that contain photovoltaic cells, concentrator reflectors, or optics are referred to herein collectively as solar collectors. Sunlight is referred to herein interchangeably with solar radiation. This disclosure makes no limitation as to the type, size, and shape of a solar collector, to the number of solar collectors in an array, or to the configuration of the array. Several embodiments are discussed below, and all disclosed embodiments are preferred.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a side elevational view of an embodiment of the disclosed apparatus 10. The embodiment of the apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 4 has a single solar collector 12 supported above the ground 70 by supporting structure 16. A conditioner 20 is positioned adjacent the solar collector 12. A condensation surface 30 is formed on the outer surface 27 of the duct 22. A drip surface 40 is in fluid communication with the condensation surface 30. A radiant barrier 50 is positioned between the solar collector 12 and the conditioner 20. Wall members 60 and 62 extend downward from the solar collector 12 so as to enclose the space 14 under the solar collector 12. The conditioner 20 is powered by the solar collector 12 by line 21.

The conditioner 20 has a duct 22 positioned under the solar collector 12, an air-conditioner 26 connected to the duct 22, and a vent 28 positioned in an opening 24 of the duct 22. The vent 28 is oriented toward the space 14 under the solar collector 12. The conditioner 20 can be attached to the solar panel 12 or to the support structure 16. The air-conditioner 26 of the conditioner 20 is positioned adjacent the solar collector 12 in FIG. 4, but the air-conditioner 26 can be placed in any location for conditioning air in the space 14, such as on the ground 70, or parts of the air conditioner can be positioned adjacent the solar collector 12 and other parts placed on the ground 70. The conditioner 20 is external from the solar collector 12.

In FIG. 4, the condensation surface 30 is integrally formed with the outer surface 27 of the duct 22 of the conditioner 20, but the condensation surface 30 can be formed separately from the duct 22 and placed thereon or placed separately from the duct 22. The condensation surface 30 is positioned externally of the solar collector 12. The condensation surface 30 has a sloped portion 32 and a sloped portion 34. The sloped portions 32 and 34 are formed on the outer surface 27 of the duct 22. The sloped portion 32 of the condensation surface 30 has a low end 33, and the sloped portion 34 has a low end 35. The drip surface 40 is a point for collecting water vapor, and the drip surface 40 is positioned between sloped portion 32 and sloped portion 34 of the condensation surface 30. Particularly, the drip surface 40 is between the low end 33 of the sloped portion 32 and the low end 35 of the sloped portion 34. The sloped portion 32 of the condensation surface 30 is sloped so that condensed water vapor 84 travels toward the low end 33 as the water vapor 84 amasses. Likewise, the sloped portion 34 of the condensation surface 30 is sloped so that condensed water vapor 84 travels toward the low end 35 as the water vapor 84 amasses.

Solar radiation 86 emitted from the sun strikes the solar collector 12. As a result, the solar collector 12 can become warm and radiate heat. Thus, the apparatus 10 can have a radiant barrier 50 to insulate the space 14 from a heat radiating from the solar collector 12. The radiant barrier 50 also insulates the conditioner 20, condensation surface 30, and drip surface 40 from the heat of the solar collector 12. The condensation surface 30 is cooled to promote the condensation of the water vapor in the space 14; thus, by creating a barrier to heat of the solar collector 12, the radiant barrier 50 has the advantage of helping the conditioner 20 cool the condensation surface 30. Because the radiant barrier 50 blocks heat, the conditioner 20 consumes less energy in order to cool the condensation surface 30.

The air-conditioner 26 blows conditioned air 82, shown by solid arrows in FIG. 4, into an interior 23 of the duct 22. The conditioned air 82 maintains a temperature and humidity in the space 14. The conditioned air 82 swirls within the interior 23 of the duct 22, removing heat from the duct 22, and the conditioned air 82 exits the duct 22 through opening 24 after it has removed heat from the duct 22. Forming the condensation surface 30 integrally with the duct 22 provides the advantages of reducing the number of parts to be assembled in the apparatus 10 and using the heat removal capacity of the conditioned air 82 in the interior 23 of the duct 22 to cool the condensation surface 30 to a temperature for condensing water vapor on the condensation surface 30.

In FIG. 4, the vent 28 is oriented toward the middle of the space 14 so as to blow conditioned air 82 downwardly to the ground 70, as shown by the solid arrows. The conditioned air 82 creates a convection of the air in the space 14, directing water vapors 84, shown as dashed arrows, toward the condensation surface 30. The condensation surface 30 has a temperature that promotes condensation of the water vapor 84 on the condensation surface 30. The water vapors 84 move toward the condensation surface 30 and condense thereon. Condensate adjacent the sloped portion 32 flows toward the low end 33 of the slope portion 32 and amass toward the drip surface 40. Likewise, condensate adjacent the sloped portion 34 flows toward the low end 35 and the sloped portion 34 and amass toward the drip surface 40.

FIG. 5 shows a front elevational view of the apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 4. A water source 88, such as a source from aquaculture and hydroponics, is in the space 14. Water vapor 84, shown by dashed arrows, naturally emits from the water source 88. Wall members 61 and 63 enclose the water vapor 84 in the space 14 under the solar collector 12. Without the wall members 61 and 63 (and wall members 60 and 62 in FIG. 4), the water vapor 84 would easily escape from the space 14 under the solar collector 12 because the environment, especially in hot, arid locations of many solar collectors, is extremely low in humidity and water evaporates very easily.

In the front elevational view of FIG. 5, the air-conditioner 26 of the conditioner 20 blows conditioned air 82 into the interior 23 of the duct 22. Compared with the side view of the duct 22 in FIG. 4, the front of the duct 22 in FIG. 5 has smoother sides. The condensation surface 30 has sloped portion 36 and sloped portion 38. The drip surface 40 is between the sloped portion 36 and sloped portion 38. Particularly, the drip surface 40 is between the low end 37 of the sloped portion 36 and the low end 39 of the sloped portion 38. The sloped portion 36 of the condensation surface 30 is sloped so that condensed water vapor 84 travels toward the low end 37 as the water vapor 84 amasses. Likewise, the sloped portion 38 of the condensation surface 30 is sloped so that condensed water vapor 84 travels toward the low end 39 as the water vapor 84 amasses.

Another vent 29 is placed in another opening 25 of the duct 22. The size of the openings 24 and 25 and the number of vents 28 and 29 can vary according to the amount of space 14 to be conditioned by the conditioner 20 and other variables, such as temperature and humidity. Vent 28 orients the conditioned air 82 toward the wall member 62. Vent 29 orients the conditioned air 82 toward the wall member 61. Thus, the conditioned air 82 travels along wall members 61 and 63 downward to the ground 70 and then moves across the water source 88 so as to move water vapor 84 upward toward the condensation surface 30, where the water vapor 84 condenses.

The vent 28 of FIG. 4 directs conditioned air 82 to the middle of the space 14, while the vents 28 and 29 of FIG. 5 direct conditioned air 82 to the edges of the space 14. The vents 28 and 29 can be configured to direct conditioned air 82 in any direction according to the application, such as aquaculture or hydroponics. That is, the orientation of the vents 28 and 29 can be any direction that moves the water vapor 84 toward the condensation surface 30 of the apparatus 10.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the apparatus 10 has four wall members 60, 61, 62, and 63. These wall members 60, 61, 62, and 63 enclose the four sides of the solar collector 12. Additional or fewer wall members can be used if the solar collector has additional or fewer sides. As discussed for arrays below, sides of the solar collector 12 that are adjacent to another solar collector may not have a wall member so as to create a larger space under an array of solar collectors. If needed, the wall members 60, 61, 62, and 63 can be attached to the ground 70 so as to further enclose the space 14 and further secure the wall members 60, 61, 62, and 63 from lateral movement due to wind or other lateral forces external to the space.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the condensation surface 30 has sloped portions 32, 34, 36, and 38. Each of the sloped portions 32, 34, 36, and 38 are in fluid communication with the drip surface 40. The embodiment of the apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 shows the sloped portions 32 and 34 have straight, linear slopes, while sloped portions 36 and 38 have more curved, less-linear slopes. The sloped portions 32, 34, 36, and 38 of the embodiment of the apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are mere examples of the configuration of the condensation surface 30 and duct 22. The disclosed invention contemplates other configurations of the condensation surface 30 and duct 22 can be made according many variables, including the height of the solar collector 12 above the ground 70, the inclination of the ground 70, the average temperatures of the location of the solar collector 12, the amassing rate of the condensation, and the average humidity of the location of the solar collector 12.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a top view of a second embodiment of the disclosed apparatus 100 having an array 102 of solar collectors 101 and five drip surfaces 140, 142, 144, 146, and 148. The array 102 has fifteen solar collectors 101 in a rectangular formation. Each solar collector 101 has a rectangular shape. The shape of the solar collectors 101 and thus the formation of the array 102 can be any shape. The air-conditioner 108 and duct 106 of the conditioner 104 are shown by thin-dashed lines. The interior 107 of the duct 106 under the solar collectors 101 of the array 102 has body portions 103 and connector portions 105 connecting the body portions 103. The duct 106 has body portions 103 configured parallel with the condensation surfaces 120, 122, 124, 126, and 128. The air-conditioner 108 supplies conditioned air from body portion 103 to body portion 103 through connector portions 105. Additional air-conditioners 108 can be installed in the apparatus 100 in FIG. 6 as needed for cooling the condensation surfaces 120, 122, 124, 126, and 128. Each of the condensation surfaces 120, 122, 124, 126, and 128 has a sloped portion 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140, respectively. The sloped portions 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 are shown as thick-broken, horizontal lines. Condensation flows in the direction of the arrow heads on the sloped portions 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140. The condensation amasses toward the drip surfaces 140, 142, 144, 146, and 148 adjacent the low ends 131, 133, 135, 137, and 139 of the sloped portions 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140, respectively.

The solar collectors 101 in the array 102 are placed adjacent to one another, and cover members 150 are placed in the gaps between adjacent solar collectors 101. The cover members 150 cover the gaps and expand the enclosed space under the solar collectors 101. Similar to the wall members discussed in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cover members 150 enclose the water vapor in the space under the array 102 of solar collectors 101. The cover members 150 keep the water vapor in the space under the array 102 of solar collectors 101 from easily escaping to the exterior environment, especially in hot, arid locations typical of solar arrays. The cover members 150 have an expanded position and a retracted position, and the cover members 150 are shown in FIG. 6 as in the refracted position.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a top view of a third embodiment of the disclosed apparatus 200 having an array 202 of solar collectors 201 and three drip surfaces 242, 244, and 246. The array 202 has fifteen solar collectors 201 in a rectangular formation, and each solar collector 201 has a rectangular shape. The shape of the solar collectors 201 and thus the formation of the array 202 can be any shape. The air-conditioner 208 and duct 206 of the conditioner 204 are shown by thin-dashed lines. The interior 207 of the duct 206 under the solar collectors 201 of the array 202 has body portions 203 and connector portions 205 connecting the body portions 203. The body portions 203 of the duct 206 are configured parallel with the condensation surfaces 222, 224, and 226. The air-conditioner 208 supplies conditioned air from body portion 203 to body portion 203 through connector portions 205. Additional air-conditioners 208 can be installed in the apparatus 200 in FIG. 7 as needed for cooling the condensation surfaces 222, 224, and 226. Each of the condensation surfaces 222, 224, and 226 has a sloped portion 232, 234, and 236, respectively. The sloped portions 232, 234, and 236 are shown as thick-broken, vertical lines. Condensation flows in the direction of the arrow heads on the sloped portions 232, 234, and 236. The condensation amasses toward the drip surfaces 242, 244, and 246 adjacent the low ends 231, 233, and 235 of the sloped portions 232, 234, and 236, respectively.

The solar collectors 201 in the array 202 are placed adjacent to one another, and cover members 250 are placed in the gaps between adjacent solar collectors 201. The cover members 250 cover the gaps and enclose the space under the solar collectors 201. Similar to the cover members 150 discussed in FIG. 6, the cover members 250 enclose the water vapor in the space under the array 202 of solar collectors 201. The cover members 250 keep the water vapor in the space under the array 202 of solar collectors 201 from easily escaping to the exterior environment, especially in hot, arid locations typical of solar arrays. The cover members 250 have an expanded position and a refracted position, and the cover members 250 are shown in FIG. 7 as in the retracted position.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a top view of a fourth embodiment of the disclosed apparatus 300 having an array of solar collectors and one drip surface. The array 302 has fifteen solar collectors 301 in a rectangular formation, and each solar collector 301 has a rectangular shape. The shape of the solar collectors 301 and thus the formation of the array 302 can be any shape. The air-conditioner 308 and duct 306 of the conditioner 304 are shown by thin-dashed lines. The interior 307 of the duct 306 under the solar collectors 301 of the array 302 has one large body portion 303 (no connector portions like those shown in FIGS. 6 and 7). The body portion 303 of the duct 306 is configured to accommodate the one large condensation surface 320. Additional air-conditioners 308 can be installed in the apparatus 300 in FIG. 8 as needed for cooling the condensation surface 320. The condensation surface 320 has a sloped portion 330. The sloped portion 330 is shown as a thick-broken, diagonal line. Condensation flows in the direction of the arrow heads on the sloped portion 330, and the condensation amasses toward the drip surface 340 adjacent the low end 331 of the sloped portion 330.

The solar collectors 301 in the array 302 are placed adjacent to one another, and cover members 350 are placed in the gaps between adjacent solar collectors 301. The cover members 350 cover the gaps and enclose the space under the solar collectors 301. Similar to the cover members 150 and 250 discussed in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cover members 350 enclose the water vapor in the space under the array 302 of solar collectors 303. The cover members 350 keep the water vapor in the space under the array 302 of solar collectors 303 from easily escaping to the exterior environment, especially in hot, arid locations typical of solar arrays. The cover members 350 have an expanded position and a retracted position, and the cover members 350 are shown in FIG. 8 as in the retracted position.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a side elevational view of a fifth embodiment of the disclosed apparatus 400 having an array 401 of solar collectors 402, 422, and 442 placed on an incline 460, and separate conditioned spaces 470, 472, and 474 for each solar collector 402, 422, and 442, respectively. The space 470 under solar collector 402 of array 401 is enclosed by wall members 411 and 431, and by cover member 484. The space 472 under solar collector 422 of array 401 is enclosed by wall members 431 and 451, and by cover members 484 and 486. Both cover members 484 and 486 are shown in the expanded position because each of the solar collectors 402, 422, and 442 is oriented toward the direction of the solar radiation 490. Cover member 484 covers gap 476, and cover member 486 covers gap 478. The space 474 under solar collector 442 of array 401 is enclosed by wall members 451 and 471, and by cover member 486. The array 401 has conditioners 403, 423, and 443 for each space 470, 472, and 474. Conditioner 403 conditions space 470, conditioner 423 conditions space 472, and conditioner 443 conditions space 474.

Solar collector 402 is oriented by pivoting mechanism 413 on the supporting structure 412. The conditioner 403 has an air-conditioner 405, a duct 407, and a vent 406. The condensation surface 404 is formed on the duct 407 and has sloped portions 408 and 409, with a drip surface 410 between the low ends of the sloped portions 408 and 409. Because space 470 is enclosed by wall members 411 and 431 and by cover member 484, the conditioner 403 can condition the space 470 to a different environmental condition than the spaces 472 and 474, if desired.

Solar collector 422 is oriented by pivoting mechanism 434 on the supporting structure 432. The conditioner 423 has an air-conditioner 425, a duct 427, and a vent 426. The condensation surface 424 is formed on the duct 427 and has sloped portions 428 and 429, with a drip surface 430 between the low ends of the sloped portions 428 and 429. Because space 472 is enclosed by wall members 431 and 451 and by cover members 484 and 486, the conditioner 423 can condition the space 472 to a different environmental condition than the spaces 470 and 474, if desired.

Solar collector 442 is oriented by pivoting mechanism 454 on the supporting structure 452. The conditioner 443 has an air-conditioner 445, a duct 447, and a vent 446. The condensation surface 444 is formed on the duct 447 and has sloped portions 448 and 449, with a drip surface 450 between the low ends of the sloped portions 448 and 449. Because space 474 is enclosed by wall members 451 and 471 and by cover member 486, the conditioner 443 can condition the space 474 to a different environmental condition than the spaces 470 and 472, if desired.

Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown a side elevational view of a sixth embodiment of the apparatus 600 having any array 601 of solar collectors 602, 622, and 642 placed on an incline 660 and one large-conditioned space 670 under the array 601. The space 670 under solar collectors 602, 622, and 642 of array 601 is enclosed by wall members 611 and 631, and by cover members 684 and 686. Both cover members 684 and 686 are shown in the expanded position because each of the solar collectors 602, 622, and 642 is oriented toward the direction of the solar radiation 690. Solar collector 602 is oriented by pivoting mechanism 613 on the supporting structure 612, solar collector 622 is oriented by pivoting mechanism 634 on the supporting structure 632, and solar collector 642 is oriented by pivoting mechanism 654 on the supporting structure 652.

The array 601 has conditioner 603 for the space 670. The conditioner 603 has an air-conditioner 605, duct 623, and vents 606, 626, and 646. The duct 623 is suspended from the bottom of the solar collectors 602, 622, and 642 by suspension mechanisms 690. The duct 623 has body portions 607, 627, and 647, and connector portions 680 and 682. Connector portion 680 connects body portions 607 and 627 of the duct 623, and connector portion 682 connects body portions 627 and 647 of the duct 623. The connector portions 680 and 682 are preferably flexible duct that can account for the change of positions of the body portions 607, 627, and 647 in response to a change in position of the solar collectors 602, 622, and 642. The vent 606 is placed in the opening of the body portion 607 of the duct 623, vent 626 is placed in the opening of the body portion 627 of the duct 623, and vent 646 is placed in the opening of the body portion 647 of the duct 623. Each of the vents 606, 626, and 646 is oriented to direct conditioned air to the space 670 enclosed by wall members 611 and 631 and by cover members 684 and 686.

The condensation surface 604 is formed on the body portion 607 of the duct 623 and has sloped portions 608 and 609, with a drip surface 610 between the low ends of the sloped portions 608 and 609. The condensation surface 624 is formed on the body portion 627 of the duct 623 and has sloped portions 628 and 629, with a drip surface 630 between the low ends of the sloped portions 628 and 629. The condensation surface 644 is formed on the body portion 647 of the duct 623 and has sloped portions 648 and 649, with a drip surface 650 between the low ends of the sloped portions 648 and 649. The entire space 670 under the array 601 is conditioned by the conditioner 603. The disclosed invention contemplates that any number of solar collectors can be used in the array 601; thus, the space 670 can be any size needed for a particular application, such as aquaculture or hydroponic farming. Large amounts crops can be grown in the conditioned space 670, and water is conserved by collecting condensate from the drip surfaces 610, 630, and 650.

The cover members shown in FIGS. 6 through 10 expand and contract as the gaps between adjacent solar collectors grow and shrink due to changes in the positions of the solar collectors of the array. For example, at sunrise, each solar collector 602, 622, and 642 in FIG. 10 of the array 601 is positioned with an eastward orientation so as to align with the direction of the solar radiation 690, and each solar collector 602, 622, and 642 of the array 601 has an end below horizontal and an end above horizontal. The profile of the adjacent solar collectors 602, 622, and 642 in array 601 looks somewhat like a diagonal stair-step in FIG. 10. The cover members 684 and 686 are in an expanded position at the beginning of the day to account for the eastward orientation of the solar collectors 602, 622, and 642. By mid-day the solar collectors 602, 622, and 642 reposition to a horizontal orientation, and the cover members 684 and 686 move from the expanded position to a refracted position because the ends of the solar collectors 602, 622, and 642 are at horizontal. As the day progresses past mid-day to sunset, the solar collectors 602, 622, and 642 are repositioned in a westward orientation and each solar collector 602, 622, and 642 has one end above horizontal and another end below horizontal. The cover members 684 and 686 again expand from the retracted position to the expanded position. These orientations repeat from day-to-day, and the north-south orientation of the solar collectors 602, 622, and 642 can change to account for different seasons of the year.

The solar collector(s), conditioner, wall members, and cover members create a micro-environment under the solar collector(s). The micro-environment can be used for many purposes including habitation and farming. The conditioner can maintain the temperature and humidity in this micro-environment despite hot, arid conditions external to the micro-environment created by the solar collector(s), wall members, and cover members. The conditioner additionally provides convection of water vapor in moist, humid air toward the condensation surface. The condensation surface and drip surface conserve water by condensing water vapor on the condensation surface, amassing the condensate, and collecting the condensate at the drip surface in the space under the solar collector(s). When water vapor condenses, the loss of moisture/water vapor to the hot, arid environment is reduced. The condensate can be used for many purposes including drinking water for humans or animals and water for farming techniques such as traditional farming, irrigation, hydroponics and aquaculture.

The cover members of the disclosed invention can be connected to the solar collector(s) in any way that covers the gap between adjacent solar collectors of an array. The cover members expand and retract between an expanded position and a retracted position in response to the movement of the solar collectors. The cover members can also be used on non-pivoting solar collectors and have an expanded position and a retracted position as the material of the solar collectors expands and contracts due to thermal expansion.

The wall members of the disclosed invention can be connected to the solar collector(s) in any way that encloses the space under the solar collector(s). The wall members can also be connected to the ground, or made rigid, so as to resist lateral forces. If made rigid, the wall members accommodate for changes in height of the end of the solar collector to which it is attached during changes in the position of the solar collector during the day, as discussed above. Additionally, the wall members can create partitions of space under an array of solar collectors, thus providing ability to vary the size and number of spaces and micro-environments under the array.

The embodiments of the invention disclosed above are merely examples, and other embodiments can include changes contemplated by the specification and claims that are consistent with the disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The foregoing description is illustrative and explanatory of the disclosed embodiments, and the invention should be limited only by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an array of solar collectors;

a conditioner for conditioning a space under the array; and

a condensation surface positioned under the array, the conditioner for cooling the condensation surface, the conditioner for moving a water vapor in the space toward the condensation surface, the condensation surface for condensing the water vapor thereon when cooled by the conditioner.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, the conditioner comprising:

a duct positioned under the array, the duct having at least one opening formed therein;

an air-conditioner connected to the duct and positioned adjacent the array; and

a vent positioned in the opening of the duct, the vent being oriented toward the space under the array.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, the condensation surface having at least one sloped portion, the sloped portion of the condensation surface for amassing the condensed water vapor.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

a drip surface, the sloped portion of the condensation surface for amassing the condensed water vapor toward the drip surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one wall member for enclosing the water vapor in the space under the array; and

a cover member for covering a gap between adjacent solar collectors of the array.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

a radiant barrier for insulating the space under the array from a heat radiating from the array.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a solar collector;

a conditioner positioned adjacent the solar collector for conditioning a space under the solar collector; and

a condensation surface for condensing a water vapor in the space under the solar collector, the conditioner for cooling the condensation surface, the conditioner for moving the water vapor in the space toward the condensation surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

at least one wall member for enclosing the water vapor in the space under the solar collector; and

a radiant barrier for insulating the space under the solar collector from a heat radiating from the solar collector.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, the solar collector comprising:

an array of solar collectors, the conditioner for moving the water vapor toward the condensation surface under at least one solar collector of the array.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a cover member for covering a gap between adjacent solar collectors of the array.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a drip surface for collecting condensed water vapor from the condensation surface.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, the condensation surface having at least one sloped portion, the sloped portion of the condensation surface for amassing the condensed water vapor toward the drip surface.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, the solar collector for powering the conditioner.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a solar collector;

a conditioner positioned adjacent the solar collector;

a condensation surface positioned under the solar collector; and

a drip surface in fluid communication with the condensation surface.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, the conditioner comprising:

a duct positioned under the solar collector, the duct having at least one opening formed therein;

an air-conditioner connected to the duct; and

a vent positioned in the opening of the duct, the vent being oriented toward a space under the solar collector.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, the condensation surface having at least one sloped portion, the sloped portion of the condensation surface being in fluid communication with the drip surface.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, the sloped portion of the condensation surface for amassing the condensed water vapor toward the drip surface.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, the solar collector comprising:

an array of solar collectors, the duct extending under at least one solar collector of the array.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

at least one wall member extending downward from a solar collector of the array; and

a cover member positioned between adjacent solar collectors of the array.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

a radiant barrier positioned between the conditioner and the solar collector.