Aeroelastic canopy with solar panels

Abstract

An aeroelastic solar-power-generating canopy is described that requires minimal construction efforts. The canopy can be formed over supporting structures such as columns, without requiring an existing roof. The canopy contains a plurality of solar panels arranged substantially adjacent to each other, which are coupled to attachment members. Linking members are coupled to the attachment members, the linking members providing a flexing point for the solar panels. A cable is coupled to the linking members, spanning a substantial portion of the distance covered by the solar panels, providing a restraining force. And, at least one of the attachment members and cable is coupled to a supporting structure, wherein the cable in conjunction with the linking members allows the solar panels to dynamically react to loads, the arranged solar panels operating as a covering and as a source of solar power.

1 . An aeroelastic solar-power-generating canopy, comprising:
 a plurality of solar panels arranged substantially adjacent to each other;   attachment members coupled to at least one portion of a solar panel of the plurality of solar panels;   linking members coupled to the attachment members, the linking members providing a flexing point for solar panels of the plurality of solar panels;   a cable coupled to the linking members, spanning a substantial portion of a distance covered by the plurality of solar panels, and providing a restraining force; and   a plurality of supporting structures, wherein at least one of the attachment members and cable is coupled thereto, wherein the cable in conjunction with the linking members allows the plurality of solar panels to dynamically react to loads, the plurality of solar panels operating as a covering and as a source of solar power.   
     
     
         2 . The canopy of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment members includes a crossbar. 
     
     
         3 . The canopy of  claim 1 , further comprising a termination attachment coupling an end of the cable to a supporting structure of the plurality of supporting structures. 
     
     
         4 . The canopy of  claim 1 , wherein a profile of a portion of the canopy forms a catenary curve. 
     
     
         5 . The canopy of  claim 1 , wherein the linking member includes a pulley mechanism in contact with the cable. 
     
     
         6 . The canopy of  claim 3 , wherein the termination attachment is displaced from the supporting structure. 
     
     
         7 . The canopy of  claim 1 , wherein a cable attached to the supporting structure is attached via a cable spreader. 
     
     
         8 . The canopy of  claim 8 , wherein the cable spreader is capable of allowing the cable to move in an axial direction through the cable spreader. 
     
     
         9 . The canopy of  claim 1 , wherein the cable is terminated to ground. 
     
     
         10 . An aeroelastic solar-power-generating canopy, comprising:
 a plurality of means for generating power from solar energy arranged substantially adjacent to each other;   means for attachment coupled to at least one portion of a means of the plurality of the solar means;   means for linking coupled to the means for attachment, the linking means providing a flexing point for the means of the plurality of solar means;   a tensioning means coupled to the linking means, spanning a substantial portion of a distance covered by the plurality of solar means, and providing a restraining force; and   a plurality means for supporting, wherein at least one of the attachment means and tensioning means is coupled thereto, wherein the tensioning means in conjunction with the linking means allows the plurality of the solar means to dynamically react to loads, the plurality of solar means operating as a covering.   
     
     
         11 . The canopy of  claim 10 , wherein the attachment means includes a crossbar. 
     
     
         12 . The canopy of  claim 10 , further comprising a means for termination, coupling an end of the tensioning means to a supporting means of the plurality of supporting means. 
     
     
         13 . The canopy of  claim 10 , wherein a profile of a portion of the canopy forms a catenary curve. 
     
     
         14 . The canopy of  claim 10 , wherein the linking means includes a means for rotation in contact with the tensioning means. 
     
     
         15 . The canopy of  claim 12 , wherein the termination means is displaced from the means for supporting of the plurality of supporting mean. 
     
     
         16 . The canopy of  claim 10 , wherein the tensioning means is attached to the supporting means via a means for displacing a cable from a structure. 
     
     
         17 . The canopy of  claim 10 , wherein the displacing means is capable of allowing the tensioning means to move in an axial direction through the displacing means. 
     
     
         18 . A method for providing an environmental covering using solar power panels, comprising:
 arranging a plurality of solar panels substantially adjacent to each other;   attaching attachment members to at least one portion of a solar panel of the plurality of solar panels;   linking linking members to the attachment members, the linking members providing a flexing point for solar panels of the plurality of solar panels;   coupling a cable to the linking members, spanning a substantial portion of a distance covered by the plurality of solar panels to provide a restraining force; and   coupling the plurality of solar panels to a plurality of supporting structures, wherein at least one of the attachment members and cable is coupled to a supporting structure of the plurality of supporting structures, wherein the cable in conjunction with the linking members allows the plurality of solar panels to dynamically react to loads.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the attachment members are coupled to a crossbar on the solar panel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising, terminating an end of the cable to a supporting structure of the plurality of supporting structures.