IP Library Granted Patent US 9,988,776
Granted Patent B2
US 9,988,776 · App. 15/261,257 · Granted Jun 5, 2018

Wind screens for photovoltaic arrays and methods thereof

Inventors: Rodney Hans Holland (Novato, CA); Sean Bailey (Emeryville, CA)
Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
E01F7/025E04H17/1404F24J2/52H02S20/10H02S20/20H02S20/23H02S40/00Y02B10/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,988,776
App. No.
15/261,257
Granted
Jun 5, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

Wind screen for one or more photovoltaic arrays and method thereof. For example, a wind screen for one or more photovoltaic arrays includes a screen foundation including a concrete block, and one or more perforation blocks on the concrete block. In another example, the wind screen is configured to cover at least a first side of each array of the one or more photovoltaic arrays.

Claims (91)

1. A photovoltaic system, comprising:

one or more photovoltaic arrays; and

a wind screen comprising:

a screen foundation including an elongated concrete block comprising an elongated groove extending within the concrete of the concrete block; and

a plurality of perforation blocks disposed within the elongated groove of the concrete block, adhered within the elongated groove of the concrete block by one or more adhesive materials, and including a plurality of perforations extending therethrough;

wherein at least a portion of the wind screen is configured to support a vehicle; and

wherein the wind screen covers at least a first side of each array of the one or more photovoltaic arrays.

2. The photovoltaic system of claim 1 wherein:

the concrete block includes a bottom surface on the ground.

3. The photovoltaic system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of perforations include one or more perforation patterns that are repeated along a length of the concrete block of the screen foundation.

4. The photovoltaic system of claim 1 wherein:

the plurality of perforation blocks include concrete masonry units; and

each concrete masonry unit includes one or more perforations.

5. The photovoltaic system of claim 1 wherein:

the plurality of perforation blocks include metal sheets; and

each metal sheet includes one or more perforations.

6. The photovoltaic system of claim 1 wherein:

the wind screen includes a first edge wind screen; and

the first edge wind screen covers the first side of each array of the one or more photovoltaic arrays.

7. The photovoltaic system of claim 1 wherein:

the wind screen includes one or more screens; and

the one or more screens at least partially surround the one or more photovoltaic arrays respectively.

8. The photovoltaic system of claim 7 wherein:

the one or more screens include a first screen and a second screen;

the one or more photovoltaic arrays include a first photovoltaic array and a second photovoltaic array;

the first screen covers two opposing sides and four corners of the first photovoltaic array; and

the second screen covers two opposing sides and four corners of the second photovoltaic array.

9. The photovoltaic system of claim 1 wherein:

the wind screen includes one or more enclosing screens; and

the one or more enclosing screens completely surround the one or more photovoltaic arrays.

10. The photovoltaic system of claim 9 wherein:

the one or more enclosing screens include a first enclosing screen and a second enclosing screen;

the one or more photovoltaic arrays include a first photovoltaic array and a second photovoltaic array;

the first enclosing screen completely surrounds the first photovoltaic array; and

the second enclosing screen completely surrounds the second photovoltaic array.

11. The photovoltaic system of claim 1 wherein:

each of the one or more photovoltaic arrays includes one or more photovoltaic modules;

each of the one or more photovoltaic modules is installed and associated with a first height between a top edge and the ground; and

the first height is larger than or equal to three feet but smaller than or equal to fifteen feet.

12. The photovoltaic system of claim 11 wherein:

the concrete block includes a bottom surface on the ground; and

the plurality of perforation blocks disposed within the elongated groove of the concrete block is associated with a second height from a top surface or a top edge to the ground; and

the second height is approximately equal to the first height.

13. The photovoltaic system of claim 11 wherein:

the concrete block includes a bottom surface on the ground; and

the plurality of perforation blocks disposed within the elongated groove of the concrete block is associated with a second height from a top surface or a top edge to the ground; and

the second height is equal to the first height.

14. The photovoltaic system of claim 1 wherein:

the concrete block of the screen foundation includes a first side surface and a second side surface;

the first surface is in contact with a first ramp configured to support the vehicle; and

the second surface is in contact with a second ramp configured to support the vehicle.

15. The photovoltaic system of claim 1 wherein the wind screen further covers at least a second side of each array of the one or more photovoltaic arrays, the first side and the second side being opposite to each other.

16. The photovoltaic system of claim 15 wherein:

the wind screen includes a first edge wind screen and a second edge wind screen;

the first edge wind screen covers the first side of each array of the one or more photovoltaic arrays;

the second edge wind screen covers the second side of each array of the one or more photovoltaic arrays.

17. The photovoltaic system of claim 1 wherein the concrete block is a continuous concrete block.

18. A photovoltaic system, comprising:

one or more photovoltaic arrays; and

a wind screen comprising:

a screen foundation including an elongated concrete block comprising an elongated groove extending within the concrete of the concrete block; and

a plurality of perforation blocks disposed within the elongated groove of the concrete block, adhered within the elongated groove of the concrete block with one or more adhesive materials, and including a plurality of perforations extending therethrough;

wherein at least a portion of the wind screen is configured to support a vehicle; and

wherein the wind screen covers at least one corner of each array of the one or more photovoltaic arrays.

19. The photovoltaic system of claim 18 wherein:

the concrete block includes a bottom surface on the ground.

20. The photovoltaic system of claim 18 wherein the plurality of perforations include one or more perforation patterns that are repeated along a length of the concrete block of the screen foundation.

21. The photovoltaic system of claim 18 wherein:

the plurality of perforation blocks include concrete masonry units; and

each concrete masonry unit includes one or more perforations.

22. The photovoltaic system of claim 18 wherein:

the plurality of perforation blocks include metal sheets; and

each metal sheet includes one or more perforations.

23. The photovoltaic system of claim 18 wherein:

each of the one or more photovoltaic arrays includes one or more photovoltaic modules;

each of the one or more photovoltaic modules is installed and associated with a first height between a top edge and the ground; and

the first height is larger than or equal to three feet but smaller than or equal to fifteen feet.

24. The photovoltaic system of claim 23 wherein:

the concrete block includes a bottom surface on the ground; and

the plurality of perforation blocks disposed within the elongated groove of the concrete block is associated with a second height from a top surface to the ground; and

the second height is approximately equal to the first height.

25. The photovoltaic system of claim 23 wherein:

the concrete block includes a bottom surface on the ground; and

the plurality of perforation blocks disposed within the elongated groove of the concrete block is associated with a second height from a top surface to the ground; and

the second height is equal to the first height.

26. The photovoltaic system of claim 18 wherein:

the concrete block of the screen foundation includes a first side surface and a second side surface;

the first surface is in contact with a first ramp configured to support the vehicle; and

the second surface is in contact with a second ramp configured to support the vehicle.

27. The photovoltaic system of claim 18 is configured to cover at least four corners of each array of the one or more photovoltaic arrays.

28. The photovoltaic system of claim 18 wherein the concrete block is a continuous concrete block.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2019
From: ALION ENERGY, INC.
To: BATIOS HOLDINGS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 051052/0484 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 29, 2017
From: HOLLAND, RODNEY HANS; BAILEY, SEAN
To: ALION ENERGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 043061/0106 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62217322 · Sep 11, 2015
Related Publication 20170073911A1 · Mar 16, 2017