Nanogrid device for off-grid power
AssigneeSesame Solar, Inc.
InventorsLauren A. Flanagan, Adam M. Kasefang, Sakshi Jindal, Namit Jhanwar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A nanogrid device for off-grid power includes a housing and a plurality of energy-receiving components coupled to the housing. The energy-receiving components are movable relative to the housing from a first, stored position to a second, fully deployed position. The energy-receiving components are configured to form an A-frame structure in the second, fully deployed position, and the housing is configured to be disposed underneath the A-frame structure in the second, fully deployed position.
Claims20
A nanogrid device for off-grid power comprising:
- a housing having a first side portion and a second side portion disposed opposite the first side portion;
- a plurality of energy-receiving components moveable relative to the housing from a first, stored position to a second, fully deployed position, the plurality of energy-receiving components further comprising:
- a first energy-receiving component coupled to the first side portion of the housing;
- a second energy-receiving component coupled to the second side portion of the housing;
- wherein each energy-receiving component has a top edge, such that the top edge of the first energy-receiving component is disposed in contact with the top edge of the second energy-receiving component at an apex to thereby form an A-frame structure in the second, fully deployed position, such that the housing is disposed underneath the A-frame structure in the second, fully deployed position;
- a controller disposed in the housing and coupled to each of the first energy-receiving component and the second energy-receiving component;
- and
- a wireless communications device coupled to the controller, wherein the wireless communications device is configured to receive and transmit wireless communications signals, via the controller, between the nanogrid device and a remote location to permit remote control and remote monitoring of the nanogrid device from the remote location.
A method of transitioning a nanogrid device for off-grid power from a first, stored position to a second, fully deployed position, the method comprising the steps of:
- moving a first solar door laterally away from a first side portion of a housing, the first solar door comprising a plurality of solar panels that are slidable relative to one another and moving a second solar door laterally away from a second side portion of a housing, the second solar door comprising a plurality of solar panels that are slidable relative to one another, wherein each of the first solar door and the second solar door have a first surface having the plurality of solar panels disposed thereon and a second surface opposite the first surface, such that the plurality of solar panels are disposed proximate to the respective side portion of the housing;
- rotating the first solar door about a first axis that is substantially parallel to the first side portion of the housing by a first rotation angle such that the second surface is facing the first side portion of the housing and the plurality of solar panels faces away from the first side portion of the housing and rotating the second solar door about a second axis that is substantially parallel to the second side portion of the housing by a second rotation angle such that the second surface is facing the second side portion of the housing and the plurality of solar panels faces away from the second side portion of the housing;
- sliding the plurality of solar panels of the first solar door with respect to one another to form a first solar array and sliding the plurality of solar panels of the second solar door with respect to one another to form a second solar array, wherein the respective first solar array and second solar array are supported by a plurality of supporting frame members;
- and
- locking a top edge of the first solar array to a top edge of the second solar array at an angle of about 60 degrees to form an A-frame structure with the first solar array and second solar array, such that the housing is disposed underneath the A-frame structure in the second, fully deployed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.