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Machine learning

Innovative Bridge Design for Robotic Cleaning of Photovoltaic (PV) Panels

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new patent has been published, detailing a novel bridge design for robotic cleaning of photovoltaic (PV) panels. The invention, by Yanir Allouche, addresses the challenge of cleaning PV panels effectively, particularly when tables are misaligned or tilted. The bridge design enables robotic cleaning solutions to navigate between tables, ensuring efficient and cost-effective cleaning.

Key Takeaways:

  • The patented bridge design consists of a first photovoltaic (PV) panel holder, a second PV panel holder, and a body that can move between two positions.
  • When positioned at the second position, the body forms a stopper to prevent the progress of a cleaning robot towards the second PV panel holder.
  • The bridge features a unique design, with a base surface, central segment, and side segments that provide a bending region for bending the bridge.
  • The bridge can be made of foldable segments, with upper protuberances and external recesses, allowing for flexibility and easy assembly.
  • The design enables robotic cleaning solutions to navigate between tables, ensuring efficient and cost-effective cleaning.
  • The bridge can be coupled to two PV panel holders, with the body movably coupled to each holder via an axle.
  • The patent highlights the importance of efficient and cost-effective cleaning of PV panels, particularly in large solar panel installations.

Statistics:

  • The distance between the base surface and the first part of the central segment is greater than the distance between the base surface and the first part of each side segment.
  • The distance between the base surface and the first part of the central segment ranges between two and four millimeters.
  • The thickness of the body and the distance between the base surface and the first part of one of the side segments are taken into account in the design.
  • The bridge can be elastic, allowing for flexibility and movement between positions.

Sources:

  • Allouche, Yanir. Bridge for robotic cleaning solution on photovoltaic (PV) panels. U.S. Patent Number 12283916, filed June 14, 2023, and published online on April 22, 2025.
  • https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/external.html?q=(12283916)&db=USPAT&type=ids

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