Solar energy collection device and associated methods

Abstract

A decorative solar energy collector includes tubular elements extending from the base at a bottom end. The tubular elements extend closely adjacent each other along a middle section to form a trunk-like appearance, and then diverge at a top section, so that each tubular element forms a branch-like appearance. Solar panels are provided, with one solar panel affixable adjacent a top end of a tubular element. Each solar panel collects solar energy and converts the solar energy into electricity. The solar panel includes a connector and circuitry for transmitting electricity to the connector. The number of solar panels is no greater than the number of tubular elements. Cables are also provided, one cable extending through a lumen of each tubular element in connecting relation between a solar panel connector at the cable's top end and the base at the cable's bottom end.

1 . A solar energy collection device comprising: 
 a base;    a plurality of tubular elements extend from the base at a bottom end, the tubular elements closely adjacent each other along a middle section to form a trunk appearance, the tubular elements diverging at a top section, each tubular element thereby forming a branch appearance;    a plurality of solar panels, each solar panel comprising means for collecting solar energy and for converting solar energy into electricity, a connector, and circuitry for transmitting electricity from the collecting and converting means to the connector, a number of solar panels comprising no more than a number of tubular elements, each solar panel affixable adjacent a top end of a tubular element to form a leaf appearance; and    a plurality of cables, one cable extending through a lumen of each tubular element in connecting relation between a solar panel connector at a cable top end and the base at a cable bottom end.    
     
     
         2 . The solar energy collection device recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a coupler for receiving the cable bottom ends and for outputting a unitary power cable.  
     
     
         3 . The solar energy collection device recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of leaf elements affixed along at least some of the tubular elements.  
     
     
         4 . The solar energy collection device recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a vine element affixed along one of the middle section and the top section.  
     
     
         5 . The solar energy collection device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tubular elements flare outward along a bottom section, the tubular elements thereby forming a root appearance.  
     
     
         6 . The solar energy collection device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises: 
 a placement base;    a rotating base rotatably affixed atop the placement base having an interior space, an opening at a top end, and a cable opening extending from the interior space to the exterior for passing the power cable therethrough; and    a platform having a plurality of holes therethrough for admitting the cable bottom ends into the rotating base interior space, the platform affixable atop the rotating base.    
     
     
         7 . The solar energy collection device recited in  claim 6 , wherein the placement base comprises means for being affixed to a surface.  
     
     
         8 . The solar energy collection device recited in  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 a solar sensor affixed to a tubular element and comprising means for sensing a directionality of incoming solar energy; and    means for rotating the rotating base responsive to a directionality signal from the solar sensor, for optimizing a collection of solar energy by the solar panels.    
     
     
         9 . The solar energy collection device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the solar panels are arrayed for optimizing solar energy collection.  
     
     
         10 . The solar energy collection device recited in  claim 9 , wherein the solar panels are arrayed in substantially nonoverlapping fashion when viewed along an incoming solar ray vector.  
     
     
         11 . The solar energy collection device recited in  claim 9 , wherein the solar panels are arrayed in substantially nonoverlapping fashion when viewed from a position approximately above the device.  
     
     
         12 . The solar energy collection device recited in  claim 9 , wherein a first set of solar panels extend farther outward from the tubular element middle section than a second set of solar panels positioned farther from the base than the first set of solar panels.  
     
     
         13 . The solar energy collection device recited in  claim 12 , wherein the solar panels form a substantially dome-shaped aspect when viewed from a side thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The solar energy collection device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tubular elements extend in substantially vertical fashion along the middle section.  
     
     
         15 . The solar energy collection device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tubular elements are twisted about one another along the middle section.  
     
     
         16 . A method for collecting solar energy comprising the steps of: 
 extending a plurality of tubular elements substantially vertically upward along a middle section to form a trunk appearance;    extending the tubular elements to diverge at a top section to form a branch appearance; and    permitting a plurality of solar panels to collect solar energy and convert the solar energy into electricity, the solar panels affixed to the tubular elements to form a leaf appearance.    
     
     
         17 . The method recited in  claim 16 , further comprising extending the tubular elements to flare outward along a bottom section to form a root appearance.  
     
     
         18 . The method recited in  claim 16 , further comprising the step of rotating the solar panels to optimize solar energy collection.  
     
     
         19 . The method recited in  claim 18 , further comprising the step of sensing a directionality of incoming solar energy, and wherein the rotating step comprises rotating the solar panels responsive to a directionality signal from the solar sensor.  
     
     
         20 . The method recited in  claim 16 , wherein the permitting step comprises arraying the solar panels for optimizing solar energy collection.  
     
     
         21 . The method recited in  claim 20 , wherein the arraying step comprises arraying the solar panels in substantially nonoverlapping fashion when viewed along an incoming solar ray vector.  
     
     
         22 . The method recited in  claim 20 , wherein the Arraying step comprises arraying the solar panels in substantially nonoverlapping fashion when viewed from a position approximately above the device.  
     
     
         23 . The method recited in  claim 20 , wherein the arraying step comprising positioning a first set of solar panels to extend farther outward from the tubular element middle section than a second set of solar panels positioned lower than the first set of solar panels.  
     
     
         24 . The method recited in  claim 23 , wherein the solar panels are positioned to form a substantially dome-shaped aspect when viewed from a side thereof.  
     
     
         25 . The method recited in  claim 16 , wherein the tubular elements extend in substantially vertical fashion along the middle section.  
     
     
         26 . The method recited in  claim 16 , wherein the tubular elements are twisted about one another along the middle section.  
     
     
         27 . A method of constructing a solar energy collection device comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a plurality of tubular elements adjacent a base at a bottom end, the tubular elements positioned closely adjacent each other along a middle section to form a trunk appearance;    extending the tubular elements to diverge at a top section, each tubular element thereby forming a branch appearance;    affixing a plurality of solar panels adjacent a top end of a tubular element to form a leaf appearance; and    extending a cable through a lumen of each tubular element in connecting relation between a solar panel and the base.    
     
     
         28 . The method recited in  claim 27 , further comprising the step of coupling bottom ends of the cable and outputting a unitary power cable.  
     
     
         29 . The method recited in  claim 27 , further comprising the step of affixing a plurality of leaf elements along at least some of the tubular elements.  
     
     
         30 . The method recited in  claim 27 , further comprising the step of affixing a vine element along one of a middle section and a top section.  
     
     
         31 . The method recited in  claim 27 , wherein the tubular element positioning step comprises flaring the tubular elements outward along a bottom section to form a root appearance.  
     
     
         32 . The method recited in  claim 27 , wherein an upper section of the base is rotatable.  
     
     
         33 . The method recited in  claim 32 , wherein a lower section of the base is affixable to a surface.  
     
     
         34 . The method recited in  claim 32 , further comprising the steps of: 
 affixing a solar sensor to a tubular element, the solar sensor comprising means for sensing a directionality of incoming solar energy; and    providing means for rotating the rotating base responsive to a directionality signal from the solar sensor, for optimizing a collection of solar energy by the solar panels.    
     
     
         35 . The method recited in  claim 27 , wherein the solar panel affixing step comprises arraying the solar panels for optimizing solar energy collection.  
     
     
         36 . The method recited in  claim 35 , wherein the solar panel affixing step comprises arraying the solar panels in substantially nonoverlapping fashion when viewed along an incoming solar ray vector.  
     
     
         37 . The method recited in  claim 35 , wherein the solar panel affixing step comprises arraying the solar panels in substantially nonoverlapping fashion when viewed from a position approximately above the device.  
     
     
         38 . The method recited in  claim 35 , wherein the solar panel affixing step comprise extending a first set of solar panels farther outward from the tubular element middle section than a second set of solar panels positioned lower than the first set of solar panels.  
     
     
         39 . The method recited in  claim 38 , wherein the solar panels form a substantially dome-shaped aspect when viewed from a side thereof.  
     
     
         40 . The method recited in  claim 27 , wherein the tubular element positioning step comprises positioning the tubular elements in substantially vertical fashion along the middle section.  
     
     
         41 . The method recited in  claim 27 , wherein the tubular element positioning step comprises positioning the tubular elements in twisted fashion about one another along the middle section.