Bridge for Robotic cleaning solution on photovoltaic (PV) panels

Abstract

A bridge that may include a first photovoltaic (PV) panel holder, a second PV panel holder; and a body. The body is movably coupled, via a first interface, to the first PV panel holder and is detacheably coupled to the second PV panel holder, wherein the body is configured to move between a first position to a second position when the second PV panel holder is detached from the body, wherein when positioned at the second position, a portion of the body extends above the first PV panel holder.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A bridge that comprises:
 a first photovoltaic (PV) panel holder;   a second PV panel holder; and   a body;   wherein the body is movably coupled, via a first interface, to the first PV panel holder and is detacheably coupled to the second PV panel holder, wherein the body is configured to move between a first position to a second position when the second PV panel holder is detached from the body, wherein when positioned at the second position, a portion of the body extends above the first PV panel holder.   
     
     
         2 . The bridge according to  claim 1  wherein when positioned at the first position the portion of the body does not extend above the first PV panel holder. 
     
     
         3 . The bridge according to  claim 1  wherein when positioned at the second position the portion of the body forms a stopper to prevent progress of a cleaning robot towards the second PV panel holder. 
     
     
         4 . The bridge according to  claim 1  wherein the portion of the body has a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         5 . The bridge according to  claim 1  wherein the first interface is a first axle, wherein the body is configured to move between the first position to the second position by performing a rotational movement, wherein the body is rotatably coupled, via the first axle, to the first PV panel holder. 
     
     
         6 . The bridge according to  claim 5  wherein the body is configured to move along the first axle. 
     
     
         7 . The bridge according to  claim 5  wherein the body comprises a groove that has an open end, wherein the second PV panel holder comprises a second interface that is configured to mechanically couple the body to the second PV panel holder while the second interface contacts the groove, and wherein the second interface is configured to move along the groove while a distance between the first PV panel holder and the second PV panel holder changes within a predefined distance range. 
     
     
         8 . The bridge according to  claim 7  wherein the second interface is configured to exit the groove and disconnect the second PV panel holder from the body when the distance between the first PV panel holder and the second PV panel holder exceeds the predefined distance range. 
     
     
         9 . The bridge according to  claim 7  wherein the body comprises a curved upper edge that is located above the open end. 
     
     
         10 . The bridge according to  claim 1  wherein first the interface is a rounded pin. 
     
     
         11 . The bridge according to  claim 1  wherein the first PV panel holder comprises an upper part, an intermediate part and a lower part, wherein the first interface is connected to the intermediate part. 
     
     
         12 . The bridge according to  claim 1  comprising a sensor that is configured to sense a position of the body. 
     
     
         13 . The bridge according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the body, the first PV panel holder and the second PV panel holder is flexible. 
     
     
         14 . A photovoltaic (PV) system comprising:
 a bridge that comprises a first PV panel holder, a second PV panel holder and a body, wherein the body is movably coupled, via a first interface, to the first PV panel holder and is detacheably coupled to the second PV panel holder, wherein the body is configured to move between a first position to a second position when the second PV panel holder is detached from the body, wherein when positioned at the second position, a portion of the body extends above the first PV panel holder;   a first PV panel that comprises a first plurality of PV panels and is mechanically coupled to the first PV panel holder of the bridge; and   a second PV panel that comprises a second plurality of PV panels, the second PV panel is mechanically coupled to the second PV panel holder of the bridge.   
     
     
         15 . The PV system according to  claim 14  comprising an additional bridge, the additional bridge is connected to the first PV panel and to the second PV panel and is spaced apart from the bridge. 
     
     
         16 . The PV sensor according to  claim 14  comprising at least one sensor for sensing a position of each one of the bridges. 
     
     
         17 . A method for moving a cleaning robot between a first photovoltaic (PV) panel and a second PV panel, the method comprises:
 reaching, by the cleaning robot a first end of the first PV panel;   stopping the progress of the cleaning robot when the cleaning robot reaches a stopper;   propagating the cleaning robot above bridges and between the first PV panel and the second PV panel when the cleaning robot does not reach the stopper; wherein each one of the bridges comprises a first PV panel holder that is connected to the first PV panel, a second PV panel holder that is connected to the second PV panel, and a body, wherein the body is movably coupled, via a first interface, to the first PV panel holder and is detacheably coupled to the second PV panel holder, wherein the body is configured to move between a first position to a second position when the second PV panel holder is detached from the body, wherein when positioned at the second position, a portion of the body extends above the first PV panel holder to provide the stopper.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16  further comprising cleaning, by the cleaning robot, the first PV panel before moving over the bridges. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17  comprising sensing positions of bodies of the bridges. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
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         30 . (canceled)