Horizontal solar tracker

Abstract

A horizontal solar tracker (1) is constructed to ensure that steering motion generated by a drive element is transmitted to a rotating beam and a linkage-crank mechanism, preventing possible breakage and weakness in the engagement area and facilitating transport. It includes at least one rotatable front rotating beam (3) and at least one rear rotating beam (12) engaged by means of a linkage-crank mechanism (4). A drive assembly (2) generates steering motion in a moving element (22). The front rotating beam (3) has a first engagement portion (31) that can be coupled to the moving element (22), and the linkage-crank mechanism (4) includes a tubular portion (42) that engages the rotating beam (3) and a second engagement portion (43) that can be coupled to the moving element (22).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a horizontal solar tracker designed to orient solar panels arranged in at least two rows, wherein a drive element generates rotational motion on at least one front rotating beam linked to the solar panels and on a linkage-crank mechanism that transmits the rotational motion to at least one rear rotating beam linked to other solar panels, thereby orienting them along a horizontal axis.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention is a solar tracker whose structure ensures that the steering motion generated by the drive element is transmitted to the rotating beam and connecting rod-crank mechanism, which prevents possible breakage and weakening in the engagement area and is easy to transport. Background Technology

[0003] A solar tracker is a device in the prior art that allows the solar panel to rotate by orienting its position according to changes in the sun's path, thereby enabling it to rotate around a horizontal north-south axis. The structural trend for this type of installation is to have two rows of parallel solar panels joined together by a linkage-crank mechanism.

[0004] Steering motion is generated by a drive element, typically a motor, located within or independent of the first row of solar panels. A rotating beam that transmits steering motion to the first row of solar panels is engaged with this drive unit. To transmit steering motion from the first row to the second row, a drive beam or arm is used, engaged with both rows. The type of engagement used to engage the arm with the front rotating beam is a clamp, which grips the drive beam, its upper portion secured to the remainder by means of a mechanical engagement element.

[0005] The problem associated with this type of engagement is that, due to the repetitive steering movements and the wind forces that the clamps must withstand, these clamps may have a high tendency to deform and deteriorate.

[0006] In this respect, the clamp solution allows the mechanical energy corresponding to the two half rows of solar panels to travel from the clamp through the torsion beam section to the drive unit, and it may have stress concentration.

[0007] In addition, the front rotating beam and the clamps and their engaging elements are subject to manufacturing tolerances, and this gap window may cause the clamps to exceed their elastic limit and undergo shearing or deformation when they clamp. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention aims to solve some problems existing in the prior art.

[0009] More specifically, the present invention relates to a horizontal solar tracker comprising at least one rotatable front rotating beam and at least one rear rotating beam engaged by means of a linkage-crank mechanism. The solar tracker further comprises a drive assembly, which in turn comprises: a fixed bracket; a body fixed to the bracket; at least one movable element movable relative to the body, wherein one of the front rotating beams is coupled to said at least one movable element; and a motor adjacent to the body, which generates movement on the movable element.

[0010] The linkage-crank mechanism includes a first drive section associated with a rear rotating beam and at least one second drive section, the second drive section including an arm associated with a front rotating beam. One end of the front rotating beam has a first sector that can be coupled to a moving element. The second drive section further includes a tubular portion orthogonally coupled to the arm, the tubular portion securing the rotating beam in the assembled state, and the second drive section also includes a second sector linked to one end of the tubular portion, the second sector being coupled to the first sector and the moving element.

[0011] Therefore, during the assembly of the tracker, a tubular portion passing through the linkage-crank mechanism is inserted into the front rotating beam so that the tubular portion hooks onto the rotating beam. Once inserted, the first and second engagement portions are connected to the moving element. The drive assembly may include a motor of either rotary or linear type. The motion produced by the motor on the moving element is preferably a steering motion that allows the moving element or at least some portions thereof to rotate relative to the body.

[0012] In the assembled configuration, steering motion is transmitted directly from the moving elements to the front swivel beam and the connecting rod-crank mechanism, thereby minimizing transmission losses of mechanical loads. The connecting rod-crank mechanism transmits steering motion to the rear swivel beam via a first transmission section.

[0013] Preferably, the first engagement portion is a first flange, the second engagement portion is a second flange, and the first engagement portion remains between the moving element and the second engagement portion. Because the surface of the beam contacting the moving body is high, the flanges allow for a greater connection between these portions and the moving element. The first flange may include a first hole, the second flange may include a second hole, and the moving element may include a housing, wherein the housing is configured to face the first and second holes in the assembled configuration. Therefore, in the assembled configuration, these holes are between them and coaxial with respect to the housing, allowing engaging components (e.g., screws) to be inserted into the housing through these holes.

[0014] The engagement of the first and second engagement portions with the moving element can alternatively be achieved by inserting the engagement portions into the cavity of the moving element, thereby retaining the front rotating beam and the tubular portion within the moving element. In another example, the first and second engagement portions may have shapes complementary to the moving element to reinforce their engagement, wherein the engagement portions are disc-shaped and the cavity is cylindrical.

[0015] In this way, mechanical energy generated by the wind from the row without the drive unit can reach it directly, without having to go through the front rotating beam.

[0016] Preferably, the tubular portion can be a single, integral part that holds the front rotating beam in place without requiring additional mechanical coupling elements, thereby minimizing the possibility of breakage, wherein the rotating beam is threaded into the tubular portion.

[0017] A small gap may be present between the tubular portion and the rotating beam, making it possible to insert the rotating beam into the tubular portion. Alternatively, the tubular portion may include two sections, one section securing the beam in a lower region and the other section securing the beam in an upper region, thus requiring a connecting element to link the two sections, and these sections may have second through cavities into which the connecting element is inserted. The arm may be joined to at least one section by welding or by additional connecting elements.

[0018] Preferably, the moving element can be a tubular element, which may include two ends, and at least one end may include a crown, which can rotate relative to the body together with the moving element. The crown is understood as a side portion that restricts the moving element on either side, and when the engagement portion is preferably a flange, it can be linked to one of the engagement portions in the assembled configuration. Therefore, the motion generated by the motor on the moving element is a rotational motion, which causes the crown, and consequently the connecting rod-crank mechanism and the front rotating beam, to rotate because the crown engages with them. This configuration is particularly advantageous when the drive assembly behaves similarly to a rotary actuator, the engagement portion is a flange, and the first and second engagement portions preferably engage with the crown.

[0019] Furthermore, in the assembled configuration, the moving element can be located at a distance from the outside of the body greater than the sum of the thicknesses of the first and second joint portions along the direction of the first rotating beam, so that in the assembled configuration, the first and second joint portions are completely located inside the body. Therefore, the joint portions are accommodated inside the body, thereby protecting the joint.

[0020] Alternatively, the moving element may include at least one irregularly shaped beam and a transmission component linked together, with the possibility of movement therebetween. Similar to a linear actuator, the transmission component may be an element to which a motor transmits motion, and the motor is capable of rotation, thereby transmitting this motion to the beam connected to the engagement point, thus generating steering motion thereon. Alternatively, the beam may be flat and not irregularly shaped.

[0021] Alternatively, the internal transverse cross-section of the tubular portion may be slightly larger than the transverse cross-section of the front rotating beam, and they may have complementary shapes.

[0022] The moving element can extend through the entire fixed body and can have two front rotating beams, each associated with each side of the moving body, and it can also have two first transmission sections. Thus, the motion generated by the motor element is transmitted to the additional front rotating beams, thereby extending the range of steering motion, and the transmission of mechanical energy to the rear rotating beams is enhanced through the first additional transmission sections.

[0023] The front rotating beam and drive beam can be made of metallic materials. The materials must be suitable for withstanding the mechanical stresses experienced by the beams. Additionally, the connecting rod-crank mechanism may include reinforcements extending from the arm to the tubular portion to strengthen the tubular portion and protect it from damage by mechanical stresses. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To supplement the description provided herein, and to aid in the understanding of the features of the invention, the description is accompanied by a set of drawings that form part of its preferred practical exemplary embodiments, the drawings being illustrated, rather than limited, as follows:

[0025] Figure 1 A perspective view of a first embodiment of a horizontal tracker in an assembled configuration is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 A perspective view of a second embodiment of a solar tracker in an intermediate assembly configuration is shown.

[0027] Figure 3 A detailed view of a second embodiment of a solar tracker in its assembled configuration is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Figure 1A perspective view of a first embodiment of a solar tracker (1) designed to orient solar panels distributed along two rows (8, 9), namely the first row (8) and the second row (9). The solar tracker (1) is equipped with a drive assembly (2), two front rotating beams (3) located in the first row (8) responsible for transmitting steering motion to the solar panels they are engaged with, and a linkage-crank mechanism (4) associated with a rear rotating beam (12) responsible for transmitting steering motion to the second row (9).

[0029] Preferably, the drive assembly (2) includes: a body (21) fixed to a bracket (11), the bracket (11) including a movable element (22), in the illustrated embodiment, the movable element (22) extending through the interior of the entire body so as to partially pass through it; and a motor (23) that generates steering motion on the movable element (22).

[0030] As mentioned above, the front rotating beam (3) is responsible for transmitting steering motion to the solar panel (not shown) it is coupled to, and each front rotating beam (3) is associated with a moving element (22). The element responsible for transmitting steering motion from the first row (8) to the second row (9) of the solar tracker is a linkage-crank mechanism (4), which is associated with both the rear rotating beam (12) and the front rotating beam (3).

[0031] The linkage-crank mechanism (4) includes a first drive section (5) associated with the rear rotating beam (12) and two second drive sections (6), each of which includes an arm (41) associated with the front rotating beam (3) and a tubular portion (42) orthogonally engaged with the arm (41), the tubular portion (42) securing the front rotating beam (3). In this first embodiment, the two front rotating beams (3) and the two second drive sections (6) are located on either side of the moving element. The rotating beams (3, 12) are also supported by support columns having steering brackets that allow them to steer, which are not shown in the figure.

[0032] Figure 2A perspective view of a second embodiment of a horizontal solar tracker (1) in intermediate assembly configuration is shown. The solar tracker (1) includes a movable element (22) extending inside a body (21) to a vicinity on one side of the body (21), and the movable element (22) is equipped with a single crown (7) at one end. The movable element (22) is a cylindrical block housed inside the body (21) and preferably includes a crown (7), which is a portion extending along both sides of the movable element (22) in a direction perpendicular to the front rotating beam (3). A motor (23) is adjacent to the body (21) protected by a housing and engages with a worm screw (not shown in the figure), thereby rotating the movable element (22) linked to the crown (7). The front drive beam (3) and a single second drive segment (6) are also visible.

[0033] As shown in the figure, one end of the front rotating beam (3) has a first engagement portion (31), which can be connected to the crown (7) of the engagement element (22) of the drive assembly (2) so that it rotates as a whole with the crown (7) of the engagement element (22) when assembled.

[0034] The second drive section (6) includes a second engagement portion (43) linked to one end of the tubular portion (42), which can be coupled to the first engagement portion (31) and the crown (7). The first engagement portion (31) and the second engagement portion (43) have a shape complementary to the crown (7) and are preferably a first flange and a second flange. In an embodiment not shown in the figures, the movable element (22) has a cavity with a shape complementary to the beam, into which the first engagement portion (31) and the second engagement portion (43) are inserted and coupled, thereby allowing them to rotate integrally with the movable element (22).

[0035] Therefore, in the assembled case, the front rotating beam (3) is threaded into the tubular section (42). The front rotating beam (3) is inserted into the tubular section (42) from the side of the second joint (43), leaving the tubular section (42) partially holding the front rotating beam (3).

[0036] The tubular portion (42) has a hole with a transverse cross-sectional dimension slightly larger than that of the front rotating beam (3). In the assembled case, transverse is understood as a plane orthogonal to the front rotating beam (3). In the illustrated embodiment, the transverse cross-section of the front rotating beam (3) is square. In another embodiment, its shape may be circular or polygonal or a combination of both.

[0037] Additionally, the crown (7) has a housing (24), the first engagement portion (31) has a first hole (32), and the second engagement portion (43) has a second hole (44), all of which are coaxially arranged and intended to accommodate engagement elements (not shown in the figure).

[0038] Figure 3 A detailed view of a second embodiment of the solar tracker (1) in its assembled state is shown. Engaging elements (e.g., screws (51) adjusted by washers (52)) are inserted into holes (32, 44) and the housing (24). Alternatively, the rotating beam (3) and the tubular portion (42) are engaged by welding, and then joined to the crown (7). In the assembled state, the moving element (22), the first engaging portion (31), and the tubular portion (42) are connected together and rotate as a whole.

[0039] Figure 3 As shown, the movable element (22), housed within the body (21) of the drive assembly (2), is positioned at a distance from the outside of the body (21) to form a cavity, thereby protecting the first engagement portion (31) and the second engagement portion (43) within the cavity. The first engagement portion (31) and the second engagement portion (43) have shapes complementary to the crown (7) and are preferably a first flange and a second flange. In another embodiment, the movable element (22) extends from the body (21) in the direction of the forward rotating beam (3). The linkage-crank mechanism (4) includes a reinforcing member (47) extending from the arm (41) to the tubular portion (42).

Claims

1. A horizontal solar tracker (1) comprising at least one rotatable front rotating beam (3) and at least one rear rotating beam (12) engaged by means of a linkage-crank mechanism (4), wherein, The solar tracker (1) includes: - Drive assembly (2), the drive assembly comprising: Fixed bracket (11). The body (21) is fixed to the fixed bracket (11). At least one movable element (22) movable relative to the body (21), and at least one of the front rotating beams (3) is connected to the at least one movable element (22). A motor (23) adjacent to the main body (21) moves on the movable element (22); The connecting rod-crank mechanism (4) includes a first transmission segment (5) associated with the rear rotating beam (12) and at least one second transmission segment (6), the second transmission segment (6) including an arm (41) associated with the front rotating beam (3). Its features are: - One end of the front rotating beam (3) has a first engagement portion (31), which can be connected to the movable element (22). - The second transmission segment (6) further includes a tubular portion (42) orthogonally engaged with the arm (41), the tubular portion (42) locking the rotating beam (3) in the assembled state, and the second transmission segment (6) also includes a second engagement portion (43) linked to one end of the tubular portion (42), the second engagement portion (43) being able to connect to the first engagement portion (31) and the moving element (22).

2. The solar tracker (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The first joint (31) is a first flange, and the second joint (43) is a second flange.

3. The solar tracker (1) as described in claim 2, wherein, The first flange (31) includes a first hole (32), the second flange (43) includes a second hole (44), and the movable element (22) includes a housing (24), wherein the housing (24) is configured to face the first hole (32) and the second hole (44) in the assembled state.

4. The solar tracker (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The body (21) includes a cavity having a cylindrical tubular shape, and the movable element has a cylindrical shape such that the movable element can have rotational movement inside the body.

5. The solar tracker (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein, The movable element (22) partially passes through the body (21) so that it can be accessed from both sides of the body (21), and the movable element also has two front rotating beams (3), each front rotating beam (3) associated with one end of the movable element (22), and the movable element also has two second transmission segments (6), each second transmission segment (6) associated with each movable element (22).

6. The solar tracker (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein, In the assembled state, the movable element (22) is located at a distance from the outside of the body (21) along the direction of the front rotating beam (3) that is greater than the sum of the thicknesses of the first joint (31) and the second joint (43), such that in the assembled state, the first joint (31) and the second joint (43) are located inside the body (21).

7. The solar tracker (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The first engagement portion (31) and the second engagement portion (43) have shapes that are complementary to the active element (22).

8. The solar tracker (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The internal transverse cross-section of the tubular portion (42) is slightly larger than the transverse cross-section of the front rotating beam (3), and the two have complementary shapes.

9. The solar tracker (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The front rotating beam (3) and the connecting rod-crank mechanism (4) are made of metal.

10. The solar tracker (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The connecting rod-crank mechanism (4) includes a reinforcement (47) extending from the arm (41) to the tubular portion (42).

11. The solar tracker (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The tubular portion (42) is an integral component.

12. The solar tracker (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The active element (22) has a cylindrical shape and includes at least one crown (7) at one end.

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