Single-row solar tracker

Abstract

The utility model relates to a single-row solar tracker which comprises a rotating shaft (1), solar panels (2) are installed on the rotating shaft so that the solar panels (2) can rotate according to controlled angles, the rotating shaft (1) is supported on a plurality of supporting columns, and the supporting columns are provided with driving columns (3.1) and optionally combined with standard columns (3.2). And the solar tracker comprises, in each drive column (3.1), a linear actuator (4) pushing a lever (4.1) connected to the rotating shaft (1) to rotate it, the lower end (4.3) of the linear actuator (4) being coupled to the drive column (3.1) by a joint (4.4); and each linear actuator (4) is actuated by a respective motor (5), the solar tracker comprising a control system which actuates each motor (5) simultaneously, keeping all the solar panels (2) in the same direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of solar energy, and more specifically to a solar tracker and a driving device thereof, wherein the solar trackers are used to support solar panels with a rotating shaft, and each driving device has a long single row, thereby reducing or eliminating the torsional stress generated when the rotating shaft is twisted. Background Art

[0002] A solar tracker changes its orientation throughout the day so that the normal to the surface of the solar panel always coincides with the local meridian containing the sun, thereby maximizing energy capture. In particular, single-axis or single-row solar trackers rotate the panel about a single axis of rotation.

[0003] Currently, there are known solutions that, in order to drive the rotation to position the panels, use is made of, for example, a single motor connected to the rotating shaft, either at one end or in a central position, having sufficient force to rotate the shaft and all the panels. In order for the rotating shaft to rotate correctly, the support column on which the rotating shaft rests to support the panels must include bushings or bearings that allow rotation.

[0004] However, this solution requires large dimensions of the torsion shaft that bears the highest torque values, and in addition requires a high-power motor to move the entire rotating shaft and the panel, which significantly increases the cost of the device. Moreover, even with such dimensions, losses may occur along the shaft due to torsion and / or resistance of the connected elements, resulting in uneven rotation of the shaft.

[0005] To solve this problem, there is a solution that divides the support column into a drive column, interspersed with a standard column. The actuator is arranged in the drive column so that the motor powers the actuator and transmits the movement to the remaining actuators through an auxiliary transmission rod, thus reducing the generated torsional forces. However, in this solution, losses are also generated due to the uneven rotation of the different actuators caused by the different connections, and in this case, the torsion is generated on the main rotation axis, and in extreme cases, different angles are generated in the panels between the ends.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of existing solutions, it is clear that a solution is needed to prevent the generation of torsional stresses on the shaft, which could degrade the performance of the panel or shorten the service life of the device. Utility Model Content

[0007] In order to achieve this purpose and solve the technical problems discussed so far, in addition to providing other advantages that can be derived later, the utility model relates to a single-row solar tracker, which includes a rotating shaft, on which solar panels are mounted so that they rotate according to a controlled angle, and the rotating shaft is supported on a plurality of support columns, which have drive columns, optionally combined with standard columns, in other words, the drive columns are those that drive the rotation of the tracker and therefore include motors, while all the support columns can be drive columns, or combined with standard non-drive columns that only serve as support. The solar tracker includes an actuator in each drive column, which actuator pushes a lever (rod or similar element) connected to the rotating shaft, causing it to rotate and thus rotating the tracker, and the lower end of the linear actuator is connected to the drive column by a joint. Each linear actuator is actuated by a corresponding motor, and the solar tracker includes a control system that actuates each motor simultaneously to keep all solar panels in the same direction.

[0008] In this configuration, all motors can be synchronized to produce the same rotation at the same moment, and on each drive column there is a linear actuator that will realize the movement. The linear actuator can be chosen among electric, hydraulic, etc. The performance of the system is improved due to the absence of losses caused by mechanical friction (generated by transmission rods, universal joints, etc.), making the equipment simpler and easier to assemble than in the case of solutions with transmission rods. In addition, it allows the tracker to be dimensioned so that the rotating shaft can have a smaller section, because it needs to support less stress, and thus the support columns will also have a smaller section, because they need to support less weight. The linear actuators will thus need to be smaller in size, since there is an independent electric motor for each linear actuator.

[0009] Therefore, the tracker is optimized due to its reduced weight, which has a direct impact on improving transportation, as both weight and volume are reduced.

[0010] The control system for the synchronous orientation of all panels by means of linear actuators comprises a central control unit which actuates all the motors of the linear actuators.

[0011] According to an alternative embodiment, it is envisaged that the control system comprises a control unit for each motor, with a master control unit sending signals to the remaining slave control units in order to actuate the motors.

[0012] The fact that the motors are independent allows better control of their rotation, being able to grasp or control their movements in the same way. On the other hand, synchronization allows to relieve the torsional stresses that could arise on the main shaft due to differences in the angular speed of the motors or their angular position; since exactly the same displacement is achieved, each guided by its motor and controller, no torsion is generated on the shaft between the columns or support points.

[0013] Likewise, it increases the scalability or modularity of the device as it allows the length of the tracker to be shortened or extended depending on the needs of the device.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, communication between the control system and the motor or between the independent controllers of each motor driving each linear actuator is achieved through existing or additional wired and / or wireless means, such as Bluetooth, LoRa (Long Range Radio), Zigbee (Zigbee Protocol) or through WI-FI (Wireless Network).

[0015] Preferably, the control unit is configured to actuate the motors of the actuators according to signals received from the motors or from sensors mounted on each actuator. In this way, optimal synchronization and fault detection capabilities of the linear actuators can be achieved, preventing the actuation of rotation in case of damage or failure of the tracker or one of its motors, while the controller is able to detect said failure and stop the system, thus avoiding damage to the tracker.

[0016] In addition, the control unit is configured to adjust the speed of the motor so that the panels move synchronously. In this way, the motor can be controlled according to environmental conditions so that the rotating shaft rotates evenly.

[0017] This configuration can also be used with more than one row of solar panels working in parallel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 A top view of a solar tracker is shown showing all solar panels aligned on the axis of rotation.

[0019] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 An elevation view of a solar tracker in FIG. 1 showing the panels supported on poles, some of which are drive poles and others are standard support poles.

[0020] Figure 3 A side view of the tracker is shown showing one of the drive posts and its corresponding linear actuator in a neutral position.

[0021] Figure 4 A side view of the tracker is shown showing one of the drive posts and its corresponding linear actuator in an extended position.

[0022] Figure 5 A detailed elevation view of one of the linear actuators and its drive motor is shown.

[0023] Figure 6 A control system with a central control unit is shown schematically.

[0024] Figure 7 A control system is schematically shown with a control unit for each motor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] According to the above-mentioned figures and in accordance with the adopted numbers, one can observe therein a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which comprises the components and elements shown and described in detail below.

[0026] Figure 1 A solar installation with solar panels (2) is shown, which in this case corresponds to the purpose of the single-row tracker of the invention.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, this type of tracker comprises support columns, preferably equidistantly supporting solar panels (2), which are mounted together with their respective frames and straps on a rotation axis (1) extending along the entire length of the panel (2). The rotation axis (1) is thus supported on said columns, which are divided into drive columns (3.1) and intermediate standard columns (3.2), wherein the drive columns (3.1) comprise linear actuators (4) for driving the rotation of the rotation axis (1) to determine the orientation of the panel (2), and the intermediate standard columns (3.2) are used only as support without applying a torsion force to the rotation axis (1), but there may also be other design options in which there are no standard columns (3.2) and they are all drive columns (3.1).

[0028] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, these linear actuators (4) are electric linear actuators, but they can have any other configuration, such as hydraulic actuators. The tracker comprises a lever (4.1) connected to the upper part of the linear actuator (4), which exerts a rotation on the rotary shaft (1) due to the action of a connecting rod (4.2), which is driven by a spindle driven by a motor (5) mounted on the linear actuator (4), as shown, for example Figure 5 Thus, when the motor (5) drives the linear actuator (4), its connecting rod (4.2) is displaced, causing the lever (4.1) to pivot, thereby controlling the rotation of the rotary shaft connected thereto, according to the direction of the solar panel (2) to be obtained.

[0029] The linear actuator (4) is fixed at its lower end (4.3) to the drive column (3.1) via a joint (4.4).

[0030] The solar tracker of the utility model also includes a control system, which is configured to send a signal to activate all motors (5) simultaneously. In this way, the motors (5) drive the actuators (4) to apply rotation to the rotating shaft (1) at the same time, so that the solar panels (4) move synchronously and prevent unnecessary torsion along the rotating shaft (1).

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, Figure 6 As shown in detail, the control system comprises a single central control unit (6) which actuates the motor (5) of each linear actuator (4).

[0032] According to another design embodiment, Figure 7 As shown in detail, it is envisaged that the control system includes a control unit for each motor (5), which has a master control unit (7.1) and the remaining units are slave control units (7.2), so that they can communicate with each other, and the master control unit (7.1) sends a signal to the slave control unit (7.2), and the slave control unit (7.2) acts synchronously with the master control unit (7.2) to cause all panels to move simultaneously.

[0033] The communication between the central control unit (6) and the motor (5), as well as the communication between the control units (7.1, 7.2) and each other and with the motor (5), is preferably established via existing or additional wired and / or wireless means (e.g., WI-FI, LoRa, Zigbee or Bluetooth).

[0034] According to a preferred option of the present invention, the control system is configured to send an actuation signal of the motor (5) to actuate the linear actuator (4) based on a signal received from one or more motors (5) and / or from a sensor (8) installed on each linear actuator (4).

[0035] Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, the control system is configured to adjust the speed of the motor (5) so that the panels (2) move synchronously. Thus, when sending a synchronous actuation signal for the motor (5), depending on environmental conditions, such as the wind force on some panels (2) being greater than the wind force on other panels, the control unit will adjust the speed of the motor (5) so that the rotation along the rotation axis (1) is uniform.

[0036] Thus, a solar tracker is obtained that provides a device with greater control over the rotation of the panels (2), preventing unnecessary twisting on the rotation axis (1) that could lead to different twists between the solar panels (2) or to deterioration of the device.

Claims

1. A single-row solar tracker comprising a rotation axis (1) on which a solar panel (2) is mounted so that the solar panel rotates according to a controlled angle, the rotation axis (1) being supported on a plurality of support columns having a drive column (3.1), characterized in that: The solar tracker comprises a linear actuator (4) in each driving column (3.1), the linear actuator pushing a lever (4.1) connected to the rotating shaft (1) to rotate the lever, the lower end (4.3) of the linear actuator (4) being connected to the driving column (3.1) via a joint (4.4); and each linear actuator (4) being actuated by a corresponding independent motor (5), the solar tracker comprising a control system, the control system actuating each motor (5) simultaneously to keep all solar panels (2) in the same direction, wherein the control system is configured to actuate the motor (5) of the linear actuator (4) according to a signal received from the motor (5) and / or from a sensor (8) mounted on each linear actuator (4).

2. The solar tracker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control system comprises a central control unit (6) which actuates all motors (5).

3. The solar tracker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control system comprises a control unit for each motor (5), the control units comprising a master control unit (7.1), and the remaining units are slave control units (7.2), wherein the master control unit (7.1) sends an actuation signal to the slave control units (7.2) to actuate the motor (5).

4. The solar tracker according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The communication between the control system and the motors (5) and / or the communication between the control units (7.1, 7.2) so that the motors (5) are actuated simultaneously is achieved by wired and / or wireless means.

5. The solar tracker according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The control system is configured to adjust the speed of the motor (5) so that the panels (2) move synchronously.

6. The solar tracker according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The plurality of support columns also have standard columns (3.2).

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