Water collection system for solar tracker

Abstract

The utility model relates to a water collection system (100) for a solar tracker, which comprises attachment devices (110, 111), and the attachment devices (110, 111) are used for attaching a fastening support piece (120) for fastening at least one groove (130) to the solar tracker.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present utility model relates to the technical field of devices or systems used in combination with solar trackers. In particular, the present utility model relates to a system designed to collect water that may fall on the surface of a photovoltaic module mounted on a solar tracker. Background Art

[0002] In the field of installing photovoltaic energy systems, problems have been detected due to the accumulation of nearby water caused by precipitation, condensation, and dew. This water accumulates in the surrounding environment of the solar tracker, deteriorating the installed equipment, where corrosion of the support columns or foundations of the solar tracker may occur. In addition, the growth of weeds makes it difficult to access for maintenance.

[0003] The present utility model provides a solution to this problem by collecting the accumulated water and, in addition, using a relatively simple manufacturing and installation system. In particular, as can be observed based on the structure and construction of the system components, its assembly can be carried out quickly, without the need for specific or complex tools and involving a very small number of components. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] To this end, in relation to the above object, the object of the present utility model is a water collection system for a solar tracker. The system basically includes a groove for guiding water, a groove support for supporting the groove, and an attachment device for attaching the support to the solar tracker.

[0005] Therefore, when the solar panel is arranged in an inclined position, the water can be directed to a common drain pipe, thus avoiding problems caused by its accumulation in the surrounding environment of the solar tracker.

[0006] According to a feature of the present utility model, the attachment device is at least one clamp. The clamp consists of two jaws, an upper jaw (intended for the part of the photovoltaic module facing the sun) and a lower jaw; the spacing between the two jaws is such that they firmly capture the photovoltaic module between them.

[0007] According to a feature of the present utility model, the jaws are made as a single piece with a fixed spacing between the jaws, and the fastening of the jaws to the photovoltaic module is carried out by means of the pressure and / or friction that the jaws can exert against the upper and lower surfaces of the photovoltaic module.

[0008] The jaws may include, on their contact surfaces for contacting the photovoltaic module, a material known to have a certain elasticity and resist the attack of atmospheric factors. In the case of having elasticity, better support for the system is achieved. Preferably, the material will be EPDM.

[0009] According to an alternative of the present utility model, the distance between the upper jaw and the lower jaw of the clamp can be adjusted by moving one or both of the jaws.

[0010] According to a feature of the present utility model, the attachment clamp and the groove support are preferably made as a single, inseparable piece.

[0011] Alternatively, it is provided that the attachment clamp and the groove support are two separate pieces which are firmly attached to each other by means of mechanical connecting means, preferably by means of screws, bolts, etc.

[0012] According to another feature of the present utility model, the upper jaw of the clamp does not cover the part of the photovoltaic module intended to receive and convert solar radiation, i.e., the part of the photovoltaic cells.

[0013] Furthermore, especially in the case of the foregoing paragraph, the lower jaw may be longer than the upper jaw to facilitate fastening the entire system to the solar panel.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present utility model, the attachment means is a mechanical connecting means for connecting the groove support to the belt of the solar tracker. In this way, the attachment is faster, and the attachment holes for attaching the groove support may already be arranged in the belt, which can be attached by screwing or other attachment elements commonly used for attaching the belt and the panel of the solar tracker.

[0015] It is also provided that the support for the groove has an elongated arm for this purpose, and the arm has a shape substantially adapted to the lower transverse profile of the groove (at least along a section of the profile) to stably support the groove from below. In addition, the support includes corresponding holes for attaching to the groove by means of the attachment means.

[0016] Throughout the specification and claims, the reference to the "thickness" of the photovoltaic module is understood to mean all the components constituting the finished solar panel or plate mounted on the solar tracker, i.e., the thickness includes the panel frame and any other parts or components that must be inserted between the jaws of the clamp depending on the position in which it is placed.

[0017] There is also provided a solar tracker including the water collection system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The drawings illustrate, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of a water collection system for a solar tracker according to the present utility model.

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the water collection system according to the present utility model.

[0020] Figure 2Is a perspective view of a system similar to the system mounted on a solar module Figure 1 as shown.

[0021] Figure 3 Is a side view of the system mounted on Figure 2 the solar module as shown.

[0022] Figure 4 Is a detail of an embodiment of the system of the present utility model for mounting on support straps.

[0023] Figure 5 Is a detail of a solar tracker with the system of the present utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In the following sections, the present utility model will be described with reference to the foregoing drawings and focusing on some details not mentioned above, which will help to explain the scope of the claims with reference to the drawings. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the teachings can be practiced without such details or with modifications thereof that do not affect the scope defined by the claims.

[0025] Figure 1 A perspective view of a water collection system 100 intended to be mounted on a solar module 200 of a solar tracker is shown. As is known, a solar tracker consists of one or more support struts for supporting on the ground, a support structure for a solar panel or module 200 mounted on top thereof, and at least one rotating profile that rotates the support structure for the panel 200 to change the orientation of the support structure according to the movement of the sun on the horizon. In this sense, the present utility model adopts the system 100 as a solution, and the attachment of the system 100 is carried out at the edge of the module 200, so that all the water falling through the system can be guided and reused if considered appropriate. The fact that it is attached to the module 200 itself ensures that the amplitude of its rotational movement is practically unrestricted.

[0026] Specifically, the attachment will be implemented using a clamp or gripper 110 having two upper jaws 112 and lower jaws 112'. The spacing between the jaws 112, 112' is such that it allows the thickness of the solar module 200 mounted on the corresponding solar tracker to be accommodated by pressure; in other words, the spacing is such that it creates sufficient friction between the inner surfaces of the jaws 112, 112' and the upper and lower surfaces of the module 200 respectively to restrict the detachment of the clamp 110 (and the entire assembly following it), but without damaging the said surfaces of the module 200. In the clamp 110 (where two are in Figure 1shown, but the number of clamps for each solar module 200 can vary according to the weight they have to support), downstream, there is a groove support 120 firmly connected to each respective clamp 110. In one of the preferred embodiments, as shown in the drawings, this firm connection is achieved by screwing, but it can also be achieved by other means or simply by manufacturing the clamp 110 and the groove support 120 as a single piece, as described in one of the claims.

[0027] As can be seen in Figure 1 the clamp 110 is implemented with a bent recess, the sole purpose of which is to save material in the manufacture of the clamp and which does not constitute a technical feature of the present utility model. In other words, the connecting portion for connecting between the jaws 112, 112' and the attaching portion for attaching to the groove support 120 can be any component as long as it gives the clamp 110 sufficient mechanical strength and resistance to wear and tear due to exposure to inclement weather.

[0028] For its part, apart from the attaching portion for attaching to the clamp 110 already mentioned, the groove support 120 includes an end in the shape of an elongated arm 122, which is characterized in that it is shaped to fit the lower profile of a groove 130 which is another component element of the system 100. This fit or coincidence between the lower profile of the groove 130 and the arm 122 can be partial and such that it allows the groove 130 to be accommodated in the housing with relative stability. In other words, the lower profile of the groove 130 and the arm 122 can coincide substantially along the entire length of the said arm 122, or only in certain sections of the arm, or even only at a number of points (with a small longitudinal travel), if these points are used, as already mentioned, for stably accommodating the groove 130. As disclosed herein, this feature applies to grooves 130 of any shape; in the drawings, a groove 130 with a curved cross-section has been used as an example since it is one of the most common grooves, but it can be applied to grooves 130 with a rectangular, trapezoidal or any other cross-section as long as it complies with what is claimed in this document. Additionally, in connection with this functional interconnection, the groove support 120 can have attaching means for firmly attaching (in other words, in a manner resistant to the weight of water and the movement supported by the system 100) to the groove 130.

[0029] Figure 2FIG. 0 shows the system 100 of the present utility model, or a part of the system 100 mounted on one of a number of solar modules 200, as it may wrap around a number of solar modules 200, which in turn will be attached to a solar tracker according to known methods. In the exemplary embodiment of this figure, the groove 130 is shown as having three clamp 110 and groove support 120 assemblies, but as mentioned above, the number of said assemblies may also be more or less depending on the additional support of the next assembly to the end of the groove 130 in cases such as Figure 5 as in the case of the additional support of the next assembly to the end of the groove 130. Figure 3 The same system 100 is shown from a side or sectional perspective Figure 2 of.

[0030] In one of the embodiments, it is provided that the surfaces of the jaws 112, 112' intended to contact the solar module 200 are (at least partially) made of a material having a certain elasticity and resistant to atmospheric factors (precipitation, wind, temperature, humidity...). With this elastic material, the part of the solar module 200 in contact with the jaws 112, 112' is better protected and a better clamping thereof is achieved; in addition, water entry between the jaws 112, 112' and the solar module 200 is prevented or hindered to prevent the clamp 110 from disengaging due to sliding on a water layer. One of the preferred materials fulfilling this function is EPDM.

[0031] In one of the preferred embodiments of the present utility model, the jaws 112, 112' can be adjusted to achieve different spacings between them; this can be achieved by moving one or both of the jaws 112, 112'. In this way, a clamp 110 suitable for photovoltaic modules 200 of any thickness is obtained, and the pressure of the jaws 112, 112' adjusted for each case is achieved, as if they were the jaws of a pair of pliers. One or more adjustable jaws 112, 112' can move around an axis substantially perpendicular to their contact surface and can be locked in the appropriate clamping position of the module 200 by means of attachment screws, pressure wedges between the jaws 112, 112' and the vertical axis, using snap attachment elements, etc.

[0032] The clamp 110 and groove support 120 assemblies can be integrally manufactured as a single indivisible piece or two separate pieces, which two separate pieces are firmly attached to each other, for example, by screwing (as shown in the figure).

[0033] To protect the entire surface of the solar module 200 corresponding to the photovoltaic cells, the upper jaw 112 may terminate before reaching this surface, i.e., substantially cover a portion of the module frame 200. For such a case, although it may be an advantageous feature in any embodiment of the clamp 112, the lower jaw 112' may be significantly longer than the upper jaw 112, which may be advantageous for clamping it to the solar panel 200.

[0034] Figure 5 A solar tracker incorporating the water collection system is shown.

[0035] In another embodiment of the present utility model ( Figure 4 shown), the groove support 120 includes attachment means 111 for firmly attaching to the belt 300. The belt 300 is a Ω-shaped profile on the horizontal fins, where the solar module 200 is mounted in the solar tracker. Using these attachment means, the clamp 110 can be omitted, and the groove support 120 is directly attached to the belt 300, preferably to the bottom horizontal surface of the Ω-shaped profile. Preferably, these attachment means are the same attachment means for connecting the groove support 120 to the clamp 110, such that the same clamp 110 and support 120 assembly can be applied to the solar module 200 or the belt 300 as required.

Claims

1. A water collection system (100) for a solar tracker, characterized in that: An attachment device (110, 111) is included for attaching a groove support (120) for fastening at least one groove (130) to the solar tracker.

2. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The attachment means is at least one attachment clamp having a gap between an upper jaw (112) and a lower jaw (112'), the gap being suitable for securely capturing the thickness of the photovoltaic module (200) of the solar tracker between the upper jaw (112) and the lower jaw (112').

3. The system (100) according to claim 2, wherein: The attachment fixture captures the photovoltaic module (200) by means of pressure and / or friction coupling.

4. The system (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: A coupling surface of the photovoltaic module (200) for coupling to at least one of the upper jaw (112) and the lower jaw (112') of the attachment fixture comprises a resilient material and is resistant to atmospheric elements.

5. The system (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: At least one of the upper jaw (112) and the lower jaw (112') of the attachment clamp is adjustable in spacing relative to the other of the upper jaw (112) and the lower jaw (112').

6. The system (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The attachment fixture and the channel support (120) are separate pieces that are securely attached to each other by means of mechanical connection means.

7. The system (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The attachment clamp and the channel support (120) are formed as a single piece.

8. The system (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The upper jaw (112) does not cover the surface of the photovoltaic module (200) that receives and converts solar radiation.

9. The system (100) according to claim 8, wherein: The lower jaw (112') is significantly longer than the upper jaw (112).

10. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein: The attachment means is a mechanical connection means for connecting the gutter support (120) to the strap (300) of the solar tracker.

11. The system (100) according to any one of claims 1-3 and 9-10, wherein: The channel support (120) includes an elongated arm (122) adapted to the lower contour of the channel (130).

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