Dual-axis solar array tracker

Abstract

A two-axis solar array tracker for supporting multiple solar energy harvesting elements at multiple solar collector nodes. Two orthogonal axes of motion, specifically, a rotation axis at a rotatable cross beam and a tilt axis relative to the cross beam axis, allow for precise orientation in a stable configuration. The two-axis design of the solar tracker allows for motion of the solar collector so that it can be oriented toward the sun, optimizing the collection of solar radiation when the incoming solar rays are perpendicular to the solar collector solar cell elements. The solar tracker array of the present invention further allows for the integration of solar, electric and / or thermal energy cogeneration.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 137,221, filed January 14, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

[0002] The present invention relates to a solar array tracking structure for supporting solar energy harvesting or solar thermal collector elements. The present invention also relates to photovoltaic and thermal energy collection and photovoltaic thermal energy cogeneration systems. [Background technology]

[0003] In a solar energy harvesting system, the efficiency of the system or the amount of energy harvested is maximized when the solar harvesting elements are oriented toward the sun. For example, solar harvesting elements such as photovoltaic cells, photothermal cells, and associated elements such as reflective elements (such as mirrors) and other optical elements (such as lenses) can be used to harvest solar energy in the form of light and heat. One type of solar harvesting element is a solar cell, also called a photovoltaic cell, which is an electrical device that collects energy from the sun as light and converts it directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. To maximize the light collected, the solar harvesting elements are generally aligned nearly perpendicular to the incoming solar rays, and the angle or orientation of the solar cells is ideally adjusted over time and as the sun moves relative to the solar cell's location to optimally align the solar cells perpendicular to the incoming light. Solar harvesting systems that do not have a moving system and a tracking system are installed in a specific fixed orientation depending on their installation location (such as latitude) to maximize the period during which their solar cell elements are close to perpendicular to the incoming solar rays. Systems that provide sun tracking motion and hold the solar elements oriented perpendicular to the incoming solar rays are commonly referred to as solar trackers or solar array trackers. Existing trackers employ a variety of mechanisms, including linkages, gears, joints, belts, cable drives, and other mechanical and electronic devices, to control the angle of the solar cells.

[0004] US Patent Application Publication No. 20190199276 describes a single-axis tracking device in which one or more solar elements are connected to an axial element about which they rotate, and a semicircular structural member. The semicircular member is a toothed circular rack (similar to a rack in a rack-and-pinion gear) that is rotated via a gear system. This allows the solar elements to be rotated to point toward the sun, or nearly so. This is also achieved by having the system and the axial element (about which the solar elements rotate) in a specific orientation at installation, depending on the location, available orientation, and latitude where the system is installed. However, with such a single-axis system, it is not possible to always have the solar elements point toward the sun, or close to such a required orientation. This is not possible due to the movement of the sun's relative position in the sky throughout the year.

[0005] Other systems use similar configurations, in which the solar elements are connected to axial elements to rotate, but their motion is commanded by motorized elements. Other systems use linkages, belts, cable drives, and other mechanical devices to achieve the solar tracking motion. ES 2404671 A1 describes a scissor-type linkage system for a single-axis solar tracker, optionally mounted on a vertical axis of rotation, or a system that provides a horizontal axis of rotation perpendicular to the axis formed by said scissor-type mechanism, forming a secondary axis of rotation. In both cases, vertical structural elements are used to increase the height of the system, which requires reinforcing structures, resulting in a significant complexity of installation.

[0006] In another example, US Patent No. 9,729,102 describes a single-axis solar tracking solution using folding solar panels. The solar panels are mounted on a system with a vertical axis of rotation to form a two-axis tracking system. Other common tracking systems are based on at least one of the axes of rotation being vertical, such as ground-mounted configurations. Most of these configurations rely on a vertical structural member or a combination of two, three, or four vertical or near-vertical members, optionally with additional linkage systems, swivels, ball joints, etc.

[0007] Solar array tracking systems are typically found in ground mounts on horizontal surfaces and very rarely, if ever, on inclined mounting surfaces such as sloped roofs. These types of array systems typically rely on a limited number of fixing points, i.e., small areas to fasten them to the support area and / or support structure, which is not feasible for installing said array systems on roofs, walls, or inclined or non-flat surfaces. In particular, wind-induced loads (e.g., weight) from the systems are only transferred to the area and / or structure to which these systems are mounted in localized areas, concentrating the intensity of such loads and resulting in adverse structural effects. Thus, such arrays generally require the application of structural reinforcement to those areas to support further applied forces, both in the array system itself and in the area and / or structure to which these systems are mounted. This need for structural reinforcement results in increased weight and complexity.

[0008] While wall and rooftop mounting of solar array trackers is ideal due to the available area for installing such systems, for safety reasons to keep the structure away from people, and to avoid shadowing, the structural reinforcement required to support the tracker is not always possible or practical to apply to sloped roofs or walls, etc. Furthermore, relying on vertical or quasi-vertical structural members, the height of these types of systems can be substantially increased, which results in a commensurate increase in the loads and moments transferred through the system's structure to the surrounding structure at said local mounting area, further increasing the need for structural reinforcement, with the resulting complexity, weight, and cost. Increasing the height also increases the exposure to winds with higher speeds, resulting in larger loads. Increasing the height means that the top of the system is pushed towards the outside of the flow boundary layer formed by the surface (e.g., roof) on which the system is installed. The added vertical height also impacts the shading and safety measures generated. The taller these systems are, the more shading they create for their surrounding areas. As a result, the spacing between installed systems must be increased to avoid higher costs associated with having to install more systems to reach a certain capacity for the amount of energy harvested, with some systems underperforming and underutilized because they are in the shadow of their neighbors. For safety reasons, spacing is also necessary to avoid possible damage to one system (caused, for example, by high winds) affecting neighboring systems.

[0009] Solar cogeneration, also known as hybrid solar or simply cogeneration, combines photovoltaic (PV) cell technology and solar thermal technology in a single system to deliver both electricity and heat, maximizing the absorbable energy from the sun. Cogeneration is a more efficient method of solar energy harvesting because it harnesses and productively utilizes heat that would otherwise be wasted. There remains a need for solar trackers that can support multiple solar thermal collectors that maximize the energy collected per area. There also remains a need for precise solar array trackers that are capable of dual-axis tracking but have a small profile or low height that allows distributed load transfer to the host structure and can be mounted on horizontal and non-horizontal surfaces.

[0010] This background information is provided for the purpose of making known information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. It is not necessarily an admission, nor should it be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a tracking device capable of supporting multiple solar collectors or solar energy harvesting elements and to provide a robust system for controlling the angle of the solar collectors to accurately track the sun. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In one aspect, a dual axis solar tracking device is provided, comprising: a first longitudinal beam with a first mechanical system; a second longitudinal beam offset from the first longitudinal beam with a second mechanical system; and at least one transverse beam extending between the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam, the transverse beam comprising a rotating shaft with a plurality of solar collector node mating elements, the rotating shaft having a first end with a first transverse beam mechanical element for engaging with a first longitudinal beam mating element on the first mechanical system to rotate the transverse beam about its axis and a second end with a second transverse beam mechanical element for engaging with a second longitudinal beam mating element on the second mechanical system to tilt the plurality of solar collector nodes relative to the transverse beam; a plurality of solar collector nodes each with a collector node mechanical element that engages with one of the plurality of collector node mating elements on the rotating shaft; and a transverse beam comprising a hollow cross section for receiving a conduit connecting each of the plurality of solar collector nodes.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first longitudinal beam, the second longitudinal beam, or the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam comprise a hollow cross section that connects to a conduit in the cross beam.

[0014] In another embodiment, the conduit is selected from an electrical conduit, a fluid conduit, and an electrical conduit and a fluid conduit.

[0015] In another embodiment, a fluid conduit fluidly connects a plurality of solar collector nodes to a thermal cogeneration system.

[0016] In another embodiment, the solar tracking device further comprises a first motor connected to the first mechanical system for controlling the first mechanical system, and a second motor connected to the second mechanical system for controlling the second mechanical system.

[0017] In another embodiment, the solar tracker further comprises a plurality of solar energy harvesting elements connected to the plurality of solar collector nodes.

[0018] In another embodiment, the plurality of solar thermal collector nodes comprises photovoltaic concentrating cells, thermal concentrating cells, composite photothermal cells, or combinations thereof.

[0019] In another embodiment, the conduit in the cross beam is a fluid conduit and a plurality of the solar collector nodes include integral thermal fluid conduits connected to the fluid conduit.

[0020] In another embodiment, at least one of the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam comprises a vertical electrical main, and the plurality of solar collector nodes are electrically connected to the vertical electrical main.

[0021] In another embodiment, at least one of the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam comprises a fluid main conduit, and the plurality of solar collector nodes are fluidly connected to the vertical fluid main conduit.

[0022] In another embodiment, a rotating shaft on the cross beam includes a plurality of worm drives for engaging with worm gears on a plurality of solar collector nodes.

[0023] In another embodiment, the solar tracker further comprises a plurality of cross beams.

[0024] In another embodiment, the solar tracking device further comprises a mounting structure for elevating the solar tracking device relative to a mounting surface.

[0025] In another embodiment, the elevation mounting structure can adjust the angle of the solar tracker array relative to the mounting surface.

[0026] In another aspect, a dual axis solar tracking device is provided, comprising: a first longitudinal beam with a first mechanical system; a second longitudinal beam offset from the first longitudinal beam with a second mechanical system; and at least one transverse beam extending between the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam, a rotating shaft with a plurality of solar collector node mating elements, the rotating shaft having a first end with a first transverse beam mechanical element for engaging with a first longitudinal beam mating element on the first mechanical system to rotate the transverse beam about its axis and a second end with a second transverse beam mechanical element for engaging with a second longitudinal beam mating element on the second mechanical system to tilt the plurality of solar collector nodes relative to the transverse beam, a plurality of solar collector nodes each with a collector node mechanical element that engages with one of the plurality of collector node mating elements on the rotating shaft, and a transverse beam with a hollow cross section for receiving a fluid conduit connecting each of the plurality of solar collector nodes.

[0027] In one embodiment, the solar tracker further comprises an electrical conduit within the cross beam electrically connecting each of the plurality of solar collector nodes to the electrical mains.

[0028] In another embodiment, the plurality of solar thermal collector nodes comprises photovoltaic concentrating cells, thermal concentrating cells, composite photothermal cells, or combinations thereof.

[0029] For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other aspects and further features, reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a dual-axis solar array tracker showing solar collector nodes. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a dual-axis solar array tracker mounted on an upward-pointing solar collector. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a dual-axis solar array tracker with solar collector nodes oriented at an angle. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a dual-axis solar array tracker mounted on a solar collector oriented at an angle. [Figure 5A] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the intersection of a transverse beam and a longitudinal beam with a gear system. [Figure 5B] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the intersection of a transverse beam and a longitudinal beam with the transverse beam rotated about its axis. [Figure 5C] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the intersection of the cross beam and the longitudinal beam with the cross beam rotating on its axis and the collector node gear tilted. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a cross beam having multiple solar collector nodes. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a cross beam with integrated heat conduits. [Figure 8A] FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a single solar collector node gear mechanism on a cross beam. [Figure 8B] FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a single solar collector node gear mechanism on a left tilted cross beam. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a single solar collector node on a cross beam with an integrated thermal system. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a single solar collector node with a thermal collection system. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a solar collector node having a thermal collection system. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a single solar collector node having configurations for integrating heat collection and / or heat transfer and / or management systems. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a side view of a cross beam having multiple solar collector nodes attached to multiple conical solar collectors. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a dual axis solar array tracker mounted on a mounting frame. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a solar tracker array with a central longitudinal beam. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a solar concentrator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

[0032] As used in this specification and the claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0033] The term "comprising" as used herein is understood to mean that the list below is non-exhaustive and may or may not include any other additional suitable items, e.g., one or more further feature(s), component(s) and / or element(s) as appropriate.

[0034] As used herein, the terms "connect" and "connected" refer to any direct or indirect physical association between elements or features of the present disclosure. Thus, these terms may be understood to refer to elements or features that are partially or fully contained within, attached, coupled, disposed on, joined, in communication with, operably associated with, etc., even if there are other intervening elements or features between the elements or features described as being connected.

[0035] As used herein, the term "mechanical system" includes any set of mechanical elements that interact with each other and work together toward the same object(s), such as transferring energy / work, power, force, motion between them. Some examples of mechanical systems that perform such transfer of energy / work, power, force, motion include, but are not limited to, gearing (two or more elements such as gears, and other types of elements such as worm drives), meshing interlocking elements, couplings, belt and cable systems (with pulleys and other elements), and the like. For example, worm drive / worm gear mechanical systems have an interesting property of irreversibility, where motion, load, work, energy, power applied to a worm drive results in transfer to the worm gear(s) engaged with such worm drive, but not the reverse (applied to the worm gear and transferred to the worm). Thus, these systems can be maintained in a locked configuration or position without the constant application of load, work, energy, power.

[0036] As used herein, the term "machine element" refers to a component of a mechanical system that meshes with other mechanical component(s) in such mechanical system. A machine element may have one or more functions within a mechanical system, which may include, but are not limited to, being a means of transmission for inputting or outputting motion, load, energy, work, power to or from a mechanical system, or for transmitting motion, load, energy, work, power to other machine element(s) in the mechanical system with which they are engaged. Some examples of machine elements that may be included in a mechanical system include, but are not limited to, gears, worm drives, linkages, couplings, belts, cables, pulleys, disks, etc.

[0037] Described herein is a low-profile, dual-axis solar array tracker for supporting multiple solar energy harvesting elements at multiple solar collector nodes. The described dual-axis solar array tracker has two perpendicular axes of motion, specifically, a rotation axis at a rotatable cross beam and a tilt axis relative to the axis of the cross beam, each controlled by two different gear systems attached to a controllable motor. The dual-axis design of the solar tracker of the present invention allows for motion of the solar collector so that it can be oriented toward the sun, optimizing the collection of solar radiation when the incoming sun's rays are perpendicular to the solar energy harvesting elements of the solar collector. The low profile and low height of the presently described solar array tracker allows for its easy use on any type of rooftop, being technically efficient and visually appealing. A variety of solar energy harvesting elements can be used with the system of the present invention, including, but not limited to, photovoltaic concentrating cells, thermal concentrating cells, composite photothermal cells, and other types of cells (optionally including optical elements such as, for example, mirrors, lenses, and light directing optical elements).

[0038] The solar array tracker is capable of two-axis tracking, but with a small profile and low height, reducing system weight and wind loads and moments while allowing distributed load transfer to the host structure. The solar array tracker can be mounted on horizontal surfaces as well as highly inclined and angled surfaces such as roofs. Furthermore, the solar array tracker of the present invention allows for highly concentrated solar elements operating at maximum efficiency and load per footprint while providing a mechanism for possible solar cogeneration, thus providing highly concentrated harvested energy and power per footprint. The system of the present invention is ideal for flat or sloping rooftop applications where the area available for installation of solar harvesting systems is small, constrained and valuable, and energy consumption per plant area is typically high. This tracker configuration also exhibits a small profile or low height, thus reducing shading to adjacent systems. Thus, the spacing between adjacent systems is also reduced, maximizing the space utilization available for collecting solar energy and achieving high harvested energy and power per available area. Structural complexity and weight are also reduced, the solar array tracker allows distributed load transfer to the host structure, and mounting is possible not only on horizontal or flat surfaces. Solar cogeneration can also be supported, contributing to high concentrated harvesting energy and power per footprint in localized areas, such as rooftops, where available area is small.

[0039] In addition, the solar array tracker of the present invention optimizes the distribution of load due to the system weight and the load carrying the solar elements and accessory systems under wind and weather conditions compared to conventional single-leg, double-leg, or tripod type two-axis trackers. By being thin and integrating a mechanical angling system to move the solar collector, the solar array tracker described herein can maximize the area utilized for solar energy harvesting while minimizing the number of motors and controllers required. An advantage of the present invention is that only a maximum of two motor elements are required to move an array having several solar elements. Thus, the operation (including tracking, movement, and orientation) of the two-axis solar array tracker described herein can be managed by an automated system having a computer system (e.g., a microcontroller, a microcomputer, and / or several sensors of different types). The solar tracker of the present invention is also a device that allows for the possible conduction of electric current, and fluid movement for thermal energy harvesting and heat transfer (and possibly management) from the different solar elements, and the integration of the corresponding necessary components for the operation and management of such a system.

[0040] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a dual axis solar array tracker 10 showing solar collector nodes 12. The dual axis solar array tracker has a first longitudinal beam 14a and a second longitudinal beam 14b that is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal beam. Between the first longitudinal beam 14a and the second longitudinal beam 14b are one or more cross beams 16. While the illustrated embodiment has four cross beams, other embodiments may have one, two, three, five, six, or more cross beams extending between and connected to the longitudinal beams. The dual axis solar array tracker can support a wide variety of types of solar collectors at multiple solar collector nodes 12, with one or more types of solar collectors being mountable at each of the solar collector nodes 12.

[0041] The solar tracker of the present invention can be mounted on the ground or other horizontal, flat or non-flat surfaces, but also on angled surfaces such as roofs and walls (optionally with one or more mounting structures or elements). By tracking the position of the sun relative to the position of the solar tracker and tilting the solar collector nodes 12 toward the sun so that the incoming solar rays are as close to vertical as possible, the best energy harvesting can be achieved. By using the solar array tracker of the present invention, the time that the solar collector is directed toward the sun can be maximized, greatly increasing the energy and power harvested. Furthermore, the system of the present invention has a low profile or low height relative to the mounting surface, which allows for easy installation with little or no structural or mechanical reinforcement to either the solar tracker array or the surface to which the solar tracker array is mounted, allowing for desirable load distribution.

[0042] In the solar array tracker, the longitudinal support structural elements or longitudinal beams 14a, 14b are arranged substantially parallel to each other to support one or more transverse beams 16, each of which supports one or more solar collector nodes 12. A first gear system in the first longitudinal beam 14a connects with a first meshing gear, also called a transverse beam gear, on each transverse beam to rotate the transverse beam 16 relative to the longitudinal beam 14a about the axis X-X' of the transverse beam 16. This rotational motion changes the angle of the solar collector nodes 12 in the yz-plane. A second gear system in or aligned with the second longitudinal beam 14b is operatively connected to the transverse beam, which is operatively connected to each of the solar collector nodes 12 to tilt the solar collector nodes 12 in the xz-plane relative to the axis of the transverse beam. In one embodiment, the solar array tracker is preferably mounted with the yz plane aligned in a north-south direction and the angle of the solar collector nodes on the cross beam adjusted to accommodate the season and the height of the sun in the sky. Thus, the tracker is preferably aligned with the east-west cross beam and the second gear system ensures that the solar collector nodes 12 are tilted at the correct angle to track the sun throughout the day. Operation of the first rotating gear system rotates the cross beam about axis X-X' and operation of the second tilting gear system can tilt each of the solar collector nodes 12 relative to axis X-X'.

[0043] On a first side of the cross beam, a first mechanical system engages the cross beam with a meshing element in the first longitudinal beam 14a, which may preferably be a combination of a worm drive and a worm gear. The actuation of the first motion mechanical system by the first motor 32 results in the rotation of the cross beam connected to the first mechanical system. On the opposite or second side of the cross beam, a second mechanical system engages the cross beam with a meshing element in the second longitudinal beam 14b, which may also preferably be a combination of a worm drive and a worm gear. The motion transmission mechanical elements along each of the first longitudinal beam 14a and the second longitudinal beam 14b preferably include a shaft with an inserted worm drive. When the second motor 34 is actuated with the second motion mechanical system in the second longitudinal beam, the second mechanical system in the second longitudinal beam 14b rotates, causing the rotation of an axial element connected to its output shaft in the second longitudinal beam 14b. These elements (preferably shafts and connected worms) rotate to cause rotation of a mechanical element (preferably a worm gear) engaged on the second side of the cross beam 16. The mechanical element (preferably a worm gear, as described above) on this opposite or second side of the cross beam is not directly connected to the cross beam, but to another set of axial components along or within the cross beam member, which rotate with the worm gears used in the second mechanical motion system to tilt the solar collector node 12. As described above, the mechanical systems and mechanical elements shown in the figures of the present invention include worm drives and intermeshing worm gears, but it should be understood that other mechanical systems and mechanical elements can be used.

[0044] Each of the cross beams comprises, at the desired position, an axial component consisting of an axial element in which a mechanical transmission element (which may preferably be a worm drive) is inserted. These axial components extend in or along the cross beam and join and are supported by the cross beam via bearings, gaskets and / or other structural components that occupy the cross beam. The length of these axial elements and therefore the length of the cross beam can be changed, as with the longitudinal members, by changing the length of the axial components, the number of axial components and the number of mechanical transmission elements (e.g. worms) applied. The choice of the length and number of components used affects the number of solar energy harvesting elements or solar thermal collectors per cross beam, as it affects the number of cross beams applied in the longitudinal beam. If a combination of worm drives and gears is used, these worms are connected to worm gears. To do this, as with the longitudinal members, the transverse members including the axial elements have openings at the positions of such mechanical transmission elements (e.g. worms). These openings are preferably encased in a protective element to shield the mechanical transmission system from external elements such as weather, impact, airborne particles and chemicals, dirt, debris, etc. When a worm drive and gear combination is used, as the worm rotates, the worm gears rotate with an axis perpendicular to the transverse member and thus the first axis of rotation of the tracking system along the transverse member. This forms the second axis of the tracking system, as the worm gears also rotate about the first tracking axis and rotate with the transverse member as it rotates, when a worm drive and gear combination is used. These mechanical elements at the collector node locations, such as the worm gears, have either structures attached to hold the solar cell elements or solar cell elements attached directly to such solar collector node locations.These are then rotated in two compound rotations to form a two-axis solar tracking system, enabling the solar cells attached to mechanical system elements at collector node positions (e.g., worm gears) within the lateral members to always face the sun and maintain their perpendicularity to the incoming solar rays for maximum energy harvesting efficiency and maximum amount of energy harvested by said solar cells.

[0045] The longitudinal and transverse beams may be made of any supporting structural elements, such as one or more beams, bars, rods, hollow beams, extrusions, rods, or combinations thereof. The beams may consist of a single or multiple of these elements along both their length and / or cross section. The two longitudinal beams 14a, 14b act as supporting structural elements and also allow the installation of the solar tracker on the desired surface area, utilizing only certain fixed points along said longitudinal elements, for example by connecting to a pole, a lifting mechanism, or other support structure. The two longitudinal beams also enclose or connect to the moving parts of the system, which, as will be described, command the rotation on the desired number of transverse beams.

[0046] In use, to adjust the orientation of the solar collector node in the dual-axis solar tracker, a computer system having a microcontroller, or a microcomputer, an analog or digital circuit, or any other similar device / circuit / system, or a combination thereof, receives a signal to adjust the orientation of the solar collector node and controls a first motor 32 operably connected to a first longitudinal beam with a first mechanical system, and a second motor 34 operably connected to a second longitudinal beam and the second mechanical system. The rotation angle of each of the transverse beams extending between the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam is controlled by a first transverse beam mechanical element at a first end of the transverse beam. The first transverse beam mechanical element engages with a first longitudinal beam mating element on the first mechanical system, and the operation of the first motor relative to the first mechanical system rotates the transverse beam relative to the first longitudinal beam. Operation of a second motor operably connected to a second mechanical system in or adjacent to the second longitudinal beam engages a second longitudinal beam meshing element on the second mechanical system, which is operably engaged with a second transverse beam mechanical element at the second end of the transverse beam to rotate a rotating shaft in the transverse beam. The rotating shaft has a plurality of collector node meshing mechanical elements, each of which connects and engages with a collector node mechanical element on a solar collector node location. If a worm drive and gear combination is used, rotation of the collector node gear tilts the plurality of solar collectors at such node location relative to the axis of the rotating shaft and transverse beam. These two operations allow the system of the present invention to always orient the attached solar cell elements perpendicular to the solar beam, thus maximizing the efficiency of energy harvesting and the duration that energy harvesting is performed at such maximum efficiency, resulting in a significant increase in power and total energy harvested. The illustrated configuration has a first motion mechanical system on the first (right) longitudinal beam 14a and a second mechanical system on the second (left) longitudinal beam 14b, although it should be understood that these could be reversed.

[0047] Each motor (i.e., the first motor 32 and the second motor 34) may further include a positioning sensing system that forms a feedback loop with the electric motor and associated controller, such that different types of electric motors may be used, which may also include servos, stepper motors, or any other type of sensors to provide feedback on motor actuation and gear position. The first motor 32 and the second motor 34 are connected to the respective ends of the first longitudinal beam 14a and the second longitudinal beam 14b, respectively, and their output shafts are connected directly or via gearboxes to axial elements in the first and second kinematic mechanical systems, respectively. These axial elements may consist of several shafts connected to them, with worm drives or other mechanical transmission motion systems in between them. If a combination of worm drives and gears is used, preferably the worm drives are positioned at specific points along each axial element and thus at specific positions along the longitudinal beam members. The axial elements of each mechanical system with one axial element extending inside or along each longitudinal member can have any desired length, and the length of the axial element can be changed as necessary by extending its length using axial connection elements and further shafts and motion mechanical transmission elements (e.g., worms) or using extended shafts. Similarly, the number of transverse members can be increased by increasing the number of motion mechanical transmission elements (e.g., worms) in the axial element. In one embodiment, with the axial members extending inside the longitudinal beam members, the moving components including the axial elements are protected from the outside (weather, impact, etc.) by said longitudinal members. To enable this possible design configuration, the longitudinal beam members can be further designed to include supports for the moving components, including optional or additional structures, systems, and components such as bearings, gaskets, spacers, etc.

[0048] Each of the first and second motors is operated by one or more computer systems having one or more microcontrollers, or microcomputer(s), analog or digital circuits, or any other similar device / circuit / system(s), or combinations thereof, which send signals to each motor to appropriately rotate the cross beam and / or tilt the multiple solar collector nodes to optimize the angle of the solar collector nodes so that they are substantially perpendicular to the incident rays of the sun. In an optimized design, each tracker or each small number of trackers installed at the same location, for example in a solar harvesting unit, has a dedicated automatic control system, some of these automatic systems send signals to and are controlled by a main automatic device. These automatic devices may include one or more microcontrollers, and / or microcomputers, and / or dedicated electronic boards, memory, power supply, interfaces for data input and output, and sensors. Other sensors may be utilized and may include, but are not limited to, one or more light sensors, light intensity sensors, volumetric flow rates, flow-related sensors such as flow velocity including wind speed and direction, gyroscopes, accelerometers, magnetometers, inclinometers, inertial measurement units (IMUs), current sensors, voltage sensors, and temperature sensors. The one or more electronic units may further be connected to the Internet and responsive to collected data regarding weather, location, season, sun angle, sun behavior (such as sunspot activity), temperature, wind speed, and other data.

[0049] The two-axis solar array tracker can be longer, larger, or smaller as needed, and may further comprise additional non-geared cross beams and / or longitudinal beams for further support, depending on the desired size. In particular, one or more longitudinal beams may be mechanically connected to each other such that a single motor can power one or more mechanically linked mechanical systems for tilting or rotating the cross beams. Furthermore, a single central longitudinal beam can be used to control the tilt or rotation of the cross beams connected to both sides. The array may further comprise one or more fixtures for mounting the array on a surface. The two-axis solar tracker of the present invention has a simple structure that simplifies manufacturing, assembly, and installation compared to other solar tracker systems. As previously mentioned, a lower height or lower profile system simplifies the distribution of installation loads, which is important when the assembly and installation of the tracker is performed on a sloping surface, such as a sloping roof. Furthermore, the low height of the two-axis tracker makes it visually appealing for rooftop installation. One or more tracker systems may also be coordinated, and the design of the present invention may allow one tracker to be combined with an adjacent tracker to create a single unit, if desired.

[0050] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a two-axis solar array tracker with solar collection or solar energy harvesting elements attached to a solar collector node 12 with the solar collector facing up. In this configuration, the solar energy harvesting elements are elevated relative to the solar collector node 12 for increased range of motion, thereby maximizing solar energy collection relative to the surface area of ​​the system of the present invention. The illustrated two-axis solar tracker can support a wide variety of types of solar collectors 18 at multiple solar collector nodes 12. A solar collector is any type of solar energy harvesting element that collects solar radiation from the sun, preferably to convert the solar radiation into usable energy. A solar collector may include one or more light energy, mechanical energy, and electrical energy and / or thermal energy harvesting components and / or heat transfer components. A solar collector may be of various shapes and sizes and may have various cross sections. Here, multiple panel-type solar collectors 18 are shown supported by multiple solar collector nodes 12 on longitudinal beams 14 and transverse beams 16 of the inventive design. Each solar collector 18 may further optionally include one or more optical components, such as, for example, reflective component(s) and / or lens(es). Solar cells come in a variety of types, including photovoltaic cells, thermal cells, solar thermal cells, and other types of solar cells. A solar cell element includes one or more solar cells, or multiple cells that form a solar panel of desired dimensions. Thus, multiple solar cells may be connected to a single solar collector node and arranged or aligned in an integrated group to form a photovoltaic, or solar thermal, or cogeneration panel or module (optionally further including one or more light reflective and / or light focusing components to maximize the amount of light received by each solar cell).

[0051] 3 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a dual axis solar array tracker 10 with solar collector nodes 12 at an angle. The dual axis solar array tracker is shown with cross beams 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d rotated about a cross beam axis (as shown in FIG. 1), with rotational actuation enabled by a first motor 32. Longitudinal beams 14a, 14b support cross beams 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, with at least one of the longitudinal beams 14a, 14b including a first mechanical system that engages cross beams 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d to rotate cross beams 16a-16d together.

[0052] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a dual-axis solar array tracker having a solar collector 18 attached to a solar collector node 12 at an angle oriented toward the sun. In the dual-axis solar array tracker, longitudinal beams 14a, 14b support transverse beams 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d. To achieve a desired angle of the solar collector 18, the rotation of the transverse beams 16a-16d and the inclination of each of the solar collector nodes 12 relative to the connected transverse beams are adjusted using first and second motors and through first and second mechanical systems. The number of solar cell elements that can be installed in the tracking system can be varied depending on the number of transverse beams and thus the number of mechanical transmission elements (e.g., worm drives) along the longitudinal beams and the number of mechanical transmission elements (e.g., worm drives) within each transverse member. The spacing between the mechanical drives (e.g., worms) of both the longitudinal beams and the transverse beams can be varied to accommodate different sizes of solar cell elements. This spacing is uniquely limited by the dimensions of the solar cell elements to avoid collisions between adjacent solar cell elements at any point during tracking, thus resulting in very high areal density coverage by the energy harvesting elements, resulting in maximum energy harvesting at peak efficiency.

[0053] FIG. 5A is an isometric view of the intersection of the first end of the cross beam 16 with the first longitudinal beam 14 in one of the embodiments, with an optional stabilizing or mounting frame 38. The illustrated integration allows the cross beam 16 to rotate about an axis relative to the first longitudinal beam 14, but it should be understood that the gear system in the longitudinal beam can be on either side of the solar array tracker. For clarity, each of the two longitudinal beams in the solar tracker has a single mechanical system and a dedicated motor, one of the mechanical systems for rotating the cross beam and the other mechanical system for tilting the solar collector node, each mechanical system integrated with a dedicated motor. In this embodiment, the collector node gear 22 in the solar collector node engages with the collector node meshing worm 24 on the rotating shaft 36 of the cross beam 16. In a preferred embodiment, the collector nodes 22 have mechanical transmission elements and the collector node meshing gears 24 are worm gear / worm drive systems as shown, but other mechanical transmission systems may be used, including but not limited to bevel gear systems, rack and pinion gear systems, and other known gear systems, linkages, belt drives, and other kinematic and mechanical transmission systems. To allow engagement of the illustrated longitudinal beam meshing mechanical elements (which in this embodiment are longitudinal beam meshing worm drives 30), the longitudinal beams including the longitudinal axial elements of the mechanical system have openings at the locations of such mechanical meshing elements (e.g., worm drives). Preferably, these openings are encased with protective elements to shield the mechanical system from external elements such as weather, impact, etc.

[0054] The preferred use of worm drives and gear combinations is related to their irreversibility. That is, for the purposes of the present invention, loads due to wind, self-weight, self-weight of the support structure by the gear system and the resulting moments, etc., cannot move the gear system or the support element by the gear mechanism from the desired set position. Such a desired position can therefore only be set by commanding the movement of the gear mechanism (e.g. directly or indirectly with a motor). Specifically, when a worm gear set is used, the worm gear can be adjusted and set to a stable configuration by commanding the worm to rotate until the desired position is reached and set. In such an embodiment, the worm gear at the end of the cross beam is connected to an axial component of the first rotating gear system that is held in place, and structural elements such as brackets ensure and stabilize the correct engagement and spacing of the worm gear relative to the worm. These structural elements (e.g. brackets) are attached to the longitudinal beams and allow the axial gear elements from the cross beams to which the worm gear is connected to pass through the worm gear. To hold such axial components in place and at the same time allow their rotation, connecting components such as bearing elements can be used.

[0055] The photovoltaic cell attachment 28 is designed to receive a solar collector or solar energy harvesting element and provide electrical and / or thermal fluid integration with the solar collector to harvest energy from the photovoltaic and / or photothermal cells in the solar collector. All structural elements, including longitudinal and transverse beams, allow electrical and / or thermal fluid transfer. This can be done with electrical wiring conduits and / or fluid conduits and respective connectors external to such structural elements and / or movable mechanisms at such locations and / or by integrating such transfer elements and connectors with said structural elements and mechanisms. This last configuration can be achieved, for example, by integrating connections and respective connectors with said structural elements and mechanisms and / or by passing electrical and / or thermal fluid conduits within the structural elements and mechanisms through hollow sections, channels, cavities, etc. Besides passing electrical wiring and / or thermal fluid conduits in the hollow cross-sections of the transverse and longitudinal beams (fully or partially hollow in channels or in certain cross-sectional cells, if the cross-section is divided into several hollow parts), possible embodiments may include the transfer of electrical and / or fluid thermal energy from the rotating frame to the stationary frame. For example, this may be verified from a two-axis rotating frame, as in the case of solar thermal collectors, through the inside of their worm gears to the transverse beams of a host, such as a single-axis rotating frame, or from a transverse beam (one axis of rotation), through the inside of its worm gear located at its end, to one or more main conduits running along or within the longitudinal beam.

[0056] FIG. 5B is an isometric view of the intersection of the cross beam and the longitudinal beam with the cross beam rotated about its axis in one of the envisaged embodiments. One or more cross beam gears 26 on the cross beam connect with the longitudinal beam meshing worm drive 30 to rotate the cross beam 16 relative to the axis of the cross beam. On one side of each cross beam 16 (which is the same side for all cross beams in the tracking device), the cross beams are all connected to the same gear machine system of one of the longitudinal beams, preferably via a worm gear. The cross beams can be, for example, beams, bars, hollow beams, or bars, extrusions, or other types of structural elements, and can consist of one or more of these elements along both their length and / or cross section. By being connected to the cross beam, the worm gear, when rotating, causes the rotation of the transverse member along its longitudinal axis, forming the first axis of tracking. Thus, when the first motor 32 connected to the first longitudinal member 14a rotates, it connects its output shaft to cause rotation of axial elements in the first mechanical system within or along the first longitudinal beam 14a. In this embodiment, these shafts and connected worms rotate to rotate the worm gears on the first side of the transverse members. As previously mentioned, with the worm gears connected to the transverse members, rotation of the worm gears rotates the connected transverse members along their axes.

[0057] The motors 32 are preferably fixed to the longitudinal beams and connected directly or through a gearbox to axial elements extending along the longitudinal beams. The longitudinal beam motors 32 control the motion of a first mechanical system in the longitudinal beams 14a and command the orientation of the several solar cell elements. These axial components transmit rotational motion to the transverse beam elements through one or more mechanisms. That is, the solar collector nodes attached to the transverse beams are allowed to rotate about the axis of the transverse beam of the tracking system, forming the first axis of the tracker or tracking. When referring to a "two-axis" tracking system, the rotation of the transverse beam about the transverse beam axis is called the first axis of motion.

[0058] FIG. 5C is an isometric view of the intersection of the cross beam and the longitudinal beam with the cross beam rotating about its axis and the collector node gear tilting in one embodiment. On the opposite or second side of the cross beam 16 at the second longitudinal beam 14b, the tilting motion is transferred to the axial element along the cross member via a rotating shaft. This tilting motion is translated via several gear mechanism sets along the axial element in a second mechanical system into a tilt along the cross beam of the solar collector node connected to the gear mechanism set, or the structure holding the solar cell element and projecting from the gear mechanism set. Such tilting motion occurs around an axis perpendicular to the cross beam, forming the second axis of the tracking device. This second axis or tilting is actuated by a second motor 34 acting on a second mechanical system in the second longitudinal beam and transferring rotation from the cross beam gear 26 or other mechanical element to the rotating shaft of the cross member and thus to one or more collector node meshing worms 24. Each collector node meshing worm 24 is operatively connected to a collector node gear 22 which tilts the solar collector node 12 relative to the rotating shaft and cross beam 16 to which the solar collector node 12 is attached. Although the collector node meshing gears 24 and collector node gears 22 are shown as meshing worm drives and worm gears, respectively, it should be understood that other embodiments may use other meshing mechanical elements to perform similar functions.

[0059] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a cross beam 16 having multiple solar collector nodes. In this embodiment, multiple collector node meshing worms 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e mesh with corresponding collector node gears on each of the solar collector nodes 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, respectively, to tilt each of the solar collector nodes 12a-12e relative to the cross beam 16. In this embodiment, an electrical and / or thermal (e.g., fluid-based) system may be connected to or included in the described tracking system (designed with electrical and / or thermal energy transfer devices integrated with the tracking devices). For example, electrical wiring and / or fluids may be routed through and / or within or along the described longitudinal and transverse structural elements from non-moving main conduits to and from the solar cell elements, which may be attached and / or integrated within the structural members. Although external wiring conduits and / or fluid conduits may be used, electrical wiring and / or fluids may also preferably pass through structural members such as gears, shafts, axial elements (either prefabricated or purposefully designed), and brackets while being routed from the stationary main conduit to the solar cell elements and from the solar cell elements to the stationary main conduit as the rotating frame. For example, slip rings may be used to help achieve such. In this embodiment, one of the cross beam gears 26a, 26b controls the rotational movement of the cross beam relative to the longitudinal beam, and the other cross beam gear 26a, 26b controls the tilting movement of the solar collector nodes 12a-12e relative to the axis of the cross beam.

[0060] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an embodiment having cross beams 16 with integrated thermal conduits for collecting thermal energy and / or controlling heat flow within the tracker and solar cell elements. In this embodiment of the system, photoelectron collectors may be used with a means for enabling thermal energy transfer, thermal collectors may be used instead of photoelectron collectors, or a combination of both may be applied. The combination of photoelectron collectors and thermal collectors may increase the collected energy from the sun's rays to improve the energy harvesting efficiency of the system. In this embodiment, the solar thermal collector nodes 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e are fluidly connected to the collector node fluid conduits 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e, respectively. The thermal fluid system may further be connected to or included in the described tracking system, for example, inside the cross beam supporting the axis 40. The thermal fluid system may be integrated in the design with the tracker and embedded in or alongside the described longitudinal and transverse beam components. In one example, fluid conduits may be routed from non-movable main conduits to and from the solar cell elements, which may be attached and / or integrated into the longitudinal and transverse beam members, through the movable frame, through and / or within the structural elements described. Although external fluid conduits may be used, the integration of slip rings may assist in routing the stationary fluid mains to and from the solar cell elements, for example, while passing the fluid conduits (and / or electrical energy) through structural members such as gears, shafts, axial elements, and brackets. In this manner, the transfer of electrical current and fluid through the solar collector nodes allows for the cogeneration of electricity (and possibly other forms of power, e.g., directly for heating and / or cooling) through a combination of thermal and photovoltaic energy capture mechanisms. The fluid conduit system may further include a heat sink or cooling system for the concentrated solar energy received by the solar cells to preserve the life of the solar cells and protect heat-sensitive components from overheating.Preferably, the circulating fluid has good thermal conductivity, low viscosity, long term chemical and physical stability, low light absorption, good photostability, is non-toxic, cost effective and maintains its properties over a suitable range of operating temperatures.

[0061] 8A is a vertical cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a single solar collector node gear mechanism on a cross beam 16 in a second motion mechanical system. A second motor 34 is operatively connected to the second longitudinal beam and a second mechanical system, which in this case includes a cross beam gear 26 for rotating a rotating shaft 36 in the cross beam 16. Operation of the second mechanical system rotates the rotatable shaft 36 to which the collector node meshing worm 24 is engaged, which in turn rotates the collector node gear 22, in this embodiment tilting the solar collector node 12 relative to the rotating shaft 36 and the cross axis.

[0062] 8B is a vertical cross-sectional view of a single solar collector node gear mechanism on a cross beam tilted to the left upon engagement of the second motion mechanical system by the second motor 34. As shown, in this case the cross beam gear 26 rotates the rotating shaft 36 in the cross beam, and the collector node meshing worm 24 rotates the collector node gear 22 to tilt the solar collector node relative to the rotating shaft 36 and cross axis.

[0063] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a single solar collector node 12 on a cross beam 16 with one possible configuration for an integrated fluidic heat and / or thermal management transfer system, as opposed to the routing of such a system through the outside of the presented tracker and its respective structural elements and mechanisms. The presented tracker may support the transfer of electrical and / or thermal energy (e.g., based on fluid transfer). Also, the transfer of electrical and / or thermal energy and / or fluids may be performed outside the structural elements and / or movable mechanisms of the tracker, for example, with electrical wiring conduits n and / or fluid conduits and respective connectors, and / or by integrating such transfer elements and connectors with said structural elements and mechanisms. An example of a fluid transfer system for thermal energy transfer is shown with the proposed solar tracker. In this configuration shown in this figure, for clarity, the worm gear at the end of the cross beam and its connection to the cross beam and its support bracket to the longitudinal beam are omitted. In this configuration of the system, the thermal energy transfer fluid system is integrated with the proposed tracking device, and it can be seen that the fluid passes through the center or axis of rotation of the solar collector node worm gear, through its hollow support shaft 40 and the center of the bracket from the solar collector node 12 to the outside of such bracket in the cross beam and / or from the outside of such bracket to the solar collector node 12. In this configuration, several fluid conduit elbows 44 are used, which are attached either on the outside or inside of the hollow cross beam (cross section). In this configuration, the fluid is passed from or towards the center of the cross beam through the center of the omitted worm gear at each end of the cross beam. The fluid then passes through the worm gear and subsequently through the cross beam through the cross beam support shaft 40, the center of which is hollow. Thus, with this support shaft supported and seated in (or within) each omitted longitudinal beam bracket, the fluid passes through said bracket to the outside of the bracket. For this possible configuration, another elbow is shown directing the fluid into and out of the main fluid conduit 42 .The conduits may extend along or within each longitudinal beam or may be incorporated into the longitudinal beams.

[0064] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a single solar collector node 12 with a possible configuration for the possible integration of heat collection and / or heat transfer systems (as opposed to the routing of such systems through the outside of the presented solar collector node and its respective structural elements and mechanisms). In this figure, an enlarged view of a possible configuration of a solar collector node is shown. The center of the cross section of the worm gear (and subsequently the cross beam) of the possible cross beam end supporting the axis 40 is hollow. On both sides of the cross beam cross section are cross-sectional views of fluid conduit elbows 44a, 44b. It can be seen that in this configuration, the fluid passes through the center of the solar collector node 12, or the axis of rotation of the solar collector node worm gear, through its hollow support axis and the center of the bracket, from said elbow to said elbow outside such bracket in the cross beam and / or from said elbow outside the bracket to said elbow. It can also be seen that in this configuration, fluid from the center or axis of rotation of the solar collector node worm gear through the center of the hollow support shaft 40 may be routed through different channels in the mechanism and its mechanical components, which may also include the solar collector node worm gear used in this configuration. Fluid then passes to and from the top of the mechanism, and thus the solar collector node, where the solar cell elements are located, or there may be further connectors and / or channels that can pass fluid further up or in other directions to and from the solar cell elements and their respective locations (possibly through other existing structural members that hold such solar cell elements).

[0065] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a single solar collector node with a possible configuration for integrating heat collection and / or heat transfer. This figure is another cross-sectional view in a different planar direction to the previous figure, showing the cross beam hollow support shaft 40 that supports the flow of fluid to the main fluid conduit. As shown, the hollow support shaft 40 in the cross beam 16 is integrated in this configuration with the collector node mating worm 24 on the rotating shaft 36 in the cross beam to enable the flow of fluid to the solar collector node 12.

[0066] FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a single solar collector node with possible configurations for integrating a heat collection and / or heat transfer system.

[0067] FIG. 13 is a side view of a cross beam 16 having a plurality of solar collector nodes 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e attached to a plurality of conical solar collectors 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, respectively. In one embodiment, the solar collectors are inverted truncated pyramids with one or more solar cell elements positioned along the top and / or bottom of the pyramid. This structure and solar cell elements are used here as an example of another possible solar cell element that can be attached to the solar collector nodes and respective support structures so that the solar cell can always be directed toward the sun when actuated by the two-axis tracking device of the present invention. By utilizing square or rectangular solar cell elements attached directly or via support structures to the top of mechanical motion elements (e.g., worm gears) along different cross beams and / or spaced a desired distance from the top of said elements (e.g., the worm gears mentioned above), a minimum spacing between adjacent solar cell elements is ensured and area utilization is maximized. In the illustrated example, an inverted pyramid-based structure connected to the top of the lateral member mechanical element (e.g., worm gear) may be utilized. The height and base length of the inverted pyramid may be determined to maximize area utilization, such as the ratio of the sum of the base areas at the apex of the inverted pyramid to the available area, and to minimize the distance between adjacent elements to avoid collisions and shading between adjacent elements during tracking motion. For example, solar cell element(s) may be applied to the bottom (top) of the inverted pyramid. In addition, one or more concentrating lens(es) may be applied to the bottom of the inverted pyramid, closer to its truncated region, i.e., its virtual apex, and thus closer to the top of the lateral member mechanical element (e.g., worm drive and gear), utilizing one or more solar energy harvesting elements, such as one or more solar cells or solar panels. Such lenses may be used to concentrate light directed to the solar cell element(s).

[0068] FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a two-axis solar array tracker with one of different possible solar elements mounted on an exemplary mounting frame or mounting structure, for example, to avoid shading from the surroundings (e.g., from another solar harvesting unit or the respective holding structure) or other interference from snow accumulation. For example, the edges or corners of the vertical members can be mounted on the elevation elements, which can be commanded in conjunction with the automatic control of the tracking system. This allows this additional tilt system to tilt the entire tracking system to allow for full tracking of the sun for even longer periods of time. The solar tracker can also be mounted on a structure elevated from the mounting area to avoid shading. This can be an additional feature when considering, for example, the installation of the tracking system on a horizontal surface or at a smaller slope where snow tends to accumulate. This can also be used in the case of ground installation, flat roofs, or sloped houses with some slope. Furthermore, the solar tracker of the present invention can allow for the brushing or removal of snow, or other particles or debris, from the top of the driven solar elements by driving the tracking system of the present invention or by using one or more additional motors or vibrators. This may be accomplished, for example, by detecting a lower light level shining on a particular solar cell element and / or a lower level of output energy by a particular solar cell element when compared to the overall measured light level on or near the system, and then rotating the solar cell element to a tilted position to allow the above-mentioned snow and / or particles and / or debris obscuring the solar cell element to fall by gravity from the solar cell element, which must be removed from the top of the solar cell element. Such a tilted position may be envisioned under extreme wind conditions. It should be understood that although the illustrated frame has four legs, the mounting frame may employ other designs, forms, shapes, etc., or may have any number of legs that are optionally nested to tilt the array relative to the mounting surface.Additionally, the mounting frame may be a single post or pedestal with optional bearings for adjusting the angle of the solar tracker array relative to the mounting surface, or a frame based on, for example, a scissor type (full, half), diamond shaped variation, linkage, or other type of mechanism.

[0069] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a solar tracker array having a central longitudinal beam 14b and two peripheral longitudinal beams 14a, 14c. A cross beam extends between the central longitudinal beam 14b and one of the peripheral longitudinal beams 14a or 14c. As shown, a cross beam 16a extends between the central longitudinal beam 14b and the peripheral longitudinal beams 14a, and a cross beam 16b extends between the central longitudinal beam 14b and the peripheral longitudinal beams 14c. The central longitudinal beam 14b may have a mechanical system that operates either to rotate the cross beam or to tilt the solar collector nodes in each cross beam, and the cross beams may operate on both sides of the central longitudinal beam 14b. The peripheral longitudinal beams 14a or 14c may have mechanical systems that perform other functions, i.e., if the central longitudinal beam is involved in rotation, the longitudinal beams are involved in tilting and vice versa. In this way, a single central longitudinal beam can control two sets of cross beams on both sides of it with a single motor.

[0070] FIG. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a solar concentrator that may be used as a solar thermal collector with the presently described solar array tracker. The solar concentrator 50 comprises a concentrator body 56 that may have a generally inverted pyramidal structural shape that supports the solar concentrator. The optical element 52 is positioned at the top or wide end of the concentrator body 56 to focus and / or concentrate the source light rays within the solar concentrator onto at least one solar cell 54. The optical element may be, for example, a Fresnel lens, although other different or additional optical elements such as concave lenses, mirrors, or other light directing optical elements may be used within the solar concentrator. The optical element 52 above the narrow end of the concentrator body 56 preferably encases the top opening of the solar concentrator 50. The optical element 52 may be embedded within the top opening of the concentrator body 56. The sides of the concentrator body may be composed of different walls. The inner walls of the concentrator body 56 may also be made of or coated with a highly reflective, mirror-like material to further assist in concentrating the incident light onto the solar cells 54. The outer walls may consist of, be coated with, have structures to incorporate, or have added to one or more of the different possible types of solar thermal collector components to allow for either or both of electrical and thermal conversion.

[0071] At the narrow end of the solar collector is at least one solar cell 54, which receives the light rays collected or focused by the optical element 52. The solar cell may be, for example, a photovoltaic (PV) cell for collecting light energy, a thermal collector cell for collecting thermal energy, or a combined photothermal collector cell so that both light and thermal energy can be collected from the incident solar rays, which may be converted to electrical energy. In one embodiment, the collector node that attaches the solar collector to the solar array tracker may further include a mechanism for moving the solar collector into or away from the concentrated light path. In particular, the solar cell positioned at the top of the solar collector node may be configured to be movable using a mechanical system that may include one or more motors for changing the position of the cell to move the solar cell 54 toward or away from the optical focal point of the solar collector formed by the optical element 52, or to move the focal point relative to the solar cell 54. In this way, the system can choose to use the incident light energy to generate electricity through the PV cells, or heat through a heat sink, or a combination of both. One advantage of using solar thermal collectors is that the size of the solar cells can be smaller due to the effect of light concentration from the optical elements. This can also allow the collector system to be smaller and more efficient than could be achieved with larger collector cells receiving lower intensity light / thermal energy, and can simplify the thermal fluid transfer system.

[0072] The solar tracker arrays described herein are adaptable for applications ranging from large arrays used for grid-tied applications to small residential applications. For residential installations, the collector may be designed as a rooftop solar panel array, where one tracker is composed of adjacent solar energy harvesting elements. Elevated and / or angled versions of the trackers described herein may be erected at a sufficient height above ground level, thereby allowing full utilization of the land below for agricultural and other purposes and minimizing the overall footprint.

[0073] All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and are incorporated herein by reference. The present invention has been described above, but it can be modified in many ways. Such variations should not be considered as departing from the scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be apparent to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A two-axis solar tracking device, comprising: a first longitudinal beam having a first mechanical system; a second longitudinal beam having a second mechanical system, the second longitudinal beam being offset from the first longitudinal beam; at least one rotatable cross beam extending between the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam, the cross beam comprising: a rotatable shaft within the cross beam; a plurality of solar thermal collector nodes, each of the solar thermal collector nodes comprising a collector node mechanical element; a first end including a first cross beam gear for engaging a worm drive in the first mechanical system to effect rotation of the cross beam about its axis; a second end including a second cross beam mechanical element operatively engaged with the rotatable shaft for engaging with the second mechanical system to tilt the plurality of solar collector nodes relative to the cross beam via collector node mechanical elements in each of the plurality of solar collector nodes by rotating a rotatable shaft within the cross beam; a hollow section including a conduit connecting each of the plurality of solar collector nodes; A cross beam comprising: A solar tracking device comprising:

2. The solar tracking device of claim 1 , wherein the first longitudinal beam, the second longitudinal beam, or the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam comprise a hollow cross section that connects to a conduit within the transverse beam.

3. The solar tracking device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the conduit is one or more of an electrical conduit and a fluid conduit.

4. The solar tracking apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the fluid conduits fluidly connect the plurality of solar collector nodes to a thermal cogeneration system.

5. The solar tracking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a first motor connected to the first mechanical system for controlling the first mechanical system; and a second motor connected to the second mechanical system for controlling the second mechanical system.

6. The solar tracking device of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a plurality of solar energy harvesting elements connected to the plurality of solar collector nodes.

7. The solar tracking device of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of solar collector nodes comprises one or more photovoltaic concentrating cells, thermal concentrating cells, composite photothermal cells, or combinations thereof.

8. 8. The solar tracking device of claim 1, wherein the conduits in the cross beams are fluid conduits, and the plurality of solar collector nodes include integral thermal fluid conduits connected to the fluid conduits.

9. The solar tracking device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam comprises a vertical electrical main, and the plurality of solar collector nodes are electrically connected to the vertical electrical main.

10. 10. The solar tracking device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam comprises a fluid main conduit, and the plurality of solar collector nodes are fluidly connected to the vertical fluid main conduit.

11. A solar tracking device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the rotatable cross beam comprises a plurality of worm drives for engaging with worm gears on the plurality of solar collector nodes.

12. The solar tracking device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a plurality of longitudinal beams.

13. The solar tracking device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a mounting structure for raising the solar tracking device relative to a mounting surface.

14. The solar tracker of claim 13 , wherein the mounting structure allows adjustment of the angle of the solar tracker array relative to the mounting surface.

15. 15. A solar tracking device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the conduits in the at least one rotatable cross beam are electrical conduits electrically connecting each of the plurality of solar collector nodes to an electrical main.

16. A solar tracking device as described in any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a plurality of solar cells, each solar cell being connected to one of the plurality of solar thermal collector nodes.

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