METHOD FOR THE OUTDOOR INSTALLATION OF AN ARRAY OF SOLAR CONVERTERS AND CART USED IN THE METHOD.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- MX · MX
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- COMAU SPA
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for outdoor installation of solar converter arrays, such as photovoltaic solar panels or solar mirrors, are complex, costly, and inefficient, particularly when dealing with rough terrain, and pose safety risks due to the use of large vehicles and elevated cranes.
A method utilizing a carriage equipped with elevators and actuators to tilt and orient solar converter arrays longitudinally and laterally, allowing precise positioning on support structures, and a cart with movable wheels for navigating uneven terrain, reducing complexity and cost.
Facilitates simpler, faster, and more reliable installation of solar converter arrays by adapting to terrain inclinations, ensuring proper positioning and reducing installation costs.
Smart Images

Figure MX433773B0 
Figure MX433773B1
Abstract
Description
METHOD FOR THE OUTDOOR INSTALLATION OF AN ARRAY OF SOLAR CONVERTERS AND CART USED IN THE METHOD FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to methods for the outdoor installation of an array of solar converters, for example, photovoltaic solar panels or solar mirrors. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In document WO 2019 / 097348 A1, the present applicant has already proposed a method and system for the outdoor installation of photovoltaic solar panel arrays. This method involves first installing a support structure for the photovoltaic solar panels in an open field. Subsequently, the photovoltaic solar panels are mounted onto this support structure by a robot mounted on a vehicle moving across the installation area. The robot positions the photovoltaic solar panels onto successive sections of the aforementioned support structure. The main advantage of this solution lies in the possibility of carrying out the installation operation of the photovoltaic solar panels completely automatically. The vehicle transporting the robot could be, for example, an automated guided vehicle (AGV) or a remotely controlled vehicle.Associated with the robot is a vision system that is used by the robot's control system to position the photovoltaic solar panels correctly, despite the variability of the vehicle's position with respect to the support infrastructure, due to the irregularities of the terrain. Of course, the previously mentioned known solution involves a relative complexity of the system and may not be suitable when the goal is to reduce the cost of the installation system as much as possible. In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, the present applicant has already proposed, in his Italian patent application IT 10 2020 000010507 (still secret at the priority date of the present invention), a method for the assembly and installation in open field of solar converter arrays, for example, photovoltaic panels or even solar mirrors, the method comprising: a) a first stage of assembly of a solar converter array, which is carried out with the help of at least one robot in a mobile workstation temporarily located in a position adjacent to the installation field, as a temporary factory; b) a second stage of transporting the array of solar converters assembled in the first stage, where the assembled array of solar converters is transported from the aforementioned workstation to the installation site with the aid of a trolley; and c) a third stage of installation of the solar converter array, in which the solar converter array is mounted on a row of support poles arranged preliminarily in the installation field. The first assembly stage mentioned above comprises the assembly of a support structure for the solar converters and the installation of the solar converters on the support structure. The present invention is derived from the previous proposal and relates to the configuration and method of use of the cart dedicated to the transport and installation of the solar converter array. Document WO 2014 / 108196 A1 describes a technique for the open-field installation of photovoltaic solar panel arrays, in which a vehicle, specifically a semi-trailer truck, is used to transport a container holding one or more photovoltaic solar panel arrays. The truck is equipped with a front crane and a rear crane, which are used to grasp a container initially on the ground and load it onto the truck bed or hold it suspended in the air. In addition, the truck is equipped with a lifting arm, which is capable of grasping a photovoltaic solar panel array from the container, lifting it out of the container, and placing it onto a support structure previously erected in the field. Clearly, this solution is very complex and expensive, and is not even particularly efficient.First, a semi-trailer truck, even just due to its size, is far from suitable for conveniently reaching installation sites, which are often located on uneven terrain. Furthermore, the bulk of the container prevents the truck from positioning itself close to the support structure that will receive the photovoltaic solar panel array. To overcome this drawback, during installation, the cranes equipped on the truck hold the container in an elevated position above the truck, but this, of course, entails a significant expenditure of energy and considerable safety issues for the operators. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to further improve the previous proposal of the present applicant with reference in particular to the final stage of collection, transport and installation of the solar converter array in the field of installation. In particular, an additional object of the invention is to make the operation of the final installation simpler, faster, and also more reliable with regard to ensuring the proper positioning of the solar converter array in the field. Another additional object of the invention is to drastically reduce the cost of the installation operation. With a view to achieving the aforementioned objects, the object of the invention is a method for the outdoor installation of an array of solar converters (e.g., photovoltaic solar panels or solar mirrors) having the characteristics specified in claim 1. In the preferred embodiment, it includes a first elevator and a second elevator arranged on the carriage in separate positions in a longitudinal direction of the carriage, and said electronic control unit is programmed so as to be able to control the two elevators, if necessary in a differentiated manner, to tilt the solar converter array longitudinally (i.e., in the longitudinal direction of the carriage) forwards or backwards, according to a possible corresponding slope in the ground. The first and second elevators are arranged between a base structure fixed to the carriage's load-bearing structure and the main upper structure that supports the weight of the solar converter array. In one embodiment, an auxiliary support structure is associated with the aforementioned upper structure. This auxiliary support structure supports the solar converter array and is mounted so that it can pivot around a central longitudinal axis on the main upper structure. An actuator is provided that controls the rotation of the auxiliary support structure around this central longitudinal axis, thereby controlling the lateral tilt of the solar converter array according to the terrain profile at the installation site. Thanks to the aforementioned characteristics, in the previous embodiment, the overall plane of the solar converter array can therefore undergo both pitching (tilting forwards or backwards) and rolling (tilting to one side or the other). In this way, during installation, the solar converter array can assume an orientation that allows for the consideration of the terrain's slope both along the longitudinal axis of the support poles and perpendicular to that axis. Once again, in the preferred embodiment, the aforementioned upper structure includes a first upper structure portion connected to the lifting device and a second upper structure portion eQ / cnn / eznz / e / Yi that is to carry, directly or indirectly, the solar converter array and can be moved longitudinally to impart a limited longitudinal movement to the solar converter array. This movement is used, in the final installation stage, to couple the longitudinal beam of the support structure of the solar converter array carried by the trolley to the longitudinal beam of the structure of a solar converter array previously placed on the support poles in the installation field. According to an additional feature, the upper structure supported by the lifting device in turn supports, directly or indirectly, a plurality of clamping devices, arranged longitudinally at a distance from each other to receive and lock the longitudinal beam of the solar converter array support structure. In a preferred example, each clamping device comprises a receptacle, in which the longitudinal beam of the solar converter array structure rests, and a pair of locking elements that can be moved between an open release position and a closed locking position. Preferably, the two locking elements have an intermediate loose locking position, where the beam received in the receptacle is prevented from leaving the receptacle, but still has some play within it. The clamping devices are pre-positioned in the aforementioned loose locking condition at the final installation stage to allow the solar converter array structure to undergo minor adjustment movements. eQ / cnn / eznz / e / Yi According to an additional feature, during transport on the cart, a final row of solar converters, which projects outward beyond the longitudinal beam of the support structure, is temporarily supported by means of an accessory tool that is associated with the longitudinal beam of the structure. The cart can be constructed in any known manner. However, in a preferred solution, the aforementioned load-bearing structure is mounted on steerable wheels about vertical axes, allowing the cart to move forward or backward in a direction parallel to its longitudinal direction and to deviate from and travel in a direction orthogonal to that longitudinal direction. In this way, the cart can move along a row of support poles in the installation area and then travel in a transverse direction to position itself in the space between two successive poles on which the array of solar converters carried by the cart is to be placed. In the example mentioned above, the cart can be configured according to the technology of so-called AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) or AMRs (Automated Mobile Robots), with electric motors that control wheel orientation and electric motors for wheel traction. Additionally, an electric battery can be provided to power the electric motors and the electric actuators of the lifting device. eQ / cnn / eznz / e / Yi BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES - Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an array of solar converters, specifically photovoltaic solar panels, during transport to the installation site, by means of the cart according to the invention; - Figures 2 and 3 are a side elevation view and a front elevation view of the assembly in Figure 1; - Figures 4 and 5 are top plan views of the installation field showing the movement of the trolley in the final stage of the installation operation; - Figure 6 is a schematic side view of the lifting device in the raised condition; - Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the lifting device in the lowered condition; - Figure 8 is an additional perspective view of the lifting device; - Figure 9 is a front view of the lifting device, showing the possibility of oscillation around a longitudinal central axis of an auxiliary support structure mounted on the lifting device; - Figure 10 is a perspective view illustrating the cart by itself, with the lifting device in the lowered condition; - Figure 11 is a front view of the cart in Figure 10, with the lifting device in the lowered condition; eQ / cnn / eznz / e / Yi - Figure 12 is a side view of the trolley in Figure 10, with the lifting device in the lowered condition; Figures 13 to 15 are a front view, a perspective view, and a detail of one of the clamping devices carried by the lifting device; and - Figures 16 and 17 are a front view and a perspective view, respectively, of an accessory tool that is associated with the longitudinal beam of the support structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided purely as a non-limiting example. In Figures 1 to 3, reference number 1 designates an array of solar converters, in the specific example photovoltaic solar panels P. The invention can also be applied to arrays of solar converters of a different type, for example, arrays of solar mirrors. In the illustrated example, the array 1 of photovoltaic solar panels P has a generally flat configuration, with a support structure 2 to which the panels P are fixed. In the example, the structure 2 comprises a longitudinal beam 3 and a plurality of transverse members 4. Again, in the case of the illustrated example, the array 1 comprises two rows of panels P arranged side by side. Each panel is fixed to the longitudinal beam 3 and two transverse members 4. Again, in the case of the illustrated example, only the two panels P at the far right of the array (as seen in Figure 1) each have a first side fixed to the beam 3, a second side fixed to a transverse member 4, and a third side, opposite the second side, cantilevering out from the transverse member 3. Structure 2 and panels P are assembled together to form array 1 at an assembly station (not illustrated) near the installation field (preferably using the method illustrated in prior patent application IT 10 2020 000010507 filed by the present applicant). Once assembled, the array 1 of P panels is transported to the installation site by means of a carriage 5, which supports the structure 2 that holds the array 1 by means of a lifting device 6, through which the array 1 of P panels can be moved vertically. As can be seen in Figure 1, the lifting device 6 maintains the general plane of the array 1 in a substantially horizontal orientation, but is also capable, as will be described below, of tilting the array 1 forwards or backwards in the longitudinal direction of the carriage 5, and also laterally to one side or the other, in such a way as to place the array 1 in the installation field with the most suitable orientation in relation to the local slope of the ground. Car 5 can be built according to any known technique, for example, according to the technology commonly used for AGV or AMR type vehicles. In one example, cart 5 has a load-bearing structure 50 eQ / cnn / eznz / e / Yi mounted on wheels R, all of which are orientable around vertical axes. This allows the cart to move parallel to its longitudinal direction, either forward or backward, as well as to deviate from or transverse to the longitudinal direction, by rotating the wheels 90° around their respective vertical axes of orientation. The load-bearing structure 50 is equipped with electric motors for orienting the wheels around their respective vertical axes of oscillation and electric motors for wheel traction. All the construction details mentioned above are not illustrated herein to the extent that they can be implemented in any known manner. In the drawings, the R wheels are represented as conventional wheels simply for the sake of illustrative purposes. Furthermore, Figure 2 schematically illustrates an electronic control unit E and an electrical power supply battery B, which are mounted on the load-bearing structure 50 of the trolley 5. The electronic control unit E is configured and programmed both to control the electric motors on board the trolley 5, in order to move the trolley along a predetermined path, and to control the electric actuators (described below), which control the lifting device 6. The electronic control unit E on board the trolley 5 is in communication, preferably wirelessly, with a drive device A (see Figure 1), which can, for example, be controlled by an operator O who is walking near the trolley 5. Of course, this mode of use is represented here merely as an example.The drive device A could also be controlled by an operator from a control tower, or, once again as an example, the trolley 5 could be moved around the installation field using a tractor. With reference to Figure 2, the lifting device 6 includes a first lift 6A and a second lift 6B, which are set at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the carriage 5. In the example, both lifts 6A and 6B are of the pantograph type. They will be illustrated in detail below. The use of two longitudinally arranged elevators, 6A and 6B, spaced apart, allows for the independent operation of these elevators, resulting in a pitch oscillation of the P-panel array 1. In other words, the overall plane of array 1 can be tilted longitudinally forward or backward. This feature is useful for orienting the overall plane of array 1 in the most appropriate manner, taking into account the terrain on which the P-panel array 1 will be installed. Figures 4 and 5 are top plan views showing the final stages of positioning an array 1 of P panels in the installation field. In the installation field, several rows of support posts 7 are pre-positioned, arranged longitudinally at a distance from each other. Figures 4 and 5 show a row of support posts 7 with an array 1' of pre-positioned panels P, with its longitudinal support beam 3 connected to the support posts 7. Figure 4 shows a stage in which the carriage 5 moves in a transverse direction relative to its longitudinal direction, thanks to its wheels R being rotated 90° with respect to their normal orientation for longitudinal movement. Figure 5 shows the final position reached by the carriage 5, where it enters the space between two adjacent posts 7. The spacing between the posts 7 in the installation area and the longitudinal length of the carriage 5 are chosen to allow the carriage 5 to fit into the space between two successive posts 7. During the approach movement illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the lifting device 6 of the carriage 5, including the lifters 6A and 6B, is held in an elevated position, as illustrated in Figure 2, to ensure that the plane of the array 1 of panels P is located on the support posts 7. Once the position illustrated in Figure 5 is reached, where the support beam 3 of the array 1 of panels P is aligned, in top plan view, with the row of support posts 7, the operator drives the descent of elevators 6A and 6B until the support beam 3 of array 1 is placed on the support posts 7 located below. According to a known technique, the support beam 3 of each panel array is received within receptacles defined by coupling members carried by the upper ends of the support posts 7. These coupling members have a first portion that receives the support beam 3 and is hinged to a second portion anchored to the top of the respective support post, allowing the support beam 3 to oscillate around an axis parallel to its longitudinal direction. Again, according to the known technique, the oscillating motion can be controlled by actuating devices of any type to provide a device for tracking the apparent movement of the sun during the day.In this way, each array 1 of P panels progressively oscillates around an axis parallel to its longitudinal support beam 3 when the solar converter system is in use. The details mentioned above regarding the solar tracking device are not described in this document since, as already mentioned, they can be obtained in any known way and, taken in themselves, do not fall within the scope of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment illustrated herein, the lifts 6A and 6B that constitute the lifting device 6 have the structure most clearly visible in Figures 6, 7 and 8. With initial reference to Figure 6, the lifting device 6 comprises a base structure 8, which is secured to the load-bearing structure 50 of the carriage 5, and an upper structure 9 (illustrated schematically in Figures 6 and 7), which can be moved vertically with respect to the base structure 8 by means of lifts 6A and 6B. In the illustrated example, elevators 6A and 6B both consist of two pantograph elevators. With particular reference to Figure 8, elevators eQ / cnn / eznz / e / Yi 6A and 6B each have a pair of main arms 81A and 81B having their lower ends articulated to the lower structure 8 around fixed transverse axes 80A, 80B and upper ends mounted so as to slide in longitudinal guides 90 of the upper structure 9. Lifts 6A and 6B further each comprise two auxiliary arms, 82A and 82B respectively (see also Figure 8), having upper ends articulated to arms 81A and 81B at their intermediate portions, and lower ends mounted so as to slide in longitudinal guides 80 of the base structure 8. Associated with the two lifts 6A and 6B are two pairs of electrically driven cylinder actuators 83A and 83B (see Figure 8) operatively arranged between the base structure 8 and arms 81A and 81B. Activating actuators 83A and 83B allows control of the height position of the upper structure 9 with respect to the lower structure 8. As previously mentioned, the electronic control unit is configured to allow separate operation of actuators 83A and 83B, enabling different height positioning of the upper ends of arms 81A and 81B. Consequently, the upper structure 9 can be tilted longitudinally forward or backward (i.e., left or right, as shown in Figure 6) to impart a corresponding tilt to the array of panels P carried by the lifting device 6. This allows the array of panels 1 to be positioned on support posts set at different heights, due to a slope in the ground along the longitudinal direction of the row of support posts.With reference once again to the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the upper structure 9 has the form of a quadrangular frame, with two longitudinal beams L, the ends of which are connected to each other by transverse members T. This structure is capable of limited longitudinal movement with respect to the guides 90 within which the upper ends of the arms 81A and 81B of the two lifts 6A and 6B can slide. This limited longitudinal movement is controlled by two electrically driven cylinder actuators 91.Thanks to this feature, once the lifting device 6 has placed the array 1 of P panels on the support posts 7, and the support beam 3 of the array 1 has been inserted into the receptacles provided at the top of the posts, the actuators 91 can be actuated to impart to the entire array 1 a slight longitudinal movement with respect to the carriage 5 on which it is transported, which is necessary to couple one end of the longitudinal support beam 3 with a corresponding end of the support beam of the adjacent array 1 of P panels that has been previously placed in the installation field. With reference to Figures 8 and 9, the two end transverse members T of the upper structure 9 carry two longitudinal pins 10, which serve to oscillate around a longitudinal central axis 11, supporting an auxiliary support structure 12 (Figure 9) that directly supports the array 1 of panels P. Rotation of the auxiliary support structure 12 around the longitudinal central axis 11 can be controlled by means of an actuator 13 (Figure 8) supported by the upper structure 9. Figure 10 shows a perspective view of carriage 5 (for illustrative purposes, the wheels R are shown as conventional wheels), with the lifting device 6 illustrated in the lowered condition. Figure 10 shows, partially sectioned, the auxiliary support structure 12. This structure includes two longitudinal beams L1 whose ends are connected by two transverse members T1. Each transverse member T1 (one of which is partially shown in section in Figure 10) has a central portion 14 that is arched downwards with respect to the ends of the transverse member T1 so as not to interfere with the area that will receive the longitudinal beam 3 to support the array 1 of panels P. The longitudinal beam 3 of the structure to support the array 1 of panels must be received in the receptacles of a plurality of clamping devices 15 (in the illustrated example, three clamping devices 15 are provided) carried by the transverse members 150 having their ends connected to the two longitudinal beams L1. Figures 13-15 show a clamping device 15 at an enlarged scale. The structure of the transverse member 150 defines a receptacle 151 for receiving the support beam 3 from the array 1 of panels P. The receptacle has a bottom wall and two side walls defined by two plates 153. Once the longitudinal beam 3 is received within the receptacle 151, it can be locked in this position by means of two locking elements 152 that can be moved between an operative locking position and an open released position (not illustrated). The movement of the two locking elements 152 is controlled by means of respective actuators of any known type (not illustrated). In the cart according to the invention, the clamping devices 15 supported by the lifting device 6 are used both when loading an array 1 of panels P onto the cart 5 at the workstation for assembling the panel array and during the placement of the panel array in the installation field. During the loading of the panel array 1 onto the carriage 5 (not illustrated in the accompanying drawings), the carriage is positioned beneath the assembled array, and the lifting device is activated to raise the upper structure 9 and, along with it, the auxiliary support structure 12, while holding the clamping devices 15 in the open position. In this way, the longitudinal beam 3 of the panel array support structure is received into the receptacles of the clamping devices 15, after the upper structure 9 has been lifted by the lifting device. Once the beam 3 supporting the panel array has been received into the seats 151 of the clamping devices, the latter are activated to lock the beam 3 into the structure 12. Therefore, the lifting device can be lowered, and the carriage can be driven to transport the panel array to the installation site. Once the installation site is reached, the previously described stage eQ / cnn / eznz / e / Yi with reference to Figures 4 and 5 is activated in order to place the longitudinal beam 3 of the panel array support structure into the receptacles provided at the upper ends of the support posts 7 in the installation field. The possibility of orienting the auxiliary support structure 12 around the longitudinal axis 11 allows, at this stage, the inclination, if required, of the general plane of the panel array laterally on one side or the other, imparting on it a rolling rotation (Figure 9) to take into account a possible inclination of the ground in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the row of support posts 7. Once the longitudinal beam 3 of the panel array support structure has been received into the receptacles located at the upper ends of the support posts, the actuators 91 are activated (Figure 8) to impart to the entire panel array the slight longitudinal movement necessary to couple one end of the array's longitudinal beam 3 to the corresponding end of the longitudinal beam of the adjacent panel array support structure, previously positioned in the installation area. Once the connection between the longitudinal beams has been made (e.g., with operator intervention), the longitudinal beam 3 can be locked into the receptacles of the connecting devices provided at the upper ends of the support posts 7. According to a preferred feature, the clamping devices 13 allow the locking elements 152 to be positioned in an intermediate position between the open and gripping positions, where the beam 3 is loosely locked. In this configuration, the beam 3 is prevented from coming out of the receptacle 151 but has, nevertheless, limited play within the receptacle, allowing minor adjustment movements during the connection of the beam 3 to the connecting devices provided at the upper ends of the support posts 7. Once the connection operations have been completed (e.g., by performing manual operations), the clamping devices 15 can be fully opened, and the lifting device 6 can be lowered to fully release the carriage from the array 1 of panels placed in the installation field. Figures 16 and 17 illustrate an accessory tool that is associated with the longitudinal beam 3 of the support structure of the panel array 1 in order to support the last row of array panels during transport. With reference to Figure 1, the two end panels of the matrix (the right end in the figure) cantilever out from the end of the longitudinal support beam 3. Consequently, unlike the other panels, they are not supported on opposite sides by two transverse members 4. To reliably support these panels during transport, the accessory member illustrated in Figures 16 and 17 and designated by reference 16 is mounted on the transverse member 3. This member consists of a transverse bar 163 (in the example with a circular cross-section) provided in the center with a clamp 160 to be gripped at one end of the transverse member 3. In the illustrated example, the clamp 160 comprises two manually operated lever-type clamping devices 161, but, of course, any clamping device may be used for this purpose.The bar 16 functions as additional support for the two end panels P of the array and is also provided at its ends with two additional manually operated clamping devices 162, which are, for example, also of the lever type, to lock the panels P onto the bar 16. The configuration of the support structure for the solar converter array may also differ from that illustrated herein by way of example. Furthermore, in this description and in the subsequent claims, the term longitudinal beam is to be understood in a general sense, as it also includes the case of one or more beam elements that do not extend along the length of the solar converter array. Furthermore, the expression "substantially horizontal orientation of the overall plane of the solar converter array" should be understood broadly as defining an orientation that is in any case considerably different from a vertical orientation. As seen previously, the overall plane of the array may be inclined, both longitudinally and laterally, with respect to the horizontal arrangement, according to the terrain profile in the installation area. For the same reason, the movement of the lifting device may occur in a direction other than vertical. In the example illustrated in this document, the support posts 7 pre-arranged in the installation field are sufficiently high for the matrix 1 to be received on them when the elevators 6A and 6B of the carriage 5 are lowered. In the event that the support posts 7 are too low to allow this mode of operation, it is possible to provide that the elevators 6A and 6B place the matrix 1 on taller auxiliary posts, for example, those having a telescopic configuration, pre-arranged in the installation field. Once the carriage has been released from matrix 1, after the latter has been placed on the aforementioned auxiliary posts, these are shortened to place matrix 1 on the shorter main posts. Naturally, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and embodiments may vary widely from what has been described and illustrated herein purely by way of example, without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims.
Claims
1. A method for the outdoor installation of an array (1) of solar converters comprising a support structure (2) and a plurality of solar converters (P) mounted on the support structure (2), wherein said support structure (2) is placed on a support structure comprising an aligned series of support posts (7) arranged in the installation field, wherein a vehicle (5) is provided for transporting the array (1) of solar converters (P) and for placing said array (1) of solar converters (P) on said support structure (7), wherein the vehicle (5) is provided with a lifting device (6) for moving the array (1) of solar converters (P) between a raised position and a lowered position, maintaining a general plane of the array with a substantially horizontal orientation, until the array (1) of solar converters (P) is placed on said support structure (7),said method is characterized in that: - said support structure (2) of the array (1) of solar converters includes a longitudinal beam (3) to be placed on said aligned series of support posts (7), said vehicle is a cart (5) comprising: - a load-bearing support structure (50) mounted on wheels (R); and - a main upper structure (9) of the cart (5), previously arranged to receive therein the array (1) of solar converters, eQ / cnn / eznz / e / Yi - said lifting device (6) being arranged between said load-bearing support structure (50) and said main upper structure (9) of the cart, on which is placed the array (1) of solar converters, associated with the cart (5) there is an electronic control unit (E) for controlling the movement of the cart (5) and for actuating the lifting device (6),and said electronic control unit (E) is configured to execute the following steps: - raising the carriage (5) adjacent to a row of support posts (7) in the installation field; - raising the array (1) of solar converters (P) above said support posts (7); - moving the carriage (5) within a space between two successive posts (7) of the row; and - lowering the array (1) of solar converters (P) until the longitudinal beam (3) of the support structure (2) of the array (1) of solar converters (P) is positioned on the support posts (7) of the row.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said lifting device (6) includes a first lift (6A) and a second lift (6B) arranged on the carriage (5) in positions separate from each other in a longitudinal direction of the carriage (5); and wherein said electronic control unit (E) is configured so as to be able to control the first and second lifts (6A and 6B) if necessary in a differentiated manner, in order to impart in the general plane of eQ / cnn / eznz / e / Yi the array (1) of solar converters a longitudinally inclined orientation forwards or backwards.
3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: said first elevator (6A) and said second elevator (6B) are both arranged between said load-bearing support structure (50) of the carriage (5) and said main upper structure (9), in the one associated with said main upper structure (9) there is an auxiliary support structure (12) on which the array (1) of solar converters (P) is loaded, said auxiliary support structure (12) being mounted so that it can oscillate about a central longitudinal axis (11) on said main upper structure (9), and in that an actuator (13) is provided to control the rotation of the auxiliary support structure (12) about said central longitudinal axis (11) so as to impart to the general plane of the array (1) of solar converters (P) a laterally inclined orientation.
4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the auxiliary support structure (12) carries a plurality of clamping devices (15) arranged longitudinally at a distance from each other, to receive and lock the longitudinal beam (3) of the support structure (2) of the array (1) of solar converters (P).
5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that each clamping device (15) comprises a receptacle (151) received on the longitudinal support beam (3) and locking elements (152) that can be moved between a closed locking position and an open release position.
6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that said locking elements (152) have an intermediate operating position, where the longitudinal support beam (3) is prevented from leaving the receptacle (151) of the clamping device (15) while maintaining play within said receptacle (151).
7. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the upper structure (9) includes a first portion (90) operatively connected to the lifting device (6) and a second portion (9), mounted on which is said auxiliary support structure (12) and mounted so that it has limited longitudinal movement with respect to said first portion, said movement being able to be actuated by a corresponding actuator (91).
8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: - said load-bearing structure (50) is mounted on wheels (R) that can be oriented about vertical axes in such a way as to allow the cart to move forward or backward in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the cart, to deviate from said longitudinal direction, and / or to translate in a direction orthogonal to said longitudinal direction; and - the cart comprises at least a first electric motor supported by the load-bearing structure for controlling the traction of one or more of said wheels (R) and an additional electric motor associated with each of said wheels for controlling the orientation of each wheel (R) about the respective vertical axis of oscillation.
9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that associated with the electronic control unit (E) there is a drive device (A) to control both said electric motors for the movement of the carriage (5) and the electric actuators of the lifting device (6).
10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, during transport in the carriage (5), associated with one end of the longitudinal beam (3) of the support structure (2) there is an accessory tool (16) comprising a vise (160) that can be locked to the beam (3) and carries a crossbar (163) that supports a final row of solar converters (P) that cantilever beyond said end of the beam (3).
11. A cart for the transport and outdoor installation of an array (1) of solar converters (P), comprising: - a lifting device (6) for vertically displacing an array (1) of solar converters (P) loaded thereon between a position of maximum elevation and a position of maximum descent, said cart being characterized in that it comprises: - a load-bearing structure (50) mounted on wheels (R); and - a main upper structure (9) of the cart (5), arranged to receive therein the array (1) of solar converters, - said lifting device (6) is established between said load-bearing structure (50) and said main upper structure (9) of the cart, on which the array (1) of solar converters is loaded;and - an electronic control unit for controlling the movement of the carriage and the lifting device (6), wherein said lifting device includes a first lift (6A) and a second lift (6B) arranged on the carriage in separate positions in a longitudinal direction of the carriage, both first and second lifts (6A and 6B) being arranged between said base structure (8) fixed to the load-bearing structure (50) of the carriage (5) and said main upper structure (9) that is to carry, directly or indirectly, the array (1) of solar converters, such that said first and second lifts (6A and 6B) can be operated separately to impart to the general plane of the array (1) of solar converters (P) a longitudinally inclined orientation forwards or backwards.
12. The carriage according to claim 11, characterized in that: - associated with said main upper structure (9) there is a loaded auxiliary support structure (12) on which is the array (1) of solar converters (P), said auxiliary support structure (12) is mounted so that it can oscillate about a central longitudinal axis (11) in said main upper structure (9), and said carriage (5) further comprises an actuator (13) for controlling the rotation of the auxiliary support structure (12) about said central longitudinal axis (11) so as to impart in the general plane of the array (1) of solar converters (P) a laterally inclined orientation.
13. The cart according to claim 12, characterized in that the auxiliary support structure (12) carries a plurality of clamping devices (15), arranged longitudinally at a distance from each other, to receive and lock the longitudinal beam (3) of the support structure (2) of the array (1) of solar converters (P).
14. The carriage according to claim 13, characterized in that each clamping device (15) comprises a receptacle (151), received in which is the longitudinal support beam (3), and locking elements (152) that can be moved between a closed locking position and an open release position.
15. The carriage according to claim 14, characterized in that said locking elements (152) have an intermediate operating position in which the longitudinal support beam (3) is prevented from coming out of the receptacle (151) of the clamping device (15) while maintaining a certain amount of play within said receptacle (151).
16. The carriage according to claim 12, characterized in that the upper structure (9) includes a first upper structure portion (90) operatively connected to the lifting device (6) and a second portion (9), mounted on which is said auxiliary support structure (12) and mounted so as to have limited longitudinal movement with respect to said first portion, said movement being able to be actuated by means of a corresponding actuator (91).
17. The cart according to claim 11, characterized in that: - said load-bearing structure (50) is mounted on wheels (R) that can be oriented about vertical axes in such a way as to allow the cart to move forward or backward in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the cart, to deviate from said longitudinal direction, and / or to move in a direction orthogonal to said longitudinal direction, - the cart comprises at least a first electric motor supported by the load-bearing structure for controlling the traction of one or more of said wheels (R) and an additional electric motor associated with each of said wheels for controlling the orientation of each wheel (R) about the respective vertical axis of oscillation.
18. The trolley according to claim 17, characterized in that associated with the electronic control unit (E) there is a drive device (A) for controlling said electric motors of the trolley (5) and electric actuators of the lifting device (6).