198 results about "Solar tracker" patented technology

System and method embodiments are described for solar panel protection against severe environmental impacts. A tracker controller may be configured to rotate a solar tracker comprising a group of solar panels to a safe position to diminish hail impact during a hailstorm. Such a rotation may be implemented using one or more motors to drive arc gears coupled to a pair of supporting purlins that support the group of solar panels. The tracker may comprise a bumper rail placed on the top when the tracker is at the safe position for hail impact absorption. Implementing solar panel protection provides a practical solution to protect solar panels from damage. Thus, the need for costly repair or replacement may be avoided, minimized, or decreased. As a result, the economic efficiency of solar power plant operations may be improved significantly.

A photovoltaic system includes a collection of photovoltaic modules, a base supporting the collection of photovoltaic modules, and a damper coupled between the collection of photovoltaic modules and the base. The damper resists movement of the photovoltaic modules relative to the base. The damper has a first damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a first rate relative to the base and a second damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a second rate relative to the base, and the damper passively transitions from the first damping ratio to the second damping ratio.

A method for installing one or more solar module A-frame supports includes: creating a bore extending a depth below a ground surface, placing a temporary support jig adjacent the bore, inserting a leg of a solar module A-frame support into the bore such that a portion of the leg of the solar module A-frame support is within the bore and a portion of the leg of the solar module A-frame support contacts the temporary support jig, when the portion of the leg of the solar module A-frame support is within the bore and the portion of the leg of the solar module A-frame support contacts the temporary support jig, pouring concrete into the bore, and, after pouring concrete into the bore, removing the temporary support jig from contact with the leg of the solar module A-frame support.

A solar tracker bearing apparatus mountable to an upright support post for rotatably supporting a torque tube beam of a solar tracker assembly and including: a rotatable bearing assembly supported for rotation about an axis of rotation by a stationary saddle assembly. The rotatable bearing assembly includes a central portion and first and second spaced apart arcuate peripheral portions, the central portion defining a beam slot, the first arcuate peripheral portion including a first arcuate rim bearing and the second arcuate peripheral portion including a second arcuate rim bearing, and the first and second rim bearings being spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable bearing assembly. The stationary saddle assembly includes a first arcuate bearing race slidably supporting the first arcuate rim bearing and a spaced apart second arcuate bearing race slidably supporting the second arcuate rim bearing.

A solar module support and foundation system includes a first concrete foundation, a second concrete foundation, and a solar module A-frame support. The first concrete foundation is within a first bore and includes a first concrete foundation stem portion and a first concrete foundation reamed bulb portion. The second foundation is within a second bore and includes a second concrete foundation stem portion and a second concrete foundation reamed bulb portion. A first leg distal end of the A-frame support is nested within the first concrete foundation at each of the first concrete foundation stem and reamed bulb portions, and a second leg distal end of the A-frame support is nested within the second concrete foundation at each of the second concrete foundation stem and reamed bulb portions.

A coupling system for solar trackers is disclosed. The coupling system can reduce the number of fasteners and labor required for securing solar modules to torque tubes. The system includes a support rail, a strap assembly, and a fastening assembly. The support rail features an upper surface for receiving solar modules and a lower surface with spaced protuberances forming a gap to accommodate a torque tube. Inner surfaces of the protuberances can inhibit rotation of the torque tube relative to the support rail. The fastening assembly includes retaining bolts with adjustable gaps to secure solar modules of varying thicknesses. Spring arms and biasing elements enhance module retention and alignment. The strap assembly clamps the support rail to the torque tube which can ensure stability.

A method for coupling a solar module frame to a torque tube of a solar tracker using a hooked flange solar module frame coupling apparatus includes: positioning a hook portion the of frame component relative to a frame receiving receptacle at a rail; moving the hook portion of the frame from a biased, coupling configuration to a receptacle entry configuration via contact between the hook portion and the rail; and moving the hook portion from the receptacle entry configuration to the biased, coupling configuration to couple the frame to the rail.

A solar tracker including a torque tube, a plurality of bearings configured to receive the torque tube, a plurality of piers each configured to receive one of the plurality of bearings, and a lock-out device mounted on one of the plurality of piers and operatively associated with at least one of the plurality of bearings, the lock out device configured to periodically engage and disengage openings formed in the bearings to limit movement of the torque tube and to transfer load from the torque tube to the pier on which it is mounted.

A method of snow removal for a plurality of solar tracker assemblies. The steps of the method include: a) determining at least one current snow presence variable value associated with the solar tracker installation; b) determining at least one other current variable value associated with the solar tracker installation selected from one or more of the following variable categories: 1) a weather condition variable category; 2) a temporal variable category; 3) a weather prediction variable category; and 4) a snow removal routine variable category; c) applying the decision rule to determine if the at least one current snow presence variable value and the least one other current variable value correspond to a snow removal condition; and d) if the decision rule determines that the current variable values correspond to a snow removal condition, executing the snow removal routine for a set of the plurality of solar tracker assemblies.

A solar tracker support frame assembly includes a multi-leg solar tracker support frame and a hanging bearing housing assembly. The multi-leg solar tracker support frame includes first and second frame legs and a bridge extending between the first and second frame legs. The hanging bearing housing assembly is at the multi-leg solar tracker support frame and is configured to support a torque tube. The hanging bearing housing assembly includes a bearing sleeve and a torque tube connector. The bearing sleeve includes a first bearing sleeve portion and a hanging bearing sleeve portion. The first bearing sleeve portion interfaces with the bridge, and the hanging bearing sleeve portion extends out from the first bearing sleeve portion below the bridge. The torque tube connector is configured to couple the torque tube to the hanging bearing housing assembly at least at the hanging bearing sleeve portion below the bridge.

Described herein are systems and methods for reducing damage to solar tracker systems during severe weather, such as hailstorms. In one example, a solar module assembly, with edge protection against hail damage, includes a solar module that holds a plurality of photovoltaic cells, the solar module having a front surface and a sidewall extending from the front surface. A frame having a frame wall, which includes a first wall, is disposed about a perimeter of the solar module sidewall and supports the solar module. Further, a hail absorption wall extends along and is spaced from the first wall. The hail absorption wall is attached to the frame and resilient and deflectable towards the first wall. The hail absorption wall absorbs impact energy from hail falling in a direction towards the first wall.

The invention discloses an intelligent double-shaft solar tracker based on photosensitive sensing and double-steering-engine driving. A support comprises a bottom platform, a fixing rod and a top platform. The fixed rod is connected with the bottom platform through a second steering engine; a solar panel is mounted on the upper surface of the top platform; the bottom of the top platform is connected with a fixed rod through a first steering engine; a photosensitive sensor is installed on the solar panel and used for detecting the sun illumination direction in real time. The photosensitive sensor is connected to the development board through a wire. The development board is connected with the main board and is responsible for receiving data of the photosensitive sensor, calculating an adjustment angle and sending a control instruction; the mainboard is connected with the first steering engine and the second steering engine to receive a control signal of the development board, and drives the first steering engine and the second steering engine to adjust the orientation of the solar panel; the battery is connected with the mainboard, the development board, the first steering engine and the second steering engine through a first wire and a second wire. A double-steering-engine driving technology is used, and double-shaft tracking is achieved.

The present invention relates to fabricating a pilot-scale solar tracker continuous flow reactor for the photochemical reaction. The present invention, particularly, relates to a pilot scale process for synthesis of formula 1, which key intermediates of various intermediate of various angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). More particularly, the present invention relates to an integrated continuous flow reactor platform with Bayesian optimization (BO) assisted reaction optimization that can autonomously explore the optimal conditions for photochemical bromination reaction for the synthesis of Formula 1 and Formula 2. Moreover, autonomously explored bromination conditions are seamlessly integrated with continuous flow tools to synthesize, extract, and purify the Angiotensin II receptor blocker intermediate (formula 3).

A solar tracker, solar array, and method of designing a solar tracker or array including a plurality of piers, a torque tube supported by the piers, each pier having a common reveal from the earth and the torque tube has a relative angle from a first pier to a second pier of between 0.25 and about 0.75 degrees.

A coupling system for use with a solar tracker and a method of use are described herein. The coupling system includes a support rail having a torque tube receiving surface configured to interface with a torque tube. One or more rigid arms configured to couple the support rail to the torque tube, each rigid arm pivotably connected to the support rail and being pivotable about a rotational axis. The one or more rigid arms configured to extend at least partially around the torque tube and pivotable into a closed position. The one or more rigid arms having one or more distal ends fastenable to secure the one or more rigid arms in the closed position.

A control system for a solar tracker assembly installation including a plurality of solar tracker assemblies, each of the plurality of solar tracker assemblies including a table supporting photovoltaic modules and rotatable through an angle of inclination. The solar tracker control system includes: a plurality of solar tracker controllers periodically outputting table angle of inclination data and solar tracker assembly operating data for the associated solar tracker assembly; a plurality of weather sensors, each outputting weather condition data; and an array controller in direct, wireless communications with each solar tracker controller and each weather sensor. The array controller analyzing communicated table angle of inclination data, the tracker operating data and the weather condition data and, as required, wirelessly communicating control signals to one or more solar tracker controllers of the plurality of solar tracker controllers to change a table angle of inclination of the one or more solar tracker assemblies.

A support structure for solar trackers with thermal expansion mitigation includes a frame rotatably coupled to one or more ground piles. The support structure further includes a pivot bracket rotatably coupled to a portion of the frame with the pivot bracket including a pivot pin to which torque tube clamps are rotatably coupled. The torque tube clamps are affixed to a torque tube and solar modules are affixed to the torque tube via one or more mounting brackets. Thermal expansion / contraction of the torque tube is translated into rotational movement of the frame relative to the one or more ground piles via the rotatable couplings including the pivot bracket. The rotational movement of the frame relative to the one or more ground piles enables the torque tube to expand / contract while mitigating mechanical stress of the support structure.

A toolless fastening assembly for a solar power system including a first strap portion having a first connector, a second strap portion having a second connector, and a boot buckle extending a buckle distance between a first buckle end and a second buckle end. The first buckle end is connectable to the first connector and the second buckle end is connectable to the second connector. The boot buckle includes a latch lever that is rotatable between a first lever position and a second lever position. Rotation of the latch lever from the first lever position to the second lever position shortens the buckle distance.

A supporting system for rotating shafts (3) which can be arranged inclined with respect to one another having a supporting pillar (2.1), a first rotating shaft (3.1) which is supported on the supporting pillar (2.1) by a first bearing assembly (5.1), and a second rotating shaft (3.2) which is supported on the supporting pillar (2.1) by a second bearing assembly (5.2), the first bearing assembly (5.1) and / or the second bearing assembly (5.2) having a spherical bearing (5.4) capable of rotating freely both about the corresponding rotating shaft (3, 3.1, 3.2) and out of the plane perpendicular to the rotating shaft (3), (3.1), (3.2).

An assembly includes one or more photovoltaic solar trackers; a rechargeable power supply system, including power supply elements to power the tracker or trackers; a charging system, to recharge the power elements; and a tracker controller. The assembly stands out for including one or more supercapacitors as power supply elements. The invention makes it possible to arrange the power supply elements at low temperatures without the need for heaters, increase their useful life and reduce their size.

Solar irradiance incident on the surface of the earth is typically classified into three components: global horizontal irradiance (GHI), diffuse horizontal irradiance (DHI) and direct normal irradiance (DNI). Accurate measurements of these irradiance components are vital for many applications but for an ever-increasing number of PV sites, in addition to measuring the GHI, the measurement of DHI is mandated or required. Many instruments from several manufacturers exist to perform these tasks, such as a pyranometer and a pyrheliometer requiring a suite of at least these two expensive instruments and a solar tracker to perform the required measurements. Accordingly, the invention provides users with a single instrument with no moving external parts capable of measuring all three irradiance components, thereby simplifying the data acquisition and minimizing equipment cost whilst providing measurements with low uncertainty.

A solar tracker apparatus comprises a center of mass with an adjustable hanger assembly configured with a clam shell clamp assembly on the adjustable hanger assembly and a cylindrical torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end such that the center of mass is aligned with a center of rotation of the cylindrical torque tubes to reduce a load of a drive motor operably coupled to the cylindrical torque tube.

A solar tracker assembly is provided which includes a support column, a torque tube or torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torque tube or torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torque tube or torsion beam, and a spring counter-balance assembly connected to the torque tube or torsion beam. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly comprises a bearing housing and a bushing disposed within the bearing housing and configured to be slideably mounted onto the torque tube or torsion beam, and one or more compressible cords made of a flexible material. The compressible cords are located between the bushing and the bearing housing and provide damping during rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly.

Solar trackers and control systems prevent damage from weather events – such as hail – by orienting solar panels at optimal angles during such weather events. These angles may be achieved and managed by the physical stops of the slew drives and mechanical stop assemblies in the tracker. Control systems may trigger stowing of the solar panels during such weather events in a variety of ways, including comparing irradiance measured from the solar panels with expected irradiance.

A solar module tracking apparatus includes a solar module, a wind distribution panel, and a torque tube. The solar module has a first side that includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a second, opposite side. The solar module has a solar module length and solar module width, with the solar module length and the solar module width laying in a first plane. The wind distribution panel is spaced apart from the second side of the solar module to define a plenum between the wind distribution panel and the second side of the solar module. The wind distribution panel has a wind distribution panel length and wind distribution panel width, with the wind distribution panel length and the wind distribution panel width laying in a second plane that is different than the first plane. The torque tube is configured to rotatably move the solar module and wind distribution panel.

The invention relates to the technical field of waste water evaporation drying, in particular to a waste water evaporation drying method and system based on mixed molten salt heat storage, and the system comprises a light condensing and guiding unit, a molten salt heat storage unit, a heat exchange circulation unit and an evaporation drying unit; the light condensing and guiding unit comprises a Fresnel lens and a quartz glass guide tube; the fused salt heat storage unit comprises a fused salt heat storage tank and a fused salt pump, and mixed fused salt is arranged in the fused salt heat storage tank; the heat exchange circulating unit comprises a fused salt steam heat exchanger, a steam heat accumulator, a waste steam tank, a desalted water storage tank, a waste steam water circulating pump, a desalted water feeding pump and a condenser; the evaporation drying unit comprises an evaporation dryer and an evaporation condensate storage tank, the evaporation dryer is communicated with the steam heat accumulator, and the evaporation condensate storage tank is connected with the condenser. The Fresnel lens and the quartz glass guide pipe are combined for light gathering and light guiding, precise tracking and efficient collection of sunlight are achieved in cooperation with the solar tracker, and the heat conduction efficiency is greatly improved.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a solar panel foundation system and method of installation. The foundation system including a bracket configured to be coupled to and support the solar panel, and a cross-brace. The cross-brace configured to be slidably adjustable between a first end and a second end. There may be a first member and a second member each configured to be coupled at one end to the bracket and to the cross-brace at another end. There may be a third member and a fourth member configured to be coupled to the cross-brace at one end, and to be coupled to a first pile and a second pile at another end. After assembly of the foundation system, the first and second piles may be driven into the surface, and the solar panel to be installed onto the bracket of the foundation system.

The field of the technique of the following invention is that of wind and photovoltaic alternative energies. Normally these two solutions involve photovoltaic panels and turbines which are functionally distinct from each other and that also occupy different spaces. This invention proposes a unique support structure that allows the simultaneous use of a solar tracker and one or more turbines. The result is a hybrid device with all the equipment mounted on board that is simple to install.

The invention relates to an agricultural solar tracker (1) and to a method for the use and / or control of at least one such agricultural solar tracker (1). The agricultural solar tracker (1) comprises a plurality of solar modules (2), which are arranged so as to be swivelable on a support structure comprising at least one crossed four-bar linkage (25). The crossed four-bar linkage (25) constitutes a support structure for the solar modules (2). The swivel movement of the solar modules (2) about a swivel angle (a) is produced by the at least one crossed four-bar linkage (25), wherein the agricultural solar tracker (1) is designed to swivel the solar modules (2) beyond the middle of a foundation (21) into an end position.

The present invention relates to a device comprising a first stop (9), attached to an inner surface (5) of a bushing (3) which is driven by a torsion shaft (1) of a solar tracker; and at least one contact area (10) arranged on the first stop (9). The contact area(s) (10) are configured to make contact with respective second stops (11) which are solidly attached to a clamp (7), which is attached to a foundation post (2) of the tracker and which externally surrounds the bushing (3), when the torsion shaft (1) is in at least one predetermined stop orientation, to transmit loads and stress produced by incident wind to the foundation post (2). The device allows wind loads to be transmitted from the torsion shaft (1) to the foundation through the foundation posts (2), avoiding loading the gearbox of the solar tracker.