216 results about "Torque tube" patented technology

A solar panel mounting system can include a first panel mount including a first retaining feature attached to or attachable to a first torque tube clamp, and a second panel mount including a second retaining feature attached to or attachable to a second torque tube clamp. When the first and second panel mounts are mounted on a torque tube via the first and second torque tube clamps, respectively, the first retaining channel faces the second retaining channel, and the first and second retaining channels are oriented transversely relative to the torque tube. Furthermore, in this example, at least one of the first panel mount or the second panel mount is configured for overhead or lateral insertion of a solar panel while the torque tube clamps are installed on the torque tube.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a torque tube clamp can include a clamp support, a torque tube collar having an open torque tube-receiving position and a closed torque tube-locking positon, and a pivotable locking assembly. The pivotable locking assembly may include a ground link with a ground bar coupled to the clamp support by a ground pivot, and an engagement link including an engagement bar directly or indirectly coupled to the ground bar by an engagement pivot. The engagement bar can be part of the torque tube collar and can be movable from the open torque tube-receiving position to the closed torque tube-locking position.

A method for manufacturing a continuous torque tube of a solar tracking system on site includes the steps of: placing raw material at a rolling apparatus on site; shaping the raw material into torque tube components at the rolling apparatus on site; joining the shaped torque tube components output from the rolling apparatus on site to create a continuous torque tube; and placing solar modules at the continuous torque tube to create a continuous solar tracker row.

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.

The utility model relates to an intelligent control torque tube feeding and assembling device which comprises a base, an adjusting assembly, a lifting assembly and a check block assembly. An adjusting assembly, a lifting assembly and a check block assembly are arranged on the base, the adjusting assembly comprises a first adjusting set, a second adjusting set and a third adjusting set, and the first adjusting set and the second adjusting set can adjust the position of a chuck so that the chuck can clamp a torque tube. The torque tube is driven by the first lifting set and the second lifting set to vertically lift the torque tube upwards to a specified height, and then the chuck is controlled to rotate in the third direction, so that the torque tube is adjusted in the axial direction, a mounting hole in the torque tube is matched with the photovoltaic panel, and locking of a fastener is facilitated. In the whole process, automatic adjustment of lifting and position adjustment of the torque tube is achieved through cooperation of all the components, the position adjustment steps in the torque tube installation process are fully reduced, and the installation efficiency of the torque tube is improved.

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 torque tube coupler may include a sleeve. The sleeve may include an outer surface, a first opening, and a second opening. The outer surface may be configured to physically engage with portions of internal surfaces of a first torque tube segment and a second torque tube segment. The first opening may be configured to be positioned proximate a first countersunk opening of the first torque tube segment. The second opening may be configured to be positioned proximate a second countersunk opening of the second torque tube segment. The first opening and the second opening may be configured to receive fasteners via the first countersunk opening and the second countersunk opening to couple the first torque tube segment and the second torque tube segment to the sleeve to form a torque tube comprising a flush external surface.

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 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.

An on-site photovoltaic (PV) module assembly system and process may involve customizing assembly of a row of PV modules at the location of a particular solar site. Mounting rails or other mounting structures configured to interface a PV module with a torque tube may be positioned along the torque tube on site to account for physical characteristics and properties of the particular solar site. PV modules may be attached to one or more of the mounting rails by an adhesive. Using the adhesive to attach the PV modules to the mounting rails may increase the flexibility of PV module installation along the torque tube. Use of the adhesive may also decrease the number of fastening components included with the mounting rail and the PV module, such as a structural rail or module rails.

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 solar bay construction system includes a torque tube dispensing system configured to dispense one or more torque tubes onto a conveyor; a solar rail construction system configured to connect one or more solar rails on to the torque tube; a solar panel construction system configured to connect a solar panel on the plurality of solar rails to provide a solar bay; and a solar bay installation system configured to pick, hold, and position one or more solar bays to install in a solar array.

A renewable energy production system includes a plurality of solar panels and a torque tube. The torque tube has an exterior shape defined by an arcuate surface and a flat surface connected to the arcuate surface. The plurality of solar panels are coupled to the flat surface. A plurality of support columns is used to support the torque tube.

In solar systems, the installation process for solar module-to-torque tube is typically implemented manually by an installer. Such a manual process negatively impacts cost-effectiveness and installation consistency, especially for large solar systems. The present invention discloses embodiments of a self-closing rail that facilitates an automatic installation process for a torque tube for improved efficiency. The self-closing rail may use various structures and functions disclosed herein to keep rail arms open such that the torque tube may be unobstructively moved to a correct position for installation. The rail arms may have a shape matching or partially matching the cross-sectional shape of the torque tube for a tight fit of the torque tube.

A tray table assembly for a vehicle includes a tray shroud. The shroud includes a table surface. A post is coupled to the shroud. The shroud is configured to slide forward and rearward along the post. A torque tube is coupled to the post. Ends of the torque tube are rotatably coupled to the one or more pivot connections. A movable wall is on the post. The movable wall is configured to move into a first stowed position and a second position configured to support a personal electronic device. Some embodiments include a cup holder in or connected to the post.

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 bearing for a solar mounting system, the bearing comprising a bushing assembly configured to accept a torque tube. It has a front bushing, a back bushing to accept a torque tube, a stop ring sandwiched between each of the front bushing and the back bushing, a bushing housing configured to retain the bushing assembly. A coupler extends through the bearing to connect the front and back bushings to the housing, wherein during rotation of the bushings, the stud of the stop ring is configured to mate with the coupler to halt a rotation of the front busing and the back bushing to thereby distribute a torsional force along the solar mounting system.

A solar panel installation system comprising a support clamp installation vehicle capable of being placed on a torque tube of a solar panel support assembly, and operating on the torque tube to install one or more torque tube clamps onto the torque tube from an overhead position. The solar panel installation system comprises a hopper, a drive system operable to engage a torque tube and to facilitate locomotion of the installation vehicle on the torque tube, and a clamp dispensing system comprising a clamp feed system and a clamp placement system. The solar panel installation system further comprises a control system in communication with the support clamp installation vehicle, and operable to control operation of the drive system and the clamp dispensing system. The solar panel installation system further comprises a solar panel installation vehicle that can be operated in a coordinated manner with the support clamp installation vehicle.

A solar tracking system including a plurality of bases, a torque tube supported by the plurality of bases and configured to support a plurality of solar modules, and a drive device operably connected to the torque tube and arranged to translate the torque tube in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis. The solar tracking system also includes a plurality of helical guides operably connected to the torque tube, and a plurality of cam assemblies, wherein upon linear movement of the torque tube, interaction between the helical guides and cam assemblies causes the torque tube to rotate about its linear axis.

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.

A solar tracing system includes a torque tube (1810), a first single frame structure (1600) coupled to the torque tube (1810), and a second single frame structure (1700) coupled to the torque tube (1810). The first single frame structure (1600) includes first frame structure first and second module receptacles (1610,1612) at opposite sides of the first frame structure (1600), a first pair of solar modules (1602a, 1602b) received at the first frame structure first and second module receptacles (1610,1612), a first frame structure coupling flange (1614), and a first frame structure coupling flange receptacle (1618). The second single frame structure (1700) includes second frame structure first and second module receptacles (1710,1712) at opposite sides of the second frame structure (1700), a second pair of solar modules (1602c, 1602d) received at the second frame structure first and second module receptacles (1710,1712), a second frame structure coupling flange (1714), and a second frame structure coupling flange receptacle (1718).

The application is suitable for the technical field of dismounting of torsion tube, and provides a dismounting method of torsion tube of airplane footrest. The dismounting steps of the torsion tube comprise: moving the inner tube towards the first bushing, cutting off the part of the inner tube exposed to the outer tube through the first bushing; moving the inner tube towards the second bushing, so that at least part of the inner wall of the first bushing is exposed to the inner tube; fixedly connecting the plug in the first bushing; applying force to the plug, separating the plug and the first bushing from the outer tube together, and taking out the inner tube; fixedly connecting the plug in the second bushing; applying force to the plug, separating the plug and the second bushing from the outer tube. In the application, the cooperation structure of the outer tube and the inner tube is used to cut off part of the inner tube, so that the first bushing is exposed to the inner tube, the plug is fixed with the first bushing, the force point of the first bushing is increased, the operator can separate the plug and the first bushing from the outer tube, the dismounting of the torsion tube is completed without damaging the structure of the outer tube, and the replacement cost of the torsion tube is reduced.

A device (1) for braking a wheel (2) of an aircraft, wherein the wheel hub (5a, 5b) is mounted for rotation about an axle (6), and comprises a stack of wheel discs (11) screwed onto a torque tube (12) attached to the axle and internally provided with a heat shield (20) extending opposite the outer surface (5.1) of the wheel hub facing the stack of wheel discs to protect the wheel hub from the heat radiation generated by the stack of wheel discs. The heat shield comprises a tubular body (21) coaxial with the torque tube and a plurality of retaining tabs (22) elastically deformable and fixed to the tubular body, each retaining tab and the inner surface (12.1) of the torque tube comprising an additional raised portion intended to engage with each other so as to secure the heat shield axially inside the torque tube. A wheel, landing gear and aircraft are provided with such a braking device.

The invention relates to a predictive torque management method comprising the following steps: selecting a torque range having an upper boundary torque and a lower boundary torque, the upper boundary torque being selected to be higher than an optimal torque and / or the lower boundary torque being selected to be lower than the optimal torque, the optimal torque is the torque with the lowest oil consumption at a certain engine rotating speed during engine operation; and performing engine torque limiting based on the torque range wherein the engine torque is limited to an upper boundary torque when the torque demand exceeds the upper boundary torque; the engine torque is limited to zero when the torque demand is below the lower boundary torque.

A method for automated, or semi-automated, solar module support rail installation at a solar tracking system includes placing a first solar module support rail at a first location along a torque tube of the solar tracking system; using a robotic device to fixate the first solar module support rail at the first location along the torque tube; moving the robotic device to a second, different location along the torque tube; placing a second solar module support rail at the second, different location along the torque tube; and using the robotic device to fixate the second solar module support rail at the second location along the torque tube.

There is disclosed a tracking device formed by a plurality of struts (1) and actuator struts (1'), which are connected to a base (2) and a torque tube (4), and solar panels are mounted in pairs on the torque tube (4). The actuator strut (1') has a hinge (3), and a radial arm (5) is arranged beside the hinge. The radial arm is firmly connected to the torque tube (4), and the other end of the radial arm is hinged to a linear actuator (6) with a screw drive. The bottom end (7) of the linear actuator is also connected to the actuator strut (1') through a joint (8). Each linear actuator (6) is actuated by a gear (9), which meshes with a worm (10). The worm (10) is firmly connected to a universal joint type transmission (11-11'-11''-11''') shared by all actuators and actuated by a motor (12). The universal joint type transmission is assembled near the torque tube (4) through a support (14).

The present invention discloses an open lubrication system for an intelligent torque manager, belonging to the field of torque managers. A plurality of oil-slinging holes are provided on the outer circumference of the clutch housing of the torque manager, an oil return pool is provided at the lower part outside the outer housing, an oil outlet and an oil inlet communicating with the oil return pool are opened on the outer housing, and a plurality of oil-sucking holes are opened on the rear end cover of the clutch housing. The lubricating oil is slung out from the oil-slinging holes under the rotation of the clutch housing and enters the oil return pool. The oil-sucking holes generate suction under the rotation of the clutch housing and suck the lubricating oil in the oil return pool into the friction plate group, forming a circulating flow of the lubricating oil. By providing a plurality of oil-slinging holes on the clutch housing, the present invention enables the high-temperature lubricating oil to be slung out by centrifugal force, and then sucks the cooled lubricating oil through the oil-sucking holes, continuously taking away the heat generated by the friction plates and improving the heat capacity of the product. It also enables the effective circulation of the lubricating oil more favorably through the turbine-type oil guiding cover, with a simple structure and remarkable effects, ensuring the durability of the product.

According to the present invention, a bearing adapter for use with a truss base supporting a mechanically balanced single-axis tracker is provided. The bearing adapter combines with the free ends of a pair of adjacent truss legs to form a rigid A-frame shaped base structure. A bearing is formed on the upper part of the bearing adapter so that a torque tube is suspended on a pin within the bearing and can swing through an arc bounded by the bearing adapter. The bearing may have a catenoid shape to compensate for misalignment in multiple directions.

A floating solar photovoltaic array torque tube tracker assembly, including: a plurality of floats; solar PV modules mounted on top of the plurality of floats; and a rotation control system for rotating the floats or torque tubes passing through the floats to tilt the solar PV modules in a direction to track movement of the sun.