Dual pile cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground-mount solar array structures face challenges in accommodating misalignment of vertical piles, which can lead to instability and require precise alignment, making installation complex and prone to errors due to sub-surface obstructions like rocks or roots.
Innovation Solution
A dual pile cap system that allows for adjustable attachment locations, featuring U-shaped cutout portions to accommodate misalignment and lateral movement of vertical piles, ensuring stable attachment and alignment through leveling nuts and bolts, enabling flexible installation even with imperfect pile positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If precise alignment of vertical piles is required, then structural stability is improved, but installation complexity increases due to sub-surface obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The pile cap design allows for parameter changes in attachment locations through multiple predetermined positions. This enables adjustment of pile positions within acceptable tolerances without requiring precise alignment, thereby maintaining structural stability while simplifying installation procedures when obstructions are encountered
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, fixed alignment requirement to a dynamic, adjustable configuration. The pile cap can accommodate piles at different positions by selecting appropriate attachment locations, making the structure adaptable to installation conditions rather than requiring perfect initial alignment
2Ease of operation
If adjustable attachment locations are provided, then ease of installation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pile cap is segmented with multiple predetermined attachment locations distributed at specific intervals. This segmentation provides flexibility for adjustment while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as each attachment point is a discrete, pre-defined location rather than a continuous adjustment mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment locations are predetermined and pre-positioned during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex field measurements and adjustments, simplifying installation by allowing workers to directly attach connections at the appropriate pre-defined locations based on pile position
Data Source
AI summary
A solar array support structure includes a first vertical pile extending from a ground to a first pile end, a second vertical pile extending from the ground to a second pile end, and a first pile cap attached to each of the first and second vertical piles, the first pile cap configured to account for a misalignment of at least one of the first vertical pile and the second vertical pile by providing for adjustable attachment locations for each of the first and second pile ends.