Adjustable Solar Collector Support for Pile Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large solar collector installations face increased costs and labor due to misalignments in the piles supporting the torque tubes, which can occur during construction due to factors like earthquakes, wind, or settling, requiring complex and costly adjustments to maintain precise alignment for high efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an adjustable solar energy collection system with a support assembly that includes a pile and adjustable bearing assembly, allowing for lateral, vertical, and angular adjustments to accommodate misalignments, thereby simplifying the installation process and reducing the need for precise initial alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If precise alignment of piles is required during construction, then system performance and efficiency are improved, but construction costs and labor requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly incorporates adjustable parameters including lateral position, vertical height, and angular orientation. These adjustable parameters allow the system to accommodate pile misalignments without requiring precise construction, thereby maintaining system performance while reducing construction costs and labor requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly is designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities rather than fixed positioning. The adjustable components enable the system to adapt to varying pile positions and orientations, transforming a static alignment problem into a dynamic solution that can be adjusted after construction.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex adjustments are made to accommodate misalignments, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is divided into separate adjustable components that can be independently modified. This segmentation allows for simple, modular adjustments rather than complex overall reconfiguration, reducing both device complexity and labor requirements while achieving the needed alignment precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If customized corrosion-proof mounts are fabricated to accommodate misalignments, then alignment accuracy is improved, but manufacturing time and expertise requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is designed as a universal component that can accommodate various pile misalignment conditions through its adjustable features. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for customized mounts for each specific misalignment case, significantly reducing manufacturing time and eliminating the need for specialized welding expertise.
Data Source
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AI summary
A solar energy collection system can include support devices configured to accommodate misalignment of components during assembly. For example, the system can include piles fixed to the earth and an adjustable bearing assembly at the upper end of the pile. The adjustable bearing assembly can include at least one of a vertical adjustment device, a lateral adjustment device and an angular adjustment device. The solar energy collection system can also include a plurality of solar energy collection device pre-wired together and mounted to a support member so as to form modular units. The system can also include enhanced supports for wire trays extending between rows of solar energy collection devices.