Locking, dampening and actuation systems and methods for solar trackers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar trackers face challenges in maintaining stability and efficiency due to high wind and snow loads, which existing systems struggle to address effectively, particularly in terms of cost and structural optimization.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a locking and dampening system for solar trackers, incorporating friction brakes, ratchets, and pneumatic actuators, which includes locking mechanisms that allow for one-way motion and passive locking, along with dampening assemblies to enhance stability and wind performance, and the use of fluidic actuators with bladders to orient trackers effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing locking and dampening systems are used for solar trackers, then basic stability is maintained, but the systems fail to provide sufficient stability under high wind and snow loads and incur higher costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the locking and dampening functions into separate modular assemblies - locking assemblies with pawls and ratchets for positional stability, and dampening assemblies with friction brakes for motion control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability under high loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The dampening assemblies incorporate adjustable friction brakes that can dynamically control the damping force applied to the tracker structure. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to varying wind and snow load conditions, providing optimal stability without requiring overly complex fixed-configuration systems.
2Ease of manufacture
If longer purlin spans are implemented to reduce structural costs, then manufacturing and installation costs decrease, but structural stability and load-bearing capacity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking and dampening assemblies serve as intermediary elements between the purlins and the tracker structure, providing enhanced stability and load distribution. This allows longer purlin spans to be used without compromising overall structural integrity, as the locking mechanisms prevent excessive movement and the dampening systems distribute dynamic loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mechanical parameters of the tracker structure by introducing friction-based dampening and mechanical locking. This transforms the structural behavior from purely rigid-support-dependent to a system that actively manages stress and movement, enabling longer spans while maintaining load-bearing capacity through controlled flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If pneumatic actuators are used for tracker actuation, then precise positioning and control are achieved, but air consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic actuators operate using periodic, pulsing air supply rather than continuous flow. The system uses stored pneumatic energy and releases it in controlled pulses to achieve the required positioning movements, significantly reducing overall air consumption while maintaining precise positioning capability through controlled actuation cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking assemblies with pawls and ratchets provide self-service positioning by mechanically holding the tracker in place without requiring continuous pneumatic pressure. Once the pneumatic actuator positions the tracker, the locking mechanism maintains the position passively, eliminating the need for continuous air consumption to sustain positioning.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution increases the holding torque and allows for longer purlin spans while reducing costs, improving wind performance, and enabling reduced air consumption, thus enhancing the structural optimization and stability of solar trackers under high loads.
Implementation Method 1
friction brakes
Implementation Method 2
pneumatic actuators
Implementation Method 3
ratchets
Data Source
AI summary
A solar tracker system comprising one or more tracker rotation control systems that include: a curved gear plate; and a locking element configured to lock the solar tracker system in a first configuration.