Solar Tracker Multi-Gearbox Design to Reduce Wind-Induced Torsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind-induced dynamic loads and resonance cause structural instability and collapse in solar trackers, leading to reduced efficiency and integrity, particularly affecting the tracker shaft and gearbox.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating multiple gearboxes along a solar tracker structure to absorb wind torsion moments, allowing rotation only at gearbox locations and reducing wind-induced rotation in intermediate and outer portions, enabling longer tracker designs with improved motion transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the length of the solar tracker is increased to support more panels, then the productivity and energy generation capacity are improved, but the wind-induced torsion moment and structural instability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solar tracker structure is divided into multiple segments with gearboxes positioned at intervals along the tracker shaft. Each gearbox acts as an independent embedment point, segmenting the long tracker into shorter effective spans that resist wind-induced torsion. This segmentation allows the tracker to support more panels while maintaining structural stability by distributing the torsion moment across multiple gearbox locations.
2Device complexity
If a single gearbox is used to support 45 panels, then the device complexity is reduced, but the torsion moment on the gearbox and tracker shaft increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single gearbox to support all 45 panels, the system segments the support function by placing multiple gearboxes at intervals along the tracker. This distribution reduces the torsion moment on each individual gearbox while maintaining the ability to support the full array of panels.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple gearboxes are combined along the tracker shaft to work collectively in resisting wind loads. Each gearbox contributes to the overall torsion moment resistance, creating a distributed reinforcement system that enhances structural strength without requiring any single component to be oversized.
3Reliability
If the tracker length is reduced to reduce wind torsion, then the structural stability is improved, but the number of solar panels that can be supported decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracker is segmented into multiple sections with gearboxes positioned to create shorter effective spans between embedment points. This segmentation reduces the wind-induced torsion in each section while collectively supporting a larger total number of panels across the extended tracker structure.
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 configuration reduces wind-induced torsion and rotation by up to 55% at free ends, enhancing structural stability and allowing for longer solar trackers with improved performance and economic savings.
Implementation Method 1
dynamic action of wind on the modules of solar panels (for example, photovoltaic panels) produces a torsion moment which mainly affects the tracker shaft and the reducer gearbox of the solar tracker
Implementation Method 2
fluctuating wind loads provoke resonance effects on the structure of the solar tracker causing also a structural instability leading the structures to a quicker collapse
Data Source
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AI summary
Solar tracker (1) for providing sun tracking to solar panels, and comprising: torsion beam (2), defining a longitudinal direction of rotation and rotating the solar panels; motor (4), with motor shaft (5); first gearbox (6), at torsion beam (2) at first position, and connected to motor shaft (5) for transmitting to torsion beam (2) rotation of motor shaft (5); second gearbox (7), mounted to torsion beam (2) at second position further from motor (4) than first position; and primary shaft (8), coaxial to motor shaft (5), and connected to second gearbox (7), for transmitting to second gearbox (7) rotation of the motor shaft (5). Gearboxes (6, 7) define embedments withstanding torsion moment caused by wind loads for restricting rotation of torsion beam (2). It provides higher resistance to wind loads and allows for longer solar trackers (1).