Ratcheting Solar Tracker Stow Mechanism for Power-Outage Wind Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photovoltaic mounting systems that allow solar panels to track sun movement often leave panels in less than ideal configurations during power outages, making them vulnerable to damage from high winds, and require either costly backup systems or manual intervention for safe stowing.
Innovation Solution
A ratcheting stow mechanism using a partially toothed ring gear and pawls, powered by solenoids, allows solar panels to be incrementally moved to a stowed position without electrical power, securing them until power is restored, utilizing oscillating movement to maintain the panels in a safe configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If solar panels are allowed to track sun movement freely, then solar energy generation efficiency is improved, but panels become vulnerable to wind damage during power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The ratcheting mechanism is pre-configured with pawls positioned to engage with the gear teeth, creating a ready-to-activate system that automatically engages when power is lost, moving panels to stowed position before wind damage can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural oscillating movement of the solar panels during power outages as the driving force to activate the ratcheting mechanism, eliminating the need for external power or manual intervention to secure panels against wind damage
2Object-affected harmful factors
If power backup systems are used to move panels to stowed configuration, then panels are protected from wind damage, but system size, complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential stowing function from complex backup power systems by using a passive ratcheting mechanism that relies on natural panel oscillation rather than requiring motors, batteries, or control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The ratcheting mechanism uses simple, inexpensive mechanical components (pawls, gears, springs) that can be easily manufactured and replaced, eliminating the need for expensive backup power systems while providing reliable wind protection
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual intervention is used to stow panels during power outages, then panels are secured from wind damage, but human intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The ratcheting mechanism automatically activates during power outages by utilizing the natural oscillating movement of the solar panels to drive the pawls along the gear teeth, securing panels without requiring any human intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful oscillating movement of panels during power outages into a beneficial force that drives the ratcheting mechanism to secure panels in the stowed position, transforming potential damage into protective action
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
The mechanism effectively secures solar panels in a stowed position without electrical power, reducing wind damage and eliminating the need for costly backup systems or manual intervention, ensuring robust and reliable movement control.
Implementation Method 1
Each pawl is coupled with a solenoid configured such that activation of the solenoid moves the respective pawl to the retracted position and de-activation of the solenoid moves the pawls to the engaged position.
Implementation Method 2
The ring gear and pawl(s) are configured such that, when engaged, oscillating back-and-forth movement of the photovoltaic panel incrementally moves the panel towards a stowed position
Data Source
AI summary
Photovoltaic tracking systems with a ratcheting stow mechanism are provided. In particular, tracking systems allow for controlled movement of photovoltaic panels adapted for solar tracking to a stowed configuration without requiring electrical power. Such mounting systems can include a partially toothed ring gear with a pair of pawls pivotally mounted adjacent the ring gear with a pair of solenoids that when de-energized, move the pawls into engagement with the ring gear such that ratcheting movement of the pair of pawls along the ring gear in response to back-and-forth oscillating movement of the panel incrementally moves the panels into a stowed configuration without requiring use of electrical power.