Solar Tracker Screw-Driven Articulation System for Wind Load Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large solar tracker systems face challenges in efficiently adjusting their orientation to maximize energy generation due to high power requirements and torsional excitation from wind loading, which necessitates increased rigidity and component complexity.
Innovation Solution
A solar tracking system featuring a torque tube with helical grooves and a screw rod mechanism, coupled with an articulation system that includes a nut and inner tube, supported by a base and double roller bearings, allowing for efficient rotation and translation of the solar array while minimizing material usage and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the size and number of components are increased to reduce torsional excitation, then the rigidity and stability improve, but the device complexity and material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested tube structure where an inner tube is positioned within an outer tube, both rotating about a common axis. This nested configuration provides enhanced rigidity and torsional resistance without requiring separate, additional support structures, thereby avoiding increased device complexity while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The torque tube serves both as a structural support element and as a rotating mechanism for solar array articulation. The bearing assembly integrates thrust support and rotational guidance functions into a single compact unit, reducing the number of separate components needed.
2Productivity
If the load capacity is increased to support larger solar arrays, then the energy generation capability improves, but the power required to drive the tracker increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic bearing assembly that adapts to varying loads. The bearing supports both radial and axial (thrust) loads, allowing the system to handle heavy solar array weights and wind loads efficiently. This dynamic load support reduces friction and power consumption during rotation, enabling large arrays to be tracked with minimal energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical drive systems with a simpler rotation mechanism. The nested tubes rotate about a common axis supported by bearings, eliminating the need for complex gear trains, multiple motors, or sophisticated mechanical linkages. This substitution reduces power consumption while maintaining the ability to support and move large solar arrays.
3Strength
If the rigidity is increased to accommodate wind loading, then the structural stability improves, but the material requirements and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nested tube configuration provides enhanced structural rigidity and wind load resistance through geometric arrangement rather than increased material quantity. The inner tube within the outer tube creates a more torsion-resistant structure that can withstand wind loading without requiring significantly more material than a single thick-walled tube would need.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite structural arrangements where the nested tubes work together as an integrated load-bearing system. The combination of tubes, bearings, and support structures creates a composite mechanical system that achieves high strength-to-weight ratio, providing wind load resistance with optimized material usage.
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 system reduces the play in the nut on the screw rod, increases stiffness, and inhibits back-driving, thereby optimizing component design, reducing material requirements, and lowering costs while maintaining efficient energy tracking.
Implementation Method 1
a screw rod disposed within the outer tube, a nut configured to mate with threads of the screw rod and configured to rotate and translate along a length of at least a portion of the screw as the screw rotates
Implementation Method 2
Helical grooves may be disposed on an inside portion of the outer tube and respective ridges may be disposed on an outside portion of the nut. The ridges may movably mate with the helical grooves so that the helical grooves rotate the nut as the nut is translated along at least a portion of the length of the outer tube
Implementation Method 3
Ball bearings may be disposed in the recirculating ball bearing path
Data Source
AI summary
A solar tracking system includes a solar array, support beams that support the solar array, a torque tube coupled to the support beams, a base that rotatably supports the torque tube, and an articulation system that rotates the torque tube relative to the base. The articulation system includes an outer tube, a screw rod, and a nut and/or inner tube that rotates and translates along a length of the screw rod as the screw rod rotates. The interior portion of the outer tube includes helical grooves and the exterior portion of the nut or inner tube includes ridges or rollers that mate with the helical grooves, which cause the nut and/or inner tube to rotate as the nut and/or inner tube is translated along a length of the screw rod when the screw rod is rotated by the motor.