Solar Tracker Drive Compensation for Slop and Thermal Expansion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Solar tracking systems with multiple parallel torque tubes experience significant angular deviations due to mechanical slop and thermal expansion, leading to reduced power output and inaccurate tracking, as these effects accumulate additively or subtractively over time, affecting the timing of shadowing and power generation.
Innovation Solution
A solar energy collection system with two arrays of solar collectors connected to a common drive system, equipped with sensors to detect angular orientations and a controller that compensates for mechanical slop and thermal expansion, adjusting the drive links to maintain optimal tilt angles and prevent shadowing between rows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common drive system is used to reduce cost, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate due to cumulative mechanical slop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the drive links by incorporating expansion joints that allow controlled movement. This enables the rigid drive links to accommodate thermal expansion and mechanical slop while maintaining the overall drive system architecture, thus resolving the contradiction between using a common drive system and maintaining angular alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by adding expansion joints specifically at critical locations in the drive linkages where thermal expansion and mechanical slop accumulate. This localized modification allows the system to maintain precision at critical points while keeping the overall system simple and cost-effective
2Device complexity
If mechanical connections are used to link torque tubes, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to cumulative angular offsets from mechanical slop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the mechanical connections by incorporating expansion joints that change the rigid connection into a flexible one. This allows the connections to accommodate thermal expansion and mechanical slop dynamically, maintaining tracking accuracy while keeping the linkage system simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using sensors to detect the actual angular positions of torque tubes and feeding this information back to the control system. The controller then compensates for cumulative angular offsets by adjusting the drive actuator, thereby maintaining reliability despite using simple mechanical connections
3Strength
If drive links are made rigid to maintain structural strength, then strength is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to thermal expansion causing angular offsets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only specific portions of the drive links flexible through expansion joints, while keeping the majority of the drive links rigid to maintain structural strength. This localized flexibility allows thermal expansion without compromising overall strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameter tolerance of the drive links by incorporating expansion joints that allow controlled expansion. This enables the drive links to maintain their structural strength while adapting to temperature variations, thereby maintaining tracking consistency
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 improves power output by compensating for angular offsets caused by mechanical slop and thermal expansion, ensuring accurate tracking and maximizing energy collection by maintaining optimal tilt angles, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of the solar energy collection process.
Implementation Method 1
drive links extending from a drive actuator, to pivoting connections at each of a number of parallel torque tubes
Implementation Method 2
Such pivoting connections can include bearings or simple pin-hole connections
Implementation Method 3
additional angular offsets can be caused by thermal expansion of the links connecting parallel torque tubes
Data Source
AI summary
A sun-tracking solar drive can include hardware and/or be operated in accordance with a method in which angular deviations are compensated for operation including during forward tracking and backtracking. For example, the effects of thermal expansion and mechanical slop associated with certain components can be calculated and used for calculation of target angles that can provide for increased power output and improved shading avoidance.