Method and system of controlling a solar tracking system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar tracking systems face challenges in initial installation costs, flexibility in adapting to site conditions, reliability over long lifetimes, and increased maintenance costs due to robust mechanical linkages and complex structures, particularly with wind resistance and land requirements, which are not adequately optimized in current designs.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an adjustable driveline torque limit with sensors and remote monitoring to detect and clear obstructions, reducing the need for robust mechanical linkages and allowing for flexible site layouts, and incorporates a communication system to manage wind forces and maintenance needs, enabling operation in various conditions without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If robust mechanical linkages are used to resist wind forces, then structural strength is improved, but material cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the mechanical linkage component entirely from the solar tracking system. Each tracker row is driven independently without mechanical connection to adjacent rows, removing the need for complex linkages while maintaining wind resistance through individual row design
Solution Approach 2:
The solar tracking array is segmented into independent rows, each with its own drive mechanism. This segmentation eliminates the need for mechanical linkages between rows, allowing each row to be optimized independently for wind resistance while reducing overall system complexity
2Productivity
If mechanically linked horizontal trackers are used, then fewer drive motors are required, but installation cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the solar tracking array into independently driven rows. While this increases the number of drive motors compared to mechanically linked systems, it eliminates complex mechanical linkages and simplifies installation by allowing each row to be installed and adjusted independently without requiring precise mechanical alignment across the entire array
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed tilt azimuth trackers are used, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to different site conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs horizontal single-axis trackers that can dynamically adjust their orientation along a horizontal axis, providing adaptability to various site conditions including different latitudes, terrains, and wind patterns. This dynamic capability maintains structural stability while allowing optimization for specific installation locations
4Quantity of substance
If horizontal single axis trackers are used, then material cost is reduced, but wind force resistance capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the array into independently driven rows, each row can be designed with minimal structural material for horizontal tracking. The segmentation allows wind forces to be distributed and managed at the individual row level rather than requiring a single robust mechanical linkage to handle all wind loads across the entire array
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 2
AI summary
A solar tracking system with a plurality of tracking assemblies (12) moved by a single motor (14). A method and system that prevents overloading the motor or tripping a circuit breaker due to an obstructed or impeded tracker includes sensing movement (162) of the tracker assemblies (12) and entering into obstruction clearing modes. Obstruction clearing mode 1 (OCM1) (168) is a high frequency adjustable mode that prompts movement for an adjustable period of time. If movement commences, the system returns to a normal mode. If there is no movement, the system enters into an obstruction clearing mode 2 (OCM2) (176) with is an adjustable lower frequency series of attempts. If there is no movement, no further attempts are made. Each of these steps are monitored and controlled remotely. There are two types of secure connections for drivelines, torque tubes (16, 110, 220) or affixing driveline linkages (130) for high torque conditions.