Spherical Swivel Mount for Solar Tracker Shaft Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar trackers face challenges in orienting solar tracker shafts on uneven or irregular terrain, particularly with multi-post systems, where excessive time is required to correctly align the shafts, limiting efficiency and installation speed.
Innovation Solution
A swivel mount with spherical-shaped external parts and a reciprocal inner clamp design allows the solar tracker shaft to be oriented in any spatial position, using a clamp with a lower base and upper tightening part, and adjustable U-shaped sections for support posts, ensuring secure attachment and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cylindrical clamps are used to attach shafts to support posts, then the shaft can rotate for panel tilting, but the shaft cannot be oriented in any spatial position and excessive time is required to correctly orient the shaft on irregular terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the cylindrical clamp shape with a spherical mounting structure. The shaft ends are shaped as spherical segments that fit into corresponding spherical sockets in the clamp assembly. This spherical geometry allows the shaft to be oriented in any spatial direction while remaining securely attached, eliminating the orientation limitations of cylindrical clamps and significantly reducing alignment time on irregular terrain.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure incorporates a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the shaft to be quickly reoriented from any starting position. The spherical joint design enables continuous rotation and tilting movements, allowing installers to rapidly adapt the shaft orientation to match the terrain slope and desired panel angle without time-consuming alignment procedures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If support posts are driven into irregular terrain, then installation can proceed on varied surfaces, but the posts cannot be perfectly upright causing shaft misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical mounting interface automatically compensates for post misalignment caused by irregular terrain. The spherical shaft end can pivot and rotate within the spherical clamp socket, allowing the shaft to achieve the correct orientation even when the support post is not perfectly vertical. This eliminates the need for precise post installation while maintaining accurate shaft alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure incorporates adjustable parameters including the angular orientation of the shaft relative to the post, and the position of the shaft along its axis. These adjustable parameters allow the system to compensate for terrain irregularities and post installation variations, maintaining precise shaft alignment regardless of the underlying surface conditions.
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
Enables quick and precise orientation of solar tracker shafts on irregular terrain, reducing installation time and maintaining alignment, even on uneven surfaces, with a durable and low-maintenance design.
Implementation Method 1
the parts bracing the solar tracker shaft externally having a spherical shape corresponding with a reciprocal inner spherical shape of the clamp, such that the solar tracker shaft is axially retained by the clamp and can be oriented in any required spatial position
Data Source
AI summary
A swivel mount for solar tracker shafts having a clamp having an inner surface with a spherical shape and first and second parts forming a brace adapted to hold a solar tracker shaft, wherein the brace formed by the first and second parts has an external surface having a spherical shape, such that the solar tracker shaft is axially retained by the clamp and can be oriented in any required spatial position.