Swivel mount for solar tracker shafts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar tracker systems face challenges in orienting solar tracker shafts on uneven or irregular terrain, particularly with multi-post trackers, which require excessive time and cannot be easily adjusted to any spatial position due to their design limitations.
Innovation Solution
A swivel mount with spherical-shaped external bracing parts and a reciprocal inner spherical clamp allows the solar tracker shaft to be oriented in any spatial position, using a square-shaped shaft assembly with adjustable height and secure attachment to support posts, enabling flexible alignment and correction for terrain deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cylindrical clamps are used to support solar tracker shafts, then the shaft can rotate for panel tilting, but the shaft cannot be oriented in any spatial position
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the cylindrical clamp shape with a spherical clamp that receives a spherical head on the shaft. This spherical geometry allows the shaft to be oriented in any spatial position while maintaining a simple, unified clamp structure. The spherical contact surfaces enable rotation and tilting in multiple directions without requiring complex articulated mechanisms.
2Productivity
If solar tracker shafts are installed on uneven terrain with traditional mounts, then installation is possible, but excessive time is required to correctly orient the shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical head and spherical clamp interface allows the installer to easily orient the shaft in any spatial position by simply rotating the shaft within the clamp. The spherical geometry provides natural alignment and makes it trivial to compensate for terrain irregularities, dramatically reducing the time required to achieve correct orientation while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical mounting mechanism provides dynamic adaptability, allowing the shaft to be positioned and repositioned freely in any orientation during installation. This dynamic capability enables quick adjustment to uneven terrain without requiring precise pre-positioning of support posts or complex alignment procedures.
3Manufacturing precision
If support posts are required to be perfectly upright for proper shaft orientation, then accurate alignment is achieved, but installation on irregular terrain becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical head and spherical clamp interface provides inherent alignment capability that compensates for deviations in support post positioning. The spherical geometry allows the shaft to self-align and be oriented correctly regardless of whether the support posts are perfectly upright, enabling accurate shaft alignment on irregular terrain without requiring precise post installation.
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 swivel mount enables quick and precise orientation of solar tracker shafts on irregular surfaces, reducing installation time and maintaining stability across varying terrain conditions without the need for perfect upright positioning of support posts.
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
The present invention relates to a swivel mount for solar tracker shafts, comprising a clamp (4) surrounding parts (2, 3) bracing a solar tracker shaft, wherein the parts (2, 3) bracing the solar tracker shaft externally have a spherical shape corresponding with a reciprocal inner shape of the clamp (4), such that the solar tracker shaft is axially retained by the clamp (4) and can be oriented in any required spatial position.