Solar Tracker Lock-Out Bearings for Distributed Wind Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar tracker systems face challenges in maximizing energy production while minimizing the structural damage caused by wind loading, which often requires increasing the size and weight of components to withstand torsional excitation, leading to reduced energy output when wind loading is mitigated.
Innovation Solution
A solar tracker system with multiple points of fixity and a lock-out device that absorbs wind loading at various points along the tracker, using a cam shaft and lock-out mechanism to limit torque tube movement, reducing component size and weight, and maintaining energy production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the size and weight of components are increased to withstand wind loading and reduce torsional excitation, then structural stability is improved, but energy production is reduced due to the tracker being driven to a flat position
Solution Approach 1:
The tracker structure is divided into multiple segments with multiple piers distributed along its length. Each pier acts as an independent support point that can absorb wind loading locally, preventing the need to increase the size and weight of individual components while maintaining overall structural stability during wind events.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the size and weight of components are increased to withstand wind loading, then structural stability is improved, but component size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tracker is segmented into multiple sections with piers distributed along its length. This segmentation allows wind loading to be distributed across multiple smaller support points rather than requiring one or two massive piers, thereby reducing the weight of individual stationary components while maintaining overall structural stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple lock-out devices are used to absorb wind loading at various points, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock-out mechanism is segmented and distributed across multiple piers along the tracker. Each pier has its own lock-out device that operates independently to absorb wind loading at its local position. This distributed segmentation provides structural stability while keeping each individual device relatively simple in design.
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 effectively reduces structural instability and component size while maintaining energy production by distributing wind loads across multiple points, allowing the tracker to remain operational during wind events without significant energy loss.
Implementation Method 1
A solar tracker system with multiple points of fixity and a lock-out device that absorbs wind loading at various points along the tracker, using a cam shaft and lock-out mechanism to limit torque tube movement
Data Source
AI summary
A solar tracker including a torque tube, a plurality of bearings configured to receive the torque tube, a plurality of piers each configured to receive one of the plurality of bearings, and a lock-out device mounted on one of the plurality of piers and operatively associated with at least one of the plurality of bearings, the lock out device configured to periodically engage and disengage openings formed in the bearings to limit movement of the torque tube and to transfer load from the torque tube to the pier on which it is mounted.