Two-Piece Truss Cap for Solar Tracker X-Axis and Pitch Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single-axis solar trackers with mechanically balanced designs, such as the NX Horizon Series, face limitations in X-axis and pitch adjustment due to the one-piece truss cap design of the EARTH TRUSS system, which restricts flexibility and tolerance for position errors, leading to mechanical interference with rotating tracker components.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece truss cap system is introduced, featuring a lower truss cap portion with slots for X-axis adjustment and an upper BHA support that allows for both X-axis and pitch adjustment, eliminating mechanical interference by providing a narrower mounting surface that does not obstruct the rotation of tracker components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a one-piece truss cap design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adjustability and tolerance for position errors deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The truss cap is divided into multiple segments: a lower truss cap portion and an upper BHA support portion. These segments can be independently manufactured and then assembled together, providing both manufacturing simplicity and post-installation adjustability through the modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper BHA support is designed with adjustable features including slots and mounting surfaces that can be repositioned. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to accommodate position errors and provide both X-axis and pitch adjustment after installation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the BHA mounting surface is wide, then structural stability is improved, but mechanical interference with rotating tracker components occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the mounting surface into an upper BHA support and a lower truss cap portion, the design achieves structural stability through the lower portion while the upper support can be optimized to provide a narrower mounting surface that clears rotating tracker components.
Solution Approach 2:
The design resolves the interference issue by creating vertical separation between the stable lower truss cap structure and the narrower upper BHA support, allowing the mounting surface to be positioned in a way that eliminates mechanical interference while maintaining structural integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If X-axis and pitch adjustment are enabled, then adaptability to position errors is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanisms are integrated into the segmented design of the upper BHA support, which includes slots and mounting features that enable both X-axis and pitch adjustment. This segmentation allows adjustability to be achieved through the structural design rather than adding separate complex adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Adjustable bearing supports for single-axis trackers supported by truss foundations. A two-piece assembly joins a pair of adjacent truss legs to form a rigid foundation while providing a movable support for a tracker bearing housing assembly or other structure. The movable support may slide in-plane, or alternatively, enable the bearing housing assembly to slide and rotate with respect to the truss cap structure joining the adjacent truss legs.