Wind Vane Solar Tracker Orientation for Lower Wind Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pedestal-mounted solar energy systems face significant wind and gravitational loads, leading to the need for larger and more expensive tracker and support structures, even when stowed, due to turbulence causing non-parallel wind directions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a wind vane connected to the tracker assembly, which rotates the frame relative to the pedestal about its longitudinal axis in response to wind, orienting the system to minimize bending moments by aligning wind direction with the short edge and perpendicular to the long edge of the frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If pedestal-mounted solar energy systems are stowed in a horizontal configuration to minimize wind damage, then wind load resistance is improved, but significant bending moments still occur due to turbulence causing non-parallel wind directions
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static horizontal stow configuration to a dynamic configuration where the frame can rotate about the longitudinal axis. The wind vane enables the frame to dynamically adjust its orientation relative to the wind direction, allowing the system to adapt to turbulent wind conditions rather than relying solely on the horizontal stow position for wind load resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The wind vane automatically orients the frame perpendicular to the wind direction without requiring external control systems or power input. The aerodynamic forces on the wind vane itself provide the torque needed to rotate the frame, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for active sensors, motors, or control algorithms
2Strength
If larger and more expensive tracker and support structures are used to withstand wind loads, then structural strength is improved, but system cost and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wind vane converts the harmful wind loads into a beneficial orienting force. Instead of resisting wind loads passively with larger structures, the system actively uses the wind pressure on the wind vane to rotate the frame into a perpendicular orientation, where the same wind loads create minimal bending moments. This transforms the harmful aerodynamic forces into a useful self-orienting mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the orientation parameter of the frame relative to the wind direction. By rotating the frame about the longitudinal axis to achieve perpendicular alignment with the wind, the system fundamentally alters how wind loads are distributed and experienced by the structure, reducing bending moments without requiring larger components
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
This configuration reduces wind loads on the solar energy system, allowing for smaller and less expensive structures capable of withstanding loads, as the wind vane effectively counters wind forces and minimizes structural stress.
Implementation Method 1
a wind vane operatively connected to the frame to urge the frame relative to the pedestal about the longitudinal axis in response to wind acting on the wind vane
Data Source
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AI summary
A solar energy system (10) including a pedestal (12) defining a longitudinal axis, a frame (16) that is supported by the pedestal (12) and that is rotateable relative to the pedestal (12) about the longitudinal axis, the frame (16) including at least one solar device (38), and a wind vane (18) operatively connected to the frame (16) to urge the frame (16) relative to the pedestal (12) about the longitudinal axis in response to wind acting on the wind vane (18).