Wind Vane Solar Tracker Stowage for Lower Bending Moments
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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 solar energy system's frame or tracker assembly that rotates the frame relative to the pedestal about its longitudinal axis in response to wind, orienting the system to minimize bending moments by positioning wind direction perpendicular to the long edge and parallel to the short edge in the stowed configuration.
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 exposure is reduced, but significant bending moments still occur due to turbulence causing non-parallel wind directions
Solution Approach 1:
The solar energy system incorporates a wind vane that enables dynamic rotation of the frame about the longitudinal axis in response to wind direction. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to actively orient itself perpendicular to wind direction, converting the static horizontal stowage into a dynamically adaptive configuration that minimizes bending moments while maintaining reduced wind exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind vane utilizes the harmful wind forces acting on it to generate a beneficial rotational moment that orients the frame perpendicular to the wind direction. By allowing the wind to act on the wind vane, the system converts the harmful wind load into a useful orientation mechanism that reduces bending moments on the support structure.
2Strength
If larger and more expensive tracker and support structures are used to withstand wind loads, then structural strength is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wind vane creates a self-regulating system where the wind loads automatically orient the frame perpendicular to wind direction through the wind vane's rotational moment. This self-service orientation mechanism eliminates the need for oversized support structures, allowing the use of smaller, more cost-effective trackers and pedestals while maintaining adequate wind load capacity.
3Device complexity
If the frame is fixed in a horizontal stowed configuration, then installation is simplified, but wind direction variability causes increased bending moments
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a fixed horizontal stowage to a dynamic configuration where the frame can rotate about the longitudinal axis in response to wind direction. The wind vane provides the rotational moment needed to actively orient the frame perpendicular to wind, adding minimal complexity while dramatically improving wind load resistance.
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 support structures by minimizing bending moments, thereby enhancing structural efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
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
AI summary
A solar energy system including a pedestal defining a longitudinal axis, a frame that is supported by the pedestal and that is rotateable relative to the pedestal about the longitudinal axis, the frame including at least one solar device, and 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.