Solar photovoltaic support and tracking system with vertical adjustment capability

• US 20110120523A1
• Filed: 11/24/2009
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charles Silver
• Original Assignee: Charles Silver
• Inventors: Silver, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 8,426,791 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/246
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 20/25 using direct solar radiation in combination with concentrated radiation
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/617 Elements driven into the ground, e.g. anchor-piles; Foundations for supporting elements; Connectors for connecting supporting structures to the ground or to flat horizontal surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 30/20 for linear movement
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 30/452 Vertical primary axis
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 50/20 for tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/7861 Solar tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/00 Supporting structures for PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/10 Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground H02S20/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/32 specially adapted for solar tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

Installation of solar energy systems is made easier through the use of augur tubes. The base augur tube accommodates telescoping sections which enable these systems to exhibit a smaller footprint with enhanced power ratings. A tracking head is provided in which dual axis tracking is provided using a single drive mechanism. These features are employed either together or independently.

Claims

1. A solar tracking device comprising:

a first platform for supporting at least one solar panel;

a rotatable horizontal shaft supported by said first platform;

at least one circular disk affixed to said horizontal shaft, said at least one disk including, on the periphery thereof, first engagement means;

a vertical shaft which supports said horizontal shaft and which enables said solar panel and said first platform to swing in a horizontal direction; and

a second platform supporting said vertical shaft, said second platform having second engagement means disposed thereon in contact with said first engagement means, so as to enable said solar panel and said first platform to be pivoted in an azimuthal direction upon relative rotation of said first and second platforms on said vertical shaft.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said first engagement means is selected from the group consisting of gear teeth, holes, pins and slots and wherein said second engagement means is oppositely configured to provide engagement.

3. The device of claim 1 in which said first and said second engagement means comprises surfaces which are engaged frictionally.

4. The device of claim 1 in which said horizontal shaft is supported by said first platform within slots which permit motion of said horizontal shaft which disengages said first and second engagement means.

5. The device of claim 1 which further includes a biasing device to urge said horizontal shaft in a downward direction.

6. The device of claim 1 further including a solar collector supported by said first platform.

7. The device of claim 6 in which said solar collector is selected from the group consisting of a photovoltaic panel and a solar thermal panel.

8. The device of claim 1 in which said first platform comprises a cylindrical structure.

9. The device of claim 1 further including a bearing support to permit relative rotational motion between said first and second platforms.

11. The device of claim 1 in which there are two disks configured so that only one of which is engaged with said second engagement means.

12. A dual axis, solar tracking device comprising mechanical support and a rotatable disk linkage for at least one solar panel in which azimuthal angle variation of said at least one solar panel also simultaneously causes, via said rotatable disk linkage, vertical tilt motion.

13. A solar energy collector assembly comprising:

a hollow cylindrical augur;

a cylindrical support slidably connected to said augur; and

a solar collector affixed to said cylindrical support.

14. A solar energy collector assembly comprising:

a first, hollow cylindrical support for attachment to a fixed anchoring;

a second cylindrical support slidably connected to said first cylindrical support;

means for controlling said assembly'"'"'s height through said slidable connection; and

a solar collector affixed to said cylindrical support.