Photovoltaic panel support assembly

• US 5,228,924 A
• Filed: 11/04/1991
• Issued: 07/20/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ASE Americas Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mobil Solar Energy Corporation (Angewandte Solarenergie ASE)
• Inventors: Barker, James M., Underwood, John C., Shingleton, Jefferson
• Primary Examiner(s): Weisstuch, Aaron
• Application Number:
  US07/787,538
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 136/246, 126/424-425
• US Class Current: 136/246
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2030/11 Driving means
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2030/136 for moving several solar collectors by common transmission elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 30/425 Horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 40/85 Arrangements for protecting solar collectors against adverse weather conditions F24S40/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/24 specially adapted for flat roofs
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/30 Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

A solar energy power source is provided comprising at least two flat photovoltaic panels disposed in co-planar side-by-side relation and an improved support structure for supporting the panels for pivotal movement on a pivot axis that extends transversely of the panels, the improved structure including a single selectively operable drive means for pivoting all of the panels simultaneously and by the same amount of angular displacement.

Claims

1. A solar energy electrical power source comprising in combination at least two flat photovoltaic panels disposed side-by-side in co-planar relation with one another, a pivot shaft extending transversely across the panels, at least two supports spaced apart lengthwise of the pivot shaft, means for connecting the pivot shaft to the at least two supports, attachment means for connecting the at least two panels to the pivot shaft so that the panels can pivot about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, coupling means mechanically coupling all of the panels together so as to form a unified flat array, and selectively operable drive means for mechanically pivoting the unified flat array about said axis;

wherein each of said flat photovoltaic panels comprises at least two modules each comprising a plurality of electrically interconnected photovoltaic cells, said at least two modules being aligned along a line extending at a right angle to said pivot shaft, and said coupling means comprises (a) an elongate member extending parallel to and spaced from said pivot shaft and (b) means for attaching said elongate member to said panels;

and further wherein each flat photovoltaic panel comprises a unitary frame consisting of a pair of end frame members extending parallel to said pivot shaft, a pair of side frame members extending between and connected to said end frame members, and a pair of spaced apart cross frame members, with one of said two modules being embraced by and secured to said side frame members and a first one of each of said end and cross frame members, and the other of said two modules being embraced by and secured to said side frame members and the second one of each of said end and cross frame members, whereby the gap created by said spaced apart cross frame members allow air to pass between them in order to reduce the "sail" effect when the solar array is subjected to buffeting winds.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises an electrically-powered actuator that is capable of holding said array in a fixed angular position about said axis, and at least one dual limit switch means for said drive means mounted upon one of said supports and having a first and a second operation means arranged to cause reversal of the drive means, and cam means mounted upon one of said side frame members, which cam means will actuate one of said operating means upon a predetermined degree of positioning of said unitary frame.