Solar collector and tracker arrangement
First Claim
1. A solar energy collector and tracker arrangement which comprises a north-south oriented torsion tube defining a north-south axis;
- an array of flat rectangular solar panels attached along opposite sides of said torsion tube;
at least one pier having a footing supported in a foundation and a pivot member affixed thereto above said footing and in which said torsion tube is journaled to permit the array of solar panels to be rocked on said north-south axis to follow motion of the sun relative to the earth;
a torque-arm member supported on said torsion tube and having an eye portion displaced from said north-south axis; and
a linear actuator having a body portion mounted on a footing supported in the foundation at a distance spaced from said pier and a rod that extends from said body portion and has a distal end coupled to the eye portion of the torque-arm member.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A solar energy collector and tracker has at least one north-south oriented torsion tube supporting an array of flat rectangular solar panels. At least one pier, supported in the earth, has pivot member in which the torsion tube is journalled. A linear actuator has a body portion mounted on a footing separate from the pier footing and supported in the earth at a distance spaced from pier, and has a rod coupled to a torque arm on the torsion tube. The actuator can be horizontally or vertically oriented. The torsion tube is generally square cross section. The torsion tube may be formed of two or more sections joined end to end. In such case, one of the sections may have one end swaged to fit tightly into the end of a next successive section to form a tight, secure coupling between sections. The pivot member can have four plastic resin inserts within a cylindrical journal on respective sides of the square torsion tube. The horizontal driver can be used to drive multiple rows of solar panels, with a linkage mechanism connecting the torque arms of the multiple rows. The linkage mechanism can include a series of rigid link members articulated to one another, permitting use on uneven terrain. Wires can be concealed within the tubular members.
256 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A solar energy collector and tracker arrangement which comprises a north-south oriented torsion tube defining a north-south axis;
- an array of flat rectangular solar panels attached along opposite sides of said torsion tube;
at least one pier having a footing supported in a foundation and a pivot member affixed thereto above said footing and in which said torsion tube is journaled to permit the array of solar panels to be rocked on said north-south axis to follow motion of the sun relative to the earth;
a torque-arm member supported on said torsion tube and having an eye portion displaced from said north-south axis; and
a linear actuator having a body portion mounted on a footing supported in the foundation at a distance spaced from said pier and a rod that extends from said body portion and has a distal end coupled to the eye portion of the torque-arm member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- an array of flat rectangular solar panels attached along opposite sides of said torsion tube;
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11. A solar energy collector and tracker arrangement comprising multiple parallel rows of solar panels, wherein each said row includes a north-south oriented torsion tube defining a north-south axis;
- an array of flat generally rectangular solar panels attached along opposite sides of their associated torsion tube, at least one pier having a footing supported in a foundation and a pivot member affixed thereto above said footing and in which the associated torsion tube is journaled to permit the array of solar panels to be rocked on their north-south axis to follow motion of the sun relative to the earth, a torque-arm member supported on said torsion tube and having an eye portion displaced from said north-south axis at a generally right angle relative to a plane defined by the row of solar panels; and
wherein a tracker drive for said multiple rows includes a linear actuator having a body mounted on a footing supported in the foundation and a rod that extends generally horizontally from said body, means coupling said rod to the eye portion of the torque-arm member of a first one of said rows, and rigid linkage means extending generally horizontally from the torque-arm member of said first row to the torque-arm members of the others of said rows. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
- an array of flat generally rectangular solar panels attached along opposite sides of their associated torsion tube, at least one pier having a footing supported in a foundation and a pivot member affixed thereto above said footing and in which the associated torsion tube is journaled to permit the array of solar panels to be rocked on their north-south axis to follow motion of the sun relative to the earth, a torque-arm member supported on said torsion tube and having an eye portion displaced from said north-south axis at a generally right angle relative to a plane defined by the row of solar panels; and
Specification