Solar tracker and related methods, devices, and systems
First Claim
1. A solar tracker assembly comprising:
- a base having a track, a centrally-positioned base member, a motor operably coupled to the base member, and a plurality of arms extending from the base member towards the track member, wherein the track comprises a plurality of arcuate members that are assembled to form the track;
a rotatable frame coupled to the arms, the rotatable frame including one or more towers and an actuator positioned on the one or more towers;
a pivoting frame coupled to the one or more towers, the pivoting frame configured to carry a solar panel array; and
tracker electronics operably coupled to the motor and the actuator,wherein—
the motor rotates the base member and arms around a Z-axis to position the rotatable frame at azimuth,the actuator moves the pivoting frame around an X-Y axis to position the pivoting frame at zenith,the base further includes a plurality of foot plates for securing the base to a deployment site, andthe tracker electronics are configured to auto-level the tracker assembly to compensate for uneven placement of individual foot plates at the deployment site.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a solar tracker assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a base having a track, a centrally-positioned base member, a motor operably coupled to the base member, and a plurality of arms extending from the base member towards the track, with the track including a plurality of arcuate members that are assembled to form the track. A rotatable frame is coupled to the arms and has one or more towers and an actuator positioned on the one or more towers. A pivoting frame is coupled to the one or more towers, with the pivoting frame configured to carry a solar panel array. In operation, the motor can rotate the base member and arms around a Z-axis to position the rotatable frame at azimuth and the actuator can move the pivoting frame around an X-Y axis to position the pivoting frame at zenith.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A solar tracker assembly comprising:
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a base having a track, a centrally-positioned base member, a motor operably coupled to the base member, and a plurality of arms extending from the base member towards the track member, wherein the track comprises a plurality of arcuate members that are assembled to form the track; a rotatable frame coupled to the arms, the rotatable frame including one or more towers and an actuator positioned on the one or more towers; a pivoting frame coupled to the one or more towers, the pivoting frame configured to carry a solar panel array; and tracker electronics operably coupled to the motor and the actuator, wherein— the motor rotates the base member and arms around a Z-axis to position the rotatable frame at azimuth, the actuator moves the pivoting frame around an X-Y axis to position the pivoting frame at zenith, the base further includes a plurality of foot plates for securing the base to a deployment site, and the tracker electronics are configured to auto-level the tracker assembly to compensate for uneven placement of individual foot plates at the deployment site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification