# US 11,121,671 B2 · A-frame foundation system for single-axis trackers with weak axis support > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,121,671 B2 - Document ID: US11121671B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/439,603 - Filed: 2019-06-12 - Published: 2020-03-05 - Granted: 2021-09-14 - Earliest claimed: 2018-09-05 - Assignees: Ojjo, Inc. - Applicants: Ojjo, Inc. - Inventors: Tyrus Hudson; Kathryn Pesce; David Mar; Jack West - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11121671B2 ## CPC - H02S 20/32: specially adapted for solar tracking - F24S 25/13: Profile arrangements, e.g. trusses (F24S25/12 takes precedence) - 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 - F24S 25/65: for coupling adjacent supporting elements, e.g. for connecting profiles together - F24S 25/70: with means for adjusting the final position or orientation of supporting elements in relation to each other or to a mounting surface; with means for compensating mounting tolerances - F24S 30/425: Horizontal axis - F24S 2025/019: {Means for accommodating irregularities on mounting surface; Tolerance compensation means} - F24S 2030/15: {Bearings} - Y02E 10/47: Mountings or tracking - Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy - H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00) - F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A single-axis tracker supported by multiple A-frame-shaped single-truss foundations that translate lateral loads into axial forces of tension and compression, and at least one truss foundation supporting the torque tube drive motor or other tracker component subject to axial loads to provide support for lateral loads as well as loads oriented along the axis of the torque tube. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A single-axis tracker comprising: a torque tube; a plurality of solar panels attached to the torque tube; a plurality of first truss foundations rotatably supporting the torque tube, each first truss foundation comprising a pair of legs driven into an underlying ground on opposing East and West sides of the torque tube and joined together above the underlying ground with a first adapter to be perpendicular to the torque tube; a bearing assembly, attached to each first truss foundation, the bearing assembly rotatably supporting the torque tube; at least one second truss foundation comprising two pairs of legs extending above and below the underlying ground and joined together above the underlying ground with at least one second adapter, each pair of the two pairs of legs symmetric about the torque tube with at least two of the legs of the two pairs of legs of the at least one second truss foundation oriented non-perpendicularly to the torque tube to form a double truss foundation; and a torque tube drive motor attached to the at least one second truss foundation. ### Claim 2 A single-axis tracker comprising: an elongated torque tube extending lengthwise in a first direction; a plurality of solar panels coupled to the torque tube; a plurality of first truss foundations rotatably supporting the elongated torque tube, each of the plurality of first truss foundations comprising a pair of legs driven into an underlying ground on opposing sides of the elongated torque tube and joined above the underlying ground with an adapter to form a first A-frame with the ground, wherein the first A-frame defines a pair of parallel planes that are substantially orthogonal to the first direction; and at least one second truss foundation, the at least one second truss foundation comprising two adjacent pairs of legs extending above and below the underlying ground and arranged symmetrically about the torque tube to form a pair of second A-frames with the underlying ground, wherein each of the pair of second A-frames defines a pair of parallel planes that are non-orthogonal to the first direction-. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The single-axis tracker according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of bearing assemblies, each bearing assembly supported by one of the adapters of the plurality of first truss foundations and providing a bearing surface for receiving a rotating member that forms a rotational axis of the tracker. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The single-axis tracker according to claim 3, wherein the rotating member is a bearing pin from which the elongated torque tube is suspended. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The single-axis tracker according to claim 3, wherein the rotating member is the elongated torque tube. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The single-axis tracker according to claim 2, wherein the at least one second truss foundation supports a torque tube drive motor. ### Claim 7 A single-axis tracker comprising: a torque tube; a plurality of single-truss foundations each single-truss foundation comprising a pair truss legs extending below and above an underlying ground and joined together above the underlying ground with a first adapter to symmetric about the torque tube and to form an A-frame shaped truss with the underlying ground that is substantially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the tracker; a bearing assembly attached to each first truss foundation, each bearing assembly rotatably supporting the rotational axis of the tracker; at least one double-truss foundation comprising four truss legs extending below and above the underlying ground and joined together above the underlying ground by at least one second adapter, wherein at least two of the four legs of the at least one double-truss foundation are oriented non-perpendicularly to the rotational axis of the tracker; and a torque tube drive motor attached to the at least one double-truss foundation.