Systems for damping a solar photovoltaic array tracker

A damper assembly for use in a solar tracker system, the damper assembly comprising:

• an inner shell;
• an outer shell surrounding the inner shell, wherein an outer fluid channel is defined radially between the inner shell and the outer shell;
• a piston at least partially positioned within the inner shell and moveable relative thereto;
• a chamber wall within the outer shell at least partially defining a chamber;
• and
• a locking valve comprising a shaft extending into the chamber and a seal attached to the shaft, the shaft being selectively moveable axially within the chamber along an extension axis between an unsealed position in which the seal is spaced from the chamber wall and a flow path is defined that extends from within the inner shell, through the chamber, and to the outer fluid channel, and a sealed position in which the seal contacts the chamber wall and the locking valve obstructs the flow path.

A solar tracker system comprising:

• a column;
• a solar panel pivotably connected to the column;
• and
• a damper assembly configured for absorbing external loads on the solar panel, the damper assembly comprising:
• an inner shell;
• an outer shell surrounding the inner shell, the outer shell and the inner shell cooperatively defining a fluid circuit of the damper assembly;
• a piston at least partially positioned within the inner shell for moving fluid within the fluid circuit;
• a chamber wall within the outer shell at least partially defining a chamber, the fluid circuit extending through the chamber;
• and
• an active lock positioned within the chamber, the active lock comprising a shaft and a seal attached to the shaft, the shaft being selectively moveable axially within the chamber along an extension axis to block at least a portion of the fluid circuit and prevent the flow of fluid within the fluid circuit.