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US 11,230,866 B2Granted
Bearing and coupler-journal devices for panels
AssigneeSun and Steel Solar LLC
InventorRobert B. Dally
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A journal-coupler includes a first portion including a first pair of flanges and a first coupler portion and a second portion that is removably connected to the first portion. The second portion includes a second pair of flanges and a second coupler portion. The first coupler portion and the second coupler portion combine to form an enclosed torque tube portion.
Claims20
A journal-coupler comprising:
- a first portion including a first pair of flanges and a first coupler portion;
- a second portion removably coupled to the first portion, the second portion including a second pair of flanges and a second coupler portion;
- an upper bearing portion;
- and
- a lower bearing portion removably coupled to the upper bearing portion, the lower bearing portion comprising:
- a pair of stop portions;
- a pier insert portion including fastening slots;
- and
- a first prong including a first latching portion;
- wherein the first coupler portion and the second coupler portion combine as an enclosed torque tube portion and couple over a first torque tube and a second torque tube.
7 more elements
A journal-coupler system comprising:
- a first portion including a first pair of flanges and a first coupler portion;
- a second portion removably coupled to the first portion, the second portion including a second pair of flanges and a second coupler portion;
- an upper bearing portion comprising a pair of gussets;
- and
- a lower bearing portion removably coupled to the upper bearing portion, the lower bearing portion comprising:
- a pier insert portion including fastening slots;
- and
- a first prong including a first latching portion;
- wherein the upper bearing portion and the lower bearing portion combine as a bearing enclosure for the first portion and the second portion, the first portion and the second portion couple over a first torque tube and a second torque tube.
6 more elements
A system for solar panel tracking, the system comprising:
- a journal-coupler including:
- a first portion including a first pair of flanges and a first coupler portion;
- and
- a second portion removably coupled to the first portion, the second portion including a second pair of flanges and a second coupler portion;
- a bearing enclosure including:
- an upper bearing portion;
- and
- a lower bearing portion removably coupled to the upper bearing portion, the lower bearing portion comprising:
- a pair of stop portions;
- a pier insert portion including fastening slots;
- and
- a first prong including a first latching portion;
- and
- a first torque tube and a second torque tube each configured for coupling with one or more solar panels;
- wherein the upper bearing portion and the lower bearing portion combine as the bearing enclosure for the journal-coupler and couple over the first torque tube and the second torque tube.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.