# US 11,404,998 B1 · Pneumatic solar tracking system for solar panels > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,404,998 B1 - Document ID: US11404998B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 17/533,063 - Filed: 2021-11-22 - Granted: 2022-08-02 - Earliest claimed: 2021-11-22 - Assignees: United Arab Emirates University; Al Ain Distribution Company - Applicants: United Arab Emirates University; Al Ain Distribution Company - Inventors: Hussain Shareef; Tarik Tayseer Shadid - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11404998B1 ## CPC - H02S 20/32: specially adapted for solar tracking - F15B 15/02: Mechanical layout characterised by the means for converting the movement of the fluid-actuated element into movement of the finally-operated member - F15B 15/1404: {in clusters, e.g. multiple cylinders in one block} - F15B 15/20: Other details {, e.g. assembly with regulating devices} - F24S 30/48: with three or more rotation axes or with multiple degrees of freedom - F24S 50/20: for tracking - G01B 11/26: for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes - G01C 9/02: Details - G01K 1/024: for remote indication - G01K 1/14: Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations - G05B 19/44: pneumatic - H02S 50/00: Monitoring or testing of PV systems, e.g. load balancing or fault identification - F15B 2211/6303: using input signals - F15B 2211/7107: the output members being mechanically linked - F15B 2211/765: Control of position or angle of the output member - F15B 2211/8855: Compressible fluids, e.g. specific to pneumatics - F24S 2030/115: {Linear actuators, e.g. pneumatic cylinders} - F24S 2030/12: {Coupling means} - G05B 2219/25312: Pneumatic, hydraulic modules, controlled valves - G05B 2219/39462: Pneumatic actuator, imitates human muscle - 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) - F15B: SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00) - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - G01C: MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY (measuring liquid level G01F; radio navigation, determining distance or velocity by use of propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effects, propagation time, of radio waves, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S) - G01K: MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J5/00) - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) ## Abstract The pneumatic solar tracking system for solar panels adjusts the angular orientation of a solar panel to maximize exposure of an upper surface of the solar panel to incident solar radiation from the sun as the sun moves across the sky. The pneumatic solar tracking system includes a base and a platform supported above the base. The platform has an opening formed therein. A plurality of pneumatic actuators are supported on the base beneath the opening formed in the platform. The solar panel is supported on an upper surface of the platform, and a plurality of pivotal connectors pivotally connect the lower surface of the solar panel to respective pistons of the plurality of pneumatic actuators. Each of the pivotal connectors pivots along at least two orthogonal axes. An optical sensor is provided for detecting and tracking the angular position of the sun. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pneumatic solar tracking system for solar panels, comprising: a base; a platform supported above the base, the platform having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an opening formed therein; a plurality of pneumatic actuators supported on the base beneath the opening formed in the platform, each of the pneumatic actuators having a corresponding piston extendable and retractable through the opening in the platform; a solar panel supported on the upper surface of the platform, the solar panel having an upper surface; a plurality of pivotal connectors pivotally connecting the lower surface of the solar panel to the corresponding piston of a corresponding one of the pneumatic actuators through the opening in the platform, each of the pivotal connectors being pivotal along at least two orthogonal axes; an optical sensor configured for continuously detecting the angular position of the sun; and a controller in communication with the optical sensor, the controller being configured to selectively and individually actuate each of the pneumatic actuators to adjust angular orientation of the solar panel to maximize exposure of the upper surface of the solar panel to incident solar radiation from the sun. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pneumatic solar tracking system as recited in claim 1, wherein each said pivotal connector comprises: a first clevis having a cross panel mounted on the lower surface of the solar panel and two opposed, parallel arms extending from the cross panel; a first clevis pin extending between the opposed arms of the first clevis, the first clevis pin defining a first axis of rotation; a second clevis rotatably mounted on the first clevis pin, the second clevis having a cross panel and two opposed, parallel arms extending from the cross panel; and a second clevis pin extending between the opposed arms of the second clevis, the second clevis pin defining a second axis of rotation orthogonal to the first axis of rotation, a corresponding one of the pistons being rotatably mounted on the second clevis pin. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The pneumatic solar tracking system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pressurized air tank in fluid communication with the plurality of pneumatic actuators. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The pneumatic solar tracking system as recited in claim 3, further comprising an air compressor in fluid communication with the pressurized air tank and the pneumatic actuators for controlling flow of air therebetween. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The pneumatic solar tracking system as recited in claim 4, further comprising a pressure gauge for monitoring pressure of the air flowing from the air compressor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The pneumatic solar tracking system as recited in claim 4, further comprising at least one air nozzle mounted on the platform adjacent the solar panel for selectively cleaning the solar panel, the at least one air nozzle being in fluid communication with the air compressor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The pneumatic solar tracking system as recited in claim 4, further comprising a plurality of valves connected to said pneumatic actuators for respectively controlling the flow of air to and from said pneumatic actuators. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The pneumatic solar tracking system as recited in claim 7, wherein each of said valves comprises a solenoid valve. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The pneumatic solar tracking system as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one level sensor in communication with said controller for measuring angular orientation of the solar panel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The pneumatic solar tracking system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor mounted on the platform. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The pneumatic solar tracking system as recited in claim 10, further comprising a temperature indicator in communication with the temperature sensor for displaying a measured temperature. ### Claim 12 A pneumatic solar tracking system for solar panels, comprising: a base; a platform supported above the base, the platform having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an opening formed therein; a plurality of pneumatic actuators supported on the base beneath the opening formed in the platform, each of the pneumatic actuators having a corresponding piston extendable and retractable through the opening in the platform; a pressurized air tank in fluid communication with the pneumatic actuators; an air compressor in fluid communication with the pressurized air tank and the pneumatic actuators for controlling flow of air therebetween; a solar panel supported on the upper surface of the platform, the solar panel having an upper surface; a plurality of pivotal connectors pivotally connecting the lower surface of the solar panel to the corresponding piston of a corresponding one of the pneumatic actuators through the opening in the platform, each of the pivotal connectors being pivotal along at least two orthogonal axes; an optical sensor for detecting the angular position of the sun; and a controller in communication with the optical sensor, the controller being configured to selectively and individually actuate each of the pneumatic actuators to adjust angular orientation of the solar panel to maximize exposure of the upper surface of the solar panel to incident solar radiation from the sun. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The pneumatic solar tracking system as recited in claim 12, wherein each said pivotal connector comprises: a first clevis having a cross panel mounted on the lower surface of the solar panel and two opposed, parallel arms extending from the cross panel; a first clevis pin extending between the opposed arms of the first clevis, the first clevis pin defining a first axis of rotation; a second clevis rotatably mounted on the first clevis pin, the second clevis having a cross panel and two opposed, parallel arms extending from the cross panel; and a second clevis pin extending between the opposed arms of the second clevis, the second clevis pin defining a second axis of rotation orthogonal to the first axis of rotation, a corresponding one of the pistons being rotatably mounted on the second clevis pin. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The pneumatic solar tracking system as recited in claim 12, further comprising a pressure gauge for monitoring air pressure of the air flowing from the air compressor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The pneumatic solar tracking system as recited in claim 12, further comprising at least one air nozzle mounted on the platform adjacent the solar panel for selectively cleaning the solar panel, the at least one air nozzle being in fluid communication with the air compressor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The pneumatic solar tracking system as recited in claim 12, further comprising a plurality of valves connected to said pneumatic actuators for respectively controlling the flow of air to and from said pneumatic actuators. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The pneumatic solar tracking system as recited in claim 16, wherein each of said valves comprises a solenoid valve. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The pneumatic solar tracking system as recited in claim 12, further comprising at least one level sensor in communication with the controller for measuring angular orientation of said solar panel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The pneumatic solar tracking system for solar panels as recited in claim 12, further comprising a temperature sensor mounted on the platform. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The pneumatic solar tracking system for solar panels as recited in claim 19, further comprising a temperature indicator in communication with the temperature sensor for displaying a measured temperature.