Torsion limiter devices, systems and methods and solar trackers incorporating torsion limiters
AssigneeArray Technologies, Inc.
InventorRonald P. Corio
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solar tracker assembly comprises a support column, a torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torsion beam, and a torsion limiter connected to an output of the drive system. When an external force causes a level of torsion on the drive system to exceed a pre-set limit the torsion limiter facilitates rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly in the direction of the torsion, thereby allowing the external force to rotate about a pivot axis extending through the torsion beam. Exemplary embodiments also include methods of aligning a plurality of rows of solar trackers.
Claims20
A solar tracker assembly comprising:
- one or more solar modules;
- one or more support columns;
- one or more torque tubes, the torque tubes being supported by the support columns, the torque tubes, the support columns, and the solar modules being configured to form two or more rows of solar trackers;
- a drive system configured to rotate the torque tubes;
- and
- means for reducing a level of torsion on the solar tracker assembly when an external force on the assembly causes the level of torsion to exceed a preset limit.
A solar tracker assembly comprising:
- one or more support columns;
- one or more torque tubes connected to the one or more support columns, the one or more torque tubes rotatable relative to the one or more support columns;
- a drive system configured to rotate the one or more torque tubes;
- a torsion limiter connected to the drive system;
- and
- one or more stops disposed at a maximum rotational position of the solar tracker assembly;
- wherein the torsion limiter facilitates rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly when a level of torque on the drive system exceeds a pre-set limit;
- and
- wherein the stops prevent rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly beyond the maximum rotational position at one or more locations when the torsion limiter facilitates rotational movement of the solar tracker.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.