Locking assembly for a solar photovoltaic array tracker

A solar tracker system comprising:

• a torque tube;
• a column supporting the torque tube;
• a solar panel connected to the torque tube;
• and
• a locking assembly having a first end pivotably connected to the torque tube and a second end pivotably connected to the column, the locking assembly comprising:
• a shell defining a fluid chamber therein;
• a piston positioned within the shell, the piston including a seal that seals against the shell, the piston at least partially defining a compression portion of the fluid chamber and an extension portion of the fluid chamber;
• a flow path extending between the compression portion of the fluid chamber and the extension portion of the fluid chamber;
• and
• a first valve assembly for controlling fluid flow in a first direction through the flow path from the compression portion to the extension portion;
• and
• a second valve assembly for controlling fluid flow in a second direction through the flow path from the extension portion to the compression portion, wherein the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly are each passively moveable from an unlocked state to a locked state in response to movement of the piston.