Moment optimized truss foundations for single-axis trackers
AssigneeOjjo, Inc.
InventorsTyrus Hudson, David Mar, Katie Pesce
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A truss foundation for single-axis trackers that is optimized to resist moments. For foundations that experience lateral loads as well as moments, the foundation supports the rotational axis via a moment connection that is deliberately offset below the work point to reduce the impact of the bending moment. Spacing between the truss legs and the angle of the legs impact the height of the truss work point and, by extension, the available offset below the work point down to the minimum height of the axis of rotation specified by the tracker maker.
Claims19
A single-axis solar tracker comprising:
- a plurality of first truss foundations, each comprising a pair of truss legs and a first adapter with a pair of connecting portions that join the truss legs at an angle to form the first truss foundation, each first truss foundation supporting a rotational axis of the single-axis tracker to substantially intersect a work point of each first truss foundation, the work point comprising a point of intersection of line through the center of each truss leg;
- and
- at least one second truss foundation, comprising a pair of truss legs and a second adapter with a pair of connecting portions that join the truss legs at an angle to form the at least one second truss foundation, the at least one second truss foundation supporting the rotational axis of the single axis tracker offset below the work point of the at least one second truss foundation.
A single-axis tracker supported by force optimized truss foundations comprising:
- a rotational axis for simultaneously changing an orientation of a plurality of solar panels with respect to the sun;
- a drive assembly operable to rotate the tracker about the rotational axis;
- a plurality of first truss foundations, each first truss foundation supporting the rotational axis at a work point of the first truss foundation, the work point comprising a point of intersection of line through the center of each pair of legs of each first truss foundation;
- and
- at least one second truss foundation, the at least one second truss foundation supporting the rotational axis below a work point of the at least one second truss foundation.
A method of assembling a force optimized single-axis tracker comprising:
- constructing a plurality of first truss foundations along an intended tracker row;
- constructing at least one second truss foundation in the intended tracker row;
- installing a first tracker component on each first truss foundation, the first tracker component enabling substantially unrestricted rotation of the tracker's rotational axis;
- and
- installing a second tracker component on the at least one second truss foundation, the second tracker component resisting movement of the tracker about the rotational axis attributable to external forces by translating said forces into a bending moment on the at least one second truss foundation, wherein the first tracker component is installed so that the tracker's rotational axis substantially overlaps with a work point of each first truss foundation and the second tracker component is installed so that the tracker's rotational axis is below the work point of the at least one second truss foundation, where the work point comprising a point of intersection of line through the center of each pair of legs of each truss foundation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.