# US 12,180,764 B2 · Bearing and coupler-journal devices for panels

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- Number: US 12,180,764 B2
- Document ID: US12180764B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/549,567
- Filed: 2021-12-13
- Published: 2022-03-31
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2018-03-25
- Assignees: Sun and Steel Solar LLC
- Applicants: Sun and Steel Solar LLC
- Inventors: Robert B. Dally
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12180764B2

## CPC

- E05D 5/06: Bent flaps
- F24S 30/425: Horizontal axis
- E05D 5/14: Construction of sockets or sleeves
- E05D 7/081: the pivot axis of the wing being situated near one edge of the wing, especially at the top and bottom, e.g. trunnions
- H02S 20/32: specially adapted for solar tracking
- H02S 30/00: Structural details of PV modules other than those related to light conversion (semiconductor device aspects of modules of electrolytic light sensitive devices H01G9/20, of inorganic PV modules H10F10/00, H10F19/00, of organic PV modules H10K30/00)
- E05D 7/1044: {in an axial direction (E05D7/1005 takes precedence)}
- Y02E 10/47: Mountings or tracking
- Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- E05D: HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS (pivotal connections in general F16C11/00)
- F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00)
- 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)
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## 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 and connect over a first torque tube and a second torque tube. The journal-coupler sustains a continuous electrical ground path between the first portion, the first torque tube, the second torque tube and the second portion.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A journal-coupler system comprising:
a first portion including a first opening and a second opening, a first pair of flanges and a first coupler portion;
a second portion removably coupled to the first portion, the second portion including a third opening and a fourth opening, 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;
wherein the upper bearing portion and the lower bearing portion combine to form a bearing enclosure for the first portion and the second 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, and the journal-coupler system sustains a continuous electrical ground path between the upper bearing portion, the first portion, the first torque tube, the second torque tube, the second portion and the lower bearing portion;
wherein the first coupler portion and the second coupler portion combine to form an enclosed torque tube portion;
wherein the upper bearing portion, the first portion, the first torque tube, the second torque tube, the second portion and the lower bearing portion are each made of a conductive material;
wherein the first portion includes a first semi-circular exterior portion, the second portion includes a second semi-circular exterior portion, and the first semi-circular exterior portion and the second semi-circular exterior portion combine for enclosure by the bearing enclosure; and
wherein the lower bearing portion comprises a pier insert portion including fastening slots, a first prong including a first latching portion, and a second prong including a second latching portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The journal-coupler system of claim 1, wherein:
the lower bearing portion further comprises a pair of stop portions; and
the upper bearing portion comprises a pair of gussets.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The journal-coupler system of claim 1, wherein:
the combined first portion and the second portion is configured to rotate within the bearing enclosure; and
the first pair of flanges and the second pair of flanges each comprise a plurality of fastening through-holes configured for receiving fasteners that couple the first portion with the second portion.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The journal-coupler system of claim 3, wherein:
the first opening and the third opening align to form a first window;
the second opening and the fourth opening align to form a second window;
the lower bearing portion and the upper bearing portion couple together through the first window and the second window;
the pier insert portion is configured for attachment with a pier; and
the enclosed torque tube portion is configured to couple with the first torque tube and the second torque tube.

### Claim 5

A system for solar panel tracking, the system comprising:
a journal-coupler including:
a first portion including a first opening and a second opening, a first pair of flanges and a first coupler portion;
a second portion removably coupled to the first portion, the second portion including a third opening and a fourth opening, 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; 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 a bearing enclosure for the journal-coupler and couple over the first torque tube and the second torque tube, and the journal-coupler and the bearing enclosure sustain a continuous electrical ground path between the upper bearing portion, the first portion, the first torque tube, the second torque tube, the second portion and the lower bearing portion;
wherein the first coupler portion and the second coupler portion combine to form an enclosed torque tube portion that receives a portion of the first torque tube and portion of the second torque tube;
wherein the upper bearing portion, the first portion, the first torque tube, the second torque tube, the second portion and the lower bearing portion are each made of a conductive material;
wherein the first portion includes a first semi-circular exterior portion, the second portion includes a second semi-circular exterior portion, and the first semi-circular exterior portion and the second semi-circular exterior portion combine for enclosure by the bearing enclosure; and
wherein the lower bearing portion comprises a pier insert portion including fastening slots, a first prong including a first latching portion, and a second prong including a second latching portion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein:
the lower bearing portion further comprises a pair of stop portions;
the upper bearing portion comprises a pair of gussets;
the journal-coupler is configured to rotate within the bearing enclosure; and
the first pair of flanges and the second pair of flanges each comprise a plurality of fastening through-holes configured for receiving fasteners that couple the first portion with the second portion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The system of claim 6, wherein:
the first opening and the third opening align to form a first window;
the second opening and the fourth opening align to form a second window;
the lower bearing portion and the upper bearing portion couple together through the first window and the second window; and
the pier insert portion is configured for attachment with a pier.