# US 12,224,701 B2 · Dual axis solar array tracker

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- Number: US 12,224,701 B2
- Document ID: US12224701B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/498,300
- Filed: 2023-10-31
- Published: 2024-02-22
- Granted: 2025-02-11
- Earliest claimed: 2021-01-14
- Assignees: MAXUN Solar Inc.
- Applicants: MAXUN Solar Inc.
- Inventors: Ra'ed Arab; Bruno Rocha; Abdullah Arab
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12224701B2

## CPC

- H02S 20/32: specially adapted for solar tracking
- F24S 30/455: Horizontal primary axis
- F24S 80/30: Arrangements for connecting the fluid circuits of solar collectors with each other or with other components, e.g. pipe connections; Fluid distributing means, e.g. headers
- H02K 7/1166: {comprising worm and worm-wheel (structural association with bearings specially adapted for worm gear drives H02K7/081)}
- H02S 40/44: Means to utilise heat energy, e.g. hybrid systems producing warm water and electricity at the same time (directly associated with the PV cell or integrated with the PV cell H10F77/67)
- F24S 2030/135: {in the form of threaded elements}
- F24S 2030/136: {for moving several solar collectors by common transmission elements}
- Y02E 10/47: Mountings or tracking
- 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)
- F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00)
- H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53})
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A dual axis solar array tracker for supporting a plurality of solar energy harvesting elements at a plurality of solar collector nodes. Two perpendicular axes of movement, specifically a rotation axis at a rotatable transverse beam and a tilt axis relative to the axis of the transverse beam, enable accurate orientation in a stable configuration. The dual axis design of the solar tracker enables the movement of solar collectors such that they can be directed towards the sun wherein incoming solar rays are perpendicular to the solar cell element of the solar collector to optimize collection of solar radiation. The present solar tracker array also enables integrated solar, electrical and/or thermal energy cogeneration.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A solar array tracker comprising:
a first longitudinal beam comprising a first mechanical system;
a second longitudinal beam offset from the first longitudinal beam comprising a second mechanical system; and
at least one rotatable transverse beam extending between the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam, the transverse beam comprising:
a rotatable shaft inside the transverse beam;
a plurality of solar collector nodes each comprising a collector node mechanical element and connected to a thermal collection cell;
a first end comprising a first transverse beam mechanical element for engaging with the first mechanical system to effect rotation of the transverse beam around its axis;
a second end comprising a second transverse beam mechanical element operatively engaged with the rotatable shaft for engaging with the second mechanical system to tilt the plurality of solar collector nodes relative to the transverse beam through the collector node mechanical element in each of the plurality of solar collector nodes by rotating the rotatable shaft inside the transverse beam; and
a thermal conduit connecting each of the plurality of solar collector nodes.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The solar array tracker of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of solar collector nodes are connected to a photovoltaic cell.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The solar array tracker of claim 1, wherein the plurality of solar collector nodes are connected to one or more mirror, lens, light concentration element, and light-directing optical.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The solar array tracker of claim 1, wherein the rotatable transverse beam further comprises an electrical conduit.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The solar array tracker of claim 1, wherein the thermal conduit is in a hollow cross section of the transverse beam.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The solar array tracker of claim 1, wherein the first longitudinal beam, the second longitudinal beam, or the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam comprise a longitudinal fluid conduit connecting to the thermal conduit in the transverse beam.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The solar array tracker of claim 1, wherein the thermal conduit in the transverse beam fluidly connects the plurality of solar collector nodes to a thermal energy capture system.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The solar array tracker of claim 1, further comprising a first motor connected to the first mechanical system for controlling the first mechanical system and a second motor connected to the second mechanical system for controlling the second mechanical system.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The solar array tracker of claim 1, wherein the thermal collection cell is a combined photo-thermal collection cell.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The solar array tracker of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of solar collector nodes comprise a collector node fluid conduit fluidly connected to the thermal conduit.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The solar array tracker of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam comprises a longitudinal electrical main, and the plurality of solar collector nodes are electrically connected to the longitudinal electrical main.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The solar array tracker of claim 1, wherein the thermal conduit in the transverse beam is fluidly connected to a fluid conduit main.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The solar array tracker of claim 1, wherein the first mechanical system comprises a worm drive.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The solar array tracker of claim 13, wherein the first end of the rotatable transverse beam comprises a first transverse beam gear for engaging with the worm drive in the first mechanical system.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The solar array tracker of claim 14, wherein the first transverse beam gear is a worm gear.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The solar array tracker of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of transverse beams.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The solar array tracker of claim 1, further comprising a mounting structure for raising the solar tracker relative to a mounting surface.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The solar array tracker of claim 17, wherein the mounting structure is capable of adjusting an angle of the solar tracker array relative to the mounting surface.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The solar array tracker of claim 1, wherein the solar array tracker is a solar cogeneration system.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The solar array tracker of claim 1, wherein the thermal conduit acts as a heat sink or cooling system to the plurality of solar collector nodes.