Radial cam helix with 0 degree stow for solar tracker
AssigneeNextracker LLC
InventorTyler Watson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solar tracking system including a plurality of bases, a torque tube supported by the plurality of bases and configured to support a plurality of solar modules, and a drive device operably connected to the torque tube and arranged to translate the torque tube in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis. The solar tracking system also includes a plurality of helical guides operably connected to the torque tube, and a plurality of cam assemblies, wherein upon linear movement of the torque tube, interaction between the helical guides and cam assemblies causes the torque tube to rotate about its linear axis.
Claims15
A helical guide for use with a solar tracking system, comprising:
- a body extending between a first end portion and an opposite, second end portion and defining a longitudinal axis extending through the first end portion and the second end portion, the body having a first side and a second side disposed opposite the first side, each of the first side and the second side extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the first side of the body is configured to be operably coupled to an exterior surface of a torque tube;
- a cam follower disposed on and extending from the second side of the body, the cam follower extending between the first end portion and the second end portion and defining a helical path along a length of the body, wherein the cam follower is configured to interact with a cam assembly coupled to a base, wherein movement of the helical guide relative to the cam assembly effectuates rotation of the helical guide;
- and
- a web disposed on the first side of the body to provide support to the body,
- wherein the body, the cam follower, and the web are formed as a unitary component.
A helical guide for use with a solar tracking system, comprising:
- a body configured to be operably coupled to an exterior surface of a torque tube;
- a cam follower formed separate from and coupled to the body, the cam follower following a helical path extending along a length of the body, wherein the cam follower is configured to interact with a cam assembly wherein linear movement of the helical guide effectuates rotation of the helical guide, the cam follower defining a stow position portion defining an angle of a solar module relative to the ground,
- wherein the stow position portion is a flat portion of the cam follower that is configured to act as an anti-backdrive device to prevent external forces from rotating the helical guide.
A helical guide for use with a solar tracking system, comprising:
- a body extending between a first end portion and an opposite, second end portion and defining a longitudinal axis extending through the first end portion and the second end portion, the body having a first side and a second side disposed opposite the first side, each of the first side and the second side extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the first side of the body is configured to be operably coupled to an exterior surface of a torque tube;
- a cam follower disposed on and extending from the second side of the body, the cam follower extending between the first end portion and the second end portion and defining a helical path along a length of the body, wherein the cam follower is configured to interact with a cam assembly coupled to a base, wherein movement of the helical guide relative to the cam assembly effectuates rotation of the helical guide, and
- a web disposed on the first side of the body to provide support to the body, the web being formed as a separate component from the body and the cam follower, the web being welded to the body and the cam follower after formation of the body and the cam follower.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.