Torque tube clamps for automated solar panel installation
AssigneeSarcos Corp.
InventorsFraser M. Smith, Matthew Torok
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In accordance with the present disclosure, a torque tube clamp can include a clamp support, a torque tube collar having an open torque tube-receiving position and a closed torque tube-locking position, and a pivotable locking assembly. The pivotable locking assembly may include a ground link with a ground bar coupled to the clamp support by a ground pivot, and an engagement link including an engagement bar directly or indirectly coupled to the ground bar by an engagement pivot. The engagement bar can be part of the torque tube collar and can be movable from the open torque tube-receiving position to the closed torque tube-locking position.
Claims22
A torque tube clamp, comprising:
- a clamp support;
- a torque tube collar having an open torque tube-receiving position and a closed torque tube-locking position;
- and
- a pivotable locking assembly comprising:
- a ground linkage including a ground bar coupled to the clamp support by a ground pivot;
- an engagement linkage including an engagement bar directly or indirectly coupled to the ground bar by an engagement pivot, wherein the engagement bar is part of the torque tube collar and is movable from the open torque tube-receiving position to the closed torque tube-locking position;
- and
- an over-center linkage locking mechanism, wherein the pivotable locking assembly is self-locking upon application of a force to cause the over-center linkage locking mechanism to over-rotate and become locked.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.