US 12,624,864 B1 · Automated wedge alignment for solar table assembly

Abstract

In a typical on-site solar table assembly process, multiple solar modules are securely aligned and attached to a shaft or torque tube to form a row of solar panels. An installer uses a fastener to attach a mounting bracket to a panel frame securely. A typical installation is implemented manually by an installer. To implement automatic fastener installation, fasteners must be loaded into an automatic installation tool in the correct orientation. Embodiments of automatic wedge alignment are disclosed to improve solar table assembly efficiency. Fasteners are aligned longitudinally and separated into forward-oriented and backward-oriented fasteners output from different pairs of output rails. Applying the described embodiments may improve solar table assembly efficiency so that the overall construction process for large solar plants may be completed more efficiently.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of automatic fastener alignment for solar table assembly, the method comprising:

receiving, at a fastener receiving section of an automatic fastener alignment apparatus, multiple fasteners, each fastener has a fastener width and a fastener length;
driving the multiple fasteners exiting the fastener receiving section longitudinally through an opening that is wider than the fastener width but less than the fastener length;
separating, in a sliding section, the exiting fasteners into forward-oriented fasteners and backward-oriented fasteners, the sliding section comprises one or more rail protrusions and a pair of sliding rails that also removes downward-oriented fasteners and keeps upward-oriented fasteners;
outputting the forward-oriented fasteners from a first pair of output rails at an output section of the automatic fastener alignment apparatus and the backward-oriented fasteners from a second pair of output rails at the output section of the automatic fastener alignment apparatus.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automated wedge alignment for solar table assembly

Life of this patent

Automated wedge alignment for solar table assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20