Braced truss foundations for single-axis trackers and related systems and methods
AssigneeOjjo, Inc.
InventorGreg McPheeters
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A truss foundation for single-axis trackers that distribute forces into the foundation through the torque tube. A truss adapter joins a pair of adjacent truss legs driven at angles to one another on either side of a tracker row so that the legs are perpendicular to the tracker torque tube. A third leg aligned with the torque tube is connected to the adapter to help resist axial forces in the torque tube. One or more collars placed on either side of a torque tube bearing include set screws to prevent axial slippage of the torque tube.
Claims18
A system comprising:
- a bearing assembly, comprising a bearing housing and a bearing insert rotatably supported within the bearing housing;
- a section of torque tube extending through the bearing insert;
- a pair of collars surrounding the section of torque tube proximate opposing sides of the bearing housing;
- and
- a truss foundation, supporting the bearing assembly, the truss foundation comprising a pair of truss legs that are joined together by an adapter, wherein each collar of the pair comprises a plurality of set screws operable to extend into a surface of the section of torque tube.
A single-axis tracker comprising:
- a plurality of first truss foundations, each first truss foundation comprising two truss legs extending above and below ground joined together by a first adapter;
- at least one second truss foundation, the second truss foundation comprising three truss legs extending above and below ground joined together by a second adapter;
- and
- a torque tube extending across the plurality of first truss foundations and the at least one second truss foundation, wherein the plurality of first truss foundations are substantially perpendicular to the torque tube and at least one leg of the at least one second truss foundation is not perpendicular to the torque tube.
A truss foundation comprising:
- a pair of adjacent truss legs extending below and above ground and angled toward one another on respective sides of a tracker row;
- an adapter having a pair of opposing connecting portions received in the truss legs to form a truss foundation with the pair of adjacent truss legs;
- a third truss leg extending below and above ground through the tracker row and leaning toward the truss foundation;
- and
- a hinged connecting portion attached to the adapter received within the third truss leg.
The truss foundation according to claim 17, further comprising a torque tube extending through the bearing insert to rotate within the bearing via the bearing insert.
The truss foundation according to claim 18, further comprising a pair of collars positioned around the torque tube on opposing sides of the bearing assembly, each collar having a plurality of set screws penetrating from an outer surface to the torque tube, thereby preventing axial slippage of the torque tube through the bearing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.