US 2026/0221930 A1 · ELEVATED DUAL-AXIS PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR TRACKING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

An elevated dual-axis photovoltaic solar tracking assembly tracks the position of the sun with a high efficiency photovoltaic array, orienting photovoltaic array orthogonal to the sun, for optimal efficiency in generating electricity. A pole elevates the photovoltaic array to allow clearance to use the real estate below the photovoltaic array. A structural frame carries a photovoltaic array and a drive-core unit has two motor driven slew drives that adjust the position of the photovoltaic array to maintain orthogonal orientation relative to the sun. A control system includes GPS, anemometer, snow sensor, and encoder transducers that collectively provide data for a positional algorithm to calculate the sun's position and move the photovoltaic array at preset time intervals to maintain orthogonal orientation relative to the sun. Additional desired positions for wind and snow safety or owner preference are also available.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A dual axis solar tracking assembly comprising:

a dual drive core unit comprising:
a second slew drive having a second rotational axis;
a mounting frame positioned on an upper surface of the second slew drive;
an upstanding stiffener plate comprising a bottom surface and at least two side surfaces extending upward, the bottom surface attached to an upper surface of the mounting frame;
a first slew drive having a first rotational axis orthogonal to the second rotational axis, the first slew drive attached to one of the at least two side surfaces of the upstanding stiffener plate;
a control system communicatively coupled with the dual drive core unit, the control system configured to execute a positioning algorithm;
a movable support frame secured to the first slew drive;
at least one solar array secured to the movable support frame;
wherein the control system executes the positioning algorithm to periodically reposition the at least one solar array in orthogonal orientation with both the azimuth motion of the sun and the elevation motion of the sun.

6 more elements

A dual drive core unit for a solar tracking assembly, the dual drive core unit comprising:

a second slew drive having a second rotational axis, the second slew drive configured to be positioned at a distal end of an elongated pole;
a mounting frame positioned on an upper surface of the second slew drive;
an upstanding stiffener plate comprising a bottom surface and at least two side surfaces extending upward, the bottom surface attached to an upper surface of the mounting frame;
a first slew drive having a first rotational axis orthogonal to the second rotational axis, the first slew drive attached to one of the at least two side surfaces of the upstanding stiffener plate, the first slew drive configured to secure a movable support frame carrying at least one solar array;
at least one encoder communicatively coupled with the first and second slew drives;
and
a control system communicatively coupled with the first and second slew drives, the control system configured to execute a positioning algorithm to control the first and second slew drives to position the at least one solar array in orthogonal orientation with both the azimuth motion of the sun and the elevation motion of the sun.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Elevated dual-axis photovoltaic solar tracking assembly

Life of this patent

Elevated dual-axis photovoltaic solar tracking assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20