Tracking solar collector assembly
AssigneeSunPower Corporation, Systems
InventorJefferson G. Shingleton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tracking solar collector assembly includes solar collector support structure, with at least one solar collector mounted thereto and first and second spaced apart pivotal support points defining a tilt axis, Southside supports, with first pivot connectors, and North side supports, with a base, a second pivot connector, and one or two support elements connected to the base and to the second pivot connector at the ends thereof. The first and second support points are pivotally connected to and supported by the first pivot connectors and by the North side supports, respectively. The assembly also includes a tilting assembly causing the solar collectors therewith to tilt in unison.
Claims20
A tracking solar collector assembly comprising:
- Southside supports, each Southside support having a first pivot connector;
- North side supports, each North side support comprising:
- a base;
- a second pivot connector;
- and
- one or two support elements, having upper and lower ends, connected to the base at lower ends and to the second pivot connector at upper ends;
- solar collector support structures, each solar collector support structure having first and second spaced apart pivotal support points defining a tilt axis;
- at least one solar collector mounted to each solar collector support structure;
- the first support points of the solar collector support structures pivotally connected to and supported by the first pivot connector of the Southside supports;
- the second support points of the solar collector support structures pivotally connected to and supported by said North side supports;
- and
- a tilting assembly comprising:
- a drive element secured to each solar collector support structure;
- a drive element coupler operably coupling the drive elements, the drive elements and the drive element coupler creating a drive assembly;
- and
- a driver coupled to the drive assembly so that operation of the driver causes the drive elements move in unison thus causing the solar collector support structures and the solar collectors therewith to tilt in unison.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.