Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SOLAR AUTOTRACKER
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to structures to support solar collector panels that
may be
directed tlirough automatic and manual means to optimally track the sun and
maximize the
efficiency of the solar collector panel relative to its orientation to the
sun.
Background of the Invention
It is known that when using solar collection devices that their orientation
towards the sun can have a significant impact on their efficiency. By
providing a framework
that can be adjusted for various times of the day and season the efficiency of
a solar collector
panel or array of panels can be optimized.
Applicant is aware of patents regarding such solar tracking frames as:
US Patent No. 6,563,040 titled "Structure for supporting a photovoltaic module
in a solar energy collection system" issued to Hayden, et al. on May 13, 2003,
teaches a
tripod like structure for supporting an energy conversion module above a
surface, using three
legged frame with two legs spread by fixed member and the third leg held by a
tensioned cable
connected to the first two. The third leg consists of a torque tube which is
rotationally driven
by a torque arm and a linear actuator. Hayden also teaches how to anchor the
support structure
using a cable anchored in the supporting surface connected to the apex of the
structure under
tension. Additionally Hayden teaches the use of an array of such structures
and solar
conversion modules, but does not each how to gang drive such an array from a
single actuator.
US Patent No. 6,302,099 titled "Modular solar tracking frame" issued to
McDermott on October 16, 2001, teaches of a modular solar tracking frame
mounted on at
least two vertical mounting posts mounted into the ground, with a movable
spine, laterally and
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rotatably and horizontally attached to the vertical mounting posts with at
least one roll axis
bar, a roll push rod, and a tilt push rod to move the solar collector module
from the horizon to
the sun's zenith and in a east-west direction, by activating the roll tilt rod
and said tilt push
rod, respectively. Multiple solar collection modules can track the sun using
this system by
extending the roll axis and push bars to engage additional modular units and
mounting posts.
The present invention differs in that it can mount to most any surface, does
not link azimuth
adjustment, but does link east - west tracking by a rack and pinion driven
linkage.
US Patent No. 4,108,154 titled "Solar energy collection system" issued to
Nelson on August 22, 1978, teaches a solar energy collection mechanism in
which a solar
collector or a reflector trough is mounted upon a support to rotate about an
axis under the
control of a drive mechanism, thereby varying the elevation of the center of
gravity of said
collector or trough, to maintain reflected rays of the sun in focus on a solar
collector, with a
transverse guide and a counterweight mounted on the collector which is
laterally movable
along the transverse guide relative to the collector to maintain the collector
in stabilized
equilibrium with dampers connected between the solar collector and its
supports to inhibit
spurious rotation of the collector. This differs from the present invention in
that it does not
teach an array of solar collectors being driven to track the sun from a single
actuator.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention serves to automatically and manua.lly orient one or more
solar collector panels in an array towards the sun, optimizing the solar
collector panel
efficiency relative to its orientation to the sun for time of day and season.
The tracking frame
and the method of panel support is balanced which results in minimal force
requirement to
steer an array of two to several linked solar collector panel assemblies.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is, in front perspective view, an array of two solar collector panels
mounted in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is, in rear perspective view, an array of two solar collector panels
mounted in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is, in rear perspective close up view, an array of solar collector
panels
mounted in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing one
array mounted in
the solar tracker frame.
Figure 4 is, in rear perspective close up view of the lower section of an
array of
two solar collector panels mounted in the preferred embodiment of the present
invention,
showing the supports, motor drive and linkage.
Figure 5 is, in rear perspective close up view of the upper section of an
array of
two solar collector panels mounted in the preferred embodiment of the present
invention,
showing the collectors, frames, and supports.
Figure 6 is, in rear perspective close-up view, of the motor drive and linkage
of
the solar tracker frame preferred embodiment.
Figure 7 is, in rear perspective view, the solar auto tracker preferred
einbodiment configured in an array of 3 solar collector panels.
Index Description
1 Solar collector panel
2 Panel support frame
3 Back of Solar collector panel
4 Latitudinal pivot (bottom)
5 Latitudinal pivot (top)
6 Azimuth pivot (bottom)
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7 Drive support shaft
8 Drive support pivot
9 Drive support pivot retainer
Drive support frame
11 Drive motor mount
12 Pinion
13 Rack ^
14 Rack Limit (east)
Rack Limit (west)
16 Collector steering frame (lower)
17 Collector steering frame (upper)
18 Collector steering frame (mid)
19 Collector steering arm
Collector steering pivot
21 Azimuth telescoping . support beam
22 Azimuth telescoping support (lower)
23 Azimuth telescoping support (upper)
24 Base frame
Base foot
26 Solar collector array
27 Supporting surface
28 Array steering arm
! 29
Collector Panel Assembly
31 Drive Motor
Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention
5 The present invention is a solar tracking frame that maintains one or more
solar
collector panels 1 in an array 26 oriented towards the sun as it traverses the
sky to maximize
the efficiency of the solar collector panels.
Each solar collector 1 in the array 26 of solar collector panels 1 is
supported by
a panel support frame 2 and panel support back frame 3, containing and
securing each solar
10 collector panel 1. Each panel support frame 2 is in turn supported by
latitudinal pivots 5 and 4
at the middle of the top and bottom support frame 2 seganents. The bottom
latitudinal pivot 4
is mounted on a horizontally oriented hinge or azimuth pivot 6. The azimuth
pivot (bottom) 6
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is attached to a base frame 24, which rests on a supporting surface 27 on base
foot 25. In tlxe
preferred embodiment of the present invention there is generally a pair of
base frames 24 for
each solar collector panel 1 in the solar collector array 26, with each base
frame 24 being
secured to the supporting surface 27.
The top latitudinal pivot 5 is secured to two telescoping azimuth supports
consisting of an upper 23 and lower 22 section, wherein the upper section 23
can be
telescopically adjusted with respect to the lower section 23. The lower
telescoping supports
22 are pivotably secured to a support beam or rod 21 which is fixed to two or
more base
fraznes 24 associated with each solar collector panel 1 in the solar collector
array 26, which are
situated the furthest fi=om the solar collector panels 1. By telescopically
adjusting the azimuth
supports 23, the azimuth of each solar collector panel 1 can be adjusted to
optimize the solar
collection efficiency of the panel 1 base on the azimuth of the sun in the sky
due to seasonal
changes.
Each solar panel support frame 2 has a collector steering frame attached to
the
lower 16, lower mid 18, and upper 17 parts of the support frame 2 on each
side. The collector
steering frame 2 lower 16, upper 17, and mid sections 18 pyramidally converge
and connect to
a collector steering arm 19. The distal end of the steering arm 19 is
pivotally connected by
steering pivot 20 to the array steering arm 28. Array steering arms 28 can be
linked for each
collector panel assembly 30 that is added to the array 26.
At least one array steering arm 28 in the solar collector array 26 can have a
rack
13 centered at the mid point of the arm 28, which can be driven by a pinion 12
attached to a
drive motor 31 either continuously or is short durations to synchronize the
pointing direction
of the solar collector panels with the direction of the sun as it traverses
the sky latitudinally.
The drive motor mount 11 is attached to drive support frame 10 positioned
between two solar collector panels 1. The drive support frame telescopes and
rotates about
drive support beam 7 on drive support pivot 8, which is located on the drive
support beam 7 by
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drive pivot retainers 9 on each side. The drive support frame 10 telescopes
and pivots in order
to accommodate azimuth orientation changes of the solar collector array 26.
The solar collector assemblies 30 are substantially balanced about their
longitudinal central axis on which they are mounted by the latitudinal pivots
4 and 5, thereby
minimizing the force required to sweep each panel in a latitudinal manner.
Adjacent solar collector assemblies 30 can be mounted in a similar manner and
linked by the addition of collector steering arm 19 between the existing solar
collector array 26
and the new collector assembly 20 being added to the array. In this manner a
significant
number of solar collector assemblies 30 can be configured in array 26 and be
driven by a
single synchronous motor with minimal additional load on the motor.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing
disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of
this invention
without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.
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