U.S. patent application number 12/274665 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-25 for southerly tilted solar tracking system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Regenesis Power, LLC.. Invention is credited to Kevin Mackamul.
Application Number | 20090159075 12/274665 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40667864 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090159075 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mackamul; Kevin |
June 25, 2009 |
SOUTHERLY TILTED SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
A solar tracking system and method are provided.
Inventors: |
Mackamul; Kevin; (Moorpark,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DLA PIPER LLP (US )
2000 UNIVERSITY AVENUE
EAST PALO ALTO
CA
94303-2248
US
|
Assignee: |
Regenesis Power, LLC.
Moorpark
CA
|
Family ID: |
40667864 |
Appl. No.: |
12/274665 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60989434 |
Nov 20, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
126/600 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24S 2030/136 20180501;
Y02E 10/47 20130101; F24S 30/425 20180501 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/600 |
International
Class: |
F24J 2/38 20060101
F24J002/38 |
Claims
1. A solar tracking assembly, comprising: a solar panel assembly; a
torque device coupled to the solar panel assembly; a lever arm
rotatably coupled to the torque device; a drive mechanism coupled
to the lever arm; and wherein a linear movement of the drive
mechanism is translated into a rotational motion of the torque
device and the solar panel assembly by the lever arm about a
north-south axis so that the solar panel assembly tracks a
plurality of rays of sunlight.
2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a second solar panel
assembly, a second torque device coupled to the solar panel
assembly and a second lever arm rotatably coupled to the second
torque device wherein the second lever arm is coupled to the drive
mechanism so that linear movement of the drive mechanism is
translated into a rotational motion of the first and second torque
devices and the first and second solar panel assemblies by the
lever arm about a north-south axis so that the solar panel
assemblies track a plurality of rays of sunlight.
3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the drive mechanism is a
rod.
4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the drive mechanism further
comprises a sleeve bearing and a gimbal that couple the level arm
to the rod.
5. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the drive mechanism further
comprises a rod and a pin that couple the level arm to the rod.
6. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the drive mechanism further
comprises a linear actuator.
7. The assembly of claim 2 further comprising a frame anchored to a
surface and wherein each torque device further comprises a torque
tube that rotates relative to the frame.
8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein each torque device further
comprises a torque tube bearing that rotatably supports the torque
tube and the solar panel assembly relative to the frame.
9. The assembly of claim 2 further comprising a frame anchored to a
surface having a first horizontal support and a second horizontal
support spaced apart from each other and wherein each torque device
further comprises a torque tube that rotates relative to the
frame.
10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein each torque tube further
comprises a first torque tube bearing that rotatably supports the
torque tube and the solar panel assembly relative to the first
horizontal support and a second torque tube bearing that rotatably
supports the torque tube and the solar panel assembly relative to
the second horizontal support.
11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the solar panel assembly
further comprises a plurality of solar panels and wherein the
torque device further comprises a torque frame that is coupled to
the solar panel assembly wherein the torque frame rotates the
plurality of solar panels simultaneously.
12. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the first horizontal support
and a second horizontal support spaced apart six to twelve
feet.
13. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the first horizontal support
and a second horizontal are at different heights so that each solar
panel assembly is tilted.
14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein each solar panel assembly is
tilted 15 to 30 degrees.
15. A method for tracking for a solar panel assembly, comprising:
providing a solar panel assembly and a torque device coupled to the
solar panel assembly; rotatably coupling a lever arm to the torque
device; linearly moving a drive mechanism coupled to the lever arm;
and translating the linear movement of the drive mechanism into a
rotational motion of the torque device and the solar panel assembly
by the lever arm about a north-south axis so that the solar panel
assembly tracks a plurality of rays of sunlight.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising rotatably coupling
the lever arm to the drive mechanism using a sleeve bearing and a
gimbal that couple the level arm to the drive mechanism.
17. The method of claim 15 further comprising rotatably coupling
the lever arm to the drive mechanism using a rod and a pin that
couple the level arm to the drive mechanism.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein linearly moving the drive
mechanism further comprises actuating a linear actuator to linearly
move the drive mechanism.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein providing a solar panel
assembly and a torque device coupled to the solar panel assembly
further comprises providing a torque tube that is coupled to the
solar panel assembly.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein providing a solar panel
assembly and a torque device coupled to the solar panel assembly
further comprises providing a torque bearing that rotatably
supports the torque tube and the solar panel assembly relative to a
frame.
21. The method of claim 15, wherein providing a solar panel
assembly and a torque device coupled to the solar panel assembly
further comprises providing a torque tube that is coupled to the
solar panel assembly.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein providing a solar panel
assembly and a torque device coupled to the solar panel assembly
further comprises providing a first torque tube bearing that
rotatably supports the torque tube and the solar panel assembly
relative to a first horizontal support and a second torque tube
bearing that rotatably supports the torque tube and the solar panel
assembly relative to a second horizontal support.
23. The method of claim 15, wherein the solar panel assembly
further comprises a plurality of solar panels and providing a solar
panel assembly and a torque device coupled to the solar panel
assembly further comprises providing a torque frame that is coupled
to the solar panel assembly wherein the torque frame rotates the
plurality of solar panels simultaneously.
24. The method of claim 15, wherein providing a solar panel
assembly and a torque device coupled to the solar panel assembly
further comprises tilting the solar panel assembly 15 to 30
degrees.
25. A solar energy collection facility, comprising: a plurality of
solar panel assemblies arranged in a first east-west row, each
solar panel assembly in the east-west row having a torque device
coupled to the solar panel assembly and a lever arm rotatably
coupled to the torque device; a drive mechanism coupled to the
lever arms of the plurality of solar panel assemblies arranged in
the first east-west row wherein a linear movement of the drive
mechanism is translated into a rotational motion of the torque
device and the solar panel assemblies by the lever arm about a
north-south axis so that the solar panel assembly tracks a
plurality of rays of sunlight; and a plurality of solar panel
assemblies arranged in a second east-west row spaced apart from the
first east-west row, each solar panel assembly in the second
east-west row having a torque device coupled to the solar panel
assembly and a lever arm rotatably coupled to the torque device; a
second drive mechanism coupled to the lever arms of the plurality
of solar panel assemblies arranged in the second east-west row
wherein a linear movement of the second drive mechanism is
translated into a rotational motion of the torque device and the
solar panel assemblies by the lever arm about a north-south axis so
that the solar panel assembly tracks a plurality of rays of
sunlight.
26. The facility of claim 25, wherein the first and second drive
mechanisms are each a rod.
27. The facility of claim 26, wherein the first and second drive
mechanisms each further comprise a sleeve bearing and a gimbal that
couple the level arm to the rod.
28. The facility of claim 26, wherein the first and second drive
mechanisms each further comprise a rod and a pin that couple the
level arm to the rod.
29. The facility of claim 25, wherein the first and second drive
mechanisms each further comprise a linear actuator.
30. The facility of claim 25, wherein each east-west row of solar
panel assemblies further comprises a frame anchored to a surface
and wherein each torque device further comprises a torque tube.
31. The facility of claim 30, wherein each torque tube further
comprises a torque tube bearing that rotatably supports the torque
tube and the solar panel assembly relative to the frame.
32. The facility of claim 25, wherein each east-west row of solar
panel assemblies further comprises a frame anchored to a surface
having a first horizontal support and a second horizontal support
spaced apart from each other and wherein each torque device further
comprises a torque tube.
33. The facility of claim 32, wherein each torque tube further
comprises a first torque tube bearing that rotatably supports the
torque tube and the solar panel assembly relative to the first
horizontal support and a second torque tube bearing that rotatably
supports the torque tube and the solar panel assembly relative to
the second horizontal support.
34. The facility of claim 32, wherein the first horizontal support
and a second horizontal support spaced apart six to twelve
feet.
35. The facility of claim 32, wherein the first horizontal support
and a second horizontal are at different heights so that each solar
panel assembly is tilted.
36. The facility of claim 35, wherein each solar panel assembly is
tilted 15 to 30 degrees.
37. The facility of claim 25, wherein the first and second
east-west rows of solar array assemblies are spaced apart so that
the plurality of solar panel assemblies arranged in a second
east-west row do not shade the plurality of solar panel assemblies
arranged in a first east-west row.
38. The facility of claim 25, wherein the solar panel assembly
further comprises a plurality of solar panels and wherein each
torque device further comprises a torque frame that is coupled to
the solar panel assembly wherein the torque frame rotates the
plurality of solar panels simultaneously.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIMS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) to
and claims priority under 35 USC 120 to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/989,434, filed on Nov. 20, 2007 and
entitled "Southerly Tilted Solar Tracking System and Method", the
entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] A solar tracking system and method are provided.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Solar tracking systems and methods exist. However, these
solar tracking systems are single-axis tracking systems that are
not tilted southerly. Therefore, in sunny locations, these
conventional single axis solar tracking systems lose some amount of
energy due to the fact that the solar tracking system is not
tilted. Thus, it is desirable to provide a southerly tilted solar
tracking system and method and it is to this end that the system
and method are directed. In the southern hemisphere the tracking
system would be tilted to the north.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an embodiment of a portion
of a southerly tilted solar tracking system;
[0005] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrates details of particular portions of
the southerly tilted solar tracking system;
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an embodiment of a solar
energy collection facility that may incorporate the southerly
tilted solar tracking system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C;
[0007] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate more details of two embodiments
of the coupling mechanism associated with each solar panel; and
[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of another embodiment of a
portion of a southerly tilted solar tracking system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE EMBODIMENTS
[0009] The system and method are particularly applicable to the
solar energy collection facility described below with the
particular southerly tilted solar tracking system having the
particular components and elements described below and it is in
this context that the southerly tilted solar tracking system and
method will be described. It will be appreciated, however, that the
southerly tilted solar tracking system and method has greater
utility since it can be implemented using different
components/elements that those shown in the embodiment below and
may be implemented in various different solar type systems.
[0010] A southerly tilted solar energy collection facility includes
a plurality of southerly tilted solar panels configured on an
east-west row but with single axis tracking that allows each of the
panels to rotate about a north-south axis to follow the sun from
sunrise to sunset as shown in FIG. 3. The solar panels in the
facility as shown in FIG. 3 are also spaced apart in the east-west
direction, such that when each solar panel is tilted, the shadow
from one panel does not fall on an adjacent panel and thus reduce
the solar energy collecting capabilities of that solar panel.
[0011] Each solar panel may further include a unique coupling
element to translate linear motion into rotational motion required
to accurately track the sun. A lever arm extends from each of the
southerly tilted solar panels to linear moving rod or linkage. The
lever arm is coupled to the rod using a simple sleeve bearing, such
that in the morning and afternoon the effective lever arm is
maximum and at noon time the lever arm is shortest. In this system,
only the horizontal forces of the load (force required to move the
panels from "at rest" and in high wind conditions) are translated
to the linear actuator. In addition, the forces transferred to the
linear actuator are further reduced in "high wind" conditions due
to the longer effective lever-arm during morning and afternoon time
periods. The system is an improvement over conventional single-axis
tracking systems that are not tilted southerly. In sunny locations,
tilting the panels while tracking the sun will provide up to 6%
more energy annually when compared to tracking without tilting.
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an embodiment of a portion
of a southerly tilted solar tracking system 200 that includes a
first solar panel 10 mounted on a first tilted torque tube 12
oriented on a north-south axis and a second solar panel 20 mounted
on a second tilted torque tube 22 oriented on a north-south axis.
Each tilted torque tube solar panel assembly is supported by two
torque tube bearings 13A, 13B for panel assembly 10 and two torque
tube bearings 23A, 23B for panel assembly 20 and a pair vertical
support piers 14A, 14B for panel assembly 10 and a pair vertical
support piers 24A and 24B for panel assembly 20, with one pier on
the north and one pier on the south for each solar panel assembly.
The north support piers 14A, 24A may be founded on a horizontal
beam 52 perpendicular to the torque tube axis and the south support
piers 14B, 24B may be mounted on a horizontal beam 51 perpendicular
to the torque tube axis. In one embodiment, the distance between
the horizontal beams 51, 52 may be from six to twelve feet.
[0013] Each horizontal beam 51, 52 is supported by a pair of
vertical piers (61, 63 for the southern horizontal beam and 62, 64
for the northern horizontal beam) wherein the vertical piers are
anchored to the earth or another surface. Each solar panel assembly
10, 20 may include a lever arm 71, 72 respectively, wherein each
level arm extends from each torque tube and couples to a horizontal
drive element 80 supported by a set of linear bearings 91-94
attached to the southern horizontal beam 51. Each lever arm 71, 72
is also attached to the torque tube 12, 22 at a pivot 100 such that
the lever arm is not required to be perpendicular to the torque
tube. The coupling of each lever arm 71, 72 to the drive element is
such that pure horizontal motion of the drive element 80 translates
to rotational motion of the lever arm 71,72 that causes each solar
panel assembly 10, 20 to rotate about its respective torque tube
and to move in unison to follow the sun through the sky throughout
the day. The dynamic coupling is achieved through a gimbal and
sleeve bearing 110, 111 or a rod and pin arrangement as detailed in
copending and co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/199,442
which is incorporated herein by reference. In one embodiment, the
solar tracking assembly the north horizontal beam 52 may have a
taller height than the southern horizontal beam 51 such that the
angle measured from a level north-south line to the axis of
rotation of the torque tubes is between 15 to 30 degrees.
[0014] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrates details of particular portions of
the southerly tilted solar tracking system. The solar tracking
system shown in FIGS. 2A-2C has a linear actuator 12 fixed to the
south horizontal beam at one of the vertical piers supporting the
beam and anchored to the earth or other surface. The solar tracking
assembly where the linear actuator 12 (such as a linear drive jack)
drives a linear drive element on the right and simultaneously
drives a linear drive element on the left, such that motion of the
single linear actuator causes right and left drive elements to move
in unison and causes the dynamically coupled lever arms to rotate
the attached torque tubes with solar panels to follow the sun from
east to west in the sky throughout the day.
[0015] The portions of the solar tracking assembly shown in FIGS.
1-2C above can be combined together as multiple segments added to
the left and to the right sides of the linear actuator to increase
the number of dynamically coupled lever arms, torque tubes and
solar panels to the right and the left sides of the linear
actuator. In one embodiment, the additional assemblies will add two
hundred to three hundred feet to the left and to the right (east
and west respectively) such that the length of the entire row of
solar panels may be 400 to 600 feet in length.
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an embodiment of a solar
energy collection facility that may incorporate the southerly
tilted solar tracking system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C. In this
facility, a single linear actuator (located at the center portion
of a row of solar panels as shown in FIG. 3) activates and controls
the motion of this row of solar panels. In the example shown in
FIG. 3, a solar energy collection facility with 400 solar panel
assemblies (10 rows or 40 solar panel assemblies) is possible while
using ten linear actuators. Thus, there are multiple east-west rows
(ten in the example in FIG. 3) installed to form an array of such
rows, spaced apart in the north-south direction such that the
shadow cast from the sun from one south row solar panels does not
fall on the adjacent north row panels between the hours of 9 AM to
3 PM on the winter solstice.
[0017] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a gimbal sleeve coupling and a
pin and slot coupling, respectively, that dynamically couple the
solar panel and torque tube to the linear drive element 80. Each of
these coupling mechanisms, when an undesirable force is applied to
the solar panel 10 such as a wind force as shown in FIG. 4A or 4B,
transfer only the horizontal component of the force to the linear
actuator (not shown) that moves the solar panels so that the linear
actuator is protected for undesirable forces. For the gimbal sleeve
coupling shown in FIG. 4A, at a 45 degree angle of the solar panel
10, 70.7% of the force is transferred to the horizontal beam 80
through the sleeve bearings 93, 94 which is much smaller than the
force on the torque lever arm 72. The gimbal sleeve bearing allows
the lever arm 72 to slide to change the length of the lever arm as
the coupling element moves horizontally. Thus, the lever arm is
shortest when the solar panel is at a zero degree angle. Similarly,
for the pin and slot coupling shown in FIG. 4B, the coupling allows
the level arm 72 to slide to change the length of the level arm as
the coupling element moves horizontally.
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of another embodiment of a
portion of a southerly tilted solar tracking system 200. As with
the other embodiment, the system 200 have a plurality of solar
modules 201 (solar panel assemblies) which are mounted on a torque
frame 202 that rotates and causes the solar modules 201 to rotate
as described above for the other embodiment. In this embodiment,
the torque frame 202 may be coupled to a single solar module/solar
panel assembly or multiple solar panel assemblies/solar modules as
shown in FIG. 5. The torque frame 202, in one implementation, may
further comprise a first rail 202a and a second rail 202b as shown
that may be placed about 3 feet apart and support the solar panel
assemblies. The torque frame 202 may also comprise a cross member
204 that connects the two rails 202a, 202b and supports the solar
panels 201 at about the same position as the torque tubes are as
shown in FIG. 1. In one implementation, the cross member 204 may be
a first and second cross member 204a, 204b spaced apart with a
lever arm 208 between them and a bearing journal 206 that extends
from the cross member and allows the torque frame and the solar
panels 201 to rotate. The lever arm (similar in operation to the
lever arm described above) attaches to the crossmember 204 and the
system works as described above wherein there is a drive member or
driven mechanism (such as a rod) coupled to the level arm that
translates the linear motion of the drive member into rotational
motion of the torque frame and solar panels so that the solar
panels track the sunlight as described above.
[0019] While the foregoing has been with reference to a particular
embodiment of the system and method, it will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that changes in this embodiment may be
made without departing from the principles and spirit of the system
and method, the scope of which is defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *