U.S. patent application number 12/305501 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-10 for solar tracker with movement in two axes and actuation in only one of them.
Invention is credited to Jesus Angel Humanes Asensio, Antolin Lorenzana Iban.
Application Number | 20090301466 12/305501 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38845163 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090301466 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Humanes Asensio; Jesus Angel ;
et al. |
December 10, 2009 |
SOLAR TRACKER WITH MOVEMENT IN TWO AXES AND ACTUATION IN ONLY ONE
OF THEM
Abstract
According to FIG. 6, it consists of a solar tracking device with
two axes of rotation, which is actuated only in one of them by
virtue of the incorporation into the mechanism of a support bar of
adjustable length (8), which is articulated at its two ends and
anchored via one side to the body that tracks the sun (4) and via
the other side to an adjustable support (5) joined to the base of
the actual tracker or to the ground. In turn, the bar is equipped
with a shock-absorbing spring system (10) that allows it to be
operated as a dynamic control element for the whole assembly.
Inventors: |
Humanes Asensio; Jesus Angel;
( Palencia, ES) ; Lorenzana Iban; Antolin;
(Valladolid, ES) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CANTOR COLBURN, LLP
20 Church Street, 22nd Floor
Hartford
CT
06103
US
|
Family ID: |
38845163 |
Appl. No.: |
12/305501 |
Filed: |
June 18, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
June 18, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/ES2007/000362 |
371 Date: |
July 27, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/600 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24S 30/452 20180501;
F24S 2030/137 20180501; F24S 25/10 20180501; F24S 2030/15 20180501;
Y02E 10/47 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/600 |
International
Class: |
F24J 2/38 20060101
F24J002/38; F24J 2/52 20060101 F24J002/52 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 19, 2006 |
ES |
200601645 |
Claims
1. Solar tracker with movement in two axes and actuation in only
one of them, one of them perpendicular to the plane of the ground,
called axis of orientation, and the other one parallel to the plane
of the ground, and not necessarily secant with the first, called
axis of inclination, incorporating a joint, by means of an arm with
ball and socket or universal joints, placed at its ends between a
support anchored to the base of the tracker or to the ground, and
the body carrying out the inclination rotation.
2. Solar tracker with movement in two axes and actuation in only
one of them according to claim 1, characterized by the fact of
having in the support anchored to the base or to the ground a
system for adjusting the distance of the joint of the arm to the
axis of orientation, carrying out that adjustment by means of
manually or automatically actuated mechanical, electrical,
magnetic, hydraulic or pneumatic devices.
3. Solar tracker with movement in two axes and actuation in only
one of them according to claim 1, characterized by the fact of
having in the articulated arm a system for adjusting the length
thereof, carrying out that adjustment by means of manually or
automatically actuated mechanical, electrical, magnetic, hydraulic
or pneumatic devices.
4. Solar tracker with movement in two axes and actuation in only
one of them according to claim 1, characterized by the fact of
having in the articulated arm a shock-absorbing suspension spring
system.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a solar tracking device
with two axes of rotation, which is actuated in only of them, by
virtue of the incorporation into the mechanism of a support bar of
adjustable length, which is articulated at its two ends and
anchored at one side to the body carrying out the solar tracking,
and at the other to an adjustable support joined to the base of the
actual tracker or to the ground. In turn, the bar is equipped with
a shock-absorbing spring system that allows it to be operated as a
dynamic control element for the whole assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Solar tracking devices with two axes (orientation
movement--tracking of the azimuth--and inclination
movement--tracking of the elevation-) are known. These devices seek
maximum energy collection from solar radiation by making the
incidence of the solar rays be perpendicular throughout the day to
the collection surface of the thermal or photovoltaic device.
[0003] The two rotations determining the orientation of the
collection surface are carried out by means of two drive systems
(they are normally geared motor, motorized screw, cable or lever
system assemblies . . . ).
[0004] Compared with a tracker system with only one axis, the
tracker with two actuated axes is more expensive to construct and
maintain and less reliable since it incorporates more elements that
can break down. By introducing a restriction suitably linking the
two rotations, the movement in the two axes can be achieved by
means of actuating the tracker in only one axis. A mechanical
configuration has been devised which allows carrying out this
movement, the features of which configuration are object of the
present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A solar tracking system with two axes is generically
characterized by the position of the axes of rotation, as is
described in FIG. 1. The axis of rotation for the orientation
movement is perpendicular to the ground plane and the axis of
rotation for the inclination movement is parallel to the plane of
the ground. The axes are not necessarily secant. Taking as a point
of reference of the tracker the intersection of the axis of
rotation for orientation with the plane of the ground (point O),
the lengths determining the position of the axes are H and D,
distances from the axis of rotation for inclination to the plane of
the ground and to the axis of rotation for orientation,
respectively. The body containing the tracking surface (4) thus
rotates around the axis of inclination with respect to the body
(3), which in turn rotates around the axis of orientation with
respect to the base of the tracker (2), anchored to the ground
(1).
[0006] As described in FIG. 2: [0007] A point A, integral to the
ground (1) or to the base of the tracker (2) indistinctly,
separated a distance d.sub.A from the axis of orientation, such
that the plane that it defines next to the axis of orientation is
the North-South plane (5) (henceforth N-S plane) is considered.
[0008] A point P belonging to the body (4), separated a distance
d.sub.p from the axis of inclination, and belonging to the plane
containing the axis of orientation and perpendicular to the axis of
inclination is considered. [0009] A joint between points A and P,
by means of an arm (6) with length L, articulated at its two ends
by means of lashings preventing the movements between the lashed
bodies but not rotations (ball and socket or universal joint) is
considered. Despite the oscillation of the shock-absorbing spring
system, the variation in the length of the bar can be considered
negligible averaged throughout the day.
[0010] Under these premises, it can be geometrically deduced that
the trajectory of point P is, as FIG. 3 indicates, the intersection
between the toroid centred in the axis of rotation for orientation,
the centre of which is at a height H from the ground, with a toroid
radius D and a section radius d.sub.p, and the sphere centred in
point A of radius L. The trajectory of point P is symmetrical with
respect to the N-S plane and the maximum height is reached when P
coincides with the N-S plane (solar midday). It is thus achieved
that the incidence of the solar rays is approximately perpendicular
to the collection surface throughout the day. Its position will
depend on the angle of orientation of the tracker (considered with
respect to the N-S plane), and of the geometric variables and
design of the system, in other words, H, D, d.sub.A, d.sub.p and
L.
[0011] The values of H and D will be fixed by the mechanical
configuration of the tracker. If the value of d.sub.p is also fixed
to place the support of the articulated arm in the most suitable
place (coinciding with a bar or at a point where the robustness of
the system is high), the position of the anchoring of point A,
d.sub.A, and the length of the bar, L, would be like design
parameters. These two parameters will be calculated such that, for
a certain period of the year (for example, summer solstice) the
difference between the trajectory of the tracker and the solar
trajectory is minimal. As the solar trajectory continuously varies
throughout the year, the mechanism allows adjusting: [0012] The
length of the bar which will allow, by adjusting the same to
previously calculated positions, optimizing the trajectory of the
tracker in all periods of the year. [0013] The distance d.sub.A
from the support, always placed on the N-S plane, to the axis of
orientation will allow in the same way the trajectory of the
tracker to be optimized.
[0014] After the geometric description describing the operation of
the invention, the details of the key elements are given: The bar
of adjustable length and the adjustable anchorage support.
[0015] 1. ARM OF ADJUSTABLE LENGTH: FIG. 4 describes, only by way
of example, the components of the arm in its most complex
configuration. It is seen in the sectioned view that at the two
ends it incorporates two ball and socket joints (1) and (2),
restricting the translations between the lashed bodies, but not
rotations. It also has a manually or automatically actuated
mechanical, electrical, magnetic, hydraulic or pneumatic
extension-compression mechanism (3). It furthermore incorporates a
shock-absorbing spring system (4) responsible for attenuating both
the forces that can act on the tracker at specific moments (gusts
of wind) and for reducing vibrations and resonances to which the
tracker might be exposed by external actions (for example,
incidence of the wind). Simpler configurations not incorporating
the elements for adjusting the length and/or suspension elements,
depending on the features that the tracker is to have, can be
chosen.
[0016] 2. ADJUSTABLE ANCHORAGE SUPPORT: FIG. 5 describes, only by
way of example, the components of the support in its most complex
configuration. It consists of a manually or automatically actuated
mechanical, electrical, magnetic, hydraulic or pneumatic position
adjustment device (1) of type. This device is responsible for
varying the previously described distance d.sub.A of the joining
support of the arm (2), which moves with respect to the base of the
assembly (3). This support can totally or partially house the ball
and socket or universal joint with the arm. A simpler configuration
where the support (2) is not adjustable and is directly anchored to
the base of the tracker or to the ground, depending on the features
that the tracker is to have, can be chosen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] To better understand what has been described in the present
specification, explanatory drawings described below are attached
hereto.
[0018] FIG. 1 describes the movements of a generic solar tracker
with two axes. The tracker is made up of a base (2) anchored to the
ground (1). The orientation rotation is carried out by the
intermediate body (3) with respect to the base (2). The inclination
rotation is carried out by the body containing the collection
surface (4) with respect to the intermediate body (3).
[0019] FIG. 2 describes the mechanical configuration of the
invention. The orientation and inclination rotations are linked by
means of introducing an articulated arm at the ends (6), joined to
a point A integral to the ground (1) or to the base of the tracker
(2), and to a point P, integral to the body containing the
collection surface (4). Point A belongs to the North-South
orientation plane (5) which, in turn, contains the axis of
orientation. The distance from A to the axis (d.sub.A) can be
adjusted, as well as the length of the arm (6).
[0020] FIG. 3 describes the geometric deduction of the trajectory
of point P, calculated as the intersection of a sphere of radius L
(length of the arm), at a distance d.sub.A from the origin of
reference O, and a toroid aligned with O, parallel to the plane of
the ground and at a distance H from the latter, with main radius D
and radius of the section d.sub.p.
[0021] FIG. 4 describes, only by way of example, the arm of
adjustable length. It incorporates at its ends two ball and socket
or universal joints (1) (2), in the intermediate part a system for
adjusting the length of the arm (3) and a shock-absorbing
suspension spring system (4).
[0022] FIG. 5 describes, only by way of example, the adjustable
anchorage support, integral to the ground or to the base of the
tracker. It consists of an adjustment system (1) varying the
position between the support (2) of the arm and the base.
[0023] FIG. 6 describes, only by way of example, a practical case
for applying the invention in a solar tracker with two axes.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] As indicated in FIG. 6, the solar tracker is made up of a
base (1) on which there pivots a trunk (2) carrying out the
orientation rotation by means of the actuation of a drive system.
In turn, the structure (4) containing the collection elements
pivots with respect to the trunk (2) around an axis (3).
[0025] A support formed by a fixed base (5) and a longitudinal
adjustment system (6) responsible for varying the location of the
fixing (7) of the support with the joint of the arm (8) is anchored
to the floor.
[0026] The arm (8) incorporates a length adjustment system (9) by
means of a double thread cylinder and a suspension system (10)
formed by a spring and an absorber. The ends of the arm (8)
incorporate ball and socket joints joining it with the fixing (7)
of the support anchored to the ground and with the fixing (11)
placed on the structure (4).
* * * * *