Variable tilt tracker for photovoltaic arrays
View Patent ↗A solar tracking system is disclosed. The tracking system includes a tube rotatable around its end-to-end axis. A first support is coupled to the tube at a first location of the tube, and is coupled with a first base. A second support is coupled to the tube at a second location of the tube, and is coupled with a second base. A translation mechanism is coupled with the tube and provided to change the position of the first support relative to the second support.
1. A tracking system, comprising:
a rectangular tube for supporting photovoltaic modules thereon, the rectangular tube rotatable around its end-to-end axis;
a first support coupled to the tube at a first location of the tube, and coupled with a first base;
a second support coupled to the tube at a second location of the tube, and coupled with a second base, the second support having an A-frame structure with a maximum height greater than a maximum height of the first support, wherein the rectangular tube extends past the A-frame structure in a direction away from the first support and can support photovoltaic modules past the A-frame structure in the direction away from the first support; and
a translation mechanism comprising a worm gear or a jack screw within the first support coupled with the tube and provided to change the position of the first support relative to the second support wherein the translation mechanism changes the position of the first support relative to the second support by moving the first support from the first location of the tube to a third, different, location of the tube spaced apart from the first position along the tube's end to end axis.
2. The tracking system of claim 1 , wherein the first support is moveably mounted to the tube, and wherein the second support is fixed to the tube at the second location of the tube.