Bearing assembly for solar trackers
A solar tracker bearing assembly has a rotating element sandwiched between two mounting brackets and held together by fasteners. The rotating element includes an arc-shaped slot such that the rotating element can pivot against the fixed mounting brackets. Bearings may be positioned within the arc-shaped slot. The rotating element can be configured to accept toque tubes of various cross-sections.
1. A solar tracker system comprising:
(a) a plurality of solar collecting modules;
(b) at least two foundation posts;
(c) at least one torque tube;
(d) a plurality of module rails attaching the plurality of solar collecting modules to the at least one torque tube; and
(a) a rotating element comprising a first side, a second side, and an arc-shaped slot extending therethrough;
(b) a first mounting bracket positioned on the first side of the rotating element;
(c) a second mounting bracket positioned on the second side of the rotating element;
(d) a first fastener extending through the arc-shaped slot and connecting the first mounting bracket to the second mounting bracket;
(e) a second fastener extending through the arc-shaped slot and connecting the first mounting bracket to the second mounting bracket; and
(f) a non-rotational, stationary arc-shaped bearing that is (i) attached to the first fastener, (ii) attached to the second fastener, and (iii) positioned in the arc-shaped slot.
2. The solar tracker system of claim 1 , wherein the rotating element further comprises an opening for a tubular structure.
3. The solar tracker system of claim 2 , wherein the opening is configured to receive a square tubular shape structure.
4. The solar tracker system of claim 2 , wherein the opening is configured to receive a round tubular shape structure.
5. The solar tracker system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second fasteners comprise pins.
6. The solar tracker system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second fasteners comprise bolts.
7. The solar tracker system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second fasteners comprise shoulder bolts.
8. The solar tracker system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second brackets each comprise first and second mounting holes.
9. A solar tracker system comprising:
(a) a plurality of solar collecting modules;
(b) at least two foundation posts;
(c) at least one torque tube;
(d) a plurality of module rails attaching the plurality of solar collecting modules to the at least one torque tube;
(e) a rotating element comprising a first side, a second side, and an arc-shaped slot extending therethrough;
(f) a first mounting bracket on the first side of the rotating element;
(e) a second mounting bracket on the second side of the rotating element;
(g) a first fastener extending through the arc-shaped slot and connecting the first mounting bracket to the second mounting bracket;
(h) a second fastener extending through the arc-shaped slot and connecting the first mounting bracket to the second mounting bracket;
(i) a non-rotational, stationary first shoulder bearing that is: (i) attached to the first fastener, and (ii) positioned in the arc-shaped slot; and
(j) a non-rotational, stationary second shoulder bearing that is: (i) attached to the second fastener, and (ii) positioned in the arc-shaped slot.
10. The solar tracker system of claim 9 , wherein the rotating element further comprises an opening for a tubular structure.
11. The solar tracker system of claim 9 , wherein the opening is configured to receive a square tubular shape structure.
12. The solar tracker system of claim 9 , wherein the opening is configured to receive a round tubular shape structure.
13. The solar tracker system of claim 9 , wherein the first and second fasteners comprise pins.
14. The solar tracker system of claim 9 , wherein the first and second fasteners comprise bolts.
15. The solar tracker system of claim 9 , wherein the first and second fasteners comprise shoulder bolts.
16. The solar tracker system of claim 9 , wherein the first and second brackets each comprise first and second mounting holes.
17. The solar tracker system of claim 9 , wherein the first fastener and second fastener each comprise a mounting screw and a mounting flange nut, respectively.
18. The solar tracker system of claim 9 , wherein the non-rotational, stationary first shoulder bearing has an elongated shoulder having an upper concave surface, and the non-rotational, stationary second shoulder bearing has an elongated shoulder having an upper concave surface.
19. The solar tracker system of claim 9 , wherein the non-rotational, stationary first shoulder bearing has a raised orientation bump configured to properly orient the first shoulder bearing with respect to the arc-shaped slot, and the non-rotational, stationary second shoulder bearing has a raised orientation bump configured to properly orient the second shoulder bearing with respect to the arc-shaped slot.