Off-set drive assembly for solar tracker
In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus configured with an off-set drive assembly. In an example, the apparatus has an inner race structure, which has a cylindrical region coupled to a main body region, the main body comprising an off-set open region. The cylindrical region is an annular sleeve structure coupled to the main body region, which occupies the spatial region within the cylindrical region. In an example, the apparatus has an outer race structure coupled to enclose the inner race structure, configured to couple the inner race structure to allow the inner race structure to move in a rotational manner about a spatial arc region; and configured to allow the inner race structure to pivot about a region normal to a direction of the spatial arc region. In an example, the solar tracker has a clamp assembly that is configured to pivot a torque tube.
1. A solar module clamp apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
a bottom hat channel clamp member having a U-shape including an open end and a closed end, a pair of brim regions extending from the open end of the U-shape, openings formed in each brim region and fasteners received in the openings to secure each brim region to a frame member of a solar tracker;
a top hat channel clamp member having a U-shape including an open end and a closed end and a pair of brim regions extending from the open end of the U-shape and, the U shape of the top hat channel clamp member having a slightly larger width than the U-shape of the bottom hat channel clamp member, the open end of the U shape of the top hat channel clamp member configured to be placed over the closed end of the U-shape of the bottom hat channel clamp member to receive the closed end of the U-shape of the bottom hat channel clamp member in the open end of the U-shape of the top hat channel clamp member while leaving a spatial gap between an upper surface of the bottom hat channel clamp member and a bottom surface of the top hat channel clamp member, the pair of brim regions of the bottom hat channel clamp member and the pair of brim regions of the top hat channel clamp member configured to sandwich at least a pair of edges of a pair of solar panels therebetween; and
wherein the pair of brim regions of the top hat channel member is configured to generate a spring force acting on the pair of edges of the pair of solar panels when the U shape of the top hat channel member is forced in the direction of the bottom hat channel clamp member to reduce the spatial gap.
2. Apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a center bolt received through the frame member of the solar tracker, wherein the center bolt extends through an opening in the closed end of the bottom hat channel member and an opening in the closed end of the top hat channel member and protrudes through an upper surface of the top hat channel clamp member and a nut firmly engages the bottom hat clamp member with the top hat clamp member with the pair of edges of the pair of solar panels in between.
3. Apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:
a first thickness of compressible material disposed overlying a portion of the U shape of the bottom hat channel clamp member, and overlying an upper surface of the brim region of the bottom hat channel clamp member, and underlying the pair of edges of the solar panels; and
a second thickness of compressive material disposed between an underlying region of the brim on the top hat channel clamp member and an upper edge portion of the solar module such that each of the thicknesses of compressive materials provides friction in a sandwich structure to prevent movement of the solar modules.