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 tracker comprising:
a first pier configured for insertion into the earth;
a second pier configured for insertion into the earth;
a drive device supported by the first pier;
a first bearing supported by the second pier;
a first section of torque tube spanning between the first pier and the second pier and operably connected to the drive device on a first end and the bearing on a second end;
a plurality of frame members supported by the first section of torque tube;
a plurality of solar modules supported by the frame members; and
a plurality of solar module clamps configured to secure the plurality of solar modules to the frame members, wherein each solar module clamp includes, 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 one of the plurality of solar modules therebetween; and
wherein the pair of brim regions of the top hat channel member is configured to generate a spring force acting on at least one of the plurality of solar modules 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. The solar tracker of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of solar module clamps further include,
a center bolt received through the frame member, 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 at least one solar module in between.
3. The solar tracker of claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of solar module clamps further include,
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 at least one of the plurality of solar modules; and
a second thickness of compressive material disposed between an underlying region of the brim on the top hat channel clamp member and at least one of the solar modules such that each of the thicknesses of compressive materials provides friction in a sandwich structure to prevent movement of the solar modules.
4. The solar tracker of claim 1 , further comprising a third pier supporting a second bearing; and
a second torque tube section, wherein the second torque tube section is operably supported by the drive device on a first end and the second bearing on a second end.
5. The solar tracker of claim 4 , further comprising:
a plurality of fourth piers, each fourth pier supporting a third bearing; and
a plurality of third torque tube sections, wherein each of the plurality of torque tube sections is operably supported by a third bearing on a first end and either a third bearing on the second end or one of the first bearing or the second bearing.
6. The solar tracker of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of frame members are secured to the first torque tube section substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the first torque tube section.
7. The solar tracker of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of solar module clamps are secured to the plurality of frame members substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first torque tube section.
8. A torque tube of a solar tracker comprising:
a plurality of frame members supported by a first section of the torque tube;
a plurality of solar modules supported by the frame members; and
a plurality of solar module clamps configured to secure the plurality of solar modules to the frame members, wherein each solar module clamp includes,
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 one of the plurality of solar modules therebetween; and
wherein the pair of brim regions of the top hat channel member is configured to generate a spring force acting on at least one of the plurality of solar modules 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.
9. The torque tube of claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of solar module clamps further include,
a center bolt received through the frame member,
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 at least one solar module in between.
10. The torque tube of claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of solar module clamps further include,
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 at least one of the plurality of solar modules; and
a second thickness of compressive material disposed between an underlying region of the brim on the top hat channel clamp member and at least one of the solar modules such that each of the thicknesses of compressive materials provides friction in a sandwich structure to prevent movement of the solar modules.
11. The torque tube of claim 8 , further comprising a drive device arranged on a first end of the first section of torque tube and a bearing arranged on a second end of the first section of torque tube.
12. The torque tube of claim 11 , further comprising a first pier supporting the drive device and a second pier supporting the bearing, wherein the first section of torque tube is suspended between the first pier and second pier.