TORQUE TUBE INTERFACE WITH BIFURCATED STOP
A torque tube interface for securing a torque tube to a support pile in a photovoltaic system may include a bearing housing configured to be secured to a support pile. The bearing housing may define an aperture and a housing slot. The torque tube interface may also include a bearing, which may be positioned substantially within the aperture such that the bearing is able to rotate within the bearing housing. The torque tube interface may also include a bifurcated stop which includes a first ring portion and a second ring portion that may connect and define an enclosed ring that may be secured around a torque tube and positioned at least partially within the bearing housing. The bifurcated stop may also include a limiter that is configured to extend through the housing and bearing slots to limit the amount that the torque tube may rotate.
1 . A torque tube interface for securing a torque tube to a support pile in a photovoltaic (PV) system, the torque tube interface comprising:
a bearing housing configured to be secured to a support pile, wherein the bearing housing defines an aperture and a housing slot;
a bearing configured to be secured to a torque tube, wherein the bearing is positioned substantially within the aperture defined by the bearing housing such that the bearing is able to rotate within the bearing housing, the bearing defining a bearing slot; and
a bifurcated stop comprising a first ring portion, a second ring portion, and a limiter, wherein:
the first and second ring portions are connectable to define an enclosed ring that is configured to be secured around the torque tube and be positioned at least partially within the bearing housing, and
the limiter is configured to extend through the housing slot and the bearing slot to limit an amount that the torque tube is allowed to rotate within the bearing housing.
2 . The torque tube interface of claim 1 , wherein distal ends of the first and second ring portions define holes through which a hinge pin is configured to secure the distal end of the first ring portion with the distal end of the second ring portion.
3 . The torque tube interface of claim 1 , wherein a first side of the limiter is positioned at a proximal end of the first ring portion and a second side of the limiter is positioned at a proximal end of the second ring portion.
4 . The torque tube interface of claim 3 , wherein the first side of the limiter includes a tab and the second side of the limiter defines a recess into which the tab is configured to fit when the first and second ring portions are in an attached configuration.
5 . The torque tube interface of claim 4 , wherein the tab is a tongue and the recess is a groove.
6 . The torque tube interface of claim 1 , wherein the limiter is included only in the first ring portion or only in the second ring portion.
7 . The torque tube interface of claim 3 , wherein the first and second sides of the limiter define holes through which a fastener is configured to secure the proximal end of the first ring portion with the proximal end of the second ring portion.
8 . The torque tube interface of claim 7 , wherein a size of the enclosed ring defined by the bifurcated stop is smaller than an exterior size of the torque tube such that a friction attachment between the bifurcated stop and the torque tube is created by a tightening action on the fastener.
9 . The torque tube interface of claim 1 , wherein the bearing housing is bifurcated and includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion.
10 . The torque tube interface of claim 1 , wherein the bearing is bifurcated and includes a first bearing portion and a second bearing portion.
11 . The torque tube interface of claim 1 , wherein the bifurcated stop is constructed from cast-iron.
12 . The torque tube interface of claim 1 , wherein the bifurcated stop is horizontally bifurcated.
13 . The torque tube interface of claim 1 , wherein the bifurcated stop is vertically bifurcated.
14 . The torque tube interface of claim 1 , wherein the limiter includes a first raised portion at a first side and a second raised portion at a second side.
15 . A bifurcated stop comprising:
a first ring portion;
a second ring portion configured to be connected with the first ring portion such that the first ring portion and the second ring portion define an enclosed ring that is configured to be secured around a torque tube and positioned at least partially within a bearing housing; and
a limiter included in one or both of the first ring portion or the second ring portion, the limiter configured to limit an amount that the torque tube is allowed to rotate within the bearing housing.
16 . The bifurcated stop of claim 15 , wherein the bifurcated stop is vertically bifurcated.
17 . The bifurcated stop of claim 16 , wherein the bifurcated stop is horizontally bifurcated.
18 . The bifurcated stop of claim 15 , wherein a first side of the limiter is included in the first ring portion and a second side of the limiter is included in the second ring portion, such that the limiter is formed when the first ring portion and the second ring portion are connected.
19 . The bifurcated stop of claim 15 , wherein the limiter is included in only the first ring portion or only the second ring portion.
20 . The bifurcated stop of claim 15 , wherein a size of the enclosed ring defined by the first ring portion and the second ring portion is configured to be smaller than an exterior size of the torque tube.