A pivoting unit for a tracking apparatus for solar modules, comprising at least one cross member pivotable about a pivot axis, at least one drive arch, which is connected to the at least one cross member and has a plurality of drive recesses and a plurality of retaining recesses, and at least one rotatably mounted drive unit, the rotatably mounted drive unit being designed such that it engages in at least one of the drive recesses of the drive arch in order to pivot the at least one cross member. The drive unit is designed in such a way that it engages in at least one of the retaining recesses in order to hold the cross member in a pivoted position.

A single axis slew driving system with integrated sensors and transducers including a housing defining a cavity, a rotor assembly rotatably mounted within the cavity supporting an axle with a gear plate affixed thereto and gear teeth positioned along a periphery thereof, a driving gear rotatably mounted in the housing meshing with the gear teeth, and a drive motor attached to the driving gear for rotation of the driving gear and one of: a thermocouple embedded in the housing to provide an indication of the temperature adjacent the driving gear; an absolute position sensing system including a movement tracking device mounted in the housing and extending into the cavity of the housing; limit switches mounted on the outer periphery of the housing; an integrated accelerometer and communication assembly; and an integrated torque routing solenoid mounted on an outer periphery of the housing.

The present invention relates to a solar energy harvesting device, said device including several single-axis solar trackers (S1-S5), each comprising an elongated structure (4) on which a plurality of photovoltaic panels (2) are installed, and a tubular rotating shaft (1) fixed to a lower side of the structure (4). A plurality of support feet (20) rotatably support the coaxially aligned tubular rotating shafts (1) of the several single-axis solar trackers (S1-S5) on the ground. A motor rotates the tubular rotating shafts (1) according to the relative movements of the Sun. Positive and negative wires (3a, 3b) conducting electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic panels (2) connected in series of the different single-axis solar trackers (S1-S5) are housed inside the tubular rotating shafts (1) and go through a central opening (27a) of a rotating drive wheel (27) of a drive device (31) arranged to rotate the tubular rotating shafts (1).

A solar tracking system including a plurality of bases, a torque tube supported by the plurality of bases and configured to support a plurality of solar modules, and a drive device operably connected to the torque tube and arranged to translate the torque tube in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis. The solar tracking system also includes a plurality of helical guides operably connected to the torque tube, and a plurality of cam assemblies, wherein upon linear movement of the torque tube, interaction between the helical guides and cam assemblies causes the torque tube to rotate about its linear axis.

A solar tracking system includes a solar array, support beams that support the solar array, a torque tube coupled to the support beams, a base that rotatably supports the torque tube, and an articulation system that rotates the torque tube relative to the base. The articulation system includes an outer tube, a screw rod, and a nut and/or inner tube that rotates and translates along a length of the screw rod as the screw rod rotates. The interior portion of the outer tube includes helical grooves and the exterior portion of the nut or inner tube includes ridges or rollers that mate with the helical grooves, which cause the nut and/or inner tube to rotate as the nut and/or inner tube is translated along a length of the screw rod when the screw rod is rotated by the motor.

The present disclosure provides a solar surface steering system including a solar surface; a base mount; a main body having a first rotary vane actuator configured to rotate the solar surface via a first rotating joint, and a second rotary vane actuator configured to rotate the main body of the hydraulic actuator via a second rotating joint connected to the base mount; a fluid mover operably connected to each of the first and second rotary vane actuators and configured to actuate the first and second rotary vane actuators; and a control system electrically connected to the fluid mover and configured to control operations of the fluid mover, wherein the first and second rotary vane actuators are affixed to each other and positioned such that a rotational axis of the first rotary vane actuator is orthogonal to a rotational axis of the second rotary vane actuator.

A distributed torque, single axis solar tracking system includes a plurality of spaced apart mounting posts with selected posts having an electrically controlled actuator mounted thereon. A torque structure extends between the actuators to distribute rotational torque on the torque structure. A plurality of solar panels is connected to the torque structure. Electrical apparatus is coupled to each actuator and designed to be coupled to a power source so that when the electrical apparatus is coupled to the power source, the plurality of actuators is energized to rotate simultaneously a desired amount. Whereby the plurality of solar panels is rotated the desired amount as the plurality of actuators rotates.

The present invention relates to a solar energy harvesting device, said device including several single-axis solar trackers (S1-S5), each comprising an elongated structure (4) on which a plurality of photovoltaic panels (2) are installed, and a tubular rotating shaft (1) fixed to a lower side of the structure (4). A plurality of support feet (20) rotatably support the coaxially aligned tubular rotating shafts (1) of the several single-axis solar trackers (S1-S5) on the ground. A motor rotates the tubular rotating shafts (1) according to the relative movements of the Sun. Positive and negative wires (3a, 3b) conducting electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic panels (2) connected in series of the different single-axis solar trackers (S1-S5) are housed inside one or more of the tubular rotating shafts (1).

A rotary actuator has a rotatable platform rotatably supported on a base. The rotatable platform has a friction surface. An actuator band is operated by a band clamp so as to be selectively frictionally engageable with the friction surface. A motion actuator is coupled between the base and the actuator band such that change in length of the motion actuator causes corresponding movement of the actuator band. A brake band is operated by a brake band actuator so as to be selectively frictionally engageable with the friction surface, the brake band anchored to the base.

The invention relates to an innovative, highly productive, modular construction, integrated tilting, fully automatic, location specific and economically viable Integrated Tilting Solar Tracker (ITST) apparatus with unique integrated tilting arrangement for tilting the solar photovoltaic (SPV) panels simultaneously in the East-West and North-South directions in an integrated manner, in order to maintain the surface of the solar cells affixed over the solar photovoltaic panels, receive the sun's light rays perpendicularly during most period of the day time (sunny time) of a day and every day in a year, matching the dynamic and varying 3-dimensional movements of the sun with respect to the location of the Integrated Tilting Solar Tracker (ITST) on earth, to generate maximum solar energy resulting in the highest productivity.