A mounting assembly may include an arced connecting member that includes a first drive chain along a bottom surface of the arced connecting member, a second drive chain positioned adjacent to the first drive chain, and a third drive chain in a gap between the first and the second drive chains. The mounting assembly may include an intermittent-motion drive system that has a drive wheel with a nub extending from a lateral surface of the drive wheel, the nub being shaped to interface with notches included along the third drive chain. The intermittent-motion drive system may include a first and a second protrusion shaped to interface with surfaces of the first and second drive chains, respectively. Rotation of a drive axle extending through the drive wheel may affect rotation of the drive wheel, rotational movement of the nub extending from the drive wheel, and movement of the arced connecting member.

A solar tracker system comprising a plurality of on sun trackers and a plurality of off sun tracker. Each tracker is selectively adjusted to achieve a desired power output of the solar power plant system in an example.

A solar tracker system comprising a plurality of on sun trackers and a plurality of off sun tracker. Each tracker is selectively adjusted to achieve a desired power output of the solar power plant system in an example.

A damping apparatus can be self-centering and include one or more pre-compressed and preloaded mechanical springs. A solar tracking apparatus can include a solar panel mounted on a rotating shaft, and a self-centering damping apparatus operatively connected to the rotating shaft to compensate for torque created when the solar panel is rotated at an angle to horizontal. A steering assembly for a zero-turn riding lawn mower can include a pair of steering levers and a self-centering damping apparatus operatively connected to the steering levers.

A solar tracker system comprising a plurality of on sun trackers and a plurality of off sun tracker. Each tracker is selectively adjusted to achieve a desired power output of the solar power plant system in an example.

A photovoltaic support includes a first vertical upright column (110) and a second vertical upright column (120) on a foundation, and a beam (10) respectively hinged with a first end of the first vertical upright column (110) and a first end of the second vertical upright column (120). The photovoltaic support further includes a first movable connecting piece (140) provided on the foundation and connected with a second end of the first vertical upright column (110). The first movable connecting piece (140) is automatically adjusted according to the wind intensity, such that the first vertical upright column (110) moves in a vertical direction to adjust an inclination angle of the beam (130). The photovoltaic support can adjust the angle adaptively in the case of a strong wind, and restore automatically after the strong wind has passed.

A single axis solar tracker includes two drive systems (motors) that both rotate a rotating shaft. The drive systems may be located about 16-25% from either longitudinal end of the rotating shaft.

Truss foundations for supporting single-axis trackers. A motor truss may be constructed from a pair of adjacent trusses that are braced and interconnected to resist axial loads and bending moments experienced at the drive motor or center structure. Dampers may be added to one or more trusses to protect the tracker from unintended rotation by resisting these forces with the truss legs.

Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel attached to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes an outer shell surrounding an inner shell and defining an outer fluid channel. A piston is positioned within the inner shell and moveable relative thereto. A locking valve of the damper assembly includes a shaft extending into a chamber and a seal attached to the shaft. The shaft is selectively moveable axially within the chamber along an extension axis between an unsealed position in which the seal is spaced from a chamber wall and a flow path is defined that extends from within the inner shell, through the chamber, and to the outer fluid channel, and a sealed position in which the seal contacts the chamber wall and the locking valve obstructs the flow path.

The present invention relates to a solar tracker for capturing solar radiation comprising a support, a rotating shaft, and at least one solar panel. The solar tracker also comprises a tracking system capable of operating the rotating shaft for optimal placement of the solar panel and a blocking system connected to the rotating shaft. The tracking system comprises a control subsystem and an operating subsystem connected to a junction box with a microchip programmed to generate a signal sent by the control system and to send an unblocking command to the blocking system before allowing the operating system to move the rotating shaft. Once the solar panel has reached the optimal position, the blocking system is blocked again.