A process of using thermal energy to decrease the external energy and imported inputs required to perform agricultural processes.

A process of using thermal energy to decrease the external energy and imported inputs required to perform agricultural processes.

The present invention is a solar concentrator composed of a generally V-shaped trough of reflective Fresnel steps. The reflective Fresnel steps concentrate the sunlight entering the mouth of the V-shaped trough and parallel to its central axis into a central focal area. By disposing a solar energy receiving element at the central focal area of sunlight concentration, a concentrating solar energy collector is created. Various configurations of solar energy receiving elements are used to convert the concentrated sunlight into other forms of useful energy that can be harvested by the collector.

The present invention is a solar concentrator composed of a generally V-shaped trough of reflective Fresnel steps. The reflective Fresnel steps concentrate the sunlight entering the mouth of the V-shaped trough and parallel to its central axis into a central focal area. By disposing a solar energy receiving element at the central focal area of sunlight concentration, a concentrating solar energy collector is created. Various configurations of solar energy receiving elements are used to convert the concentrated sunlight into other forms of useful energy that can be harvested by the collector.

A screw anchor for a trussed foundation system to support single-axis trackers and other structures and related methods of driving such a screw anchor into underlying ground. A hollowed tube of uniform diameter is open at both ends with a thread form beginning at one end and circumscribing a portion the tube, the thread form having a tapered lead-in. The open-ended geometry allows a mandrel or rock drill to be inserted and operated through the anchor during driving to expedite the driving process. The tapered thread form provides a lead-in for driving the anchor into a rock bore.

An apparatus for transferring force to a frame of a solar mirror array. The frame has at least one structural element. The apparatus includes a torque plate. The apparatus includes at least one node attached to and in contact with the plate which connects with the structural element. An apparatus for attaching a primary solar mirror frame array with a secondary mirror frame array. A solar trough frame for holding solar mirrors.

An apparatus for transferring force to a frame of a solar mirror array. The frame has at least one structural element. The apparatus includes a torque plate. The apparatus includes at least one node attached to and in contact with the plate which connects with the structural element. An apparatus for attaching a primary solar mirror frame array with a secondary mirror frame array. A solar trough frame for holding solar mirrors.

An A-frame-shaped truss foundation system for a single-axis tracker with a bearing assembly sitting atop a pair of adjacent angled truss legs joined together with an adapter so that the axis of rotation of the tracker is aligned with a work point of the A-frame. Several such foundation systems are arranged along a North-South row to support a tracker torque tube.

A bearing assembly comprises a bearing wheel with a rotational axis, the bearing wheel including and extending radially between an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface at least partially forms a bore, the bore extends axially through the bearing wheel along the rotational axis, and the bore has a cross-sectional geometry configured to receive a rotatable shaft with a complementary cross-sectional geometry, and wherein the outer surface extends circumferentially around the rotational axis, and the outer surface has a circular cross-sectional geometry. The bearing assembly also comprises a bearing collar comprising a collar base and a collar mount, wherein the collar base includes an inner surface configured to circumscribe and slidingly engage the outer surface of the bearing wheel, wherein the collar mount projects radially out from collar base to a distal mount end, and wherein a plurality of mounting apertures at the distal mount end extend axially through the collar mount, and the mounting apertures are configured to respectively receive fasteners for securing the collar mount to a stationary structural member.

A bearing assembly comprises a bearing wheel with a rotational axis, the bearing wheel including and extending radially between an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface at least partially forms a bore, the bore extends axially through the bearing wheel along the rotational axis, and the bore has a cross-sectional geometry configured to receive a rotatable shaft with a complementary cross-sectional geometry, and wherein the outer surface extends circumferentially around the rotational axis, and the outer surface has a circular cross-sectional geometry. The bearing assembly also comprises a bearing collar comprising a collar base and a collar mount, wherein the collar base includes an inner surface configured to circumscribe and slidingly engage the outer surface of the bearing wheel, wherein the collar mount projects radially out from collar base to a distal mount end, and wherein a plurality of mounting apertures at the distal mount end extend axially through the collar mount, and the mounting apertures are configured to respectively receive fasteners for securing the collar mount to a stationary structural member.