Solar panel tracking system

Abstract

A tracking system for performing a movement control of a solar panel is provided, having a single axis solar tracking solution allowing an individual actuation of a solar panel and its respective rotation axis. The tracking system is applied in an individual solar panel, and has a local control unit, an electrical motor, a tracking actuator mechanism, a blockage unit and a tracking support mechanism, which is useful for solar power plant installations where individual panel tracking is an advantage due to site conditions such as irregular grounds or unstable locations as in aquatic sites or locations with variable slopes.

Claims

1. A solar panel tracking system comprising: a local control unit, configured to establish a communication network with a remote central control unit; a blockage unit comprising a nut mechanism comprised by two half nut supports attached to a nut-locking cap; a tracking actuator mechanism comprising an electrical motor and a threaded shaft, the electrical motor connected to the threaded shaft which in turn is connected to the nut mechanism of the blockage unit; a tracking support mechanism comprising a support structure where a solar panel is fixed by means of a panel structure which is connected to the tracking actuator mechanism, and two hinge assemblies for providing the connection of the support structure to a base platform; wherein, the tracking actuator mechanism comprises: a motor support bearing and a half bearing joint; a lock pin and a flange bearing; the electrical motor connected to the motor support bearing and assembled with the half bearing joint; and further connected to the threaded shaft by means of the half bearing joint, promoting rotation of the threaded shaft by means of the lock pin and the flange bearing which are responsible for friction reduction between the lock pin and flange bearing, positioning the panel structure according to an activation message sent by the remote central control unit to the local control unit; and the nut-locking cap securing the threaded shaft to the base platform; and each of the two hinge assemblies have a different hinge support, one hinge assembly comprising a hinge with round hole and another hinge assembly comprising a hinge with slotted hole, the hinge with round hole comprising a hinge part, two half clamp, a hinge support with round hole and two half hinges connectors, the hinge with the slotted hole comprising a hinge part, two half clamp, a hinge support with slotted hole and two half hinge connectors, wherein the hinge support with the slotted hole compensates the panel structure movements without compromising the solar panel structural integrity.

2. The solar panel tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the panel structure comprises two horizontal beams for fixing the tracking actuator mechanism by means of two lower half clamps and two top half clamps.

3. The solar panel tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises two vertical beams for fixing the panel structure, said vertical beams connecting to the two hinge assemblies.

4. The solar panel tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the local control unit comprises: a communication module; and a processor unit, configured to actuate the tracking actuator mechanism upon receiving and processing the activation message sent by the remote central control unit.

5. The solar panel tracking system according to claim 1, wherein each hinge assembly comprises additionally: at least two switches installed on each half clamp for defining movement limits of the tracking actuator mechanism.

6. The solar panel tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the two half hinge connectors of each of the hinge assemblies are fixed to the base platform.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) For easier understanding of this application, figures are attached in the annex that represent the preferred forms of implementation which nevertheless are not intended to limit the technique disclosed herein.

(2) FIG. 1: Schematic representation of the single axis tracking system applied to a solar panel supported on a structure/platform, where the reference numbers represents: 1—Solar panel tracking system; 2—Solar panel; 3—Support structure; 4—Panel structure; 5—Tracking actuator mechanism; 6—Lower half clamp; 7—Top half clamp; 8—Hinge assembly with a hinge support with round hole; 9—Hinge assembly with a hinge support with slotted hole; 25—platform.

(3) FIG. 2: Schematic representation of the operation of the tracking system, where the reference numbers represents: 2—Solar panel; 5—Tracking actuator mechanism; 8—Hinge assembly with a hinge support with round hole; 9—Hinge assembly with a hinge support with slotted hole.

(4) FIG. 3: Schematic representation of the tracking actuator mechanism, in a sectional cut showing the individual components, where the reference numbers represents: 5—Tracking actuator mechanism; 10—Electrical motor; 11—Threaded shaft; 12—Nut; 13—Motor support bearing; 14—Half bearing joint; 15—Lock pin; 16—Flange bearing; 17—Half nut support; 18—Nut locking cap.

(5) FIG. 4: Schematic representation of the hinge with round hole and of the hinge with slotted hole, where the reference numbers represents: 8—Hinge assembly with a hinge support with a round hole; 9—Hinge assembly with a hinge support with a slotted hole; 19—Hinge part; 20—Half clamp; 21—Hinge support with round hole; 22—Half hinge connector; 23—Hinge support with slotted hole; 24—Switch.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(6) For easier understanding of this application, figures are attached in the annex that represent the preferred forms of implementation which nevertheless are not intended to limit the technique disclosed herein.

(7) The present application discloses a single axis tracking system (1) applied to a solar panel (2) supported on a structure/platform. This tracking system includes:

(8) A support structure (3) where the solar panel (2) is fixed by means of the panel structure (4). The panel structure (4) is connected to the tracking actuator mechanism (5) by four half clamps: two lower half clamps (6) and two top half clamps (7). The support structure (3) is connected to the platform (25) by means of two hinges assemblies, wherein each assembly has a different hinge support: one having a round hole (8) and another one with a slotted hole (9).

(9) The tracking actuator mechanism (5) is responsible for the solar panel (2) upwards and downwards movement when there is an action order to the motor (10) emitted by the central control unit. The electrical motor (10) is connected to a threaded shaft (11) which in turn is assembled to a nut (12) that guarantees the position and fixation of the system when there is no actuation order.

(10) For this mechanism, the electrical motor (10) is connected to a motor support bearing (13), that when assembled with the half bearing joint (14) results in a rotation axis. The rotation of the threaded shaft (11) is promoted by the lock pin (15) and flange bearing (16) which are responsible for the friction reduction between these elements.

(11) The nut (12) joins to the two half nuts support (17) and nut locking cap (18) allowing this mechanism to attach itself to any platform.

(12) The hinge with the round hole (8) is constituted by the hinge part (19), the two half clamps (20), the hinge support with the round hole (21) and the two half hinges connectors (22).

(13) The hinge with the slotted hole (9) is constituted by the hinge part (19), the two half clamp (20), the hinge support with slotted hole (23) and two the half hinge connector (22).

(14) Both hinges are attached to the support structure (3) by the hinge part (19) and the hinge support with the slotted hole (23) that is responsible for compensating the structure movements without compromising the panel (2) structural integrity.

(15) At least two switches (24) are attached to the half clamps (20), these act as end-of-course limits when the system is in service. The rotation of the hinge part (19) will push the switch if it reaches the maximum lower position (0°) or the maximum top position (60°) triggering the motor (10) to stop.

(16) The present invention is applied to solar power plant, preferably in aquatic settings where water movement and wind cause loads on the structure. The application of this individual tracking system on each solar panel allows for the solar panel independent movement of the platform and adjacent solar panels.

(17) The present embodiment is of course in no way restricted to the embodiments herein described and a person of ordinary skill in the art will be capable of providing many modification possibilities thereto without departing from the general idea of the invention as defined in the claims.

(18) The embodiments described above are obviously combinable with each other. The following claims define further preferred embodiments.