LOAD-BEARING STRUCTURE FOR SINGLE-AXIS FOR TRACKING PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS

Abstract

Disclosed is a load-bearing structure for single-axis for tracking photovoltaic panels including: first and second support beams for photovoltaic panels, having a longitudinal axis; crosspieces fixing the photovoltaic panels to the first and second beams; support poles for the first and second beam, secured to the ground and having a hinge allowing rotation of the beams about their axis; a linear actuator with first and second ends, the first being hinged to one of the support poles of the first beam; first and second cranks associated respectively with the first and second beams, and imparting a rotation movement thereto; and a connecting rod between the first and second cranks. The second end of the linear actuator is hinged to the connecting rod, allowing simultaneous and coordinated movement of the first and second cranks and the consequent simultaneous and coordinated rotation of the first and second beam of the structure.

Claims

1. Load-bearing structure (1) for single axis for tracking photovoltaic panels (P) comprising: a first support beam (10) for a plurality of photovoltaic panels (P), having a longitudinal axis (x) adapted to be arranged in north-south direction; a plurality of crosspieces (2) for fixing said photovoltaic panels (P) to said first beam (10); a plurality of support poles (3) for said first beam (10), arranged equidistant to one another, adapted to be secured to the ground and provided, at their free end (3), with a hinge connection (4) adapted to allow the rotation of said first beam (10) about its longitudinal axis (x); a linear actuator (4) having a first (4) and a second (4) end, where said first end (4) is hinged to one of said support poles (3); a first crank (5) associated with said first beam (10) and adapted to impart a rotation movement thereto, characterized in that it comprises: a second support beam (20) for a plurality of photovoltaic panels (P), having a longitudinal axis (x) adapted to be arranged in north-south direction, parallel to said first beam (10); a plurality of crosspieces (2) for fixing said plurality of photovoltaic panels (P) to said second beam (20); a plurality of support poles (3) for said second beam (20), arranged equidistant from one another, adapted to be secured to the ground and provided, at their free end (3), with a hinge connection (4) adapted to allow the rotation of said second beam (20) about its longitudinal axis (x); a second crank (6) associated with said second beam (20) and adapted to impart a rotation movement thereto; a connecting rod (7) between said first (5) and said second (6) crank, where said second end (4) of said linear actuator (4) is hinged to said connecting rod (7), to allow the simultaneous and coordinated movement of said first (5) and said second (6) crank and the consequent simultaneous and coordinated rotation of the respective first (10) and second (20) beam of said structure (1).

2. Load-bearing structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said linear actuator (4), said first crank (5), said second crank (6) and said connecting rod (7) are positioned in the central portion of said first (10) and said second (20) support beam.

3. Load-bearing structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second end (4) of said linear actuator (4) acts on a substantially central portion of said connecting rod (7).

4. Load-bearing structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first (5) and said second (6) crank are firmly fastened by means of screws and bolts respectively to said first (10) and said second (20) support beam.

5. Load-bearing structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first (10) and said second (20) support beam comprise a quadrangular cross section. Load-bearing structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said fixing crosspieces (2) comprise an cross section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The advantages of the invention will be more evident below, in the description of a preferred method of embodiment, provided by way of non-limiting example, and with the aid of the drawings, wherein:

[0046] FIGS. 1 and 2 represent, in a top plan view and in a side view, a photovoltaic system with load-bearing structure for single-axis for tracking photovoltaic panels according to the invention;

[0047] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 represent, in cross section, the load-bearing structure of FIG. 1 in three different positions based on the position of the sun over one day;

MODE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] With reference to the figures, there is shown a photovoltaic system with load-bearing structure 1 for single-axis for tracking panels of the type in a double parallel row.

[0049] Said load-bearing structure 1 essentially comprises: [0050] a first support beam 10 for a plurality of photovoltaic panels P, having a longitudinal axis x adapted to be arranged in north-south direction; [0051] a second support beam 20 for a plurality of photovoltaic panels P, having a longitudinal axis x adapted to be arranged in north-south direction, parallel to said first beam 10; [0052] a linear actuator 4 adapted to impart a rotation movement to said first 10 and said second 20 beam, where said movement is coordinated and transmitted simultaneously to both the beams 10, 20 by means of a connecting rod 7.

[0053] Said load-bearing structure 1 also comprises: [0054] a plurality of crosspieces 2 for fixing said photovoltaic panels P to said first 10 and said second 20 beam; [0055] a plurality of support poles 3 for said first 10 and said second 20 beam, arranged equidistant from one another, adapted to be secured to the ground.

[0056] Said fixing crosspieces 2 advantageously comprise an cross section, on the wings of which the photovoltaic panels P are fastened by means of screws.

[0057] With particular reference to the sections of FIGS. 3-5, said first 10 and said second 20 support beam comprise a quadrangular cross section, and each support pole 3 is provided, at its free end 3, with a hinge connection 13, adapted to allow the rotation about its longitudinal axis x, x of the corresponding first 10 or second 20 beam it supports.

[0058] The sections illustrated belong to a transverse plane that intercepts the load-bearing structure 1 at its movement means, in particular of said linear actuator 4.

[0059] Said movement means act on the central portions of said first 10 and said second 20 support beam: in particular, said load-bearing structure 1 is substantially symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane containing the axis of said linear actuator 4 and orthogonal to said beams, to ensure correct and homogeneous distribution of forces and allow the use of actuators of lower force.

[0060] As is apparent from the sections in question, said load-bearing structure 1 comprises a first crank 5 associated with said first beam 10 and a second crank 6 associated with said second beam 20.

[0061] Said first crank 5 comprises a first 5 and a second 5 end, where said first end 5 is firmly associated with said first beam 10.

[0062] Said second crank 6 comprises a first 6 and a second 6 end, where said first end 6 is stably associated with said second beam 20.

[0063] In particular, the first ends 5, 6 of said first 5 and said second 6 crank are firmly fastened with bolts respectively to said first 10 and said second 20 support beam to produce a fixed constraint.

[0064] The second ends 5, 6 of said first 5 and said second 6 crank are instead hinged to the ends of said connecting rod 7.

[0065] Said connecting rod 7 is arranged in horizontal position parallel to the ground.

[0066] Said linear actuator 4 has a first 4 and a second 4 end, where said first end 4 is hinged to one of said support poles 3 of said first beam 10, while said second end 4 is hinged to said connecting rod 7.

[0067] The second end 4 of said linear actuator 4 acts on a substantially central portion of said connecting rod 7.

[0068] With particular reference to FIGS. 3-5, the movement of the load-bearing structure 1 as a function of the work of said linear actuator 4 can be noted.

[0069] Said linear actuator 4 is hinged to said connecting rod 7 to allow the simultaneous and coordinated movement of said first 5 and said second 6 crank and the consequent simultaneous and coordinated rotation of the respective first 10 and second 20 beam.

[0070] FIG. 3 illustrates the arrangement of the load-bearing structure 1 typical, for example, of the morning, where the panels P are facing east where the sun rises.

[0071] The linear actuator 4 is fully compressed, the connecting rod 7 translates horizontally toward the west the cranks 5, 6, the beams 10, 20 and the panels P integral therewith, tilted toward the east.

[0072] FIG. 4 illustrates the arrangement of the load-bearing structure 1 typical of the central hours of the day, where the linear actuator 4 is in the intermediate operating position, the cranks 5, 6 are perpendicular to the ground and the connecting rod 7 occupies the space between the two parallel rows of support poles 3.

[0073] FIG. 5 illustrates the arrangement of the load-bearing structure 1 typical of the evening, where the panels P are facing west, where the sun sets.

[0074] The linear actuator 4 is fully extended, the connecting rod 7 translates horizontally toward the east the cranks 5, 6, the beams 10, 20 and the panels P integral therewith, tilted toward the west.

[0075] The invention has been described and illustrated with reference to panels without zenith orientation, but it is evident that the structure forming the subject matter of the present model is suitable also to support this type of orientation of the panels.