Scissor jack multi-drive single-shaft tracking solar support

Abstract

A multi-scissor jack-operated single-shaft solar tracking apparatus. A scissor jack is provided at regular intervals on a rotation beam of the single-shaft tracking solar support, thereby forming a multi-drive rotation. Lifting screw of each scissor jack is connected by a drive shaft so as to be lifted in synchronization. One of the scissor jacks can be driven by a motor, and the lifting screws of the other scissor jacks are driven by the transmission shaft, thereby synchronously driving the rotation beam of the single-shaft tracking solar support to rotate. The scissor jacks can be driven by manpower, in order that the angle of the tracking solar support can be adjusted by hand.

Claims

1. A solar tracking apparatus comprising: a master scissor jack driven manually or by a motor, the master scissor jack having a lifting screw, two or more slave scissor jacks each having a lifting screw, a drive shaft connecting the lifting screw of the master scissor jack and the lifting screws of the two or more slave scissor jacks, a rotating beam having a plurality of support brackets, one or more photovoltaic modules each having one or more supporting beams, one or more rockers each connecting the rotating beam either to the master scissor jack or to the two or more slave scissor jacks, and a plurality of supporting scaffolds, wherein: the master scissor jack and the two or more slave scissor jacks are individually fixated on respective ones of the plurality of supporting scaffolds so that each jack is fixed to a different supporting scaffold; the rotating beam is secured by the plurality of support brackets to the plurality of supporting scaffolds; the master scissor jack and the two or more slave scissor jacks are lifted in synchronization through the drive shaft; the master scissor jack and the two or more slave scissor jacks control the rotation of the rotating beam through the one or more rockers; the rotating beam is connected to the one or more supporting beams thereby controlling the rotation of the one or more photovoltaic modules; a lower hinge of the master scissor jack is fixated on a respective one of the plurality of supporting scaffolds through a respective mounting bracket, the respective mounting bracket positioned below the rotating beam; and a lower hinge of each of the two or more slave scissor jacks is fixated on respective ones of the plurality of supporting scaffolds through a respective mounting bracket, the respective mounting bracket positioned below the rotating beam.

2. The solar tracking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: an upper hinge of the master scissor jack is connected to one of the plurality of rockers; and the lifting screw of the master scissor jack is coupled with the drive shaft through a joint.

3. The solar tracking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: an upper hinge of the slave scissor jack is connected to one of the plurality of rockers; and the lifting screw of the slave scissor jack is coupled with the drive shaft through a joint.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These drawings illustrate certain aspects of some of the embodiments of the present invention, and should not be used to limit or define the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the present invention, the multi-scissor jack-operated single-shaft solar tracking apparatus.

(3) FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 is a view of direction C in FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of how the multi-scissor jack-operated single-shaft solar tracking apparatus is tracking the direction of the sun in one instance.

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of how the multi-scissor jack-operated single-shaft solar tracking apparatus is tracking the direction of the sun in another instance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, the principles and concepts of the multi-scissor jack-operated single-shaft solar tracking apparatus will be described.

(9) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a master scissor jack 1 or a driven scissor jack 2 are supported by a mounting bracket 3, a scaffold 4 and a ground base 5. A drive shaft 6 connects a lifting screw 15 of the master scissor jack 1 and a lifting screw 15 of the slave scissor jack 2. A single-axis rotating beam 7 and a photovoltaic module 9 is connected through a support beam 10 so that the rotation of the photovoltaic module 9 is controlled by the rotating beam 7. A rocker 11 is attached to the rotating beam 7 and directs its rotation. The rotating beam 7 is secured to the scaffold 4 through a support bracket 8. An upper hinge 18, either of the master scissor jack 1 or of the slave scissor jack 2, is connected to the rocker 11. A lower hinge 17, either of the master scissor jack 1 or of the slave scissor jack 2, is connected to the mounting bracket 3. In addition, an electric motor 13 is driving the lifting screw 15 of master scissor jack 1 through a motor output gear 12, a lifting screw gear 14. The driving of the lifting screw 15 of master scissor jack 1 and that of the lifting screw 15 of the slave scissor jack 2 are coupled through the drive shaft 6 and a joint 16 that connects the drive shaft 6 and the lifting screw 15. Finally, 19 is ground and 20 is the sun.

(10) In the diagrams of the present invention, a scissor jack, i.e., a master scissor jack 1, achieves multi-point driving of a single-axis solar tracking apparatus. First, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the movement of the lifting screw 15 of master scissor jack 1 is directing the drive shaft 6. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 3, that movement of the drive shaft 6 is directing the lifting screw 15 of slave scissor jack 2. The joint 16 ensures the coupling of the drive shaft 6 and the lifting screw 15.

(11) FIG. 4, a view of direction C in FIG. 1, further illustrate how the lifting or retracting of the scissor jack is directing the rotation of rotating beam 7, which in turn, is directing the photovoltaic module 9 to face toward the sun 20.

(12) FIG. 5 shows that, with the multi-scissor jack-operated single-shaft solar tracking apparatus, when the master scissor jack and the slave scissor jack are lifted to the maximum length, the photovoltaic module 9 is facing toward the sun 20.

(13) FIG. 6 shows that, in another instance with the multi-scissor jack-operated single-shaft solar tracking apparatus, when the master scissor jack and the slave scissor jack are retracted to the minimum length, the photovoltaic module 9 is also facing toward the sun 20.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

(14) All of the features disclosed in this specification may be combined in any combination. Each feature disclosed in this specification may be replaced by an alternative feature serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only an example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

(15) Further, from the above description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. Thus, other embodiments are also within the claims.