AZIMUTHAL ROTATION MECHANISM FOR SOLAR TRACKERS

Abstract

Azimuthal rotation mechanism for solar trackers comprising a vertical pedestal (1) on which a rotating support (2) holding the solar panels (7) is mounted, which is actuated by means of at least three hydraulic cylinders (4, 5 and 6) located in the same horizontal plane and articulated through the casing to the rotating support (2) by means of a first movable vertical shaft (18), while the piston rods of the three cylinders pass through the wall of the rotating support and are articulated at the same height to the pedestal by means of a second fixed vertical rotation shaft (21).

Claims

1. An azimuthal rotation mechanism for solar trackers comprising a vertical pedestal on which it is mounted with the capacity to rotate around the shaft of the pedestal, a rotating support holding the solar panels and actuated by hydraulic cylinders articulated to the support and the pedestal by corresponding vertical shafts, comprising: at least three hydraulic cylinders located in the same horizontal plane; the three cylinders are articulated through the casing to the rotating support by a first movable vertical rotation shaft, located outside the contour of the pedestal; the piston rods of the three cylinders pass through the wall of the rotating support through corresponding openings, and are articulated to the pedestal at the same height by a second fixed rotation shaft, located inside the contour of said pedestal.

2. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the ends of the piston rods of the three cylinders exhibit structures that are coupled to one another, with the cylinders located in the same horizontal plane through which structures said piston rods are articulated at the same height to the second vertical shaft.

3. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic cylinders are angularly arranged in equidistant positions.

4. The mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising three hydraulic cylinders arranged angularly with respect to each other at 120.

5. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the piston rods of at least two of the hydraulic cylinders are topped in the shape of superimposable forks, which enfold the end of the piston rod of the third hydraulic cylinder.

6. The mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the rotating support comprises a cylindrical wall that includes the openings for the passage of the piston rods of the three hydraulic cylinders, and two triangle-shaped parallel plates affixed in positions coinciding with the bases of the cylindrical wall, with respect to which they protrude at least in their angular portions, among which angular portions the casings of the hydraulic cylinders are articulated through the first vertical shaft, the lower plate being open according to the contour of the cylindrical wall for the passage of the second vertical shaft, to which the piston rods of the three cylinders are articulated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The attached drawings show, as a non-limitative example, a possible embodiment of the azimuthal mechanism of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a lateral elevational view of a solar tracker, with the solar panels in the vertical position, including the mechanism of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a view similar to that of FIG. 1, with the solar panels in the horizontal position.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows the mechanism of the invention from a higher perspective.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a lateral elevational view of the same mechanism.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows the rotating support of the mechanism of the invention from a higher perspective.

[0025] FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of the three hydraulic cylinders that become part of the mechanism of the invention in perspective.

[0026] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the different components of the mechanism of the invention.

[0027] FIGS. 8A to 8F show a plan view of successive positions of the mechanism, obtained with the actuation of the three hydraulic cylinders.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0028] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a solar tracker composed of a fixed vertical pedestal (1), on which a rotating support (2) is mounted and that can rotate around a vertical shaft, coinciding with the shaft of the vertical pedestal (1). The rotation of the rotating support (2) is achieved by means of the joint actuation of three hydraulic cylinders (3, 4 and 5) preferably arranged in an equidistant angular position and located in the same horizontal plane.

[0029] The rotating support (2) holds the structure (6) on which the mirrors (7) are mounted, which receive the direct effects of the solar rays. The structure (6) may pivot around the horizontal shaft (8) between a vertical position, FIG. 1, and a horizontal position, FIG. 2, with the actuation of the elevator cylinder (9) which casing is articulated among the lugs of the support (2) that are joined together.

[0030] By means of the elevator cylinder (9), the mirrors (7) may occupy any position between a vertical position, FIG. 1, and a horizontal position, FIG. 2. On the other hand, by means of the joint actuation of the three hydraulic cylinders (3, 4 and 5), the mechanism can move from the position of FIG. 8A to any of the azimuthal and middle positions, as shall be explained below with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8F.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows the vertical pedestal (1), comprised of a cylindrical column (10) and a head (11) attached to the column (10), forming the vertical axis pedestal (1) as a whole.

[0032] The rotating support (2) is mounted on the pedestal (1) and has the capacity to rotate around the vertical shaft of said pedestal by means of any known rotating support system, for example, by interposing a slewing bearing (12), FIGS. 4 and 7.

[0033] The rotation of the support (2) is achieved by means of the actuation of the hydraulic cylinders (3, 4 and 5).

[0034] In the embodiment of the example represented in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, the rotating support is constituted by a cylindrical wall (13) and two triangle-shaped parallel plates (14 and 15), affixed to the cylindrical wall in matching positions and protruding from the cylindrical wall at least in the angular portions (16), which have vertically aligned openings (17) for the passage of a first vertical axis (18) that shall serve as the articulating means of the casing of the cylinders (3, 4, and 5) to the rotating support. The three shafts (18) are located outside the contour of the pedestal (1) and can move angularly in a direction perpendicular to said shafts.

[0035] Two outer lugs (19) are affixed to the cylindrical wall (13), among which the casing of the hydraulic cylinder (9) is articulated.

[0036] The cylindrical wall (13) has three openings (20), through which the hydraulic cylinders (3, 4 and 5) penetrate into the rotating support (2) to articulate the end of their piston rods, at the same height, to a second fixed vertical rotation shaft (21), joined together with the pedestal (1). This second fixed vertical rotation shaft (21) is located inside the contour of the pedestal.

[0037] As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the piston rods of the hydraulic cylinders (3, 4 and 5) are topped with structures that can be coupled to each other, which can also adopt the shape of a fork (22). For the arrangement described above, at least the lower plate (15) of the rotating support (2) shall be open in its central area to allow the passage of the second vertical rotation shaft (21) and for it to be affixed to the pedestal (1). Likewise, the upper plate (14) may be open in its central part, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7).

[0038] Preferably, the hydraulic cylinders (3, 4 and 5) shall be arranged in the same horizontal plane, in angularly equidistant positions, such that in the case of three cylinders the same shall be separated from each other at 120.

[0039] FIGS. 8A to 8F represent different angular positions of the rotating support (2), through the actuation of the hydraulic cylinders (3, 4 and 5).

[0040] FIG. 8A represents an azimuth position of 0, based on which successive azimuth positions are represented. 60 in FIG. 8B, 120 in FIG. 8C, 180 in FIG. 8D, 240 in FIG. 8E and 300 in FIG. 8F.

[0041] In all cases, the second vertical shaft (21) is located in the same position, since it is affixed to the pedestal (1), while the cylinders (3, 4 and 5) vary in length and position, as well as the first vertical shaft (18), causing the rotation of the rotating support (2) holding the frames (6) that hold the mirrors (7) for orientation purposes.