Solar plant having pivotable and lockable module table

Abstract

The invention relates to a solar plant (1) having at least one pivotable module table (2a, 2b, 2c) which supports at least one photovoltaic solar module (3), preferably multiple photovoltaic solar modules (3), and is coupled in such a manner to at least one gear element (4) pivotable about an axis (A) that pivoting the gear element (4) causes the module table (2a to 2c) to be pivoted so that the solar modules (3) track the motion of the sun, the gear element (4) being driven and thus pivoted by an electrically driven drive shaft (5), at least one actuation element (8) being integrated in the drive shaft (5), the gear element (4) being both driven and blocked by the actuation element (8), the actuation element (8) engaging into the toothing (11) of the gear element (4) for driving or blocking the gear element (4).

Claims

1. A solar plant (1) having at least one pivotable module table (2a, 2b, 2c) which supports at least one photovoltaic solar module (3), and is coupled in such a manner to at least one gear element (4) pivotable about an axis (A) that pivoting the gear element (4) causes the module table (2a to 2c) to be pivoted so that the solar modules (3) track the motion of the sun, the gear element (4) being driven and thus pivoted by an electrically driven drive shaft (5), at least one actuation element (8) being integrated in the drive shaft (5), the gear element (4) being both driven and blocked by the actuation element (8), the actuation element (8) engaging into a toothing (11) of the gear element (4) for driving or blocking the gear element (4); wherein the drive shaft (5) comprises two discontinuous segments each extending along a single first longitudinal axis (L), said two discontinuous segments connected by the actuation element; wherein the actuation element (8) comprises at least two actuation pins (9a, 9b) located between the two discontinuous segments of the drive shaft, said at least two actuation pins extending along a respective second longitudinal axis, wherein each second longitudinal axis is parallel to but separate from the first longitudinal axis; and wherein the at least two actuation pins are adapted to engage into the toothing (11) of the gear element (4) in order to drive (pivot) or block the gear element (4), the at least two actuation pins (9a, 9b) each resting in circumferentially adjacent tooth spaces (12a, 12b, 12c), of the toothing (11) of the gear element (4) and remaining there for blocking the gear element (4).

2. The solar plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the gear element is a gear segment (4).

3. The solar plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one module table (2a, 2b, 2c) is mounted on the at least one gear element (4).

4. The solar plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the first longitudinal axis (L) of the drive shaft (5), around which it rotates, extends through the toothing (11) of the at least one gear element (4).

5. The solar plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the solar plant comprises vertical posts (14) for elevated mounting of the at least one module table (2a, 2b, 2c), the vertical posts (14) at least partially comprising supporting plates (15) for supporting the drive shaft (5).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

(1) Further features of the invention are derived from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the drawings and the dependent claims. The individual features can be realized on their own or in combination with each other.

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a solar plant according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the solar plant from FIG. 1 in the area of a gear element;

(4) FIG. 3 shows an enlarged detail from FIG. 2 in the area of the actuation element of the drive shaft;

(5) FIGS. 4a-4c are side views of the solar plant from FIG. 1 during the course of the day;

(6) FIG. 5 is a top view of a gear element and an actuation element of the drive shaft of the solar plant from FIG. 1;

(7) FIGS. 6a-6b show a cross section through an actuation element of the drive shaft of the solar plant from FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) FIG. 1 shows a solar plant 1 having three module tables 2a, 2b, 2c. The three module tables 2a to 2c each support multiple photovoltaic solar modules 3. The three module tables 2a to 2c are each coupled to four gear elements in the form of gear segments 4. This coupling between module tables 2a to 2c and gear segments 4 causes a pivoting of gear segments 4 to cause a pivoting of module tables 2a to 2c so individual solar modules 3 can track the motion of the sun. Gear segments 4 are driven and thus pivoted by an electrically driven drive shaft 5. Drive shaft 5 is driven by a transmission unit 6 and drives all three module tables 2a to 2c.

(9) FIGS. 2 and 3 show a detail from solar plant 1 in the area of a gear segment 4. In order to more clearly depict the decisive elements, the solar modules abutting illustrated solar modules 3 have been omitted. As FIG. 2 clearly shows, gear segment 4 is fastened to a cross brace 7 which serves for the cross bracing of illustrated module table 2a. Gear segment 4 is screwed to cross brace 7 in this instance. Gear segment 4 and consequently cross brace 7 are pivotable about transverse axis A of cross brace 7. Pivoting gear segment 4 or cross brace 7 inevitably leads to module table 2a being pivoted as cross brace 7 is an integral component of module table 2a. The possible rotational movements of drive shaft 5 and the pivoting movements of gear segment 4 and consequently module table 2a are indicated by corresponding arrows.

(10) As FIGS. 2 and 3 clearly depict, an actuation element 8 is integrated in drive shaft 5. Actuation element 8 is also illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6a and 6b in an enlarged view. In this exemplary embodiment, actuation element 8 is realized as a type of oblong frame having two actuation pins 9a, 9b disposed parallel to each other. Actuation pins 9a and 9b are connected to each other in one piece via two connecting sections 10. When driving (pivoting) module table 2a, drive shaft 5 rotates about its longitudinal axis L. Actuation pins 9a and 9b are spaced at such a distance to each other that they engage into toothing 11 of gear segment 4 and can cause gear segment 4 to rotate (pivot) owing to the rotational movement of the drive shaft. Depending on whether drive shaft 5 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, module table 2a is also pivoted in one or the other direction. The interaction between actuation element 8 and toothing 11 of gear segment 4 is illustrated in further detail in FIGS. 6a and 6b. In FIG. 6a, both actuation pins 9a and 9b each rest in a tooth space 12a, 12b of toothing 11. Tooth spaces 12a and 12b are disposed adjacent to each other. Reference numeral 13 denotes the teeth of toothing 11. In the situations illustrated in FIGS. 6a and 6b, drive shaft 5 rotates clockwise. During this rotational movement, actuation pin 9b leaves tooth space 12b and is then pivoted in such a manner because of the rotational movement of the drive shaft that actuation pin 9b is located directly below tooth space 12a (cf. small arrow). Actuation pin 9a moves deeper into tooth space 12a at the same time. This situation is illustrated in FIG. 6b. Thereafter, actuation pin 9b is pivoted further toward tooth space 12c. Actuation pin 9a is retracted further from tooth space 12a at the same time. Owing to this rotational movement of the drive shaft and thus actuation element 8 in a clockwise direction, gear segment 4 is rotated or pivoted in a counterclockwise direction (cf. large arrow). In the next step, actuation pin 9a is moved in the same fashion as actuation pin 9b before. This is followed by actuation pin 9b being moved in the same fashion and so forth.

(11) If the rotational movement of the drive shaft is now stopped, at least one of the two actuation pins 9a, 9b remains in a tooth space of toothing 11. This blocks gear segment 4 so that the gear segment can no longer be pivoted or rotated. If solar plant 1 is exposed to greater wind loads and there is a risk of a build-up of oscillations of modular tables 2a to 2c, drive shaft 5 is locked in such a manner that at least one actuation pin 9a, 9b of corresponding actuation elements 8 remains in toothing 11 of corresponding gear segments 4. The optimal position of an actuation element 8 when blocking a gear segment 4 is illustrated in FIG. 6a, which is when both actuation pins 9a and 9b are located in a tooth space 12a, 12b. In this position, gear segment 4 and thus entire module table 2a are blocked particularly stably.

(12) In order to be able to immediately achieve such a blocked position when great wind loads arise, the drive shaft can be coupled to a wind sensor, for example. This wind sensor can trigger locking of drive shaft 5 in the position illustrated in FIG. 6a when great wind loads arise.

(13) As seen in FIG. 1, all three module tables 2a to 2c are driven by the same drive shaft 5. The three module tables 2a to 2c are each coupled to four gear segments 4. In order to be able to actuate all twelve gear segments of illustrated solar plant 1, drive shaft 5 also comprises a total of twelve actuation elements 8. This design ensures that all three module tables 2a to 2c can be pivoted or—if required—locked (blocked) simultaneously. In the illustration at hand, three module tables 2a to 2c are moved via a single drive shaft 5. A single drive shaft can even move a plurality of module tables.

(14) FIGS. 4a to 4c show in which fashion solar plant 1 tracks the sun during the course of the day. FIG. 4a shows the situation in the morning. In order to gradually move solar modules 3 from the morning position to the midday position (cf. FIG. 4b), drive shaft 5 is turned clockwise. This causes a pivoting of the module table from the initial position illustrated in FIG. 4a to a horizontal position (midday position). While drive shaft 5 is rotated clockwise, gear segment 4 pivots or rotates counterclockwise.

(15) A further rotation of drive shaft 5 in a clockwise direction ultimately leads to the module tables and solar modules 3 arriving in the evening position illustrated in FIG. 4c.

(16) If the module tables and solar modules 3 are to be moved back from the evening position to the midday or morning position, drive shaft 5 now has to be moved in a counterclockwise direction. Such a rotation of drive shaft 5 leads to gear segment 4 and thus the module table coupled thereto to be pivoted or rotated in a clockwise direction.

(17) In the shown embodiment, gear segments 4 and drive shaft 5 having actuation elements 8 are made of steel.

(18) As can be seen particularly clearly in FIGS. 6a and 6b, longitudinal axis L of drive shaft 5 extends through toothing 11 of gear segment 4. This has the advantage of the position of longitudinal axis L of drive shaft 5 not having to be changed in order to move the actuation element into the position illustrated in FIG. 6a for achieving an optimal blocking of gear segment 4.

(19) As can be seen in FIG. 1, solar plant 1 comprises vertical posts 14 for elevated mounting of module tables 2a to 2c. The number of said vertical posts 14 corresponds to the number of gear segments 4 in the case at hand. Vertical posts 14 are all also disposed in the area of gear segments 4.

(20) As in particular FIGS. 2, 3 and 4a to 4c show, supporting plates 15 are disposed on vertical posts 14. These supporting plates 15 serve to support drive shaft 5, which penetrates supporting plates 15. Supporting plates 15 absorb forces which act on drive shaft 5 and divert these into the foundation in the form of vertical posts 14. The mentioned forces are in particular such forces which arise due to great wind loads and are transferred to drive shaft 5 from gear segments 4. When drive shaft 5 is locked, the stability of entire plant 1 is comparable to the stability of a solar plant mounted on a stationary elevation mounting system. Thus, even great wind loads can act on solar plant 1 without damaging it.

(21) It is to be understood that the elements of solar plant 1 according to the invention as illustrated in the drawings can be realized in different manners. For instance, it is conceivable that the actuation element is made up of two plates, for example disc-shaped plates, which are connected via two fastening pins disposed parallel to each other. The two plates can each be welded to one end of a drive shaft section, for example.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(22) 1 solar plant 2a-2c module tables 3 solar modules 4 gear segments 5 drive shaft 6 transmission unit 7 cross brace 8 actuation element 9a, 9b actuation pins 10 connecting sections 11 toothing 12a-12c tooth spaces 13 teeth vertical post supporting plates A transverse axis L longitudinal axis