초록 ▼

A tracker drive system is provided for rotatably driving one or more objects, for example solar panels or other equipment. The system comprises a torque element mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, wherein the torque element can support one or more objects for rotation therewith a

A tracker drive system is provided for rotatably driving one or more objects, for example solar panels or other equipment. The system comprises a torque element mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, wherein the torque element can support one or more objects for rotation therewith about the generally horizontal axis; a lever arm connected with the torque element, the lever arm being movable to rotate the torque element; a movable drive member that is drivable by a drive mechanism; and a dynamic coupler coupling the drive member with the lever arm such that the lever arm is drivable by the drive member to rotate the torque element.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A solar tracker drive system for rotatably driving one or more solar objects, said system comprising: a torque element mounted for rotation about an axis, wherein said torque element can support the one or more solar objects for rotation therewith about said axis; a lev

The invention claimed is: 1. A solar tracker drive system for rotatably driving one or more solar objects, said system comprising: a torque element mounted for rotation about an axis, wherein said torque element can support the one or more solar objects for rotation therewith about said axis; a lever arm connected with said torque element, said lever arm being movable to rotate said torque element; a movable drive member that is drivable by a drive mechanism along a linear path in a linear movement of the drive member; a dynamic coupler coupling the linear movement of said drive member with said lever arm such that said lever arm is drivable by said the linear movement of drive member to rotate said torque element; wherein said one or more solar objects form a first set of one or more solar objects, and said system further comprises: a second torque element mounted for rotation about a second axis parallel to the first-mentioned axis, wherein said second torque element supports a second set of one or more solar objects for rotation therewith; a second lever arm connected with said second torque element, said second lever arm being movable to rotate said second torque element; and a second dynamic coupler coupling said drive member with said second lever arm, such that said second lever arm is drivable by said drive member to rotate said second torque element; a drive mechanism operable to drive said drive member into driving engagement with said lever arms; first and second foundations, whereby the first set of one or more solar objects is supported on the first foundation, and the second set of one or more solar objects is supported on the second foundation; whereby said first and second foundations also support said drive mechanism; and a support beam supported on said first and second foundations, said drive mechanism being supported on said support beam such that a load exerted by said drive mechanism is transferred substantially to said first and second foundations. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a drive mechanism operable to drive said drive member into driving engagement with said lever arm, wherein said drive mechanism includes a linear actuator. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the drive member is movable along a linear path and the lever arm is movable through a corresponding angular path. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said dynamic coupler confers a translational degree of freedom in addition to a rotational degree of freedom of the drive member relative to the lever arm. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic coupler couples the drive member with the lever arm in a common point that is translationally movable along the lever arm. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said lever arm has a proximate end fixed to said torque element and a distal end cooperating with the dynamic coupler, said lever arm being dynamically coupled with said dynamic coupler such that an effective lever arm length, measured as a distance between said proximate end and a location of driving contact between said dynamic coupler and said lever arm, varies as said lever arm is moved to rotate said torque element. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the drive member is movable along a linear path and the lever arm is movable through a corresponding angular path, whereby said dynamic coupler and said lever arm are configured such that said effective lever arm length is at a minimum when said lever arm is oriented perpendicular to the linear path. 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a drive mechanism operable to drive said drive member into driving engagement with said lever arm, and wherein one or more objects are supported on a foundation, which foundation also supports the drive mechanism. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic coupler comprises a gimbal sleeve bearing connected with said drive member and coupled with said lever arm such that said lever arm passes therethrough. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic coupler comprises a slider pin that slidably extends from the drive member into an elongated slot provided in the lever arm. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the elongated slot is elongated in a direction along the lever arm. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the slider pin is provided with a roller. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein said drive member is coupled with both of said first and second lever arms, such that linear movement of said drive member causes rotation of said first and second torque elements and the first and second sets of one or more objects in unison. 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the first set of one or more solar objects comprises solar panels that are provided by a first row of solar panels and the second set of one or more solar objects comprises solar panels that are provided by a second row of solar panels. 15. A solar energy collection system comprising: a first row of solar panels; at least a second row of solar panels; and a tracker drive system comprising: a first torque element associated with said first row of solar panels; a second torque element associated with said second row of solar panels, each of said torque elements being mounted for rotation about a generally north-south axis and supporting said first or second row of solar panels for rotation therewith about the generally north-south axis; a first lever arm and a second lever arm, each said lever arm being connected with one of said first or second torque elements and movable to rotate said first or second torque element; a drive member movable along a linear path in a linear movement and a first dynamic coupler coupling the linear movement of said drive member with said first lever arm, a second dynamic coupler coupling the linear movement of said drive member with said second lever arm, whereby the linear movement of said drive member actuates rotation of said first and second lever arms to rotate said first and second torque elements about said generally north-south axes; a drive mechanism mechanically coupled with said drive member to drive said drive member along said linear path; and a first foundation positioned to substantially support the load of said first row of solar panels; a second foundation positioned to substantially support the load of said second row of solar panels; said drive mechanism being mounted so as to be supported by said first and/or second foundation, wherein the drive mechanism is a linear actuator, the system further comprising a support beam supported on said first and second foundations said linear actuator being supported on said support beam such that loads exerted by said drive mechanism is transformed to said first and second foundations. 16. A solar energy collection system comprising: a first row of solar panels; a first foundation positioned to substantially support the first row of solar panels; at least a second row of solar panels; a second foundation positioned to substantially support the load of said second row of solar panels; a support beam supported on said first and second foundations; and a tracker drive system comprising: a first torque element associated with said first row of solar panels; a second torque element associated with said second row of solar panels, each of said torque elements being mounted for rotation about a generally north-south axis and supporting said first or second row of solar panels for rotation therewith about the generally north-south axis; a first lever arm and a second lever arm, each said lever arm being connected with one of said first or second torque elements and movable to rotate said first or second torque element; a drive member movable along a linear path whereby the linear movement of said drive member actuates rotation of said first and second lever arms to rotate said first and second torque elements about said generally north-south axes; and a drive mechanism mechanically coupled with said drive member to drive said drive member along said linear path, wherein said drive mechanism is mounted so as to be supported by said first and/or second foundation and wherein said drive mechanism is a linear actuator that is supported on said support beam such that loads exerted by said drive mechanism is transformed to said first and second foundations.