ES1264506U - SOLAR TRACKER WITH FOLDING FRAME ALMOST FLOORING (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Solar tracker with the solar panels (2) fixed on a frame (1) whose lower upright is articulated by means of hinges (10) to an elongated support (5) with wheels at its ends (6) and connected to a central drum (3) perpendicular and fixed to the support plane around which the solar tracker rotates driven by a motor with a gearbox (8) characterized in that the elongated support (5) is attached to at least one base leg (7) that runs substantially parallel to the support plane, it is enough to connect at its other end with an outer wheel (9) located in the rear area of the frame (1) and because above the base leg (7) and at a point close to the outer wheel (9) supports in an articulated manner at least one oblique arm of variable length (11) which at its upper end is articulated in the upper part of the back of the frame (1) so that when the oblique arm of variable length (11) is extended, the frame (1) pivots with respect to its hinges (10) and is It moves closer to the vertical plane and when the oblique arm of variable length (¡1) shrinks, the frame (1) collapses until it is very close to the support plane of the solar tracker. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Solar tracker with folding frame almost at ground level

Technical field

The invention refers to a revolving base that allows the frame to be folded almost flush with the ground thanks to one or more oblique arms of variable length located at its rear.

State of the art

The currently existing two-axis solar trackers solve the movement based on two types; mono pole and carousel type. In the former, a central pole with a vertical axis communicates the azimuth rotation by means of a crown to a second, horizontal axis, with respect to which the photovoltaic frame pivots, held by its horizontal central band. In carousel-type trackers, one or more frames are tilted by their horizontal central bands with respect to horizontal bearing axes, which are then held by inclined or vertical uprights to a rotating platform.

In utility model No. U202030706 of the same author of the present invention, a unique movement system is proposed in which the frame is rigidly attached to rear uprights that converge at one end only. The assembly formed by the frame and rear uprights is non-deformable because it is triangular, with the whole of it tilting with respect to some hinges that hold the base of the frame to an elongated rotating support. The end where the rear uprights converge is supported by a continuous perimeter support of variable height with respect to the ground.

Both the utility model n ° U202030706 and the present invention differ from the carousel trackers because the photovoltaic frame is never joined to the rotating structure by its horizontal central band, pivoting symmetrically, but rather by its lower edge where it is located. the tilt axis and on which the frame is fully tilted.

The present invention differs from utility model No. U202030706 because the frame is never tilted jointly with its rear uprights or arms as a whole and although these also converge at its rear end, the support of the latter is always flush. on the ground and not on a variable height guide. These new characteristics allow the solar tracker of the present invention to adjust the inclination of the frame for each hour of the day and each day of the year, something that was not possible with utility model No. U202030706, apart from having other advantages that will be described in the description of the drawings.

Description of the invention

The solar tracker with the solar panels (2) fixed on a frame (1) whose lower upright is articulated by means of hinges (10) to an elongated support (5) with wheels at its ends (6) and connected to a central bolt ( 3) perpendicular and fixed to the support plane around which the solar tracker rotates, driven by a motor with gearbox (8), it is characterized in that the elongated support (5) is attached to at least one base leg (7) that runs substantially parallel to the support plane until it connects at its other end with an outer wheel (9) located in the rear area of the frame (1) and because the base leg (7) and at a point near the outer wheel (9) are supports articulated at least one arm oblique variable length arm (11) which at its upper end is articulated in the upper part of the back of the frame (1) so that when the oblique variable length arm (11) is extended, the frame (1) pivots with respect to its hinges (10) and is raised approaching the vertical plane and when the oblique arm of variable length (11) shrinks, the frame (1) is lowered until it is very close to the support plane of the solar tracker.

To fight against the wind forces it is necessary to have a counterweight (12) in an area close to the outer wheel (9).

If you want to do without the counterweight (12) so that the tracker is lighter, then you must have, attached to the base leg (7) and in an area close to the outer wheel (9), a rear hook (13) that during the entire rotational movement of the solar tracker, it remains inserted within a stop (14) embedded in the ground and directed and concentric to the axis of the central bolt (3) so that during a request for wind, it affects the back of the frame (1), prevent the frame from tipping over.

In the case of non-flat or uneven terrain, a common circular rolling rail (15) can be arranged under the wheels (6) located at the ends of the elongated support (5) and also under the outer wheel (9). concentric to the axis of the central bolt (3).

In order to secure the tracker to large windows in highly exposed places, two lower hooks (16) can be arranged, connected below the elongated support (5), in symmetry with respect to the central bolt (3), which are inserted inside of a continuous circular stop (17) fixed to the ground concentrically to the central bolt (3). The continuous circular stop (17) will also be common to that of the rear hook (13) attached to the base leg (7).

In the event that the ground cannot be drilled in the central area of the tracker, there must be tie rods (19), fixed to the ground in a perimeter area, which hold a floating bracket (18) within which the bolt can rotate. central (3).

The anti-lifting of the frame by its base will be guaranteed by its lower hooks (16) inserted in the continuous circular stop (17), fixed to the ground more on the periphery or fixed on a common circular rolling rail (15) for all the follower wheels. In turn, it may be tangent to circular rolling rails (15) of other contiguous solar trackers, in order to save on anchoring and foundation costs.

In the case of flat flowerbeds and in order to minimize contact on them, the tracker can have an external circular continuous profile (32) joined integrally to all the supports of the wheels (6 and 9) of the tracker or other auxiliary wheels ( 31) intermediate that could be installed; This profile (32) is inserted without touching them into several perimeter hooks (33) in the shape of an inverted C or L and anchored to the ground so that in the event of wind they will prevent the tracker from lifting.

The oblique arm of variable length (11) can have three embodiments.

In a first embodiment a push rod (20) extends protruding from a casing tube (21) as a linear actuator driven by an electric motor (22).

In a second embodiment a metric rod (23) that rotates on itself is driven by a base motor (30) fixed on a motor support articulated to the base leg (7) near the outer wheel (9) and screwed into its upper end inside a nut (24) hinged on the upper upright of the frame (1).

In a third embodiment, an upper post (25) articulated at its upper end in an upper area of the frame (1) and at its lower end to a lower post (26) of equal length which in turn articulates below the base leg (7) near the outer wheel (9) and by having the two uprights (25 and 26) in their central common articulation, an intermediate nut (28), also articulated that threads to a radial metric rod (29) driven in its rotation with respect to its axis by its base motor (36) whose support is articulated with the base leg (7) in an area close to the elongated support (5).

Description of the drawings

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention can be seen from the following description, in which, without any limitation, some preferred modes of carrying out the invention are reported with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a rear view of the solar tracker where it can be seen how the base leg (7) is integrally attached to the elongated support (5) and at the other end of it the oblique arm of variable height (11) is articulated, consisting of a metric rod (23) that runs, rotating on itself thanks to a base motor (30), through the interior of a nut (24) articulated to the upper band of the frame (1). Another motor with reducer (8) acts on one of the wheels (6) of the elongated support (5), making the whole assembly rotate with respect to the axis of the central bolt (3). A counterweight (12) in extension to the axis of the outer wheel (9) will prevent the assembly from tipping over due to the force of the wind. The programming of the control panel of the two motors (8 and 30), in their start and stop times, will make it possible for the tracker to place the frame plane (1) every day of the year and at every moment of the day in position. perpendicular to the sun's rays. The broken line shows the frame (1) in a collapsed position almost flush with the ground with the nut (24) at its travel stop along the metric rod (23). The advantages of lowering the frame almost to the ground are significant; the ease and speed of assembly, cleaning and maintenance throughout the life of the installation and as a defensive position against large windows.

Fig. 2 shows a detail of a way to anchor the central bolt (3) in order to prevent the frame (1) from lifting due to a strong gust of wind. A cup (27) attached to the bolt (3) embraces a stirrup cover (4) screwed to the ground.

Fig. 3 shows a follower with a counterweight (12) and the motor with a reducer (8) located on the outer wheel (9). In this embodiment, another external auxiliary wheel (9) is used to stabilize the weight during the movement. There are also second end base legs (7) to further stiffen the assembly.

Fig. 4 shows a tracker with a rear hook (13) attached below to the base leg (7). The lower hook (13) remains inserted throughout the circular movement within the inverted C or L section of a stop (14), with a continuous horseshoe guideline, fixed to the ground, which means that a counterweight is no longer required. The inclination is produced by the linear actuator with its push arm (20) and its enveloping tube (21).

Fig. 5 shows a follower with circular tread (15) common to all wheels (6 and 9) composed of self-supporting parts, with lower regulation to adapt to inclined or irregular surfaces and with a continuous horseshoe stop (14).

Fig. 6 shows another example of how the central bolt (3) can be fixed in the ground, with the stirrup cover (4) welded at its lower end with a cup (27) that embraces it fixed to the ground or ground.

In Fig. 7 the rear part of a tracker is shown where a continuous circular stop (17) can be seen that holds the rear hook (13) of the base leg (7) as well as the lower hooks (16) of the elongated support (5). At the same time, the central bolt (3) is held horizontally by means of a floating clamp (18) welded to concentric tie rods (19) that are welded to the continuous circular stop (17) fixed to the ground. In this way, the stirrup cover (4) can be dispensed with and its lower anchoring in the center since the anti-lifting function passes to the perimeter thanks to the aforementioned lower hooks (16). With this type of embodiment, the tracker of the present invention could be installed, for example, just above a large skylight or on flat roofs of buildings where the asphalt fabric cannot be perforated.

Fig. 8 shows the detail in section of how the central bolt (3) is held by the floating clamp (18).

Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of a tracker where the circular continuous stop (17) is fixed on the circular rolling base (15). It is also an embodiment with two oblique arms of variable length (11) with its two motors (22) fully synchronized.

Fig. 10 shows in section the continuous circular stop (17) fixed on the perimeter circular rolling base (15).

Fig. 11 shows a side elevation embodiment of a tracker with the oblique arm of variable length (11) composed of an upper post (25) and a lower post (26) of equal length and articulated with each other by means of an intermediate articulated nut. (28) inside which is screwed a radial metric rod (29) driven by its base motor (36) whose support is articulated to the base leg (7) very close to the elongated support (5). In the figure the frame (1) is in a position of maximum height.

Fig. 12 shows the follower of Fig. 11 in an almost completely lowered position, very close to the ground.

Fig. 13 shows in section a circular rolling base (15) common for two contiguous followers but at different levels.

Fig. 14 shows a plan view of the circular rolling bases (15) of several solar trackers, joined tangentially to each other. This action would minimize the costs of anchoring to the ground at the same time that it would maximize the effectiveness of the foundation behaving as a whole.

Fig. 15 shows an embodiment, for flat beds, where contact with the ground is minimal for a maximum surface of solar panels. The elongated support (5) has been designed with more edge than necessary in order to be able to support an additional frame (34) with a fixed inclination but it will rotate with the main frame (1); the two frames drawn in dashed lines. To stabilize the lower ends of the additional frame (34) a pair of auxiliary wheels (31) with radial tie rods (35) have been added that join them to the elongated support (5). In this embodiment, the exterior circular continuous profile (32) is seen, welded perimeter to the tracker wheels (6, 9 and 31), which will only come into contact with the perimeter hooks (33) in the event of wind. With this type of trackers, the force of the wind practically does not cause bending efforts in any of its structural elements, this enables large-scale constructions, such as the one shown in this figure, where the profile of a man is drawn in the foreground. flat.

Once the nature of the invention is sufficiently described, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is stated everything that does not change, alter or modify its fundamental principle, it may be subject to variations in detail, being the essential thing and for which a Model of Utility, for ten years, which is summarized in the following claims.

Claims (12)

1. Solar tracker with the solar panels (2) fixed to a frame (1) whose lower upright is articulated by means of hinges (10) to an elongated support (5) with wheels at its ends (6) and connected to a central bolt (3) perpendicular and fixed to the support plane around which the solar tracker rotates driven by a gear motor (8) characterized in that the elongated support (5) is attached to at least one base leg (7) that runs substantially parallel to the support plane until it connects at its other end with an outer wheel (9) located in the rear area of the frame (1) and because the base leg (7) is on top and at a point near the outer wheel (9) at least one oblique arm of variable length (11) is supported in an articulated manner, which at its upper end is articulated in the upper part of the back of the frame (1) so that when the oblique arm of variable length (11) is extended, the frame (1) pivots with respect to its hinges (10) and is l It rises approaching the vertical plane and when the oblique arm of variable length (11) shrinks, the frame (1) collapses until it is very close to the support plane of the solar tracker. 2. Solar tracker according to claim 1 characterized by having a counterweight (12) attached in an area close to the outer wheel (9) to counteract the wind thrust that affects the back of the frame (1) and prevent it from tipping over. 3. Solar tracker according to claim 1 characterized by having, attached to the base leg (7) and in an area close to the outer wheel (9), of a rear hook (13) that during the entire rotation movement of the solar tracker , is inserted into a stop (14) embedded in the ground and directive and concentric to the axis of the central bolt (3) so that during a request for wind, which affects the back of the frame (1), prevents it from overturn. 4. Solar tracker according to claims 1 and 3 characterized by having under the wheels (6) located at the ends of the elongated support (5) and also under the outer wheel (9), a common circular rolling rail (15) concentric to the axis of the central bolt (3). 5. Solar tracker according to claims 1, 3 and 4 characterized by having, connected below the elongated support (5), two lower hooks (16), in symmetry with respect to the central bolt (3), which are inserted inside a stop continuous circular (17) fixed to the ground concentrically to the central bolt (3) and common to the rear hook (13) attached to the base leg (7). 6. Solar tracker according to claims 1 to 5, characterized by having tie rods (19), fixed to the ground in a perimeter area, which hold a floating bracket (18) within which the central bolt (3) can rotate without necessity of this pierce the ground to anchor in it. 7. Solar tracker according to claims 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 characterized in that the continuous circular stop (17) is attached to the common circular rolling rail (15). 8. Solar tracker according to claims 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 characterized in that the set of continuous circular stop (17) and common circular rolling rail (15) are arranged in tangential connection to another set of continuous circular stop (17) and circular track (15) corresponding to a contiguous solar tracker. Solar tracker according to claims 1, 3, 4 and 6 characterized by having a continuous outer circular profile (32) joined integrally to all the supports of the wheels (6 and 9) of the tracker or other intermediate auxiliary wheels (31) that could be installed and inserted without touch them inside several perimeter hooks (33) in the shape of an inverted C or L and anchored to the ground that in case of wind will prevent the tracker from lifting. 10. Solar tracker according to claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the oblique arm of variable length (11) is constituted by a push rod (20) that extends out of an enveloping tube (21) as a linear actuator driven by an electric motor (22). Solar tracker according to claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the oblique arm of variable length (11) is constituted by a metric rod (23) that rotates on itself driven by a base motor (30) fixed on a base articulated to the base leg (7) near the outer wheel (9) and screwed on its upper end inside a nut (24) hinged on the upper frame of the frame (1). 12. Solar tracker according to claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the oblique arm of variable length (11) is constituted by an upper post (25) articulated at its upper end in an upper area of the frame (1) and at its lower end to a lower upright (26) of equal length which in turn articulates inferiorly to the base leg (7) near the outer wheel (9) and by having the two uprights (25 and 26) in their central common articulation, an intermediate nut (28) that screws to a radial metric rod (29) driven in its rotation with respect to its axis by a base motor (36) whose support is articulated with the base leg (7) in a near elongated support area (5) .