ITPD20100296A1 - LOCKING SYSTEM FOR PANELS MOUNTED ON TRACKERS - Google Patents

Description

TITLE

LOCKING SYSTEM FOR PANELS MOUNTED ON

PURSUERS

DESCRIPTION

The present patent relates to solar trackers and in particular concerns a new locking system for panels mounted on solar trackers.

Solar trackers are known, suitable for maximizing the efficiency of the devices mounted on it.

In a photovoltaic system, several photovoltaic panels are usually mounted on a single tracker. These photovoltaic system trackers have the function of orienting all the panels in an optimal way with respect to incident solar radiation, in order to maximize absorption.

In a solar concentration plant, on the other hand, a tracker is useful to keep the fire point generated by the paraboloid on the channeling element of the liquid to be heated constant.

Mono or biaxial solar trackers are known, ie able to rotate the panels with respect to one or two axes.

For example, monoaxial trackers defined as "roll" are known, adapted to rotate said panels to follow the trajectory of the sun along the celestial vault in its daily path, regardless of the season of use.

In these trackers, the axis of rotation of the panels is oriented in a north-south direction, while the height of the sun relative to the horizon is ignored. These trackers are particularly suitable for low-latitude countries, where the sun's path is broader on average during the year. Photovoltaic systems are known comprising a single-axis solar tracker equipped with a shaft arranged substantially horizontally and connected to a device which causes it to rotate controlled around its longitudinal axis.

Several photovoltaic panels side by side are rigidly mounted on said shaft, so that the rotation of the shaft causes the simultaneous and corresponding rotation of all the panels.

However, systems of this type have some drawbacks.

Each panel mounted on the shaft of the tracker is subjected to stresses due to the action of atmospheric phenomena, with consequent slight displacements of the panels from the optimal position and vibrations which in the long run can compromise the correct functioning of the tracker. To solve this drawback, solar trackers are known equipped with several shafts and support brackets for the panels, suitable for minimizing such unwanted movements. However, these trackers are constructively and mechanically more complex and therefore more expensive and difficult to maintain.

The subject of the present patent is a new type of locking system for solar panels on solar trackers.

The main aim of the present invention consists in ensuring the maintenance of the optimal position of the panels when they are not moved by the follower and in limiting the vibrations.

Another object of the present invention is to operate automatically without the manual intervention of the operator.

Another object of the present invention is to be able to operate in a synchronized manner with other devices mounted on the same tracker.

Another object of the present invention is to ensure plant simplicity and ease of intervening in the event of malfunctions, having a closed and autonomous hydraulic circuit with respect to any other part of the system and to other devices mounted on the same tracker.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the costs of construction, construction, installation and maintenance of the plant.

These and other direct and complementary purposes are achieved by the new locking system for panels mounted on trackers, comprising one or more locking devices for the movement of the panels, each in turn comprising in its main parts at least one double-acting hydraulic cylinder. , directly or indirectly insisting on the rotation shaft of the panels, and at least one locking / unlocking mechanism adapted to prevent or allow the movement of said hydraulic cylinder, consequently preventing or permitting the rotation of the panel itself.

Said locking mechanism comprises a duct for the circulation of fluid with a first point of entry into the first chamber of said hydraulic cylinder, before the start of the stroke of the rod, and at least a second point of entry into the second chamber of said hydraulic cylinder, after the limit switch, and at least one lock / release valve adapted to allow the passage of fluid from one chamber to another to allow or prevent the relative translation of the stem in one direction or in the opposite direction.

When said block valve is closed, the passage of the fluid is prevented and therefore the position of the hydraulic cylinder is blocked.

When the valve is open, the passage of fluid is allowed and therefore the stem is free to translate in response to any thrust received from the outside.

Therefore, when the follower is activated to rotate the panel, said block valve opens to allow the panel to rotate. On the contrary, when the panel has been placed in the optimal position for exposure to solar radiation, said block valve is closed and prevents any further movement due to unwanted external stresses.

It is envisaged that said valve is electronically connected, for example, to the device for moving the follower so that an actuation of said device causes the automatic and instantaneous opening of the valve. On the contrary, when the handling device is not in operation, the valve is automatically and instantaneously closed.

The locking device therefore comprises a completely closed hydraulic system, without the need for hydraulic connections with other devices and can be easily installed on the follower.

It is therefore possible to install more than one locking device hydraulically independent of each other, which can be synchronized for example by means of an electronic control unit connected to the movement device of the tracker and to the block valves of all said trackers.

The characteristics of the new locking system will be better clarified by the following description with reference to the drawing tables, attached by way of non-limiting example.

Figure 1 schematizes a solar system with five panels (P) mounted on a single-axis solar tracker (A).

Figures 2 and 3 schematically show a side view of a solar panel (P) mounted on the single-axis solar tracker (A), with locking device (1) in the fully open (K) and fully closed (H) positions, respectively. .

Figures 4, 5 and 6, 7 show only the locking device (1), respectively in lateral and sectional views, in the fully open (K) and fully closed (H) positions.

Figure 8 shows in detail, in longitudinal section, only the locking device (1).

It is a locking system for solar panels (P) on solar trackers (A).

In the example shown in the figures, said solar tracker (A) is of the monoaxial type, comprising a fixed structure (A21) for anchoring to the ground, a mobile structure (A21) in turn comprising a shaft (A1) for supporting and moving one or more panels (P), and a movement device (A4) of said shaft (A1), and where the rotation of the shaft (A1) causes the corresponding rotation of all said panels (P) constrained on it.

In the solution shown in the figures, said shaft (A1) can be rotated around its own longitudinal axis (X), oriented in the North - South direction. Said locking system comprises, arranged at modular or constant distances, one or more locking devices (1 ) of the rotation of said shaft (A1), each installed between said fixed structure (A21) of the follower (A) and said mobile structure (A21).

In particular, each of said locking devices (1) comprises at least one double-acting hydraulic cylinder (2) and at least one locking / unlocking mechanism (3) adapted to prevent or allow the movement of the hydraulic cylinder (2) itself.

Said hydraulic cylinder (2) comprises a cylinder (21) and a double rod (22) with central piston (23), said rod (22) having a stroke limited by a start of stroke or fully closed position (H), shown in figures 4, 6, 8, to a limit switch or fully open position (K), shown in figures 3, 5, 7.

Said hydraulic cylinder (2) is hinged between said fixed structure (A21) of said follower (A) and said mobile structure (A21), for example directly or indirectly hinged to one of said panels (P).

In particular, said cylinder (21) is hinged in a fixed point (A3) integral with said fixed structure (A2) of the follower (A), in an offset position with respect to the axis (X) of rotation of the shaft (A1) .

An end (221) of said stem (22) is instead hinged in a movable point (PI) directly or indirectly integral with said panel (P), in an offset position with respect to the axis (X) of rotation of the shaft (Al ).

Therefore, when said hydraulic cylinder (2) is released, said panel (P) can be rotated around said shaft (A1) in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, with corresponding rotation of the hydraulic cylinder (2) and relative translation of said rod. (22) with respect to the cylinder (21), in one direction or in the opposite direction.

It can be envisaged that said hydraulic cylinder (2) comprises rod protecting bellows (26, 27) mounted on the rod (22).

Said locking / unlocking mechanism (3) comprises a duct (31) for the circulation of fluid, said duct (31) communicating with the inside of the hydraulic cylinder (2) and in particular having a first attachment point (33) on the cylinder (21), with entry into the chamber (24) of said hydraulic cylinder (2) at or in a rearward position with respect to the stroke start (H) of the rod (22), and a second attachment point (34), with entry into the chamber (25) at or in an advanced position with respect to the stroke end (K) of said stem (22).

Said fluid can therefore circulate between the two chambers (24, 25) of the hydraulic cylinder (2), due to the translation of said rod (22), in one direction or in the opposite direction, said translation being induced by the rotation of the panel (P ) moved by the pursuer (A).

Said locking / unlocking mechanism (3) comprises at least one locking / unlocking valve (32) installed on said duct (31) and suitable for allowing / preventing the passage of fluid from one chamber (24, 25) to the other. When said block valve (32) is closed, the passage of the fluid is prevented and therefore the position of the hydraulic cylinder (2) is blocked because the same pressure of the fluid in one or both of said chambers (24, 25) prevents the stroke of the stem (22).

When the block valve (32) is open, the passage of fluid is allowed and therefore the stem (22) is free to translate corresponding to any thrust received from the outside due to the rotation of the panel (P).

It is envisaged that said valve (32) is electronically connected to said movement device (A4) of the follower (A), for example by means of at least one electronic control unit (4).

It can be envisaged that the locking system comprises at least one electronic control unit (4) connected to all said valves (32) of the locking devices (1) and to said movement device (A4) of the follower (A), to synchronize each other all locking devices (1).

These are the schematic modalities sufficient for the skilled person to implement the invention, consequently, in concrete application there may be variations without prejudice to the substance of the innovative concept.

Therefore, with reference to the above description and the attached tables, the following claims are expressed.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS 1. Locking system for panels (P) on a follower (A) of the mono or biaxial type, said follower (A) comprising a fixed structure (A21) and a mobile structure (A22) adapted to support said panels (P), with at least one shaft (A1) for supporting and moving said panels (P) and at least one moving device (A4) for said shaft (A1), characterized in that it comprises at least one hydraulic locking device (1) of the rotation of said tree (A1) in turn comprising: • at least one double-acting hydraulic cylinder (2) hinged to a fixed point (A3) preferably integral with the fixed structure (A21) of said follower (A) and with a mobile point (PI) directly or indirectly integral with one or more of said panels (P) or to said shaft (A1); • at least one locking / unlocking mechanism (3) of the movement of said double-acting hydraulic cylinder (2), consequently preventing / allowing the rotation of the panel (P) itself or of said shaft (A1) and where the hydraulic circuit of said locking device (1) is completely closed. 2. Locking system, as per claim 1, characterized in that said double-acting hydraulic cylinder (2) comprises a cylinder (21) and a double rod (22) with central piston (23), said rod (22) having a stroke limited by a start of stroke or fully closed position (H), to an end stroke or fully open position (K), and where said cylinder (21) is hinged in said fixed point (A3) to said fixed structure ( A21) of the follower (A), and one end (221) of said stem (22) is hinged in said movable point (PI) of said panel (P). 3. Locking system, as per claims 1, 2, characterized in that said locking / unlocking mechanism (3) comprises: • at least one duct (31) for the circulation of fluid, said duct (31) communicating with the inside of the hydraulic cylinder (2) and in particular having a first attachment point (33) on the cylinder (21), with entry into the chamber (24) of said hydraulic cylinder (2) at or in a rearward position with respect to the stroke start (H) of the rod (22), and a second attachment point (34), with entry into the chamber (25) of said hydraulic cylinder (2) at or in an advanced position with respect to the stroke end (K) of said rod (22); • at least one lock / release valve (32) on said duct (21) designed to prevent / allow the passage of fluid from one chamber (24, 25) to another to prevent / allow relative translation of the stem (22) in one way or the other, and where when said block valve (32) is closed, the passage of the fluid is prevented and therefore the hydraulic cylinder (2) is blocked, while when the valve (32) is open, the passage of fluid is allowed and therefore the cylinder hydraulic (2) is unlocked. 4. Locking system, as per claims 1, 2, 3, characterized in that said valve (32) is electronically directly or indirectly connectable to the movement device (A4) of the follower (A) so that each actuation of said the handling device (A4) causes the automatic and instant opening of said valve (32), while when the handling device (A4) is not in operation, the valve (32) is automatically and instantaneously closed, generating the blocking. 5. Locking system, as per claims 1, 2, 3, 4, characterized in that it comprises two or more of said locking devices (1) at modular or constant distances, each hinged to said fixed structure (A21) of the tracker and directly or indirectly to one or more panels (P), said locking devices (1) being hydraulically independent from each other, and at least one electronic control unit (4) connected to the movement device (A4) of the tracker (A) and to the block valves (32) of said blocking devices (1), said control unit (4) being able to synchronize said valves (32) of all the blocking devices (1).