CN-122029736-A - System for reducing torsional deformations in a solar tracker torque tube

Abstract

A system for reducing torsional deformation or deformation caused by the application of torsional forces in a torque tube of a solar panel tracking system is provided. The system may include a first mechanism that may be coupled to the torque tube at a first location. The first mechanism may have a plurality of position configurations determined by the rotational position of the torque tube at the first position. The second mechanism may be coupled to the torque tube at a second location. The connecting member may transfer the positional configuration of the first mechanism to the second mechanism. The second mechanism may limit torsional deformation of the torque tube at the second position based on the rotational position of the torque tube at the first position.

Inventors

• E. G. Aguado
• S. J. Romero
• A. J. Delacroix

Assignees

• 亚雷科技有限公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20231017

Claims (20)

1. 1. A system for reducing torsional deformation in a solar tracker torque tube, the system comprising: Means for detecting a rotational position of the torque tube at a first position; Means for transmitting the rotational position of the torque tube at the first position to a second position on the torque tube, and Means for limiting torsional deformation of the torque tube at the second position based on a rotational position of the torque tube at the first position.
2. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tracker driver configured to rotate the torque tube, wherein: the first location is a first distance from the tracker driver, The second position is a second distance from the tracker driver, and The second distance is greater than the first distance.
3. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein torsional deformation of the torque tube at the second position is limited when the tracker driver rotates the torque tube.
4. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein: The means for detecting includes a spur gear including a gear and a pinion, the gear coupled to the torque tube at the first position such that the gear and the pinion rotate with the torque tube at the first position, The means for limiting includes a worm gear mechanism including a worm gear and a worm, the worm gear coupled to the torque tube at the second position such that the worm gear and the worm rotate with the torque tube at the second position, The means for transmitting comprises a shaft mechanically connecting the pinion and the worm.
5. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the spur gear has a plurality of position configurations determined by a rotational position of the torque tube at the first position, and the worm and gear mechanism limits torsional deformation of the torque tube at the second position based on the rotational position of the torque tube at the first position.
6. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the worm gear mechanism is irreversible such that pressure applied to the worm from the worm gear does not cause rotation of the shaft.
7. 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the worm contacts the worm gear only when the rotational position of the torque tube at the second position is different than the rotational position of the torque tube at the first position.
8. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein: The means for detecting comprises a first cylinder comprising a first piston rod and a first chamber, the first cylinder being coupled between the torque tube and a first support structure at the first position, such that the first cylinder is actuated together with the torque tube at the first position, The means for limiting includes a second cylinder having a second piston rod and a second chamber, the second cylinder coupled between the torque tube and a second support structure such that the second cylinder actuates with the torque tube in the second position, and The means for transferring includes a conduit fluidly connecting a first chamber in the first cylinder with a second chamber in the second cylinder.
9. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first cylinder has a plurality of position configurations determined by rotational positions of the torque tube at the first position, and the second cylinder limits torsional deformation of the torque tube at the second position based on the rotational positions of the torque tube at the first position.
10. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder are coupled to opposite sides of the torque tube such that: Rotation of the tracker driver of the torque tube in a first direction causes the first piston rod to compress into the first chamber and causes the second piston rod to extend from the second chamber, and Rotation of the tracker driver of the torque tube in a second direction causes the first piston rod to extend from the first cylinder and causes the second piston rod to compress into the second cylinder.
11. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the torque tube is at least partially hollow and at least a portion of the conduit extends within the torque tube to fluidly communicate a first chamber in the first cylinder with a second chamber in the second cylinder.
12. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein: The apparatus for detecting includes a first pulley system including a first extension arm coupled to the torque tube at the first location such that the first extension arm rotates with the torque tube at the first location, a first pulley coupled to a first support structure such that the first pulley rotates relative to the first support structure, and a first portion of a cable secured to the first extension arm at one end and passing through the first pulley at an opposite end such that a length of the first portion of the cable varies based on a rotational position of the torque tube at the first location; The means for limiting includes a second pulley system having a second extension arm coupled to the torque tube at the second position such that the second extension arm rotates with the torque tube at the second position, a second pulley coupled to a second support structure such that the second pulley rotates relative to the second support structure, and a second portion of a cable secured at one end to the second extension arm and passing through the second pulley at an opposite end such that a length of the second portion of the cable varies based on a rotational position of the torque tube at the second position, and The means for transferring includes a third portion of cable connecting the first portion of cable with the second portion of cable.
13. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first pulley system has a plurality of position configurations determined by rotational positions of the torque tube at the first position, and the second pulley system limits torsional deformation of the torque tube at the second position based on the rotational positions of the torque tube at the first position.
14. 14. A system for reducing torsional deformation in a solar tracker torque tube, the system comprising: a spur gear comprising a gear and a pinion gear, the gear coupled to a torque tube at a first position such that the gear and the pinion gear rotate with the torque tube at the first position, wherein the spur gear has a plurality of position configurations determined by a rotational position of the torque tube at the first position; a worm gear mechanism including a worm gear and a worm, the worm gear coupled to the torque tube at a second position such that the worm gear and the worm rotate with the torque tube at the second position, and A shaft mechanically connecting the pinion and the worm to transfer a positional configuration of the spur gear to the worm gear mechanism, wherein the worm gear mechanism limits torsional deformation of the torque tube at the second position based on a rotational position of the torque tube at the first position.
15. 15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a tracker driver configured to rotate the torque tube, wherein the spur gear is part of the tracker driver.
16. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the worm gear mechanism limits torsional deformation of the torque tube at the second position when the tracker driver rotates the torque tube.
17. 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the worm gear mechanism is irreversible such that pressure applied to the worm from the worm gear does not cause rotation of the shaft.
18. 18. The system of claim 14, wherein the worm contacts the worm gear only when the rotational position of the torque tube at the second position is different than the rotational position of the torque tube at the first position.
19. 19. A system for reducing torsional deformation in a solar tracker torque tube, the system comprising: A first cylinder comprising a first piston rod and a first chamber, the first cylinder coupled between a torque tube and a first support structure at a first position such that the first cylinder is actuated with the torque tube at the first position, wherein the first cylinder has a plurality of position configurations determined by a rotational position of the torque tube at the first position; a second cylinder having a second piston rod and a second chamber, the second cylinder coupled between the torque tube and a second support structure at a second position such that the second cylinder actuates with the torque tube at the second position, and A conduit fluidly communicating a first chamber of the first cylinder with a second chamber of the second cylinder to transfer a positional configuration of the first cylinder to the second cylinder, wherein the second cylinder limits torsional deformation of the torque tube at the second position based on a rotational position of the torque tube at the first position.
20. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder are coupled to opposite sides of the torque tube such that: Rotation of the tracker driver of the torque tube in a first direction causes the first piston rod to compress into the first chamber and causes the second piston rod to extend from the second chamber, and Rotation of the tracker driver of the torque tube in a second direction causes the first piston rod to extend from the first cylinder and causes the second piston rod to compress into the second cylinder.

Description

System for reducing torsional deformations in a solar tracker torque tube The inventors: E.G.Adenodol, S.J.Romezle, A.J.Delaragluz Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a system for reducing torsional deformation or deformation caused by the application of torsional forces in a torque tube of a solar panel tracking system. Background Solar power plants, photovoltaic (PV) power plants, and other solar energy systems, in which a large number of PV modules collect sunlight and produce energy, are becoming increasingly popular. In some of these systems, multiple PV modules are coupled to a single torque tube that is mounted on one or more support structures or piles (piles). The torque tube interface may be used to secure the torque tube to a support structure. In a solar panel tracking system (or a system in which the PV module is capable of tracking the position of the sun throughout the day), the torque tube is coupled to the torque tube interface in a manner that allows the torque tube to rotate relative to the support structure. The tracker drive may be used to selectively rotate the torque tube and the PV module coupled thereto. Changing the angle of the PV module relative to the support structure enables the PV module to track the position of the sun and maximize efficiency. While rotating the torque tube to change the angle of the PV module enables the PV module to track the position of the sun and improve the efficiency of the system, this rotational freedom can also have adverse effects. For example, wind, seismic activity, and other events may cause torsional deformation, or the torque tube of these systems is deformed by the application of torsional forces. As the distance from the tracker driver increases, the amount of torsional deformation may increase along the torque tube. This is because the tracker driver that controls the rotational position of the torque tube prevents torsional deformation of the portion of the torque tube that is adjacent to the tracker driver. However, in systems that include long torque tubes, the amount of torsional deformation at certain locations along the torque tube may be sufficient to damage or destroy the PV modules secured at those locations. Due to the natural frequency of the structure, even moderate wind levels can produce significant torsional deformations. To address this problem, systems have been developed that lock the torque tube in a rotated position. There are several problems with current locking systems. First, in order for the tracker drive to rotate the torque tube, the locking mechanism in many of these systems must be disengaged. When the locking system is disengaged, the torque tube is susceptible to torsional deformation, even if the time is short. Furthermore, these systems are not passive and they rely on a continuous power supply to operate. This makes these systems susceptible to power interruption and electrical failure caused by environmental conditions such as rain. In other systems, torsional deformation is limited by mounting tracker drives at multiple locations along the torque tube. However, the tracker drives in these multiple drive systems must operate nearly perfectly in unison to avoid damaging the torque tube and/or the drive motor and are therefore prone to failure. Accordingly, there is a need for a system that includes a constant reduction in the amount of torsional deformation in the torque tube as the tracker driver actively rotates the torque tube. Furthermore, there is a need for a passive system that is constantly resistant to torsional deformation but does not require external energy or additional tracker drivers to operate. The subject matter claimed in this disclosure is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is provided only to illustrate one example technical area in which some embodiments described in the present disclosure may be practiced. Disclosure of Invention This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure address problems encountered in conventional solar panel tracking systems, including problems associated with torsional deformation that may damage or destroy the PV module and tracker components. To overcome these problems, a system is provided herein that limits the amount of torsional deflection at one location on a torque tube based on the amount of torsional deflection at another location on the torque tube. According to the present disclosure, the rotational position of the torque tube at the first position may be detected. The rotational position of the t