公开(公告)号：US10305419B1

公开(公告)日：2019-05-28

申请号：US14746643

申请日：2015-06-22

Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.

Inventor： Daniel Shugar

IPC: B08B7/00 ,  B08B7/04 ,  H02S40/10 ,  B08B1/00 ,  B08B3/02 ,  G01C21/00

Abstract: A method and system for cleaning an array of solar panels. The system can include an applicator apparatus configured with a plurality of cleaning devices, and an automatic position system (APS) configured with the applicator apparatus. The APS can include a first and second sensor coupled to the applicator apparatus. A controller coupled to the first and second sensor devices can be configured to adjust a position of the applicator apparatus to maintain the plurality of cleaning devices in a direction facing a solar panel to facilitate a removal of an undesired material from the solar panel, while the applicator apparatus is moved from a first position to a second position. A mobile vehicle can be configured with the applicator apparatus to move along a row of the array of solar panels to perform the method for cleaning.

公开(公告)号：US10075125B2

公开(公告)日：2018-09-11

申请号：US14972036

申请日：2015-12-16

Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.

Inventor： Yang Liu ,  Alex Au

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  H02S40/32 ,  H02S40/38 ,  H02S40/34 ,  H01L31/042

Abstract: A solar tracker apparatus includes an adjustable hanger assembly that has a clam shell hanger assembly. The clam shell hanger assembly may hold a torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end. A center of mass of the solar tracker apparatus may be aligned with a center of rotation of the torque tubes, in order to reduce a load of a drive device operably coupled to the torque tube. Solar modules may be coupled to the torque tubes. The solar tracker includes an energy system that includes solar panel, a DC to DC converter, a battery, and a micro-controller. The energy system may facilitate full operation movement of the tracker apparatus without any external power lines.

公开(公告)号：US10008975B2

公开(公告)日：2018-06-26

申请号：US14489416

申请日：2014-09-17

Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.

Inventor： Alexander W. Au

IPC: A47F5/00 ,  H02S20/32 ,  H02S20/00 ,  F16L3/02 ,  F16M13/02 ,  F24J2/52 ,  F24J2/54

CPC classification number: H02S20/32 ,  F16L3/02 ,  F16M13/022 ,  F24S25/10 ,  F24S25/70 ,  F24S30/425 ,  F24S2030/15 ,  F24S2030/17 ,  H02S20/00 ,  Y02E10/47 ,  Y02E10/50 ,  Y10T29/49826 ,  Y10T29/49947

Abstract: In an example, the solar tracker has a clamp assembly configured to pivot a torque tube. In an example, the assembly has a support structure configured as a frame having configured by a first and second anchoring region. In an example, the support structure is configured from a thickness of metal material. In an example, the support structure is configured in an upright manner, and has a major plane region. In an example, the assembly has a pivot device configured on the support structure, a torque tube suspending on the pivot device and aligned within an opening of the support, and configured to be normal to the plane region. In an example, the torque tube is configured on the pivot device to move about an arc in a first direction or in a second direction such that the first direction is in a direction opposite to the second direction.

公开(公告)号：US20180167025A1

公开(公告)日：2018-06-14

申请号：US15890934

申请日：2018-02-07

Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.

Inventor： Alexander W. AU

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  H02S20/00 ,  F16M13/02 ,  F16L3/02

CPC classification number: H02S20/32 ,  F16L3/02 ,  F16M13/022 ,  F24S25/10 ,  F24S25/70 ,  F24S30/425 ,  F24S2030/15 ,  F24S2030/17 ,  H02S20/00 ,  Y02E10/47 ,  Y02E10/50 ,  Y10T29/49826 ,  Y10T29/49947

Abstract: In an example, the solar tracker has a clamp assembly configured to pivot a torque tube. In an example, the assembly has a support structure configured as a frame having configured by a first and second anchoring region. In an example, the support structure is configured from a thickness of metal material. In an example, the support structure is configured in an upright manner, and has a major plane region. In an example, the assembly has a pivot device configured on the support structure, a torque tube suspending on the pivot device and aligned within an opening of the support, and configured to be normal to the plane region. In an example, the torque tube is configured on the pivot device to move about an arc in a first direction or in a second direction such that the first direction is in a direction opposite to the second direction.

公开(公告)号：US09998068B2

公开(公告)日：2018-06-12

申请号：US15011070

申请日：2016-01-29

Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.

Inventor： Alexander W. Au

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  F24J2/54 ,  F16F1/36 ,  F16F15/08 ,  F16M11/04 ,  F24J2/46 ,  H02S30/10 ,  F24J2/52 ,  F16B5/02

CPC classification number: H02S20/32 ,  F16F1/36 ,  F16F15/08 ,  F16M11/04 ,  F24S25/65 ,  F24S30/425 ,  F24S40/85 ,  F24S2025/6003 ,  F24S2030/19 ,  H02S30/10 ,  Y02B10/70 ,  Y02E10/47

Abstract: In an example, the system has a mechanical isolator comprising an elastic material configured to separate the panel rail from the torque tube cause destructive interference with a natural resonant frequency of the system without the mechanical isolator to reduce a mechanical vibration of the system.

公开(公告)号：US09954127B1

公开(公告)日：2018-04-24

申请号：US14095953

申请日：2013-12-03

Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.

Inventor： Alexander W. Au

IPC: H01L31/042

CPC classification number: H01L31/0422 ,  H02S20/30

Abstract: A solar module configured in a frame assembly with multi-configuration attachment member(s), which has locking and unlocking characteristics.

公开(公告)号：US09923510B2

公开(公告)日：2018-03-20

申请号：US14745301

申请日：2015-06-19

Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.

Inventor： Alexander W. Au

IPC: E04G3/00 ,  H02S20/32 ,  H02S20/00 ,  F16L3/02 ,  F16M13/02 ,  F24J2/52 ,  F24J2/54

CPC classification number: H02S20/32 ,  F16L3/02 ,  F16M13/022 ,  F24S25/10 ,  F24S25/70 ,  F24S30/425 ,  F24S2030/15 ,  F24S2030/17 ,  H02S20/00 ,  Y02E10/47 ,  Y02E10/50 ,  Y10T29/49826 ,  Y10T29/49947

Abstract: In an example, the solar tracker has a clamp assembly configured to pivot a torque tube. In an example, the assembly has a support structure configured as a frame having configured by a first and second anchoring region. In an example, the support structure is configured from a thickness of metal material. In an example, the support structure is configured in an upright manner, and has a major plane region. In an example, the assembly has a pivot device configured on the support structure, a torque tube suspending on the pivot device and aligned within an opening of the support, and configured to be normal to the plane region. In an example, the torque tube is configured on the pivot device to move about an arc in a first direction or in a second direction such that the first direction is in a direction opposite to the second direction.

公开(公告)号：US09863667B2

公开(公告)日：2018-01-09

申请号：US15261681

申请日：2016-09-09

Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.

Inventor： Alexander W. Au

IPC: F24J2/54 ,  H02S20/32 ,  F24J2/52 ,  H01L31/052

CPC classification number: F24S30/425 ,  F24J2/526 ,  F24J2002/4663 ,  F24S25/10 ,  F24S25/33 ,  F24S25/65 ,  F24S25/70 ,  F24S2025/6003 ,  F24S2030/12 ,  F24S2030/15 ,  H01L31/054 ,  H02S20/10 ,  H02S20/32 ,  Y02E10/47 ,  Y02E10/50

Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus. In an example, the apparatus comprises a center of mass with an adjustable hanger assembly configured with a clam shell clamp assembly on the adjustable hanger assembly and a cylindrical torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end such that the center of mass is aligned with a center of rotation of the cylindrical torque tubes to reduce a load of a drive motor operably coupled to the cylindrical torque tube. Further details of the present example, among others, can be found throughout the present specification and more particularly below.

公开(公告)号：US20170301814A1

公开(公告)日：2017-10-19

申请号：US15640322

申请日：2017-06-30

Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.

Inventor： Alexander W. AU

IPC: H01L31/052 ,  H02S20/32 ,  F24J2/52 ,  F24J2/54

CPC classification number: H01L31/052 ,  F24S25/10 ,  F24S25/70 ,  F24S30/425 ,  F24S2030/15 ,  H02S20/32 ,  Y02E10/47

Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus. In an example, the apparatus comprises a center of mass with an adjustable hanger assembly configured with a clam shell clamp assembly on the adjustable hanger assembly and a cylindrical torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end such that the center of mass is aligned with a center of rotation of the cylindrical torque tubes to reduce a load of a drive motor operably coupled to the cylindrical torque tube. Further details of the present example, among others, can be found throughout the present specification and more particularly below.

公开(公告)号：US20170099030A1

公开(公告)日：2017-04-06

申请号：US15379919

申请日：2016-12-15

Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.

Inventor： Alexander W. AU

IPC: H02S20/32

CPC classification number: H02S20/32 ,  H02S20/30 ,  H02S30/10

Abstract: In an example, a clamp assembly for a glass on glass solar module for a tracker is included. The assembly has a lower clamp structure characterized by a top-hat shaped rail structure having a length extending from a first end to a second end. In an example, the assembly has an upper clamp structure configured to sandwich a pair of edges of a pair of solar modules with a portion of the lower clamp structure. In an example, the assembly has a locking spacer configured to the pair of edges of the pair of solar modules. In an example, the pair of edges comprises substantially glass material. In an example, the assembly has a pair of key structures configured with the locking spacer. Each of the key structures is affixed to each of the solar modules to physically lock each of the solar modules to the upper clamp structure.