公开(公告)号：US20250072162A1

公开(公告)日：2025-02-27

申请号：US18945790

申请日：2024-11-13

Applicant: Nextracker LLC

Inventor： Alexander W. AU

IPC: H01L31/052 ,  F24S25/10 ,  F24S25/70 ,  F24S30/00 ,  F24S30/425 ,  H02S20/32

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：US20240195351A1

公开(公告)日：2024-06-13

申请号：US18588584

申请日：2024-02-27

Applicant: Nextracker LLC

Inventor： Phani Kumar ,  Abjimanyu Sable ,  Jitendra Morankar ,  Alexander W. AU ,  David Kresse

IPC: H02S30/10 ,  F16M11/20 ,  H02S20/32

CPC classification number: H02S30/10 ,  F16M11/2021 ,  H02S20/32

Abstract: A pier for a solar tracking system includes a bearing housing assembly, a frame, the frame defining an A-profile having a pair of legs and a crown at a center portion thereof, and a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket coupled to a portion of the crown of the frame at a first portion thereof and coupled to a portion of the bearing housing assembly at a second portion thereof.

公开(公告)号：US20240014751A1

公开(公告)日：2024-01-11

申请号：US18349577

申请日：2023-07-10

Applicant: NEXTRACKER LLC

Inventor： Matthias Preindl ,  Yang Liu ,  Alexander W. AU

IPC: H02M7/5395 ,  H02J3/38 ,  H02M1/12

CPC classification number: H02M7/5395 ,  H02J3/381 ,  H02M1/123 ,  H02J2300/26

Abstract: A parallel inverter system for solar tracker systems minimizes circulating currents, mitigates ripple, and increases efficiency. The parallel inverter system includes inverters coupled together in parallel, a common DC bus coupled between a DC load and inputs of the inverters, a common AC bus coupled between outputs of the inverters and an electrical power grid, and a common-mode filter coupled to the output of each of the inverters. The parallel inverter system also includes controllers coupled to the inverters, respectively, the controllers configured to generate interleaved pulse width modulation (PWM) signals, respectively. The PWM signals are synchronized with each other. The PWM signals may be synchronized with each other via the EtherCAT protocol.

公开(公告)号：US20250067478A1

公开(公告)日：2025-02-27

申请号：US18946132

申请日：2024-11-13

Applicant: Nextracker LLC

Inventor： Yu Dong Ma ,  Yang Liu ,  Francesco Borrelli ,  Allan Daly ,  Ricardo Delgado-Nanez ,  Alexander W. AU

IPC: F24S30/422 ,  F24S20/00 ,  F24S25/10 ,  F24S30/00 ,  F24S30/425 ,  H02S20/10

Abstract: A solar power plant includes a solar tracker supporting solar modules with the solar tracker supported on a first end by a first pier and on a second end by a second pier. A drive device is coupled to the solar tracker and configured to rotate the solar tracker about an axis. An energy storage unit is supported by the solar tracker between the first pier and the second pier with the energy storage unit configured to power the drive device. The solar tracker also includes a controller in communication with a memory with the memory storing instructions thereon that when executed by the controller, cause the controller to: receive forecast data for the solar power plant; determine, based on the forecast data, a diffuse angle adjustment; and output a signal to the drive device to rotate the solar tracker to a desired angle based on the diffuse angle adjustment.

公开(公告)号：US20240388242A1

公开(公告)日：2024-11-21

申请号：US18662307

申请日：2024-05-13

Applicant: Nextracker LLC

Inventor： Abhimanyu Anil Sable ,  Alexander W. AU ,  Ashwajit Wahane ,  Phani Kumar ,  Ricardo Delgado-Nanez

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  E02D5/52 ,  F24S25/12 ,  F24S30/425

Abstract: A pier for a solar tracking system includes a bearing housing assembly and a frame defining a A-shaped profile having a pair of legs and a crown interposed between the pair of legs, the frame including a pivot disposed on the crown and extending between the pair of legs, the pivot configured to support the bearing housing assembly.

公开(公告)号：US20240348199A1

公开(公告)日：2024-10-17

申请号：US18752249

申请日：2024-06-24

Applicant: Nextracker LLC

Inventor： Chen Li ,  Yang Liu ,  Alexander W. AU

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  B62D5/00 ,  F24S25/12 ,  F24S30/425 ,  H02S40/38 ,  H02S50/10

CPC classification number: H02S20/32 ,  H02S40/38 ,  H02S50/10 ,  B62D5/005 ,  F24S25/12 ,  F24S30/425

Abstract: A solar tracking system includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a driveshaft coupled to the support structure, a base configured to rotatably support the driveshaft, and an articulation system coupled to the driveshaft and configured to articulate the driveshaft relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox coupled to the driveshaft. The solar tracking system also includes a motor mechanically operably coupled to the gearbox to cause the driveshaft to rotate, and a controller that determines a fault caused by the winding up of the driveshaft, and, in response to determining the fault, shorting the windings of the motor and/or providing power, which is generated by the motor when the unwinding driveshaft drives the rotation of the motor, to a load, such as an energy storage device, a resistive load, and/or a heating element.

公开(公告)号：US20240283393A1

公开(公告)日：2024-08-22

申请号：US18651948

申请日：2024-05-01

Applicant: Nextracker LLC

Inventor： Alexander W. AU ,  Ricardo Delgado-Nanez

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  F16M11/10

CPC classification number: H02S20/32 ,  F16M11/10

Abstract: A solar tracker bearing and a solar tracker incorporating the bearing, the bearing including at least one rotatable part, the rotatable part including a notch for receiving a torque tube, a slot, formed in the rotatable part and extending below the notch, the slot defining an arc having multiple radii, at least one engagement member configured to be received in the slot, and at least one base configured to secure the engagement member in the slot and to secure the bearing to a pier.

公开(公告)号：US20230308046A1

公开(公告)日：2023-09-28

申请号：US18196313

申请日：2023-05-11

Applicant: Nextracker LLC

Inventor： Alexander W. AU

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  H02S20/30 ,  F16B5/06

CPC classification number: H02S20/32 ,  H02S20/30 ,  F16B5/06 ,  F16B5/0621 ,  F16B5/0635 ,  F16B5/0607 ,  F16B5/0664 ,  Y02E10/50 ,  F24S25/634

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.

公开(公告)号：US20230283228A1

公开(公告)日：2023-09-07

申请号：US18196843

申请日：2023-05-12

Applicant: Nextracker LLC

Inventor： Phani Kumar ,  Abhimanyu Sable ,  Jitendra Morankar ,  Alexander W. AU ,  David Kresse

IPC: H02S30/10 ,  H02S20/32 ,  F16M11/20

CPC classification number: H02S30/10 ,  H02S20/32 ,  F16M11/2021

Abstract: A pier for a solar tracking system includes a bearing housing assembly, a frame, the frame defining an A-profile having a pair of legs and a crown at a center portion thereof, and a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket coupled to a portion of the crown of the frame at a first portion thereof and coupled to a portion of the bearing housing assembly at a second portion thereof.

公开(公告)号：US20240283391A1

公开(公告)日：2024-08-22

申请号：US18635171

申请日：2024-04-15

Applicant: Nextracker LLC

Inventor： Alexander W. AU

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  F16B5/06 ,  F24S25/634 ,  F24S25/636 ,  H02S20/30 ,  H02S30/10

CPC classification number: H02S20/32 ,  F16B5/06 ,  F16B5/0607 ,  F16B5/0621 ,  F16B5/0635 ,  F16B5/0664 ,  H02S20/30 ,  F24S25/634 ,  F24S25/636 ,  H02S30/10 ,  Y02E10/50

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.