公开(公告)号：US12218626B2

公开(公告)日：2025-02-04

申请号：US18196301

申请日：2023-05-11

Applicant: Nextracker LLC

Inventor： David E. Kresse ,  Samuel Heller

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  F16H37/04 ,  F16H48/08 ,  F16H57/038 ,  H02S20/10

Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.

公开(公告)号：US20230283226A1

公开(公告)日：2023-09-07

申请号：US18196301

申请日：2023-05-11

Applicant: Nextracker LLC

Inventor： David E. Kresse ,  Samuel Heller

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  F16H57/038 ,  F16H37/04 ,  H02S20/10 ,  F16H48/08

CPC classification number: H02S20/32 ,  F16H57/038 ,  F16H37/04 ,  H02S20/10 ,  F16H48/08 ,  F16H2037/049 ,  F16H2048/082

Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.

公开(公告)号：US11955923B2

公开(公告)日：2024-04-09

申请号：US17404640

申请日：2021-08-17

Applicant: Nextracker LLC

Inventor： Ricardo Delgado-Nanez ,  Jacob Mark Morin ,  Alexander W. Au ,  Samuel Heller

IPC: H02S20/00 ,  H02S20/10 ,  H02S20/32

CPC classification number: H02S20/32 ,  H02S20/10

Abstract: A solar tracker including at least one pair of piers configured to be secured in the ground and defining a span between the pair, a bearing supported on the pier, and a torque tube supported in the bearing such that the bearing enables rotation of the torque tube, the torque tube including a double wall thickness area, wherein the double wall thickness area limits deflection of the torque tube along the span.

公开(公告)号：US12237804B2

公开(公告)日：2025-02-25

申请号：US17698319

申请日：2022-03-18

Applicant: NEXTracker LLC

Inventor： David E. Kresse ,  Samuel Heller

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  F16H37/04 ,  F16H48/08 ,  F16H57/038 ,  H02S20/10

Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.

公开(公告)号：US11711051B2

公开(公告)日：2023-07-25

申请号：US17510047

申请日：2021-10-25

Applicant: NEXTracker LLC

Inventor： David E. Kresse ,  Samuel Heller

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  F16H57/038 ,  F16H37/04 ,  H02S20/10 ,  F16H48/08

CPC classification number: H02S20/32 ,  F16H37/04 ,  F16H48/08 ,  F16H57/038 ,  H02S20/10 ,  F16H2037/049 ,  F16H2048/082

Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.

公开(公告)号：US20240235465A1

公开(公告)日：2024-07-11

申请号：US18613310

申请日：2024-03-22

Applicant: Nextracker LLC

Inventor： Jacob Mark Morin ,  Ricardo Delgado-Nanez ,  Alexander W. AU ,  Samuel Heller

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  H02S20/10

CPC classification number: H02S20/32 ,  H02S20/10

Abstract: A solar tracker including at least one pair of piers configured to be secured in the ground and defining a span between the pair, a bearing supported on the pier, and a torque tube supported in the bearing such that the bearing enables rotation of the torque tube, the torque tube including a double wall thickness area, wherein the double wall thickness area limits deflection of the torque tube along the span.