Systems for damping a solar photovoltaic array tracker
US11133775B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 9, 2021 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 9, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/47
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel attached to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes an outer shell surrounding an inner shell and defining an outer fluid channel. A piston is positioned within the inner shell and moveable relative thereto. A locking valve of the damper assembly includes a shaft extending into a chamber and a seal attached to the shaft. The shaft is selectively moveable axially within the chamber along an extension axis between an unsealed position in which the seal is spaced from a chamber wall and a flow path is defined that extends from within the inner shell, through the chamber, and to the outer fluid channel, and a sealed position in which the seal contacts the chamber wall and the locking valve obstructs the flow path.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.