Nested torque tubes for photovoltaic tracking systems
US9279457B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 2013 |
| Grant date | Mar 8, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A sun tracking solar energy collection system can include torque tubes that can be configured to allow the cylindrical body of one torque tube to nest with projections extending from an adjacent torque tube. The torque tubes can be formed with a plurality of rotatable shafts connected to each other in an end to end fashion. The torque tubes may be connected with coupling flanges, shaped with a plurality of radially extending lobes. The coupling flanges can include a plurality of concave portions disposed between adjacent lobes. The rotatable shafts can be round and the concave portions can be curved with a radius of curvature that is about the same as a radius of curvature of outer surface of the rotatable shafts. The torque tubes can also have saddle mounts which can include a concave portion configured to nest with an adjacent torque tube.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.