公开(公告)号：US20210159849A1

公开(公告)日：2021-05-27

申请号：US17170820

申请日：2021-02-08

Applicant: ARRAY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Ronald P. Corio

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  F24S30/425 ,  F16M11/10 ,  F16M11/18

Abstract: A snap-on mounting bracket assembly suitable for connecting a mounting rail to a torque tube is provided. The mounting bracket assembly includes an upper clamp piece and a lower clamp piece. The upper clamp piece has a first member defining a tube insertion aperture and an open bottom space and includes an upper partial fastener. The lower clamp piece has a second member with a lower partial fastener configured to mate with the upper partial fastener such that the lower clamp piece is attachable to the upper clamp piece. In exemplary embodiments, the lower clamp piece further comprises two opposing support members configured to attach to the mounting rail. Solar tracker assemblies incorporating snap-on open mounting brackets are provided. Methods of mounting framed or unframed solar modules are also described. A mounting rail is attached to an upper clamp piece of a mounting assembly. Then the upper clamp piece is snapped onto a torque tube. A lower clamp piece of the mounting assembly is then attached to the upper clamp piece by mating a lower partial fastener of the lower clamp piece with an upper partial fastener of the upper clamp piece. When the upper and lower clamp pieces are attached, the open bottom space is closed and the mounting rail is secured to the torque tube.

公开(公告)号：US10809345B2

公开(公告)日：2020-10-20

申请号：US16055663

申请日：2018-08-06

Applicant: Array Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Ronald P. Corio

IPC: G01S3/78 ,  F24S30/42 ,  G01S3/786 ,  F24S30/425 ,  F24S40/00 ,  F24S30/00

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly comprises a support column, a torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torsion beam, and a torsion limiter connected to an output of the drive system. When an external force causes a level of torsion on the drive system to exceed a pre-set limit the torsion limiter facilitates rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly in the direction of the torsion, thereby allowing the external force to rotate about a pivot axis extending through the torsion beam. Exemplary embodiments also include methods of aligning a plurality of rows of solar trackers.

公开(公告)号：US10771007B2

公开(公告)日：2020-09-08

申请号：US15909142

申请日：2018-03-01

Applicant: Array Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Ronald P. Corio

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  F16M11/12 ,  F24S25/12 ,  F24S30/452 ,  F24S30/425 ,  F24S30/00

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly is provided which includes a support column, a torque tube or torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torque tube or torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torque tube or torsion beam, and a spring counter-balance assembly connected to the torque tube or torsion beam. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly comprises a bearing housing and a bushing disposed within the bearing housing and configured to be slideably mounted onto the torque tube or torsion beam, and one or more compressible cords made of a flexible material. The compressible cords are located between the bushing and the bearing housing and provide damping during rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly is provided including at least one top bracket and at least one bottom bracket, at least one spring, a damper, and a bracket. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly comprises a bearing housing and a bushing disposed within the bearing housing and configured to be slideably mounted onto the torque tube or torsion beam. The spring counter-balance assembly may include at least one coil spring and a rotational stop. The bushing may be made of an elastomeric material and define one or more air spaces.

公开(公告)号：US20180348331A1

公开(公告)日：2018-12-06

申请号：US16055663

申请日：2018-08-06

Applicant: Array Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Ronald P. Corio

IPC: G01S3/786 ,  F24S40/00

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly comprises a support column, a torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torsion beam, and a torsion limiter connected to an output of the drive system. When an external force causes a level of torsion on the drive system to exceed a pre-set limit the torsion limiter facilitates rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly in the direction of the torsion, thereby allowing the external force to rotate about a pivot axis extending through the torsion beam. Exemplary embodiments also include methods of aligning a plurality of rows of solar trackers.

公开(公告)号：US20230124630A1

公开(公告)日：2023-04-20

申请号：US18069145

申请日：2022-12-20

Applicant: Array Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Ronald P. Corio

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  F16M11/12 ,  F24S25/12 ,  F24S30/452 ,  F24S30/425

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly is provided which includes a support column, a torque tube or torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torque tube or torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torque tube or torsion beam, and a spring counter-balance assembly connected to the torque tube or torsion beam. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly comprises a bearing housing and a bushing disposed within the bearing housing and configured to be slideably mounted onto the torque tube or torsion beam, and one or more compressible cords made of a flexible material. The compressible cords are located between the bushing and the bearing housing and provide damping during rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly is provided including at least one top bracket and at least one bottom bracket, at least one spring, a damper, and a bracket. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly comprises a bearing housing and a bushing disposed within the bearing housing and configured to be slideably mounted onto the torque tube or torsion beam. The spring counter-balance assembly may include at least one coil spring and a rotational stop. The bushing may be made of an elastomeric material and define one or more air spaces.

公开(公告)号：US10768266B2

公开(公告)日：2020-09-08

申请号：US16055663

申请日：2018-08-06

Applicant: Array Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Ronald P. Corio

IPC: G01S3/78 ,  F24S30/42 ,  G01S3/786 ,  F24S30/425 ,  F24S40/00 ,  F24S30/00

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly comprises a support column, a torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torsion beam, and a torsion limiter connected to an output of the drive system. When an external force causes a level of torsion on the drive system to exceed a pre-set limit the torsion limiter facilitates rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly in the direction of the torsion, thereby allowing the external force to rotate about a pivot axis extending through the torsion beam. Exemplary embodiments also include methods of aligning a plurality of rows of solar trackers.

公开(公告)号：US11799416B2

公开(公告)日：2023-10-24

申请号：US18069145

申请日：2022-12-20

Applicant: Array Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Ronald P. Corio

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  F16M11/12 ,  F24S25/12 ,  F24S30/452 ,  F24S30/425 ,  F24S30/00

CPC classification number: H02S20/32 ,  F16M11/125 ,  F24S25/12 ,  F24S30/425 ,  F24S30/452 ,  F24S2030/134 ,  F24S2030/136 ,  F24S2030/14 ,  F24S2030/18 ,  F24S2030/19 ,  Y02E10/50

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly is provided which includes a support column, a torque tube or torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torque tube or torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torque tube or torsion beam, and a spring counter-balance assembly connected to the torque tube or torsion beam. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly comprises a bearing housing and a bushing disposed within the bearing housing and configured to be slideably mounted onto the torque tube or torsion beam, and one or more compressible cords made of a flexible material. The compressible cords are located between the bushing and the bearing housing and provide damping during rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly is provided including at least one top bracket and at least one bottom bracket, at least one spring, a damper, and a bracket. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly comprises a bearing housing and a bushing disposed within the bearing housing and configured to be slideably mounted onto the torque tube or torsion beam. The spring counter-balance assembly may include at least one coil spring and a rotational stop. The bushing may be made of an elastomeric material and define one or more air spaces.

公开(公告)号：US11563402B2

公开(公告)日：2023-01-24

申请号：US17170820

申请日：2021-02-08

Applicant: ARRAY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Ronald P. Corio

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  F24S30/425 ,  F16M11/10 ,  F16M11/18 ,  F24S25/60

Abstract: A snap-on mounting bracket assembly suitable for connecting a mounting rail to a torque tube is provided. The mounting bracket assembly includes an upper clamp piece and a lower clamp piece. The upper clamp piece has a first member defining a tube insertion aperture and an open bottom space and includes an upper partial fastener. The lower clamp piece has a second member with a lower partial fastener configured to mate with the upper partial fastener such that the lower clamp piece is attachable to the upper clamp piece. In exemplary embodiments, the lower clamp piece further comprises two opposing support members configured to attach to the mounting rail. Solar tracker assemblies incorporating snap-on open mounting brackets are provided. Methods of mounting framed or unframed solar modules are also described. A mounting rail is attached to an upper clamp piece of a mounting assembly. Then the upper clamp piece is snapped onto a torque tube. A lower clamp piece of the mounting assembly is then attached to the upper clamp piece by mating a lower partial fastener of the lower clamp piece with an upper partial fastener of the upper clamp piece. When the upper and lower clamp pieces are attached, the open bottom space is closed and the mounting rail is secured to the torque tube.

公开(公告)号：US11454693B2

公开(公告)日：2022-09-27

申请号：US17014850

申请日：2020-09-08

Applicant: Array Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Ronald P. Corio

IPC: G01S3/78 ,  F24S30/425 ,  F24S40/00 ,  G01S3/786 ,  F24S30/00

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly comprises a support column, a torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torsion beam, and a torsion limiter connected to an output of the drive system. When an external force causes a level of torsion on the drive system to exceed a pre-set limit the torsion limiter facilitates rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly in the direction of the torsion, thereby allowing the external force to rotate about a pivot axis extending through the torsion beam. Exemplary embodiments also include methods of aligning a plurality of rows of solar trackers.

公开(公告)号：US20200162016A1

公开(公告)日：2020-05-21

申请号：US16741597

申请日：2020-01-13

Applicant: Array Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Ronald P. Corio

IPC: H02S20/32 ,  F16M11/18 ,  F16M11/10 ,  F24S30/425

Abstract: A snap-on mounting bracket assembly suitable for connecting a mounting rail to a torque tube is provided. The mounting bracket assembly includes an upper clamp piece and a lower clamp piece. The upper clamp piece has a first member defining a tube insertion aperture and an open bottom space and includes an upper partial fastener. The lower clamp piece has a second member with a lower partial fastener configured to mate with the upper partial fastener such that the lower clamp piece is attachable to the upper clamp piece. In exemplary embodiments, the lower clamp piece further comprises two opposing support members configured to attach to the mounting rail. Solar tracker assemblies incorporating snap-on open mounting brackets are provided. Methods of mounting framed or unframed solar modules are also described. A mounting rail is attached to an upper clamp piece of a mounting assembly. Then the upper clamp piece is snapped onto a torque tube. A lower clamp piece of the mounting assembly is then attached to the upper clamp piece by mating a lower partial fastener of the lower clamp piece with an upper partial fastener of the upper clamp piece. When the upper and lower clamp pieces are attached, the open bottom space is closed and the mounting rail is secured to the torque tube.