Tilt assembly for tracking solar collector assembly

Abstract

A tilt assembly is used with a solar collector assembly of the type comprising a frame, supporting a solar collector, for movement about a tilt axis by pivoting a drive element between first and second orientations. The tilt assembly comprises a drive element coupler connected to the drive element and a driver, the driver comprising a drive frame, a drive arm and a drive arm driver. The drive arm is mounted to the drive frame for pivotal movement about a drive arm axis. Movement on the drive arm mimics movement of the drive element. Drive element couplers can extend in opposite directions from the outer portion of the drive arm, whereby the assembly can be used between adjacent solar collector assemblies in a row of solar collector assemblies.

1 . A tilt assembly, for use with a solar collector assembly of the type comprising a frame, supporting a solar collector, for movement about a tilt axis by pivoting a drive element between first and second orientations, the tilt assembly comprising:
 a drive element coupler connected to the drive element at a position along the drive element spaced apart from the tilt axis by a first distance; and   a driver comprising:
 a drive frame; 
 a drive arm mounted to the drive frame for pivotal movement about a drive arm axis; 
 the drive arm pivotal between third and fourth orientations, the drive arm having an inner portion extending from the drive frame and an outer portion drivingly connected to the drive element coupler at a drive position along the drive arm, the drive position being spaced apart from the drive arm axis by a second distance; and 
 a drive arm driver drivingly coupled to the drive arm for movement of the drive arm between the third and fourth orientations.