US2015377520A1PendingUtilityA1

Tracking Device for Solar Modules

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Assignee: IDEEMATEC DEUTSCHLAND GMBHPriority: Jun 30, 2014Filed: Jun 30, 2015Published: Dec 31, 2015
Est. expiryJun 30, 2034(~8 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Johann Kufner
F24S 2030/14F24S 2030/136F24S 50/20F24S 2030/133Y02E10/47F24J 2/38F24S 30/425Y02E10/50
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Claims

Abstract

A tracking device for solar modules includes a post for purposes of the indirect and/or direct arrangement of a cradle unit, which can be rotated via a rotary joint about an axis of rotation, wherein the cradle unit comprises two force introduction regions, opposed with respect to the rotary joint, for purposes of rotating the cradle unit, wherein a force introduction takes place by a substantially circular segment-shaped guide element, and wherein a radius of the substantially circular segment-shaped guide element corresponds to a distance between the respective force introduction region and the rotary joint.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tracking device for solar modules, comprising:
 a post configured to indirectly or directly arrange a cradle unit configured to rotate via a rotary joint about an axis of rotation;   wherein the cradle unit comprises two force introduction regions opposed with respect to the rotary joint and configured to rotate the cradle unit;   wherein a force introduction takes place by a substantially circular segment-shaped guide element; and   wherein a radius of the substantially circular segment-shaped guide element corresponds to a distance between the respective force introduction region and the rotary joint.   
     
     
         2 . The tracking device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the guide element is attached to the cradle unit, and wherein a traction element is attached in or on the force introduction region. 
     
     
         3 . The tracking device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the substantially circular segment-shaped guide element is substantially semicircular in shape. 
     
     
         4 . The tracking device in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the guide element is configured to guide one or a plurality of traction elements in a plane standing at least substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         5 . The tracking device in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the guide element comprises a bent profile. 
     
     
         6 . The tracking device in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the guide element comprises a metal. 
     
     
         7 . The tracking device in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the guide element comprises a U-shaped profile. 
     
     
         8 . The tracking device in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the rotary joint is arranged at a distance from a ground surface, and wherein the ratio of the radius of the guide element to the distance lies in a range from about 0.8 to 0.98. 
     
     
         9 . The tracking device in accordance with  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a roller unit configured to at least one of wind up, unwind, and redirect a traction element.   
     
     
         10 . The tracking device in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the roller unit is arranged relative to the guide element such that a traction element runs substantially horizontally between the guide element and the roller unit. 
     
     
         11 . A transverse row of tracking devices, comprising:
 at least two tracking devices in accordance with  claim 10 ;   wherein the at least two tracking devices are arranged along a transverse axis that extends transverse to the axis of rotation; and   wherein the at least two tracking devices are connected by a traction element, such that a rotation of one of the tracking devices can be transferred onto the other tracking device.   
     
     
         12 . The transverse row in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the tracking devices is connected with a drive unit. 
     
     
         13 . A longitudinal row of tracking devices, comprising:
 at least two tracking devices in accordance with  claim 10 ;   wherein the at least two tracking devices are arranged along a longitudinal axis that extends along the axis of rotation; and   wherein a rotation of one of the tracking devices is transferred onto the other tracking device by at least one of the cradle unit and a driveshaft.   
     
     
         14 . A solar module field, comprising:
 at least one transverse row of tracking devices in accordance with  claim 11 ; and   at least one longitudinal row of tracking devices in accordance with  claim 13 , together with a drive unit.   
     
     
         15 . The tracking device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the substantially circular segment-shaped guide element is substantially semicircular in shape. 
     
     
         16 . The tracking device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the guide element is configured to guide one or a plurality of traction elements in a plane standing at least substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         17 . The tracking device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the guide element comprises a bent profile. 
     
     
         18 . The tracking device in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the guide element comprises a metal. 
     
     
         19 . The tracking device in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the guide element comprises a U-shaped profile. 
     
     
         20 . The tracking device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the rotary joint is arranged at a distance from a ground surface, and wherein the ratio of the radius of the guide element to the distance lies in a range from about 0.8 to 0.98. 
     
     
         21 . The tracking device in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a roller unit configured to at least one of wind up, unwind, and redirect a traction element.   
     
     
         22 . The tracking device in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the roller unit is arranged relative to the guide element such that a traction element runs substantially horizontally between the guide element and the roller unit. 
     
     
         23 . A transverse row of tracking devices, comprising:
 at least two tracking devices in accordance with  claim 1 ;   wherein the at least two tracking devices are arranged along a transverse axis, that extends transverse to the axis of rotation; and   wherein the at least two tracking devices are connected by a traction element, such that a rotation of one of the tracking devices can be transferred onto the other tracking device.   
     
     
         24 . The transverse row in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein at least one of the tracking devices is connected with a drive unit. 
     
     
         25 . A longitudinal row of tracking devices, comprising:
 at least two tracking devices in accordance with  claim 12 ;   wherein the at least two tracking devices are arranged along a longitudinal axis that extends along the axis of rotation; and   wherein a rotation of one of the tracking devices is transferred onto the other tracking device by at least one of the cradle unit and a driveshaft.   
     
     
         26 . A solar module field, comprising:
 at least one transverse row of tracking devices in accordance with  claim 23 ; and   at least one longitudinal row of tracking devices in accordance with  claim 25 , together with a drive unit.

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