Fluidic actuator locking system and method

Abstract

A solar tracker comprising: a bottom plate, a top plate, at least one assembly rotatably coupling the top and bottom plates, one or more bellows units disposed between the top plate and bottom plate and a locking mechanism.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A solar tracker comprising:
 a plurality of photovoltaic cells disposed in a common plane and extending along a first length having a first axis, the plurality of photovoltaic cells coupled to rails that extend along a second axis that is parallel to the first axis;   a plurality of pneumatic actuators coupled to the rails and configured to collectively rotate the plurality of photovoltaic cells, the plurality of pneumatic actuators disposed along a common third axis that is parallel to the first and second axis, each of the plurality of pneumatic actuators comprising:
 a V-shaped bottom plate having a ridge and a pair of arms disposed at an angle of 90°-60° relative to each other; 
 a planar top plate; 
 a first and second hub assembly extending between the top and bottom plates on opposing front sides of the actuator, the first and second hub assembly comprising a respective rotatable coupling that forms a rotatable coupling between the top plate and bottom plate; and 
 a plurality of stacked bellows units disposed between the top plate and bottom plates, the bellows units each comprising:
 a first and second elongated and tubular inflatable bellows coupled by a web extending between the first and second bellows, the first and second bellows defining respective and separate first and second bellows cavities, the webs of the bellows units disposed at the ridge of the bottom plate with the first bellows of the bellows units disposed on a first side of the ridge between the top plate and bottom plates, and the second bellows of the bellows units disposed on a second side of the ridge, opposing the first side, and between the top and bottom plates, and 
 
   a locking mechanism configured to be passively activated when the plurality of pneumatic actuators and solar tracker are in a flat or 0 degree configuration to fix the solar tracker in the flat or 0 degree configuration for the purpose of stow, where the planar top plates are generally parallel with the ground or perpendicular to gravity, the locking mechanism comprising a pin that passively engages a corresponding hole or slot to fix the solar tracker in the flat or 0 degree configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The solar tracker of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is piloted by one or more of pneumatics and hydraulics. 
     
     
         3 . The solar tracker of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises multiple pins or toothed arrangements that engage corresponding features enabling multiple locking positions of the solar tracker, including the flat or 0 degree configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The solar tracker of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises one or both of air brakes and drum brakes. 
     
     
         5 . The solar tracker of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is configured for one of more of:
 instantaneous lock out of the solar tracker,   freezing motion of the top plate relative to the bottom plate, and   increasing stiffness of solar tracker at any angle within the range of motion of the solar tracker.   
     
     
         6 . A solar tracker comprising:
 a bottom plate;   a top plate;   one or more hub assembly extending between and rotatably coupling the top and bottom plates;   one or more bellows units disposed between the top plate and bottom plate, the one or more bellows units comprising a first and second inflatable bellows coupled by a web extending between the first and second bellows, the first and second bellows defining respective and separate first and second bellows cavities, with the first bellows of the bellows units disposed on a first side of the bottom plate, and the second bellows of the bellows units disposed on a second side of the bottom plate, opposing the first side, and between the top and bottom plates; and   a locking mechanism.   
     
     
         7 . The solar tracker of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism is configured to be passively activated when the solar tracker is in a flat or 0 degree configuration to fix the solar tracker in the flat or 0 degree configuration for the purpose of stow, where the top plate is generally parallel with the ground or perpendicular to gravity. 
     
     
         8 . The solar tracker of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a pin that passively engages a corresponding hole or slot to fix the solar tracker in a flat or  0  degree configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The solar tracker of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism is piloted by one or more of pneumatics and hydraulics. 
     
     
         10 . The solar tracker of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises multiple pins or toothed arrangements that engage corresponding features enabling multiple locking positions of the solar tracker, including a flat or 0 degree configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The solar tracker of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises two or more of:
 a 4 bar linkage,   a pneumatic ram,   a solenoid,   a lockable damper,   a spring return,   an inflatable bladder, and   a pressure sensitive toggle.   
     
     
         12 . The solar tracker of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises one or more brake pads that enable continuous locking independent of position of the solar tracker. 
     
     
         13 . The solar tracker of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a bladder configured to actuate the locking mechanism to rigidly, or near rigidly, fix the solar tracker in position to generate a lock out for purposes of stow. 
     
     
         14 . A solar tracker comprising: a bottom plate;
 a top plate;   at least one assembly rotatably coupling the top and bottom plates;   one or more bellows units disposed between the top plate and bottom plate; and   a locking mechanism.   
     
     
         15 . The solar tracker of  claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism is configured to be activated when the top plate is generally parallel with the ground or perpendicular to gravity. 
     
     
         16 . The solar tracker of  claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a pin that engages a corresponding hole or slot to fix the solar tracker in a configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The solar tracker of  claim 14 , wherein, the locking mechanism comprises multiple pins or toothed arrangements that engage corresponding features enabling multiple locking positions of the solar tracker. The solar tracker of  claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises one or more of:
 a 4 bar linkage,   a pneumatic ram,   a solenoid,   a lockable damper,   a spring return,   an inflatable bladder, and   a pressure sensitive toggle.   
     
     
         19 . The solar tracker of  claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises one or more brake pads that enable continuous locking of the solar tracker. 
     
     
         20 . The solar tracker of  claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a fluid cavity configured to actuate the locking mechanism to fix the solar tracker in position to generate a lock out.