System for Supporting Energy Conversion Modules

Abstract

A structure ( 26 ) for supporting an array ( 22 ) of solar panels ( 24 ) in a solar energy collection system ( 20 ) includes a support assembly ( 140 ) formed from a ganged pier ( 44 ). The ganged pier ( 44 ) includes a truss ( 68 ), a post ( 46 ) downwardly extending from the truss ( 68 ) for attachment to a footing ( 48 ), and posts ( 50 ) upwardly extending from the truss ( 68 ). The structure ( 26 ) further includes torsion tubes ( 34 ), each of which is pivotally retained by one of the posts ( 50 ) to form parallel rows ( 32 ) of torsion tubes ( 34 ). Multiple ganged piers ( 44 ) can be interconnected to increase the number of rows ( 32 ) of the system ( 20 ). The solar panels ( 24 ) are attached to the torsion tubes ( 34 ) to form the array ( 22 ).

1 . A structure ( 26 ) for supporting an array ( 22 ) of energy conversion modules ( 24 ) above a surface ( 28 ) comprising: 
 an elongated rigid member ( 68 );    a first base ( 46 ) supporting said rigid member ( 68 );    a second base ( 46 ) spaced apart from said first base ( 46 ) and supporting said rigid member ( 68 ), said first and second bases ( 46 ) being configured for attachment to said surface ( 28 );    posts ( 50 ) extending from a top edge ( 72 ) of said rigid member ( 68 ); and    torsion tubes ( 34 ), one each of said torsion tubes ( 34 ) being pivotally retained by one each of said posts ( 50 ) to form parallel rows ( 32 ) of said torsion tubes ( 34 ), said torsion tubes ( 34 ) being configured for attachment of said energy conversion modules ( 24 ) to form said array ( 22 ).    
     
     
         2 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said elongated rigid member ( 68 ) comprises a truss.  
     
     
         3 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said rigid member ( 68 ) is a first rigid member ( 68   a ), said posts are first posts ( 50 ), said torsion tubes ( 34 ) are first torsion tubes, and said structure ( 26 ) further comprises: 
 a second elongated rigid member ( 68   b ) having a second end ( 86 ) coupled with a first end ( 84 ) of said first rigid member ( 68   a ), said second base ( 46 ) further supporting said second rigid member ( 68   b );    second posts ( 50 ) extending from a second top edge ( 72 ) of said second rigid member ( 68   b ); and    second torsion tubes ( 34 ), one each of said second torsion tubes ( 34 ) being pivotally retained by one each of said second posts ( 50 ) to form additional parallel rows ( 32 ) of said second torsion tubes ( 34 ) that are substantially parallel to said parallel rows ( 32 ) of said first torsion tubes ( 34 ), said second torsion tubes ( 34 ) being configured for attachment of additional ones of said energy conversion modules ( 24 ).    
     
     
         4 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 3  further comprising a connector ( 80 ) coupled to one of said first end ( 84 ) of said first rigid member ( 68   a ) and said second end ( 86 ) of said second rigid member ( 68   b ), and said connector ( 80 ) being slidably coupled with the other of said first end ( 84 ) of said first rigid member ( 68   a ) and said second end ( 86 ) of said second rigid member ( 68   b ).  
     
     
         5 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said rigid member ( 68 ) is a first rigid member ( 68 ), said posts ( 50 ) are first posts, and said structure ( 26 ) further comprises: 
 a second elongated rigid member ( 68 ) in substantially parallel, spaced-apart alignment with said first rigid member ( 68 );    a third base ( 46 ) supporting said second rigid member ( 68 ) and being configured for attachment to said surface ( 28 ); and    second posts ( 50 ) extending from a second top edge ( 72 ) of said second rigid member ( 68 ), said second posts ( 50 ) being in parallel alignment with said first posts ( 50 ) and pivotally retaining said torsion tubes ( 34 ).    
     
     
         6 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a drive mechanism ( 38 ) having a body ( 92 ) configured for attachment to said surface ( 28 ) and a rod member ( 96 ) extendible from said body ( 92 );    torque arms ( 90 ), a first arm end ( 102 ) of one each of said torque arms ( 90 ) non-pivotally supporting one each of said torsion tubes ( 34 ); and    an actuator ( 40 ) pivotally supporting a second arm end ( 104 ) of said each of said torque arms ( 90 ) and in communication with said rod member ( 96 ) such that extension of said rod member ( 96 ) from said body ( 92 ) moves said actuator ( 40 ) to enable rotation of said torsion tubes ( 34 ), via said torque arms ( 90 ).    
     
     
         7 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 6  wherein a first end ( 134 ) of said rod member ( 96 ) pivotally couples to said body ( 34 ).  
     
     
         8 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 7  wherein a second end ( 136 ) of said rod member ( 96 ) pivotally couples to said actuator ( 40 ).  
     
     
         9 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 6  wherein: 
 said actuator ( 40 ) comprises a plurality of eye sections ( 130 ); and    said second arm end ( 104 ) of said each of said torque arms ( 90 ) comprises a pin member ( 128 ), said pin member ( 128 ) interfacing with one of said plurality of eye sections ( 130 ).    
     
     
         10 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said actuator ( 40 ) is in substantially parallel alignment with said elongated rigid member ( 68 ).  
     
     
         11 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said elongated rigid member ( 68 ) is positioned proximate said actuator ( 40 ).  
     
     
         12 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said actuator ( 40 ) is a non-articulating element.  
     
     
         13 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said surface ( 28 ) is a foundation ( 94 ) and said structure ( 26 ) further comprises a support section ( 98 ) coupled to a first end of said elongated rigid member ( 68 ), said support section ( 98 ) and said body ( 92 ) of said drive mechanism ( 38 ) being coupled to said foundation ( 94 ).  
     
     
         14 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 13  wherein a first one of said posts ( 50 ) is coupled to a top of said support section ( 98 ), and a first one of said torsion tubes ( 34 ) is retained by said first one of said posts.  
     
     
         15 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said support section ( 98 ) includes a pivot section for pivotal attachment of said rod member ( 96 ).  
     
     
         16 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said first base ( 46 ) is located proximate a second end of said elongated rigid member ( 68 ).  
     
     
         17 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said energy conversion modules ( 24 ) are flat, rectangular solar panels, and said torsion tubes ( 34 ) are north-south oriented to define a north-south axis ( 36 ).  
     
     
         18 . A structure ( 26 ) for supporting an array ( 22 ) of energy conversion modules ( 24 ) above a surface ( 28 ) comprising: 
 a ganged pier ( 44 ) comprising an elongated rigid member ( 68 ) and posts ( 50 ) upwardly extending from said rigid member ( 68 );    torsion tubes ( 34 ), one each of said torsion tubes ( 34 ) being pivotally retained by one each of said posts ( 50 ) to form parallel rows ( 32 ) of said torsion tubes ( 34 ), said torsion tubes ( 34 ) being configured for attachment of said energy conversion modules ( 24 ) to form said array ( 22 );    an actuator ( 148 ) having a body ( 150 ) and a rod ( 152 ) extendible from said body ( 150 ), one of said body ( 150 ) and said rod ( 152 ) being attached to said ganged pier ( 44 );    torque arms ( 90 ), a first arm end ( 102 ) of one each of said torque arms ( 90 ) non-pivotally supporting one each of said torsion tubes ( 34 ); and    a linkage member ( 144 ) pivotally supporting a second arm end ( 104 ) of said each of said torque arms ( 90 ), said linkage member ( 144 ) being in communication with another of said body ( 150 ) and said rod ( 152 ) to enable rotation of said torsion tubes ( 34 ) and said energy conversion modules ( 24 ) via said torque arms ( 90 ).    
     
     
         19 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said ganged pier ( 44 ) further includes a lower post ( 46 ) downwardly extending from said rigid member ( 68 ) and attached to a footing ( 48 ) formed in said surface ( 28 ), and said one of said body ( 150 ) and said rod ( 152 ) is attached to said ganged pier ( 44 ) proximate said lower post ( 46 ).  
     
     
         20 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said elongated rigid member ( 68 ) comprises a truss.  
     
     
         21 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 18  further comprising a pivot element ( 154 ) pivotally attaching said one of said body ( 150 ) and said rod ( 152 ) to said ganged pier ( 44 ).  
     
     
         22 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 18  further comprising a pivot element ( 156 ) for pivotal communication between said another of said body ( 150 ) and said rod ( 152 ) and said linkage member ( 144 ).  
     
     
         23 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said linkage member ( 144 ) is longitudinally aligned with said elongated rigid member ( 68 ) of said ganged pier ( 44 ).  
     
     
         24 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said linkage member ( 144 ) is a non-articulating element.  
     
     
         25 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 18  further comprising: 
 a second ganged pier ( 44 ) comprising a second elongated rigid member ( 68 ) having a second end coupled with a first end of said rigid member ( 68 ) and second posts ( 50 ) upwardly extending from said second rigid member ( 68 );    second torsion tubes ( 34 ), one each of said second torsion tubes ( 34 ) being pivotally retained by one each of said second posts ( 50 ) to form additional parallel rows ( 32 ) of said second torsion tubes ( 34 ) that are substantially parallel to said first torsion tubes ( 34 ), additional ones of said energy conversion modules ( 24 ) being attached to said second torsion tubes ( 34 );    a second actuator ( 148 ) having a second body ( 150 ) and a second rod ( 152 ) extendible from said second body ( 150 ), one of said second body ( 150 ) and said second rod ( 152 ) being attached to said second ganged pier ( 44 );    second torque arms ( 90 ), a third arm end of one each of said second torque arms ( 90 ) non-pivotally supporting one each of said second torsion tubes ( 34 ); and    a second linkage member ( 144 ) pivotally supporting a fourth arm end of said each of said second torque arms ( 34 ), said second linkage member ( 144 ) being in communication with another of said second body ( 150 ) and said second rod ( 152 ) to enable rotation of said second torsion tubes ( 34 ) and said additional energy conversion modules ( 24 ) via said second torque anus ( 90 ).    
     
     
         26 . A structure ( 26 ) as claimed in  claim 25  further comprising a controller ( 158 ) in communication with each of said first and second actuators ( 148 ), said controller ( 158 ) managing extension of said first and second rods ( 152 ) to enable concurrent rotation of said first and second torsion tubes ( 34 ).  
     
     
         27 . A solar energy collection system ( 20 ) comprising: 
 an array ( 22 ) of flat, rectangular solar panels ( 24 ); and    a structure ( 26 ) for supporting said array ( 22 ) of solar panels ( 24 ) above a surface ( 28 ), said structure ( 26 ) comprising: 
 an elongated rigid member ( 68 );  
 a base ( 46 ) coupled to a bottom edge ( 70 ) of said rigid member ( 68 ) for attachment to said surface ( 28 );  
 a first base ( 46 ) supporting said rigid member ( 68 );  
 a second base ( 46 ) spaced apart from said first base ( 46 ) and supporting said rigid member ( 68 ), said first and second bases ( 46 ) being configured for attachment to said surface ( 28 );  
 posts ( 50 ) extending from a top edge ( 72 ) of said rigid member ( 68 ); and  
 torsion tubes ( 34 ), one each of said torsion tubes ( 34 ) being pivotally retained by one each of said posts ( 50 ) to form parallel rows ( 32 ) of said torsion tubes ( 34 ), said torsion tubes ( 34 ) being north-south oriented to define a north-south axis ( 36 ), and said solar panels ( 24 ) being attached to said torsion tubes ( 34 ) to form said array ( 22 ).  
   
     
     
         28 . A solar energy collection system ( 20 ) as claimed in  claim 27  wherein said elongated rigid member ( 68 ) comprises a truss.