Rigging system for supporting and pointing solar concentrator arrays

Abstract

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to the design of inexpensive mounting and pointing apparatuses for linear arrays of solar energy collectors and converters. Particular embodiments in accordance with the present invention disclose a rigging system comprising at least one, and preferably a plurality of, tensile cables onto which a plurality of solar modules are fastened. Such an arrangement provides a way of suspending solar modules over land, vegetation, bodies of water, and other geographic features without substantial perturbation of the underlying terrain. Certain embodiments comprise additional tensile cables fastened to the solar modules, such that differential axial motion of the cables produces a rotational motion component of the individual solar modules of the array. This rotational motion component effects an orientation control along one rotational axis.

1 . A method of fastening solar modules to at least one cable under tension, at least one of the cables connected to a damping element. 
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  providing for axial motion of the arrays of solar modules by applying a common axial translation to cables connected to the modules 
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  providing for motion of the arrays of solar modules normal to the cable axis by applying a common translation of the cables normal to the cable axes. 
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1  providing for rotation of the solar modules by applying a relative axial motion between at least one cable and at least two other cables. 
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1  providing for rotation of the solar modules by applying a relative motion to cables normal to the axial direction. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5  in which said actuation is accomplished via a tensioned cable. 
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1  in which at least one cable comprises a cable having one or more of the functions selected from mechanical connection, electrical connection, fluid connection, heat exchanger, optical connection, networking connection. 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein flutter of the tensioned cable is suppressed by the use of partially filled rigid liquid conduits. 
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein flutter of the tensioned cable is suppressed by the use of partially filled or substantially full flexible liquid conduits. 
   
   
       10 . An assembly comprising a solar concentrator supported by a tensile truss. 
   
   
       11 . An assembly according to  claim 10  wherein the tensile truss comprises at least two tensioned cables connected by a transverse element. 
   
   
       12 . An assembly according to  claim 11  wherein the tensile truss is configured to exhibit a first order restoring force in resistance to displacement normal to an axis of the truss along the tensioned cables 
   
   
       13 . An assembly according to  claim 11  wherein the tensile truss further comprises a third tensioned cable connected to the transverse element between the first tensioned cable and second tensioned cable. 
   
   
       14 . An assembly according to  claim 13  wherein the tensile truss is configured to exhibit a first order restoring force at a connection between the transverse element and third tensioned cable in resistance to displacement in any direction along a plane defined by the transverse element and the third tensioned cable. 
   
   
       15 . An assembly according to  14  further comprising a second tensile truss according to  11  oriented to in a different plane than the first tensile truss. 
   
   
       16 . A ground anchor comprising:
 a tube having a first end configured to contact the ground, and an open end opposite to the first end;   a tapered collet having a flared portion disposed within the tube and a narrow, threaded end protruding from the tube; and   a nut configured to engage the threaded end and rotatable to clamp a cable disposed within the collet.   
   
   
       17 . A method of transferring tensile forces from a truss structure to the ground, the method comprising:
 in a first stage, drawing together a plurality of tensile cables to a group at a pivot; and   in a second stage transferring tensile forces in the cables from the pivot to the ground.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising a third stage wherein tensile forces in the cables are transferred to the pivot after first drawing a plurality of cables together to a second group. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the group is created forming a cable bundle, mechanically mating the cables to a common rigid part, or mechanically mating the cables to a secondary cable. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the tensile forces are transferred from the pivot to the ground by bringing one or more cables or tensile elements to ground anchors or footings, or by compressive elements or bending forces. 
   
   
       21 . A method of rotating a truss, the method comprising:
 providing a truss having a first end and a second end and a contact point, the truss configured to rotate about a pivot point;   providing a driving mechanism;   connecting a first end of a first cable to a first end of the truss, and connecting a second end of the first cable to the driving mechanism;   connecting a first end of a second cable to a second end of the truss, and connecting a second end of the second cable to the driving mechanism; and   causing the driving mechanism to pull on the first cable at a first rate and pull on the second cable at a second rate, such that the truss rotates and the contact point engages the first cable or the second cable, thereby imparting additional rotational moment to pivoting of the truss.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the driving mechanism comprises a rotating drum. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the first rate is imparted by a first radius of the drum in contact with the first cable, and the second rate is imparted by a second radius of the drum in contact with the second cable. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the driving mechanism comprises:
 a first rotating drum in contact with the first cable and configured to rotate at a first speed; and   a second rotating drum in contact with the second cable and configured to rotate at a second speed.