Two-axis hydraulic solar tracker

Abstract

A two-axis solar tracker that orientates and adjusts the angular position of associated solar collector panels. The tracker may be hydraulically operated all movements of the tracker may be produced by three hydraulic cylinders.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . A hydraulic solar tracker, comprising:
 a support frame configured to receive solar collector panels; and   a totally hydraulically-operated movement structure configured to provide two-axis rotation of a solar collector panel received by the support frame, the movement structure including three hydraulic cylinders coupled to the support frame.   
   
   
       11 . The hydraulic solar tracker of  claim 10 , wherein the movement structure further comprises a first, second, and third support member each manufactured from a synthetic composite material, the first support member coupled to the first hydraulic cylinder, the second support member coupled to the second hydraulic cylinder, and the third support member coupled to the third hydraulic cylinder. 
   
   
       12 . The hydraulic solar tracker of  claim 10 , wherein the support frame is coupled to the movement structure via a plurality of ball joints. 
   
   
       13 . The hydraulic solar tracker of  claim 10 , wherein the support frame is configured to move about a first axis and a second axis, and where in the first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis. 
   
   
       14 . The hydraulic solar tracker of  claim 13 , wherein the movement structure further comprises at least a first, second, and third support member, at least one of the support members forming an articulated parallelepiped and providing orientation in the first axis. 
   
   
       15 . The hydraulic solar tracker of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a processor; and   at least one sensor configured to supply information to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to angularly position the support frame based on the information received from the sensor.   
   
   
       16 . The hydraulic solar tracker of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a processor; and   a real-time clock, the processor configured to receive information from the real time clock and configured to angularly position the support frame based on the information received from the real time clock.   
   
   
       17 . The hydraulic solar tracker of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a network connection providing communication with a remote supervision system, the position of the support frame being controlled at least in part based on instructions received from the remote supervision system.   
   
   
       18 . A hydraulic solar tracker, comprising:
 a support frame configured to receive solar collector panels;   a totally-hydraulically powered movement structure coupled to the support frame and configured for two-axis movement; and   a plurality of hydraulic cylinders coupled to the movement system.   
   
   
       19 . The hydraulic solar tracker of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of hydraulic cylinders comprises a first, second, and third hydraulic cylinder. 
   
   
       20 . The hydraulic solar tracker of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second hydraulic cylinder are configured to move the support frame about a first axis and the third hydraulic cylinder is configured to move the support frame about a second axis. 
   
   
       21 . The hydraulic solar tracker of  claim 20 , wherein the first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis. 
   
   
       22 . A method, comprising:
 exposing a hydraulic solar tracker configured in accordance with claim  1  to solar energy; and   hydraulically adjusting the angle of the support frame.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 receiving information regarding the solar energy from a sensor;   processing the information with a processor; and   determining the desired angle of the support frame based on the information.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 receiving information from a real time clock; and   angularly positioning the support frame based on the information received from the real time clock.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 communicating with a remote supervision system via a network connection; and   hydraulically adjusting the position of the support frame based at least in part on instructions received from the remote supervision system.