Solar tracker

Abstract

The solar tracker comprises a base ( 1 ) and a solar panel ( 2 ) having first and second opposite ends ( 2 a , 2 b ). The first end ( 2 a ) can be connected to the base ( 1 ) by a first shaft (E 1 ) and the second end ( 2 b ) can be connected to the base ( 1 ) by a second shaft (E 2 ), such that said solar panel ( 2 ) can pivot with respect to the base ( 1 ) alternately around the first shaft (E 1 ) and around the second shaft (E 2 ) under the drive of a lifting mechanism. An automatic connection/disconnection device connects the second end ( 2 b ) of the solar panel ( 2 ) to the base ( 1 ) while at the same time disconnecting the first end ( 2 a ) of the solar panel ( 2 ) from the base ( 1 ), and vice versa, every time the solar panel ( 2 ) reaches a position parallel to the base ( 1 ) for inverting the inclination of the solar panel ( 2 ) with respect to the base ( 1 ).

1 . A solar tracker of the type comprising:
 a base;   a solar panel having first and second opposite ends, wherein said first end is connected to said base by a first shaft such that said solar panel can pivot with respect to the base around said first shaft;   a lifting mechanism connected to the solar panel in an intermediate region between said first and second ends; and   an actuator operatively connected for moving said lifting mechanism and thereby pivoting said solar panel around the first shaft according to the relative movements of the sun;   characterized in that:   said actuator and the lifting mechanism are configured for pivoting the solar panel between a raised position and a position parallel to the base;   the first end of the solar panel can be disconnected from the base;   the second end of the solar panel can be connected to the base by a second shaft parallel to the first shaft such that the solar panel can pivot with respect to the base around said second shaft when the second end is connected to the base and the first end is disconnected from the base; and   the solar tracker further comprises an automatic connection/disconnection device connecting the second end of the solar panel to the base while at the same time disconnecting the first end of the solar panel from the base, and vice versa, every time the solar panel reaches said position parallel to the base for inverting the inclination of the solar panel with respect to the base when the lifting mechanism is driven for moving the solar panel from the position parallel to the base towards said raised position.   
     
     
         2 . The solar tracker according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said first shaft is defined by at least a first journal fixed to the base and at least a corresponding first half-bearing fixed to the solar panel, or vice versa, said first half-bearing being configured and arranged for receiving said first journal in a radial direction when the solar panel reaches said position parallel to the base, and said second shaft is defined by at least a second journal fixed to the base and at least a corresponding second half-bearing fixed to the solar panel, or vice versa, said second half-bearing being configured and arranged for receiving said second journal in a radial direction when the solar panel reaches said position parallel to the base. 
     
     
         3 . The solar tracker according to  claim 2 , characterized in that said automatic connection/disconnection device comprises at least a first closing element movable relative to said first half-bearing between a closed position, in which said first closing element retains the first journal coupled to the first half-bearing, and an open position, in which the first closing element allows the first journal to be coupled and decoupled to/from the first half-bearing, and at least a second closing element movable relative to said second half-bearing between a closed position, in which the second closing element retains the second journal coupled to the second half-bearing, and an open position, in which the second closing element allows the second journal to be coupled and decoupled to/from the second half-bearing. 
     
     
         4 . The solar tracker according to  claim 3 , characterized in that said automatic connection/disconnection device further comprises at least one linking member kinematically linking said first and second closing elements to one another such that when the first closing element is moved to said open position the second closing element is moved to said closed position, and vice versa. 
     
     
         5 . The solar tracker according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the automatic connection/disconnection device further comprises at least one elastic element installed in a flip-flop arrangement whereby said elastic element pushes said first and second closing elements towards their closed and open positions from an intermediate neutral position. 
     
     
         6 . The solar tracker according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the automatic connection/disconnection device further comprises a first activation lever positioned such that it is pushed from a stand-by position to an activation position by an element attached to the base or to the solar panel when the solar panel pivoting around the second shaft reaches said position parallel to the base, said first activation lever being kinematically linked to a first pusher arranged for moving said first closing element from the open position to beyond said intermediate neutral position when the first activation lever is pushed to said activation position, and a second activation lever positioned such that it is pushed from a stand-by position to an activation position by an element attached to the base or to the solar panel when the solar panel pivoting around the first shaft reaches said position parallel to the base, said second activation lever being kinematically linked to a second pusher arranged for moving said second closing element from the open position to beyond said intermediate neutral position when the second activation lever is pushed to said activation position. 
     
     
         7 . The solar tracker according to  claim 3 , characterized in that said automatic connection/disconnection device further comprises a first locking member movable between a locked position, in which said first locking member locks the first closing element in said closed position, and an unlocked position, in which the first locking member allows the first closing element to move between said closed and open positions, a second locking member movable between a locked position, in which said second locking member locks the second closing element in said closed position, and an unlocked position, in which the second locking member allows the second closing element to move between said closed and open positions, and a linking member kinematically linking said first and second locking elements to one another such that when the first locking element is moved to said locked position the second locking element is moved to said unlocked position, and vice versa. 
     
     
         8 . The solar tracker according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the automatic connection/disconnection device further comprises at least one elastic element installed in a flip-flop arrangement whereby said elastic element pushes said first and second locking elements towards their locked and unlocked positions from an intermediate neutral position. 
     
     
         9 . The solar tracker according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the automatic connection/disconnection device further comprises a first activation lever positioned such that it is pushed from a stand-by position to an activation position by an element attached to the base or to the solar panel when the solar panel pivoting around the second shaft reaches said position parallel to the base, said first activation lever being kinematically linked to a first pusher arranged for moving said first locking element from the unlocked position to beyond said intermediate neutral position when the first activation lever is pushed to said activation position, and a second activation lever positioned such that it is pushed from a stand-by position to an activation position by an element attached to the base or to the solar panel when the solar panel pivoting around the first shaft reaches said position parallel to the base, said second activation lever being kinematically linked to a second pusher arranged for moving said second locking element from the unlocked position to beyond said intermediate neutral position when the second activation lever is pushed to said activation position. 
     
     
         10 . The solar tracker according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the first activation lever is positioned at the entrance of said first half-bearing such that it is pushed from the stand-by position to the activation position by the first journal when it is received in the first half-bearing and the second activation lever is positioned at the entrance of said second half-bearing such that it is pushed from the stand-by position to the activation position by the second journal when the second journal is received in the second half-bearing. 
     
     
         11 . The solar tracker according to  claim 2 , characterized in that said solar panel comprises a support structure supporting at least one photovoltaic panel and in that said first and second half-bearings together with the automatic connection/disconnection device are fixed to said support structure of the solar panel and said first and second journals are fixed to the base. 
     
     
         12 . The solar tracker according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said lifting mechanism comprises at least a first movable arm having an upper end connected to the solar panel by a first articulation and a lower end connected by a second articulation to a first nut coupled to a first threaded region of a screw supported in the base and rotatably driven by said actuator. 
     
     
         13 . The solar tracker according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the lifting mechanism further comprises at least a second movable arm having an upper end connected to the solar panel by the first articulation and a lower end connected by a third articulation to a second nut coupled to a second threaded region of said screw, said first and second threaded portions of the screw having opposite thread directions. 
     
     
         14 . The solar tracker according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the screw has a rotation axis arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first and second shafts. 
     
     
         15 . The solar tracker according to  claim 14 , characterized in that the screw, said first and second nuts and the actuator are installed such that they move freely with respect to the base along a guide oriented in a direction parallel to said rotation axis of the screw. 
     
     
         16 . The solar tracker according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the first activation lever is positioned at the entrance of said first half-bearing such that it is pushed from the stand-by position to the activation position by the first journal when it is received in the first half-bearing and the second activation lever is positioned at the entrance of said second half-bearing such that it is pushed from the stand-by position to the activation position by the second journal when the second journal is received in the second half-bearing.