Positioning system and method for positioning an article

Abstract

A positioning system for an object, such as a solar panel, to be moved in a controlled manner from an initial position in a direction of movement along a movement path including an azimuthal component into a final position includes a preloading device connected to the object and configured to exert a permanently acting force on the object in the direction of movement, the force having a component acting in an azimuthal direction, and a brake apparatus configured to fix the object in a predetermined position along the movement path.

1 . A positioning system for an object to be moved in a controlled manner from an initial position in a direction of movement along a movement path including an azimuthal component into a final position, comprising:
 a preloading device connected to the object and configured to exert a permanently acting force on the object in the direction of movement, wherein the force has a component acting in an azimuthal direction; and   a brake apparatus configured to fix the object in a predetermined position along the movement path.   
     
     
         2 . The positioning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the preloading device comprises an element that can store potential energy such that the force is generated by the stored potential energy. 
     
     
         3 . The positioning system according to  claim 2 , wherein the preloading device comprises a spring tensionable against the movement path and/or a weight, movable against the force of gravity, the weight being coupled to the object such that a weight force acting on the weight causes the force acting in the direction of the movement path. 
     
     
         4 . The positioning system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a retracting apparatus, which is configured to move the object against the permanently acting force from the final position into the initial position. 
     
     
         5 . The positioning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the object is a solar panel that is rotatably supported about a horizontal axis of rotation. 
     
     
         6 . The positioning system according to  claim 5 , further comprising a frame mounted to the solar panel such that the center of gravity of a unit comprising the frame and the solar panel falls outside the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         7 . The positioning system according to  claim 6 , wherein the frame includes a boom extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation and including a weight attached to the boom at a predetermined distance from the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         8 . The positioning system according to  claim 6 , wherein the brake apparatus is configured to fix the position of the frame or of the solar panel with respect to the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         9 . The positioning system according to  claim 6 , wherein the frame is furthermore rotatably supported with respect to a vertical axis of rotation perpendicular to the horizontal direction, wherein the preloading device includes a first fixed arm extending perpendicular from the vertical axis and rotationally fixed with respect to the frame and a second stationary arm, wherein the first and the second arm are connected to each other via a spring. 
     
     
         10 . The positioning system according to  claim 9 , wherein the brake apparatus is further configured to fix the position of the frame or the position of the solar panel with respect to the vertical axis of rotation. 
     
     
         11 . A method for controlled movement of an object from an initial position to a final position via a plurality of intermediate positions disposed along a movement path, the movement path including an azimuthal component, the method comprising:
 exerting a permanently acting force on the object in the direction of the movement path, wherein the force includes a component acting in an azimuthal direction; and   fixing the object at an intermediate position along the movement path using a brake apparatus.   
     
     
         12 . The positioning system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the object includes a solar panel mounted on a frame for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation and the preloading device comprises a boom extending from the frame and supporting a weight such that a center of gravity of the system comprising the solar panel, the frame, the weight and the boom does not lie on the axis of rotation, a position of the weight on the boom being adjustable, and   the system further including at least one motor for shifting the solar panel from the final position to the initial position against the permanently acting force.   
     
     
         13 . The positioning system according to  claim 12 , wherein the frame is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis of rotation, and
 wherein the preloading device further comprises a spring rotationally biasing the frame in a first rotational direction, and wherein the at least one motor is configured to rotate the frame in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.   
     
     
         14 . The positioning system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the object includes a solar panel mounted on a frame for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation,   wherein the frame is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis of rotation,   wherein the preloading device comprises a spring rotationally biasing the frame in the direction of movement, and   the system further includes a motor for shifting the solar panel from the final position to the initial position against the permanently acting force.   
     
     
         15 . The positioning system according to  claim 14 , wherein the preloading device includes a first arm extending perpendicular from a vertical portion of the frame and configured to rotate with the vertical portion of the frame and a second arm rotationally fixed relative to the vertical portion of the frame and a spring connecting the first arm to the second arm. 
     
     
         16 . A positioning system for moving, in a controlled manner, a solar panel mounted on a frame from a beginning of a movement path to an end of the movement path, the movement path having an azimuthal component, the positioning system including:
 a spring configured to rotate a vertical portion of the frame in a first rotational direction; and   a brake configured to selectively block the rotation of the frame in the first rotational direction.   
     
     
         17 . The positioning system according to  claim 16 , including a first arm extending from a vertical portion of the frame and configured to rotate with the vertical portion of the frame and a second arm rotationally fixed relative to the vertical portion of the frame, the spring connecting the first arm to the second arm. 
     
     
         18 . The positioning system according to  claim 16 , further including at least one motor for rotating the vertical portion of the frame in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         19 . The positioning system according to  claim 16 , wherein the frame is mounted for ration about a horizontal axis of rotation and further comprising a boom extending from the frame and supporting a weight such that a center of gravity of a system comprising the solar panel, the frame, the weight and the boom does not lie on the horizontal axis of rotation, a position of the weight on the boom being adjustable, and
 the system further including at least one motor for shifting the solar panel from the end of the movement path to the beginning of the movement path and for rotating the vertical portion of the frame in a second direction opposite the first direction.