Support for solar energy collection

Abstract

A solar energy collection system can include support devices made with bearings. Such bearings can include an inner partially toroidal surface for sliding contact and support of an outer surface of a torque tube. The toroidal surface can be made with a single radius of curvature or multiple radiuses of curvature and cylindrical portions. The bearings can include connectors for connecting the bearing members to a support housing. The connectors can be tool-less connectors.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A sun-tracking photovoltaic solar collector array, comprising:
 a plurality of photovoltaic devices;   a support assembly supporting the plurality of photovoltaic devices so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis, the support assembly comprising:
 at least a first pivot supporting the plurality of photovoltaic modules and having an outer surface; 
 at least a first bearing supporting the first pivot so as to be pivotable about the pivot axis, the first bearing comprising a first bearing seat having a center line substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis, the first bearing further comprising a fixture portion configured to be secured so as to be fixed relative to the ground; 
 at least one pier supporting the first bearing at a position above a support surface, the first pier comprising at least a first web portion; 
   wherein the fixture portion of the first bearing comprises a face portion configured to lie flat against the first web portion of the pier, and,   wherein the center line of the bearing seat is offset from the first web portion of the pier.   
     
     
         3 . The sun tracking photovoltaic solar collector array according to  claim 2 , wherein the face portion is substantially planar. 
     
     
         4 . The sun tracking photovoltaic solar collector array according to  claim 2 , wherein the first bearing seat comprises an outer surface that is at least partially toroidal. 
     
     
         5 . The sun tracking photovoltaic solar collector array according to  claim 2 , wherein the first bearing seat extends around about 180 degrees of the of the outer surface of the first pivot. 
     
     
         6 . The sun tracking photovoltaic solar collector array according to  claim 2 , wherein the fixture portion of the first bearing comprises at least one aperture for securing the fixture portion to the pier with a range of positions. 
     
     
         7 . The sun tracking photovoltaic solar collector array according to  claim 2  further comprising a second bearing seat fixed relative to the first bearing seat, wherein the first and second bearing seats are arranged so as to extend around a circumference of the outer surface of the first pivot. 
     
     
         8 . The sun tracking photovoltaic solar collector array according to  claim 2 , wherein the support assembly further comprises a first bearing member having an outer surface adapted to be supported by the first bearing seat and an inner surface positioned so as to slide against the outer surface of the first pivot when the first pivot pivots about the pivot axis, the inner surface being at least partially toroidal. 
     
     
         9 . The sun tracking photovoltaic solar collector array according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least partially toroidal inner surface of the first bearing member comprises a cross section having a central flat portion and first and second side portions that are curved. 
     
     
         10 . The sun tracking photovoltaic solar collector array according to  claim 8 , wherein the first bearing member defines a central axis and extends at least partially around the pivot axis; and, wherein a space between the first pivot and the inner surface of the first bearing member defines a clearance such that the first pivot contacts the first curved side portion when the pivot axis is disposed at a first angle relative to the central axis and such that the first pivot contacts the central flat portion when the pivot axis is disposed at a second angle relative to the central axis. 
     
     
         11 . The sun tracking photovoltaic solar collector array according to  claim 8  further comprising a second bearing seat fixed relative to the first bearing seat and a second bearing member, the second bearing seat supporting the second bearing member, and wherein the first and second bearing members are arranged so as to extend around a circumference of the outer surface of the first pivot. 
     
     
         12 . The sun tracking photovoltaic solar collector array according to  claim 8 , wherein an inner diameter of the at least partially toroidal inner surface of the first bearing member is sufficiently larger than an outer diameter of the outer surface of the first pivot such that the pivot axis of the first pivot can be axially offset from a central axis of the first bearing member by about nine degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The sun tracking photovoltaic solar collector array according to  claim 8 , wherein the first bearing comprises a connector connecting the first bearing member directly to the first bearing seat. 
     
     
         14 . The sun tracking photovoltaic solar collector array according to  claim 13 , wherein the connector is tool-less connector. 
     
     
         15 . The sun tracking photovoltaic solar collector array according to  claim 14 , wherein the connector comprises a protrusion on the outer surface of the first bearing member that is configured to form a snap fit with an aperture on the first bearing seat. 
     
     
         16 . A sun-tracking photovoltaic solar collector array, comprising:
 a plurality of photovoltaic devices;   at least a first pivot supporting the plurality of photovoltaic devices and having an outer surface;   a bearing assembly supporting the first pivot so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis, the bearing assembly comprising:
 a fixture portion configured to be adjustable so as to achieve a desired alignment of the bearing assembly with the first pivot; 
 at least a first bearing seat coupled to the fixture portion; 
   at least one pier supporting the bearing assembly at a position above a support surface; and,   wherein the fixture portion of the bearing assembly is configured to be fixed to the pier with a range of positions.   
     
     
         17 . The sun tracking photovoltaic solar collector array according to  claim 16 , wherein the first bearing seat extends around about 180 degrees of the of the outer surface of the first pivot. 
     
     
         18 . The sun tracking photovoltaic solar collector array according to  claim 16 , wherein the first bearing seat comprises an outer surface that is at least partially toroidal. 
     
     
         19 . The sun tracking photovoltaic solar collector array according to  claim 16 , wherein the bearing assembly further comprises a first bearing member having an outer surface adapted to be supported by the first bearing seat and an inner surface positioned so as to slide against the outer surface of the pivot when the first pivot pivots about the pivot axis, the inner surface being at least partially toroidal. 
     
     
         20 . The sun tracking photovoltaic solar collector array according to  claim 16 , wherein the fixture portion comprises at least one aperture for allowing the fixture portion to be fixed to the pier with a range of positions. 
     
     
         21 . The sun tracking photovoltaic solar collector array according to  claim 20 , wherein the at least one aperture is slot shaped.