Dynamic stabilizer for solar trackers

Abstract

A non-drive dynamic stabilizer includes a damper and an actuator. The dynamic stabilizer provides multiple states of support to a solar tracker structure. These states may include 1) flexible movement and/or damping during normal operation (i.e. tracking) and/or 2) rigid or locked, whereby the dynamic stabilizer acts as a restraint. The dynamic stabilizer is actuated by a control system according to the real-time demands on the structure. Sensors to provide input to the control system may include wind speed sensors, wind direction sensors, snow sensors, vibration sensors and/or displacement sensors.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dynamic stabilizer for a solar tracker system, the dynamic stabilizer comprising:
 a damper including a damper shaft, a pin extending through the damper shaft, and a valve disposed within the damper, the valve configured to regulate the flow of oil through the damper;   an actuator configured to contact the pin; and   a tracker controller electrically connected to the actuator;   wherein, in response to a signal from the tracker controller, the actuator is actuatable to depress the pin and open the valve, and, in response to another signal from the tracker controller, the actuator is actuatable to release the pin and close the valve.   
     
     
         2 . The dynamic stabilizer of  claim 1  wherein, when the valve is open, oil is allowed to flow through the damper and the damper is unlocked. 
     
     
         3 . The dynamic stabilizer of  claim 2  wherein, when the damper is unlocked, the damper provides damping in response to an externally applied force. 
     
     
         4 . The dynamic stabilizer of  claim 1  wherein, when the valve is closed, oil is prevented from flowing through the damper and the damper is locked. 
     
     
         5 . The dynamic stabilizer of  claim 4  wherein, when the damper is locked, the damper is a rigid strut. 
     
     
         6 . The dynamic stabilizer of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one environmental sensor; and 
 a control system configured to receive a signal from the at least one environmental sensor; 
 wherein the tracker controller is configured to receive the signals form the control system. 
 
     
     
         7 . The dynamic stabilizer of  claim 1  further comprising a rod end connected to the damper. 
     
     
         8 . The dynamic stabilizer of  claim 7  further comprising an enclosure connected to the rod end. 
     
     
         9 . The dynamic stabilizer of  claim 1  wherein the actuator further comprises a rod configured to contact the pin.