Abstract: A snap-on mounting bracket assembly suitable for connecting a mounting rail to a torque tube is provided. The mounting bracket assembly includes an upper clamp piece and a lower clamp piece. The upper clamp piece has a first member defining a tube insertion aperture and an open bottom space and includes an upper partial fastener. The lower clamp piece has a second member with a lower partial fastener configured to mate with the upper partial fastener such that the lower clamp piece is attachable to the upper clamp piece. In exemplary embodiments, the lower clamp piece further comprises two opposing support members configured to attach to the mounting rail. Solar tracker assemblies incorporating snap-on open mounting brackets are provided. Methods of mounting framed or unframed solar modules are also described. A mounting rail is attached to an upper clamp piece of a mounting assembly. Then the upper clamp piece is snapped onto a torque tube.

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly is provided which includes a support column, a torque tube or torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torque tube or torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torque tube or torsion beam, and a spring counter-balance assembly connected to the torque tube or torsion beam. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly comprises a bearing housing and a bushing disposed within the bearing housing and configured to be slideably mounted onto the torque tube or torsion beam, and one or more compressible cords made of a flexible material. The compressible cords are located between the bushing and the bearing housing and provide damping during rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly is provided including at least one top bracket and at least one bottom bracket, at least one spring, a damper, and a bracket.

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly comprises a support column, a torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torsion beam, and a torsion limiter connected to an output of the drive system. When an external force causes a level of torsion on the drive system to exceed a pre-set limit the torsion limiter facilitates rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly in the direction of the torsion, thereby allowing the external force to rotate about a pivot axis extending through the torsion beam. Exemplary embodiments also include methods of aligning a plurality of rows of solar trackers.

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly comprises a support column, a torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torsion beam, and a torsion limiter connected to an output of the drive system. When an external force causes a level of torsion on the drive system to exceed a pre-set limit the torsion limiter facilitates rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly in the direction of the torsion, thereby allowing the external force to rotate about a pivot axis extending through the torsion beam. Exemplary embodiments also include methods of aligning a plurality of rows of solar trackers.

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly comprises a support column, a torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torsion beam, and a torsion limiter connected to an output of the drive system. When an external force causes a level of torsion on the drive system to exceed a pre-set limit the torsion limiter facilitates rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly in the direction of the torsion, thereby allowing the external force to rotate about a pivot axis extending through the torsion beam. Exemplary embodiments also include methods of aligning a plurality of rows of solar trackers.

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly is provided which includes a support column, a torque tube or torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torque tube or torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torque tube or torsion beam, and a spring counter-balance assembly connected to the torque tube or torsion beam. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly comprises a bearing housing and a bushing disposed within the bearing housing and configured to be slideably mounted onto the torque tube or torsion beam, and one or more compressible cords made of a flexible material. The compressible cords are located between the bushing and the bearing housing and provide damping during rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly is provided including at least one top bracket and at least one bottom bracket, at least one spring, a damper, and a bracket.

Abstract: A snap-on mounting bracket assembly suitable for connecting a mounting rail to a torque tube is provided. The mounting bracket assembly includes an upper clamp piece and a lower clamp piece. The upper clamp piece has a first member defining a tube insertion aperture and an open bottom space and includes an upper partial fastener. The lower clamp piece has a second member with a lower partial fastener configured to mate with the upper partial fastener such that the lower clamp piece is attachable to the upper clamp piece. In exemplary embodiments, the lower clamp piece further comprises two opposing support members configured to attach to the mounting rail. Solar tracker assemblies incorporating snap-on open mounting brackets are provided. Methods of mounting framed or unframed solar modules are also described. A mounting rail is attached to an upper clamp piece of a mounting assembly. Then the upper clamp piece is snapped onto a torque tube.

Abstract: A snap-on mounting bracket assembly suitable for connecting a mounting rail to a torque tube is provided. The mounting bracket assembly includes an upper clamp piece and a lower clamp piece. The upper clamp piece has a first member defining a tube insertion aperture and an open bottom space and includes an upper partial fastener. The lower clamp piece has a second member with a lower partial fastener configured to mate with the upper partial fastener such that the lower clamp piece is attachable to the upper clamp piece. In exemplary embodiments, the lower clamp piece further comprises two opposing support members configured to attach to the mounting rail. Solar tracker assemblies incorporating snap-on open mounting brackets are provided. Methods of mounting framed or unframed solar modules are also described. A mounting rail is attached to an upper clamp piece of a mounting assembly. Then the upper clamp piece is snapped onto a torque tube.

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly is provided which includes a support column, a torque tube or torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torque tube or torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torque tube or torsion beam, and a spring counter-balance assembly connected to the torque tube or torsion beam. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly comprises a bearing housing and a bushing disposed within the bearing housing and configured to be slideably mounted onto the torque tube or torsion beam, and one or more compressible cords made of a flexible material. The compressible cords are located between the bushing and the bearing housing and provide damping during rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly is provided including at least one top bracket and at least one bottom bracket, at least one spring, a damper, and a bracket.

Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly is provided in which a mounting bracket includes a first attachable bracket piece and a second attachable bracket piece, a first fastener, a second fastener, and a third fastener. Each attachable bracket piece has a top member and a bottom member connected to the top member at an angle. The first clamp is attached to the top member of the first attachable bracket piece by the first fastener. The second clamp is attached to the top member of the second attachable bracket piece by a second fastener. The third fastener secures the bottom member of the first attachable bracket piece to the bottom member of the second attachable bracket piece. The mounting bracket defines a beam insertion aperture between the top members and the bottom members. The mounting bracket assembly may include a first integral grounding device located adjacent the top member of the first attachable bracket piece or adjacent the top member of the second attachable bracket piece.

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly comprises a support column, a torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torsion beam, and a torsion limiter connected to an output of the drive system. When an external force causes a level of torsion on the drive system to exceed a pre-set limit the torsion limiter facilitates rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly in the direction of the torsion, thereby allowing the external force to rotate about a pivot axis extending through the torsion beam. Exemplary embodiments also include methods of aligning a plurality of rows of solar trackers.

Abstract: A snap-on mounting bracket assembly suitable for connecting a mounting rail to a torque tube is provided. The mounting bracket assembly includes an upper clamp piece and a lower clamp piece. The upper clamp piece has a first member defining a tube insertion aperture and an open bottom space and includes an upper partial fastener. The lower clamp piece has a second member with a lower partial fastener configured to mate with the upper partial fastener such that the lower clamp piece is attachable to the upper clamp piece. In exemplary embodiments, the lower clamp piece further comprises two opposing support members configured to attach to the mounting rail. Solar tracker assemblies incorporating snap-on open mounting brackets are provided. Methods of mounting framed or unframed solar modules are also described. A mounting rail is attached to an upper clamp piece of a mounting assembly. Then the upper clamp piece is snapped onto a torque tube.

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly comprises a support column, a torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torsion beam, and a torsion limiter connected to an output of the drive system. When an external force causes a level of torsion on the drive system to exceed a pre-set limit the torsion limiter facilitates rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly in the direction of the torsion, thereby allowing the external force to rotate about a pivot axis extending through the torsion beam. Exemplary embodiments also include methods of aligning a plurality of rows of solar trackers.

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly comprises a support column, a torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torsion beam, and a torsion limiter connected to an output of the drive system. When an external force causes a level of torsion on the drive system to exceed a pre-set limit the torsion limiter facilitates rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly in the direction of the torsion, thereby allowing the external force to rotate about a pivot axis extending through the torsion beam. Exemplary embodiments also include methods of aligning a plurality of rows of solar trackers.

Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly is provided in which a mounting bracket includes a first attachable bracket piece and a second attachable bracket piece, a first fastener, a second fastener, and a third fastener. Each attachable bracket piece has a top member and a bottom member connected to the top member at an angle. The first clamp is attached to the top member of the first attachable bracket piece by the first fastener. The second clamp is attached to the top member of the second attachable bracket piece by a second fastener. The third fastener secures the bottom member of the first attachable bracket piece to the bottom member of the second attachable bracket piece. The mounting bracket defines a beam insertion aperture between the top members and the bottom members. The mounting bracket assembly may include a first integral grounding device located adjacent the top member of the first attachable bracket piece or adjacent the top member of the second attachable bracket piece.

Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly comprises a flexible body including at least one top member and a flexible angled bottom member connected to the top member. The flexible body defines a beam insertion aperture between the top member and the bottom member. The mounting bracket assembly further comprises at least one clamp attached to the top member. The mounting bracket assembly may further comprise a threaded rod running through the at least one top member and a clamping nut securing the threaded rod to the top member such that rotating the clamping nut compresses the top member and grounds an electricity generating device such as a photovoltaic module. The mounting bracket assembly may further comprise an integral grounding device disposed adjacent the top member to electrically ground the electricity generating device.

Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly comprises a flexible body including at least one top member and a flexible angled bottom member connected to the top member. The flexible body defines a beam insertion aperture between the top member and the bottom member. The mounting bracket assembly further comprises at least one clamp attached to the top member. The mounting bracket assembly may further comprise a threaded rod running through the at least one top member and a clamping nut securing the threaded rod to the top member such that rotating the clamping nut compresses the top member and grounds an electricity generating device such as a photovoltaic module. The mounting bracket assembly may further comprise an integral grounding device disposed adjacent the top member to electrically ground the electricity generating device.

Abstract: An image transducing apparatus is disclosed. An object to be imaged is located in a fixed object plane. A lens focuses the image of the object upon an imaging plane. A photoelectric transducing array having a plurality of congruent, discrete, spaced-apart transducing elements arranged in an array is located in the imaging plane and provides an electrical signal representative of the light intensity thereon. The photoelectric array is movable on a microstage which is movable in two axis. The microstage is mechanically displaced in a direction parallel to the imaging plane from a first position to a plurality of subsequent positions. The distance from each position to a subsequent position is less than the dimension of a transducing element along the direction of the displacement. The photoelectric array is moved and is stopped at each of the displaced positions where an electrical signal from the photoelectric array is taken.

Abstract: An image transducing apparatus is disclosed. An object to be imaged is located in a fixed object plane. A lens focuses the image of the object upon an imaging plane. A photoelectric transducing array having a plurality of congruent, discrete, spaced-apart transducing elements arranged in an array is located in the imaging plane and provides an electrical signal representative of the light intensity thereon. The photoelectric array is movable on a microstage which is movable in two axis. The microstage is mechanically displaced in a direction parallel to the imaging plane from a first position to a plurality of subsequent positions. The distance from each position to a subsequent position is less than the dimension of a transducing element along the direction of the displacement. The photoelectric array is moved and is stopped at each of the displaced positions where an electrical signal from the photoelectric array is taken.

Abstract: In this invention an all electronic circuit for moving and stopping an object is disclosed. The object is responsive to movement from a drive signal. The object is moved from a first position to a final position and is stopped without physical damping or substantial ringing and the like. The circuit provides for the generation of a first signal which moves the object from the first position to an intermediate position, which is between the first position and the final position. A second signal is generated where the second signal is a time delay signal of the first signal. The first and second signals are combined to produce the drive signal.