Patents Assigned to NEXTRACKER
  • Publication number: 20190379323
    Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a plurality of support beams configured to support the solar array, a torque tube coupled to the plurality of support beams, a base configured to rotatably support the torque tube, and an articulation system configured to rotate the torque tube relative to the base. The articulation system includes a first helical tube coupled to the torque tube, a first helical tube support disposed on the base and configured to slidably support the first helical tube, and a gearbox in mechanical communication with the first helical tube. Actuation of the gearbox causes the first helical tube to translate within the first helical tube support and the first helical tube support is configured to rotate the first helical tube as the first helical tube is translated therein to cause a corresponding rotation of the solar array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander W. Au, Andrew T. Smith, Poi K. Tran
  • Publication number: 20190296688
    Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Kresse, Samuel Heller
  • Publication number: 20190296686
    Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Kresse, Samuel Heller
  • Publication number: 20190296687
    Abstract: A solar system is provided and includes a solar array and a support structure configured to support the solar array. The support structure includes structural beam which includes an upper plate, a lower plate that is disposed opposite to the upper plate, a first side plate interposed between the upper and lower plates, and a second side plate interposed between the upper and lower plates and spaced apart from the first side plate. Each of the upper and lower plates is fixedly coupled to the first and second plates by a plurality of joints formed by clinching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob M. Morin, Stuart Upfill-Brown
  • Patent number: 10389294
    Abstract: In an example, a clamp assembly for a glass on glass solar module for a tracker is included. The assembly has a lower clamp structure characterized by a top-hat shaped rail structure having a length extending from a first end to a second end. In an example, the assembly has an upper clamp structure configured to sandwich a pair of edges of a pair of solar modules with a portion of the lower clamp structure. In an example, the assembly has a locking spacer configured to the pair of edges of the pair of solar modules. In an example, the pair of edges comprises substantially glass material. In an example, the assembly has a pair of key structures configured with the locking spacer. Each of the key structures is affixed to each of the solar modules to physically lock each of the solar modules to the upper clamp structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 10379193
    Abstract: A slew gear drive including a housing having a tubular portion having a longitudinal axis, a shaft formed with a worm gear configured for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis within the tubular portion of the housing, and a torque tube having an outer surface, the torque tube carried by the housing for rotational movement about a rotational axis perpendicular to the worm gear, wherein an inner race coupled to the torque tube including a gear having teeth configured to engage the worm gear, the teeth extending less than a 360 degrees around the inner race. Rotation of the worm gear about the longitudinal axis engaging the teeth of the inner race, thereby rotating the inner race the torque tube about the rotational axis relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Publication number: 20190204405
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a solar module including a single-axis solar tracker orientable about an axis of rotation, and a photovoltaic device supported by said tracker and having upper and lower photoactive faces, including: measurement of a distribution of the solar luminance called incident luminance originating from the incident solar radiation coming from the sky to reach the upper face, said distribution being established according to several elevation angles; measurement of a distribution of the solar luminance called reflected luminance originating from the albedo solar radiation corresponding to the reflection of the solar radiation on the ground to reach the lower face, said distribution being established according to several elevation angles; determination of an optimum orientation considering the measurements of said distributions of the incident and reflected solar luminance; servo-control of the orientation of the module on said optimum orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventors: Jérôme ARLIAUD, Madyan MICHOTTE DE WELLE
  • Patent number: 10305419
    Abstract: A method and system for cleaning an array of solar panels. The system can include an applicator apparatus configured with a plurality of cleaning devices, and an automatic position system (APS) configured with the applicator apparatus. The APS can include a first and second sensor coupled to the applicator apparatus. A controller coupled to the first and second sensor devices can be configured to adjust a position of the applicator apparatus to maintain the plurality of cleaning devices in a direction facing a solar panel to facilitate a removal of an undesired material from the solar panel, while the applicator apparatus is moved from a first position to a second position. A mobile vehicle can be configured with the applicator apparatus to move along a row of the array of solar panels to perform the method for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Shugar
  • Patent number: 10075125
    Abstract: A solar tracker apparatus includes an adjustable hanger assembly that has a clam shell hanger assembly. The clam shell hanger assembly may hold a torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end. A center of mass of the solar tracker apparatus may be aligned with a center of rotation of the torque tubes, in order to reduce a load of a drive device operably coupled to the torque tube. Solar modules may be coupled to the torque tubes. The solar tracker includes an energy system that includes solar panel, a DC to DC converter, a battery, and a micro-controller. The energy system may facilitate full operation movement of the tracker apparatus without any external power lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Alex Au
  • Patent number: 10008975
    Abstract: In an example, the solar tracker has a clamp assembly configured to pivot a torque tube. In an example, the assembly has a support structure configured as a frame having configured by a first and second anchoring region. In an example, the support structure is configured from a thickness of metal material. In an example, the support structure is configured in an upright manner, and has a major plane region. In an example, the assembly has a pivot device configured on the support structure, a torque tube suspending on the pivot device and aligned within an opening of the support, and configured to be normal to the plane region. In an example, the torque tube is configured on the pivot device to move about an arc in a first direction or in a second direction such that the first direction is in a direction opposite to the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 9998068
    Abstract: In an example, the system has a mechanical isolator comprising an elastic material configured to separate the panel rail from the torque tube cause destructive interference with a natural resonant frequency of the system without the mechanical isolator to reduce a mechanical vibration of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 9970686
    Abstract: A solar tracker apparatus comprises a center of mass with an adjustable hanger assembly configured with a clam shell clamp assembly on the adjustable hanger assembly and a cylindrical torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end such that the center of mass is aligned with a center of rotation of the cylindrical torque tubes to reduce a load of a drive motor operably coupled to the cylindrical torque tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 9954127
    Abstract: A solar module configured in a frame assembly with multi-configuration attachment member(s), which has locking and unlocking characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 9923510
    Abstract: In an example, the solar tracker has a clamp assembly configured to pivot a torque tube. In an example, the assembly has a support structure configured as a frame having configured by a first and second anchoring region. In an example, the support structure is configured from a thickness of metal material. In an example, the support structure is configured in an upright manner, and has a major plane region. In an example, the assembly has a pivot device configured on the support structure, a torque tube suspending on the pivot device and aligned within an opening of the support, and configured to be normal to the plane region. In an example, the torque tube is configured on the pivot device to move about an arc in a first direction or in a second direction such that the first direction is in a direction opposite to the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 9905717
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus. In an example, the apparatus comprises a center of mass with an adjustable hanger assembly configured with a clam shell clamp assembly on the adjustable hanger assembly and a cylindrical torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end such that the center of mass is aligned with a center of rotation of the cylindrical torque tubes to reduce a load of a drive motor operably coupled to the cylindrical torque tube. Further details of the present example, among others, can be found throughout the present specification and more particularly below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 9863667
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus. In an example, the apparatus comprises a center of mass with an adjustable hanger assembly configured with a clam shell clamp assembly on the adjustable hanger assembly and a cylindrical torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end such that the center of mass is aligned with a center of rotation of the cylindrical torque tubes to reduce a load of a drive motor operably coupled to the cylindrical torque tube. Further details of the present example, among others, can be found throughout the present specification and more particularly below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 9766319
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus configured with an off-set drive assembly. In an example, the apparatus has an inner race structure, which has a cylindrical region coupled to a main body region, the main body comprising an off-set open region. The cylindrical region is an annular sleeve structure coupled to the main body region, which occupies the spatial region within the cylindrical region. In an example, the apparatus has an outer race structure coupled to enclose the inner race structure, configured to couple the inner race structure to allow the inner race structure to move in a rotational manner about a spatial arc region; and configured to allow the inner race structure to pivot about a region normal to a direction of the spatial arc region. In an example, the solar tracker has a clamp assembly that is configured to pivot a torque tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: D804407
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: D832200
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: D862379
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au