Patents Assigned to Texas Instruments Austin Incorporated
  • Patent number: 8522773
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is a solar tracker that is a simple 2 axis system that can be powered with integrated stepping motors and lead screw actuators that provides the necessary structural support and 2 degrees of freedom in the motion of the solar collector, to increase the electrical output of the system. Since the solution is designed for use with only one solar panel the mechanical forces such as wind load are much lower and easier to manage. The disclosed invention is also a solar tracker that is a single axis version where the base is fixed and the elevation is set at an average value for the location and pivoting mechanism operates the azimuth axis. Since the dominant energy improvement comes from tracking the azimuth, this would be a likely solution where a lower cost or less complex system is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Austin Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven M. Meyer