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.

Abstract: A solar tracker bearing housing includes a housing, a pin aperture at the housing, a rotatable ring rotatably seated at the pin aperture, and a pin received at the rotatable ring. The pin is configured to rotatably connect to at least one torque tube to cause the pin to rotate with the torque tube in a first plane, and the pin is configured to pivot with the rotatable ring in a second, different plane to change an angular orientation of the pin relative to the pin aperture.

Abstract: A flexible tube connector includes a central tube region, a first tube end portion, a second tube end portion, and one or more flexibility features. The first tube end portion extends out from one end of the central tube region, and the first tube end portion is configured to couple to a first torque tube of a solar tracker apparatus. The second tube end portion extends out from another, opposite end of the central tube region, and the second tube end portion is configured to couple to a second torque tube of the solar tracker apparatus. The one or more flexibility features are at the central tube region, and the one or more flexibility features are configured to cause the first tube end portion to connect to the first torque tube and the second tube end portion to connect to the second torque tube at a plurality of angular orientations.

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.

Abstract: A method and system of analyzing health of a solar tracker, including confirming solar tracker is in a starting position, driving solar tracker through a range of angles, collecting data regarding performance of solar tracker, analyzing the collected data, and presenting one or more aspects of the collected data on a user interface indicating the health of the solar tracker.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A sealing mechanism for sealing an entrance aperture includes a flange with an interface defining an entrance aperture. A first drive shaft and a second drive shaft are coupled to a first drive element. A first linear rail is positioned on a first side of the entrance aperture. A first door linkage is pivotally coupled to a door, and coupled to the first linear rail and to the first drive element. A first pivoting cam is coupled to the first door linkage. A first cam latch is positioned on the first side of the entrance aperture and sized to receive the first pivoting cam. Contact between the first cam latch and the first cam urges the door inwardly at an angle relative to a direction of movement of the door to urge the door to contact an outer edge of the interface defining the entrance aperture.

Abstract: A nonintrusive inspection apparatus is described of the kind having a base frame, an elongated shield on the base frame, a conveyor belt passing through the shield which is used for transporting closed containers, and a rotating CT scanner subsystem which is used for scanning the container on the conveyor belt. The CT scanner subsystem is mounted through the shield to the base frame. The shield provides sufficient rigidity for the CT scanner subsystem. A cover is positioned over the CT scanner subsystem, but only over a portion of the shield, thereby allowing for a person on one side of the shield to see a person on an opposite side of the shield.

Abstract: An inspection system includes a housing having a cavity which defines an inspection zone, and a positioning device within the inspection zone which provides positioning of a specimen within the inspection zone. The inspection system includes a sensor system for inspecting the specimen, and an entrance aperture formed in the housing. The entrance aperture may be sized to permit the specimen to pass through the entrance aperture. The inspection system also includes a sealing mechanism, such as a door, which cooperates with the positioning device. The sealing mechanism is operatively coupled to the housing and selectively positionable between open and closed positions. The open position permits the specimen to pass through the entrance aperture, and the closed position seals the entrance aperture to effectively isolate the inspection system.

Abstract: An x-ray technique-based nonintrusive inspection apparatus is provided which is capable of inspecting 600 containers an hour which is small, and which is easily maintainable. Features of the apparatus include “radiation locking” with “active curtains”, “continuous scanning” utilizing an x-ray line scanner subsystem and a CT scanner subsystem, good structural integrity, radiation containment in a self-shielding manner, an easily maintainable driving arrangement, shielding curtains that can be raised and lowered quickly, a container jam release mechanism, and efficient air conditioning.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for mounting a plurality of detector modules to a rotatable gantry structure for an x-ray detection machine. The method comprises mounting the plurality of detector modules end-to-end to define a stair-step configuration in an x-ray detection zone of the rotatable gantry structure.

Abstract: An x-ray technique-based nonintrusive inspection apparatus is provided which is capable of inspecting 600 containers an hour which is small, and which is easily maintainable. Features of the apparatus include “radiation locking” with “active curtains”, “continuous scanning” utilizing an x-ray line scanner subsystem and a CT scanner subsystem, good structural integrity, radiation containment in a self-shielding manner, an easily maintainable driving arrangement, shielding curtains that can be raised and lowered quickly, a container jam release mechanism, and efficient air conditioning.

Abstract: An x-ray-based nonintrusive inspection apparatus has a collimator shield. An adjusting actuator is actuable to move the collimator shield between a pre-scanning position and a CT scanning position, in the pre-scanning position, the collimator shield exposing a smaller portion of a respective crystal to the x-rays than in the CT scanning position. A controller is connected to a gantry motor and the adjusting actuator. The controller controls the motor and the adjusting actuator such that the collimator shield is in the pre-scanning position when a gantry is stationary and in the CT scanning position when the gantry is rotating.