Abstract: A solar tracker includes a plurality of piers, one end of the piers configured for installation in the earth, a plurality of bearings, each bearing supported by a pier, a torque tube received in the plurality of bearings and configured to support a plurality of solar modules, a plurality of drive motors, each drive motor associated with a pier, a plurality of high efficiency gear boxes, each high efficiency gear box associated with one of the plurality of drive motors; and a plurality of brakes, each brake associated with one of the plurality of high efficiency gear boxes and one of the plurality of drive motors, wherein in combination the plurality of brakes apply sufficient braking force to prevent back driving of the torque tube.

Abstract: A solar tracker includes a plurality of piers, one end of the piers configured for installation in the earth, a plurality of bearings, each bearing supported by a pier, a torque tube received in the plurality of bearings and configured to support a plurality of solar modules, a plurality of drive motors, each drive motor associated with a pier, a plurality of high efficiency gear boxes, each high efficiency gear box associated with one of the plurality of drive motors; and a plurality of brakes, each brake associated with one of the plurality of high efficiency gear boxes and one of the plurality of drive motors, wherein in combination the plurality of brakes apply sufficient braking force to prevent back driving of the torque tube.

Abstract: A method for inspecting an oil volume at a damper assembly at a solar tracker includes rotating a torque tube of the solar tracker from a first rotational position to a predefined rotational position, that is different than the first rotational position, to reveal an oil sight gauge at the damper assembly. This method also includes, when the torque tube is at the predefined rotational position and the oil sight gauge is revealed, inspecting an oil volume within the damper assembly using the oil sight gauge.

Abstract: A solar tracker, solar array, and method of designing a solar tracker or array including a plurality of piers, a torque tube supported by the piers, each pier having a common reveal from the earth and the torque tube has a relative angle from a first pier to a second pier of between 0.25 and about 0.75 degrees.

Abstract: A solar module tracking apparatus includes a solar module, a wind distribution panel, and a torque tube. The solar module has a first side that includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a second, opposite side. The solar module has a solar module length and solar module width, with the solar module length and the solar module width laying in a first plane. The wind distribution panel is spaced apart from the second side of the solar module to define a plenum between the wind distribution panel and the second side of the solar module. The wind distribution panel has a wind distribution panel length and wind distribution panel width, with the wind distribution panel length and the wind distribution panel width laying in a second plane that is different than the first plane. The torque tube is configured to rotatably move the solar module and wind distribution panel.

Abstract: A solar tracker, solar array, and method of designing a solar tracker or array including a plurality of piers, a torque tube supported by the piers, each pier having a common reveal from the earth and the torque tube has a relative angle from a first pier to a second pier of between 0.25 and about 0.75 degrees.

Abstract: A pier for a solar tracking system includes a bearing housing assembly, a frame, the frame defining an A-profile having a pair of legs and a crown at a center portion thereof, and a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket coupled to a portion of the crown of the frame at a first portion thereof and coupled to a portion of the bearing housing assembly at a second portion thereof.

Abstract: A solar tracker includes a plurality of piers, one end of the piers configured for installation in the earth, a plurality of bearings, each bearing supported by a pier, a torque tube received in the plurality of bearings and configured to support a plurality of solar modules, a plurality of drive motors, each drive motor associated with a pier, a plurality of high efficiency gear boxes, each high efficiency gear box associated with one of the plurality of drive motors; and a plurality of brakes, each brake associated with one of the plurality of high efficiency gear boxes and one of the plurality of drive motors, wherein in combination the plurality of brakes apply sufficient braking force to prevent back driving of the torque tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an expandable splice configured for reinforcing a tube of a solar owner system, the splice including a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and at least one beveled corner panel, wherein the first and second side panels are connected to the top and bottom panels either directly or by the at least one beveled corner panel to form a channel therebetween.

Abstract: A method for assessing health of a solar tracker includes receiving data associated with a parameter of a plurality of solar trackers of a solar array, determining a health status tier from data received for one or more of the plurality of solar trackers, assigning the determined health status tier to the one or more of the plurality of solar trackers, and instructing solar trackers of the plurality of solar trackers assigned to a first health status tier to transition to a predetermined position.

Abstract: A pier for a solar tracking system includes a bearing housing assembly, a frame, the frame defining an A-profile having a pair of legs and a crown at a center portion thereof, and a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket coupled to a portion of the crown of the frame at a first portion thereof and coupled to a portion of the bearing housing assembly at a second portion thereof.

Abstract: A pier for a solar tracking system includes a bearing housing assembly, a frame, the frame defining an A-profile having a pair of legs and a crown at a center portion thereof, and a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket coupled to a portion of the crown of the frame at a first portion thereof and coupled to a portion of the bearing housing assembly at a second portion thereof.

Abstract: A pier for a solar tracking system includes a bearing housing assembly, a frame, the frame defining an A-profile having a pair of legs and a crown at a center portion thereof, and a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket coupled to a portion of the crown of the frame at a first portion thereof and coupled to a portion of the bearing housing assembly at a second portion thereof.

Abstract: A solar tracker, solar array, and method of designing a solar tracker or array including a plurality of piers, a torque tube supported by the piers, each pier having a common reveal from the earth and the torque tube has a relative angle from a first pier to a second pier of between 0.25 and about 0.75 degrees.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an expandable splice configured for reinforcing a tube of a solar owner system, the splice including a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and at least one beveled corner panel, wherein the first and second side panels are connected to the top and bottom panels either directly or by the at least one beveled corner panel to form a channel therebetween.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an expandable splice configured for reinforcing a tube of a solar owner system, the splice including a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and at least one beveled corner panel, wherein the first and second side panels are connected to the top and bottom panels either directly or by the at least one beveled corner panel to form a channel therebetween.

Abstract: A pier for a solar tracking system includes a bearing housing assembly, a frame, the frame defining an A-profile having a pair of legs and a crown at a center portion thereof, and a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket coupled to a portion of the crown of the frame at a first portion thereof and coupled to a portion of the bearing housing assembly at a second portion thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an expandable splice configured for reinforcing a tube of a solar owner system, the splice including a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and at least one beveled corner panel, wherein the first and second side panels are connected to the top and bottom panels either directly or by the at least one beveled corner panel to form a channel therebetween.

Abstract: A surgery table utilizing first and second sections which are hingedly attached to one another. First and second sections are also connected to supports apart from the hinged portion. An elevator moves one of the sections upwardly and downwardly at the support. The resultant position of the frame formed by the first and second sections may take the configuration of a flat surface or an upwardly or downwardly oriented “vee”.

Abstract: A surgery table utilizing first and second sections which are hingedly attached to one another. First and second sections are also connected to supports apart from the hinged portion. An elevator moves one of the sections upwardly and downwardly at the support. The resultant position of the frame formed by the first and second sections may take the configuration of a flat surface or an upwardly or downwardly oriented “vee”.