Abstract: System and method embodiments are described for solar panel protection against severe environmental impacts. A tracker controller may be configured to rotate a solar tracker comprising a group of solar panels to a safe position to diminish hail impact during a hailstorm. Such a rotation may be implemented using one or more motors to drive arc gears coupled to a pair of supporting purlins that support the group of solar panels. The tracker may comprise a bumper rail placed on the top when the tracker is at the safe position for hail impact absorption. Implementing solar panel protection provides a practical solution to protect solar panels from damage. Thus, the need for costly repair or replacement may be avoided, minimized, or decreased. As a result, the economic efficiency of solar power plant operations may be improved significantly.

Abstract: System and method embodiments are described for solar panel protection against severe environmental impacts. A tracker controller may be configured to rotate a solar tracker comprising a group of solar panels to a safe position to diminish hail impact during a hailstorm. Such a rotation may be implemented using one or more motors to drive arc gears coupled to a pair of supporting purlins that support the group of solar panels. The tracker may comprise a bumper rail placed on the top when the tracker is at the safe position for hail impact absorption. Implementing solar panel protection provides a practical solution to protect solar panels from damage. Thus, the need for costly repair or replacement may be avoided, minimized, or decreased. As a result, the economic efficiency of solar power plant operations may be improved significantly.

Abstract: System and method embodiments are described for solar panel protection against severe environmental impacts. A tracker controller may be configured to rotate a solar tracker comprising a group of solar panels to a safe position to diminish hail impact during a hailstorm. Such a rotation may be implemented using one or more motors to drive arc gears coupled to a pair of supporting purlins that support the group of solar panels. The tracker may comprise a bumper rail placed on the top when the tracker is at the safe position for hail impact absorption. Implementing solar panel protection provides a practical solution to protect solar panels from damage. Thus, the need for costly repair or replacement may be avoided, minimized, or decreased. As a result, the economic efficiency of solar power plant operations may be improved significantly.

Abstract: System and method embodiments of off-loading completed solar tables from the assembly area for improved assembling efficiency are disclosed. An assembly and off-loading system may comprise an assembly stage for solar table assembling, a table buffer section, and a table off-loading section. The table buffer section is an extra section of conveyance and support to allow assembled solar tables to move out of the assembly area from the path of incoming torque tubes. The table off-loading section is where the assembled solar table is off-loaded onto a mobile transport. The table buffer section decouples the table assembly process from table off-loading, thus eliminating potential interference/blocking by table off-loading or mobile transport parking to subsequent table assembly processes. Consequently, the assembly of subsequent solar tables may be carried out without interruption or interference, and overall assembly efficiency increases.

Abstract: A system and method for threading a torque tube through an opening within a U-bolt and module rail device is described. The system and method provide aligned horizontal movement of the torque tube across an assembly frame resulting in the torque tube being threaded through a plurality of U-bolt and module rail devices. After the threading process is complete, the threaded U-bolt and module rail devices are secured in place on the torque tube to allow coupling of solar panels to the module rails.

Abstract: Non-standard, resin-infused fiber bundle includes localized regions of fibers having a sub-nominal amount of polymer resin positioned along its length. These regions function as “bending regions,” where the non-standard resin-infused fiber bundle can be readily deformed by virtue of the reduced amount of resin. The bending regions segregate the non-standard resin-infused fiber bundle into what is, effectively, discrete (smaller) segments of (standard) resin-infused fiber bundle. The ability to easily manipulate the non-standard, resin-infused fiber bundle via the bending regions is useful for creating fiber-bundle-based preforms, and preform charges (assemblages of fiber-bundle-based preforms).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous fabrication of fiber-bundle-based and composite-tape based preforms and preform charges includes a mandrel about which a constituent material, which is maintained under tension, is wound. The tension is insufficient to fully consolidate the wound material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous fabrication of fiber-bundle-based and composite-tape based preforms and preform charges includes a mandrel about which a constituent material, which is maintained under tension, is wound. The tension is insufficient to fully consolidate the wound material.

Abstract: Non-standard, resin-infused fiber bundle includes localized regions of fibers having a sub-nominal amount of polymer resin positioned along its length. These regions function as “bending regions,” where the non-standard resin-infused fiber bundle can be readily deformed by virtue of the reduced amount of resin. The bending regions segregate the non-standard resin-infused fiber bundle into what is, effectively, discrete (smaller) segments of (standard) resin-infused fiber bundle. The ability to easily manipulate the non-standard, resin-infused fiber bundle via the bending regions is useful for creating fiber-bundle-based preforms, and preform charges (assemblages of fiber-bundle-based preforms).