Abstract: A fluidic actuation system for controlling rotation of one or more panels, having a first valve circuit configured to be fluidically coupled to a first vessel and a fluid source, having a first and second valve; and a second valve circuit configured to be fluidically coupled to a second vessel and the fluid source, having a third and fourth valve. The first valve is configured to control a supply of fluid from the fluid source to the first vessel; the second valve is configured to release fluid from the first vessel; the third valve is configured to control a supply of the fluid from the fluid source to the second vessel; and the fourth valve is configured to release the fluid from the second vessel. Introduction or release of fluid from one or both the first and second vessels is configured to cause rotation of the one or more panels.

Abstract: A solar tracker system having one or more solar trackers that each include one or more panels and one or more actuators coupled to the one or more panels, the one or more actuators having a first and second vessel; and an electronic control unit configured to inflate the first vessel with fluid from a fluid source and configured to separately inflate the second vessel with fluid from the fluid source. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that a stow event is present based on a first set of environmental data obtained from an environmental sensor that indicates environmental conditions pose a threat to the one or more solar trackers, and in response to determining that the stow event is present, actuate the one or more panels toward a stow configuration target angle by at least inflating the first or second vessels with fluid from the fluid source.

Abstract: A pneumatic control unit configured to inflate a first and second set of bellows with fluid from a pneumatic fluid source via a pneumatic circuit, the first and second set of bellows associated with one or more pneumatic actuators. The pneumatic control unit determines a target configuration of the actuators based on a determined current position of the sun; determines a current configuration of the actuators; determines a difference between the determined current configuration and target configuration of the actuators; determines that the difference between current configuration and the target configuration of the actuators is outside of a tolerance range; and actuates the actuators toward the determined target configuration by at least one of inflating the first or second set of bellows with fluid from the pneumatic fluid source via the pneumatic circuit.

Abstract: A system for controlling a rotation of one or more solar panels about an axis of rotation, comprising one or more solar panels defining a longitudinal axis, one or more bellows actuators coupled to the one or more solar panels and defining an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the panels, a fluid source, a first valve circuit coupled to the bellows actuators and the fluid source, a second valve circuit coupled to the bellows actuators and the fluid source, and a controller, wherein introduction or release of fluid from one or more of the bellows actuators is configured to cause rotation of the one or more actuators about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A system for controlling a rotation of one or more solar panels about an axis of rotation, comprising one or more solar panels defining a longitudinal axis, one or more bellows actuators coupled to the one or more solar panels and defining an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the panels, a fluid source, a first valve circuit coupled to the bellows actuators and the fluid source, a second valve circuit coupled to the bellows actuators and the fluid source, and a controller, wherein introduction or release of fluid from one or more of the bellows actuators is configured to cause rotation of the one or more actuators about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A pneumatic control unit configured to inflate a first and second set of bellows with fluid from a pneumatic fluid source via a pneumatic circuit, the first and second set of bellows associated with one or more pneumatic actuators. The pneumatic control unit determines a target configuration of the actuators based on a determined current position of the sun; determines a current configuration of the actuators; determines a difference between the determined current configuration and target configuration of the actuators; determines that the difference between current configuration and the target configuration of the actuators is outside of a tolerance range; and actuates the actuators toward the determined target configuration by at least one of inflating the first or second set of bellows with fluid from the pneumatic fluid source via the pneumatic circuit.