TECHNOLOGY FIELD The present patent application generally relates to solar power systems and more particularly to a solar power station for accurately pointing a solar panel at the sun throughout the day that has good structural strength and flexibility.
BACKGROUND A typical solar power station includes a solar tracking system employing two independent drives to tilt the solar collector about two axes. The first, an elevation axis, allowed the collector to be tilted within an angular range of about ninety degrees between “looking at the horizon” and “looking straight up”. The second, an azimuth axis, is required to allow the collector to track from east to west. The required range of angular rotation depends on the earth's latitude at which the solar collector is installed. For example, in the tropics the angular rotation needs more than 360 degrees.
The heavy elements of the solar power station normally require a strong supporting structure to withhold the weight of the solar power station, and a relatively large force to turn the solar power station around. In addition, the solar power station needs to be able to withstand possible earthquake shocks and wind attacks in an outdoor environment.
SUMMARY The present patent application is directed to embodiments of a solar power station. The solar power station includes a plurality of solar panels each connected to a leaf, the leaf including a roof beam; a plurality of bearing plates respectively attached to the roof beams of the leaves; a first supporting structure connected to the bearing plates; a second supporting structure rotatably connected to the first supporting structure and fixedly mounted to a base; and a plurality of hydraulic jacks. One end of each hydraulic jack is fixed with the first supporting structure, and another end of the hydraulic jack is pivotally mounted to the roof beam of one of the leaves.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a front view of a solar power station according to an embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 1B is a partial front view of a solar power station according to another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2A is a partial cross-sectional view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 2B is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to yet another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2C is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2D is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2E is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2F is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2G is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2H is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2I is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2J is a transparent view of a turning screw system of the solar power station depicted in FIG. 2I.
FIG. 2K is a transparent view of a turning screw system of the solar power station depicted in FIG. 2I.
FIG. 2L is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2M is a transparent view of a portion of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2N is a partial plane view of iron core poles in the solar power station depicted in FIG. 2M, illustrating another method of connecting the copper wire to the iron core poles.
FIG. 2O is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2P is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2P-1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a hoop of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2Q is a transparent view of a hoop of the solar power station depicted in FIG. 2P.
FIG. 2R is a transparent view of a hoop of the solar power station depicted in FIG. 2P.
FIG. 2S is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2T is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2U is a cross-sectional view of a solar power station in one working condition according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2V is a cross-sectional view of a solar power station depicted in FIG. 2U under another working condition.
FIG. 2W is a cross-sectional view of a solar power station depicted in FIG. 2U under yet another working condition.
FIG. 3A is a partial cross-sectional view of the solar power illustrated in FIG. 2A taken along line 3a in FIG. 2A.
FIG. 3B is a partial cross-sectional view of the solar power illustrated in FIG. 2A taken along line 3b in FIG. 2A.
FIG. 3C is a partial cross-sectional view of the solar power illustrated in FIG. 2A taken along line 3c in FIG. 2A.
FIG. 4A illustrates a solar power station under an upward external force according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 4B illustrates the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 4A under a downward external force.
FIG. 5A illustrates a solar power station in one working mode according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 5B illustrates the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 5A in another working mode.
FIG. 5C is a partial perspective view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 5B.
FIG. 6A illustrates a truss structure of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 6B illustrates a truss structure of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 6C illustrates a truss structure of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 6D shows how the pins and the steel frame are joined together to form the truss structure in the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 6B.
FIG. 6E illustrates a truss structure of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 6F illustrates a truss structure of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 6G is a side view of the truss structure depicted in FIG. 6E illustrating how the pins and the steel frame are joined together to form the truss structure.
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 7B is a partial magnified view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 7A in one working mode.
FIG. 7C is a partial magnified view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 7A in another working mode.
FIG. 7D is a partial cross-sectional view of a supporting bearing bracket of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 7A.
FIG. 7E is a partial perspective view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 7A.
FIG. 7F is a partial cross-sectional view of a supporting bearing bracket of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 7G is a partial magnified view of the solar power station in FIG. 7E in one working mode.
FIG. 7H is a partial magnified view of the solar power station in FIG. 7E in another working mode.
FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 8B is a partial magnified view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 8A in one working mode.
FIG. 8C is a partial magnified view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 8A in another working mode.
FIG. 8D is a partial cross-sectional view of a supporting bearing bracket of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 8A.
FIG. 8E is a partial perspective view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 8A.
FIG. 8F is a partial cross-sectional view of a supporting bearing bracket of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 8G is a partial cross-sectional view of a supporting bearing bracket of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 8H is a partial magnified view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 8G in one working mode.
FIG. 8I is a partial magnified view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 8G in another working mode.
FIG. 8J is a partial magnified view of a solar power station in one working mode according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 8K is a partial magnified view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 8J in another working mode.
FIG. 8L is a partial perspective view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 8J.
FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 9B is a partial magnified view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 9A in one working mode.
FIG. 9C is a partial magnified view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 9A in another working mode.
FIG. 9D is a partial cross-sectional view of a supporting bearing bracket of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 9A.
FIG. 9E is a partial perspective view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 9A.
FIG. 10A is a back view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 10B is a partial view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 10A in one working mode.
FIG. 10C is a partial view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 10A in another working mode.
FIG. 10D is a partial magnified back view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 10A.
FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a coupler in a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 11B illustrates how the coupler is assembled.
FIG. 11C is a plane view of the coupler illustrated in FIG. 11A with more components installed.
FIG. 11D is a back view of a bracket fixed to a crossing structure in a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 11E is a partial view of a solar power station in one working mode according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 11F is a partial view of a solar power station in another working mode according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 12A is a partial view of a solar power station in one working mode according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 12B is a partial view of the solar power station depicted in FIG. 12A in another working condition.
FIG. 12C is a perspective view of a supporting triangle frame of the solar power station depicted in FIG. 12A.
FIG. 12D is a partial back view of the solar power station depicted in FIG. 12A.
FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of a top roof of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 13B is a plane view of the top roof illustrated in FIG. 13A.
FIG. 13C is a bottom view of the top roof illustrated in FIG. 13A.
FIG. 13D is a partial perspective view of the top roof illustrated in
FIG. 13A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the solar power station in the present patent application, examples of which are also provided in the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the solar power station disclosed in the present patent application are described in detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not particularly important to an understanding of the solar power station may not be shown for the sake of clarity.
Furthermore, it should be understood that the solar power station disclosed in the present patent application is not limited to the precise embodiments described below and that various changes and modifications thereof may be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the protection. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure.
FIG. 1A is a front view of a solar power station according to an embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 1A, the solar power station includes a plurality of leaves 1 and a plurality of supporting plates 2 for respectively supporting the weight of a plurality of solar panels. Each leaf 1 is connected with a plurality of solar panels and spaced from one another. The top surface of each supporting plate 2 is connected to a horizontal roof beam 88 of each leaf 1. The bottom surface of each supporting plate 2 is connected to a pair of bearing plates 3. A plurality of shafts 5 are respectively pivotally mounted to each pair of the bearing plates 3. A plurality of steel washers 4 and a shock absorption pads 6 are respectively placed beside each bearing plate 3. Each steel washer 4 is locked beside each shaft 5 and configured to prevent the corresponding bearing plate 3 from falling off from the shaft 5. The shock absorption pads 6 are configured to absorb shock for the bearing plate 3 during an earthquake. The shafts 5 are respectively connected to multiple beams 7, which are connected to a cross structure as shown in FIG. 1A. The cross structure has a side truss 8 for supporting the weight of loading transferred from the beams 7. The supporting plate 2, the bearing plate 3, the steel washer 4 and the shaft 5 form a unit. A plurality of such units are respectively connected through the beams 7 so that the loading of a top roof is transferred to the beams 7. The units are respectively connected to a plurality of vertical roof beams 87 and a plurality of horizontal roof beams 88. The horizontal roof beams 88 are configured to connect and mount the vertical roof beam 87. The loading of the solar panel is transferred from the beams 7 to a vertical pole 9 of the cross structure. The vertical pole 9 extends through a rotatable platform 14 and stands at a rotatable plate 17. Gusset plates 15 and 16 are respectively welded to the rotatable platform 14 and the rotatable plate 17. The vertical pole 9 is fixed to the rotatable plate 17 by bolt and nut assemblies, and the rotatable plate 17 is connected to a rotatable bearing 40 by bolt and nut assemblies (shown in FIG. 2A), which will be described in more detail hereafter.
Referring to FIG. 1A, the solar power station further includes a standing pole 20. An upper part of the standing pole 20 is covered by a circular hoop 19. A first end of the standing pole 20 is connected to the rotatable platform 14 through the rotatable bearing 40 (shown in FIG. 2A and described more in detail hereafter). A second end of the standing pole 20 is inserted into a shock absorbing pole 25. The shock absorbing pole 25 is fixed by a standing plate 26, which is anchored to a base, such as the ground (or soil).
Referring to FIG. 1A, the solar power station further includes a hydraulic jack 10. A first end of the hydraulic jack 10 is fixed to a bearing plate 11 disposed on the rotatable platform 14. A shaft 13 is disposed passing through the bearing plate 11 and the first end of the hydraulic jack 10. A washer and bolt assembly 12 is used to lock the shaft 13 and prevent it from moving. A second end of the hydraulic jack 10 is connected to a sitter 51 (not shown in FIG. 1A but shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B) of each leaf 1 and configured for mounting an array of the solar panel. A plurality of hydraulic jacks 29 are respectively connected to the sitter 51 of each leaf 51. The details of the fixing of the hydraulic jacks 29 are shown in FIGS. 9A to 9E and FIGS. 10A to 10E.
The solar power station in this embodiment further includes light sensors 53, 80 and 81 disposed at different locations of the vertical roof beam 87 as illustrated in FIG. 1A. The light sensors 53, 80 and 81 respectively include a photoresistor, which changes resistance according to incident light intensity. In this embodiment, the light sensors 53, 80 and 81 are electrically connected to a microprocessor and configured for transmitting signals thereto, thereby enabling basic automatic sun tracking operations for the solar power station.
The light sensor 53 includes two smaller light sensors. Referring to FIG. 1A, the two smaller light sensors are configured to compare the intensities of the incident light on the left and right of the top (or bottom) of the solar panel roof. If the solar panel is facing right towards the sun, both of the two smaller light sensors are getting the same light intensity so that the difference therebetween is zero and the drive voltage of a tracking motor included in the system (which will be described in more detail hereafter) is zero. In this case, the system has tracked the current position of the sun. After some time, as the earth rotates, the solar panel gets repositioned with respect to the sun, and the smaller light sensor at one side gets less light intensity than the other one. In this case, the different light intensity readings are sent to the microprocessor and the microprocessor is configured to drive the tracking motor with a non-zero driving voltage corresponding to the different so that the tracking motor rotates the solar panel till the solar panel is positioned right towards the sun again. Such self-adjustment process goes on during the day and ensures correct tracking of the solar panel to the sun.
In this embodiment, the light sensor 80 is disposed at the east edge of the solar panel and configured to operate as a nighttime fault detector. If a general fault occurs during nighttime then the next morning the solar panel will not work. At the next sunrise, the sensor 80 detects whether the solar panel is ready for tracking operation or not. In normal conditions, the sensor 80 does not work because it gets less light intensity as compared to the light sensors 53 and 81. As a fault arises, it starts working.
The light sensor 81 is disposed at an opposing edge of the solar panel with respect to the light sensor 80, and configured to detect the occurrence of a cloudy weather. When the weather gets cloudy, the light sensor 81 starts to work and stops normal sun tracking operation.
It is understood the light sensors 80 and 81 respectively detects the coming of night and cloudy weather by comparing the light intensity they receive with the light intensity they would receive in a sunny day. The light intensity for the cloudy day is less than for the sunny day and greater than for the night. It is also understood that being capable of sensing a change in light intensity in the cloudy weather, which is a smaller change than that in the nighttime, the light sensor 81 is more sensitive than the light sensor 80.
FIG. 1B is a partial front view of a solar power station according to another embodiment of the application. In this embodiment, referring to FIG. 1B, a bearing bracket 27 is used to maintain the supporting plate 2, the bearing plate 3, the steel washer 4 and the shaft 5 together as a unit disposed on the beam 7. Each unit functions essentially the same as the unit illustrated in FIG. 1A, except that in this embodiment, an increased number of leaves 1 are connected to each unit and the shaft 5 is disposed at a distance to the beam 7.
FIG. 2A is a partial cross-sectional view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 1A. Referring to FIG. 2A, the rotatable bearing 40 includes a stationary outer race fixed to the upper part of the standing pole 20. An inner gear is rotatably geared with an inner race that is connected with the bearing plate 17 by bolts and nuts. As a safety feature, if the rotatable bearing 40 breaks, the circular hoop 19 prevents the upper portion of the solar power station from falling down. The circular hoop 19 is connected to an outer ring of the rotatable plate 17 by bolt and nut. A circular plate 46 is welded to a first end of the upper part of the standing pole 20 so as to lock the circular hoop 19 and prevent the upper structure from falling down. A tracking motor 45, which is connected to a reducer 44, is disposed near a first end of the standing pole 20. In this embodiment, the tracking motor 45 and the reducer 44 are disposed inside the standing pole 20. A motor shaft 43 of the tracking motor 45 is engaged with the gear 42. The gear 42 is configured to rotate clockwise or anti-clockwise about a z-axis that is parallel to the center axis of the standing pole 20 so as to rotate the inner gear accordingly.
The lower part of the upper portion of the standing pole 20 has multiple recessive tracks and multiple narrow tubes 21 are inserted into the recessive tracks. The lower part of the upper portion of the standing pole 20 is further inserted into the shock absorbing pole 25, which will be described in more detail hereafter and also shown in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C.
The shock absorbing pole 25 includes a hoop 22 for holding the standing pole 20 and the narrow tube 21. The narrow tube 21 is exactly engaged with a track 36 of the hoop 22 and the shock absorbing pole 25. The connection of the hoop 22 and the shock absorbing pole 25 are made by a bolt and nut assembly, which connects an upper circular flange 23 on the hoop 22 and a lower circular flange 24 on the shock absorbing pole 25. A lower spring 32 is placed into the shock absorbing pole 25 before the hoop 22 is connected to the shock absorbing pole 25. An upper spring 34 is placed into the standing pole 20 before the standing pole 20 is connected to the rotatable bearing 40 and before hoop 22 is connected to the shock absorbing pole 25. A circular separation plate 31 is disposed between the upper spring 34 and the lower spring 32 so as to divide them. If an external force or shocking force greater than what the spring 34 alone can react with is exerted on the spring 34, the reaction of the spring 34 will push the separation circular plate 31 and the spring 32 downward, and a potential energy will be stored in the spring 32. When the spring 32 rebounds, it will be extended more than it would normally be so as to release the potential energy. The upper spring 34 will then absorb the released energy so that the impact of the external force is reduced and the solar power station will be protected from being damaged.
FIG. 2B is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to yet another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 2B, in this embodiment, the tracking motor 45 and the reducer 44 connected thereto are installed at the outside of the standing pole 20. An inner race is fixed to the first end of the standing pole 20. An outer race with outer gear rotatably engaged with the inner race is connected with the rotatable plate 17 and carrying the upper structure. It is noted in this embodiment, the locking structure including the circular hoop 19 and the circular plate 46 is eliminated.
FIG. 2C is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A, the second end of the vertical pole 9 is fixed to the bearing plate 17. In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 2C, however, as another measure to prevent the rotatable bearing 40 from breaking, the upper part of the standing pole 20 is inserted into the hollow circular vertical pole 9 from one end to another, which has a greater diameter than that of the standing pole 20. The upper end of the vertical pole 9 has a cross structure. Referring to FIG. 2C, the outer edge of a bearing plate 17 with a gusset plate 93 is welded to the inner surface of the first end of the hollow circular vertical pole 9 at a position close to where the second end of the beam 7 and the vertical pole 9 location are connected, so as to withstand to the tension caused by the loading, or the compressing force exerted by the two wings of the beam 7 caused by the top roof and the solar panel loading. In this embodiment, a contact ball slewing ring 40, which functions as an outer race, is connected to an outer flange 41 of the upper end of the hollow circular standing pole 20 and rotatably engaged with an inner gear carrying the upper structure. The hollow circular standing pole 20 is filled with reinforcing concrete 164. The inner gear is connected with the bearing plate 17 of the upper part of the vertical pole 9 by bolt and nut. For protection in a raining weather, a steel cap 94 is covered on the top of the hollow circular vertical pole 9 and fixed thereon by bolts and screws, by which raining water can be prevented from flowing into the vertical pole 9.
Referring to FIG. 2C, a row of track rings 90 are evenly welded and fixed onto the outer surface of the standing pole 20, or alternatively onto the inner surface of the vertical pole 9. The track rings 90 are separated by a short distance from one to another. The second end of the side truss 8, which is connected to the hollow circular vertical pole 9, exerts a loading force pushing the vertical pole 9. Thus the track rings 90 and the bearings 91 should be placed close to the second end of side truss 8 to withstand this pushing force. The bearings 91, which are respectively hold by the track rings 90, are for example cylindrical roller bearings, ball bearings, or flange bearings, so that when the standing pole 20 rotates inside the vertical pole 9, the friction therebetween can be reduced and the distance between the outer surface of the standing pole 20 and the inner surface of the vertical pole 9 can be kept uniform and constant along the z axis.
The connection between the tracking motor 45 and the reducer 44 as well as the installment of the tracking motor 45 and the reducer 44 onto the standing pole 20 in this embodiment is the same as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A. The installment of the beam 7 and the side truss 8 onto the vertical pole 9 will be described in more detail with the illustration of FIGS. 10A-10D. It is noted in this embodiment, gusset plates 15 and 16 are respectively welded between the rotatable platform 14 and the second end of the vertical pole 9 so as to provide a mechanical support. Unlike the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, in this embodiment, gusset plates 15 and 16 are not welded to the rotatable plate 17.
FIG. 2D is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 2D, in this embodiment, the solar power station is the same as the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 2C, except it does not have the rotatable platform 14. Instead, a bearing bracket 75 is used, which will be described more in detail hereafter illustrated by FIG. 7A to FIG. 10D.
FIG. 2E is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 2E, in this embodiment, the solar power station is the same as the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 2D, except for the detailed structure related to the standing pole 20 and the vertical pole 9. A bearing plate 103 is fixed behind an opening gap 97 of the upper part of the standing pole 20. A motor shaft 43 passes through the bearing plate 103 and a spur gear 42. An end of the gear shaft 43 passes through a bearing plate 104 to support the rotation, while the bearing plate 104 is fixed before the opening gap 97 of the upper part of the standing port 20.
Referring to FIG. 2E, the spur gear 42 is connected to a ring gear 98 through the opening gap 97 so that the vertical pole 9 can rotate with respect to the standing pole 20. An end of the vertical pole 9 is welded with a gusset plate 15 and a circular flange 99. A circular hoop 102 is attached to the circular flange 99 by a blot and nut screwed together to prevent the standing flange 99 from moving vertically. The circular hoop 102 is installed to accommodate a thrust bearing 100 and a supporting flat ring 101. The supporting flat ring 101 is welded to the standing pole 20 near an end of the vertical pole 9. The thrust bearing 100 is placed on the top of the supporting flat ring 101. The circular flange 99 is installed on the top of the thrust bearing 100 to support the loading coming from the vertical pole 9.
The gusset plate 15 is welded between the rotatable platform 14 and the standing flange 99 of the second end of the vertical pole 9. It is noted that unlike the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, in this embodiment, the rotatable plate 17 as shown in FIG. 1A is eliminated.
Referring to FIG. 2E, the bearing bracket 75 is fixed to the second end of the vertical pole 9 and welded with the gusset plate 15 and the circular flange 99.
FIG. 2F is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 2F, the tracking motor 45 along with the reducer 44 connected thereto, is fixed on the top of the standing pole 20. The motor shaft 43 passes through the bearing plate 104 with one end, and is engaged with the spur gear 42. The other end of the motor shaft 43 passes through the plate 103 as shown in FIG. 2F.
FIG. 2G is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 2G, similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2E, the inner race of the rotatable bearing is attached to the supporting flat ring 101 and rotatably geared with the outer race, which is carrying the upper structure and connected to the outer flange 99 of the second end of the vertical pole 9. The external motor 44 and the reducer 45 are installed at the outer surface of the standing pole 20. Such location is suitable for the spur gear 42 to be geared with the outer race of the rotatable bearing. Comparing with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2E, the contact ball slewing ring replaces the thrust bearing 100 at the same location. The circular hoop 102, the spacing gap 97 and the fixed gear 98 are eliminated.
FIG. 2H is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 2H, the motor 45 is connected with the reducer 44, which is installed horizontally at the surface of the top plate 139 of the standing pole 20. The reducer shaft 43 with the gear 42 is vertically projecting from the right angle reducer 44. The second end of the reducer shaft 43 is connected to the top cover plate of the external shell hoop 161. The gear 42 is directly connected and geared with the outer extending ring gear 98 of the vertical pole 9 or a typical worm gear slew drive for the solar tracker method being used. The reducer shaft 43 with the worm gear 42 is installed at the top surface of the top ring plate 139 of the standing pole 20, and directly connected and geared with the outer extending ring gear of the vertical pole 9.
The external shell hoop 161 covers and connects to the circle table ring plate 139 and the circle table ring plate 139 is connected to the top of the flange 99 of (the first end) of the upper part of the standing pole 20 with bolts and nuts, which surrounds the outer perimeter of the vertical pole 9 without contacting the vertical pole 9. The solar power station further includes a flange bearing 166 or a thrust bearing 166 fixed to the bottom of the bearing bracket 75 of the hydraulic jack 10. One end of the first elastic steel spring 167 is fixed onto the top plate 139 between a thrust bearing 166 that is fixed to the bearing bracket 75 and the top plate 139 for absorbing shocks.
An oil proof plastic ring 155 is disposed between a bigger and stiffener gusset plate flange 151 of the second end of the lower part of the standing pole 20 and the top flange 154 of the upper end of a bigger cylinder pipe 159, or a pipe of any three-dimensional shape, and fixed by bolts and nuts 152. The shape of the pipe 159 is suitable for internal pipe 160 to rotate. The bottom of the bigger cylinder pipe 159 is sealed and surroundingly enclosed. The inside of the bigger cylinder pipe 159 is filled with high density, low reactivity and low viscosity liquid 162, for example, water. The water level depends on the weight of the liquid per volume, the weight of the buoyant object, the volume of the external shape 159 and the internal volume of the internal pipe 160. A thin layer of low reactivity oil floats on and covers the surface of the pure water so as to prevent water evaporation.
The purpose of the water based buoyant method is to reduce the motor turning force. To the balance the water level within the external bigger cylinder 159, the liquid 162 comes from incoming water pipe 173 when a sensor senses the water level decreases within the bigger cylinder 159. If the sensor senses the water level increases within the bigger cylinder 159, a suction pump is configured to suck water from the cylinder 159 to the outside through an outgoing water pipe 176.
The internal pipe 160 is contained in the cylinder pipe 159. The pipe 160 connects the vertical pole 9 to the fluid. The total loading of cross structure with vertical pole 9 is uplifted by the bigger cylinder 160 or any three-dimensional shape pipe 160 and the lower part of the vertical pole 9. The ground soil 153 can cover the external pipe 159, or alternatively, the external pipe 159 can be exposed out of the ground soil 153, depending on how strong the foundation needs to be.
The upper part of the vertical pole 9 carries the cross structure as the vertical pole 9's loading. The lower part of the vertical pole 9 continuously passes through the standing pole 20 from the first end to the second end. A plurality of track rings 90 are fixed onto the outer surface of the vertical pole 9. Alternatively, the track rings 90 are fixed onto the inner surface of the standing pole 20 behind the circular table ring plate 139. A bearing 91 is disposed on each of the track rings 90 to contact outer surface of the vertical pole 9 and the inner surface of the standing pole 20. The first track ring 170 includes two rings fixed onto the top end of the upper part of the inner surface of the standing pole 20. A bearing 91 is disposed between the two rings. The second track ring 171 also includes two rings fixed onto the outer surface of the vertical pole 9 at a short distance behind the first track ring 170. A bearing 91 is disposed between the two rings. The second elastic spring 169 is fixed onto the top of the second track ring 171. A flange bearing 168 or thrust bearing 168 is fixed to the bottom of the first track ring 170.
Referring to FIG. 2H, the stiffener gusset plate 150 is fixed to the second end of the vertical pole 9 so as to increase the hardness of the flange. The stiffener gusset plate 150 strongly supports the flange, which is covered and sealed by the steel cone shape 163. The oil proof plastic ring 156 is disposed between the bigger stiffener gusset plate flange 150 of the second end of the lower part of the vertical pole 9 and the top flange 158 of the upper end of the bigger cylinder pipe 160, or any three-dimensional shape pipe 160, and fixed by bolts and nuts 157. The shape of the pipe 160 is suitable for internal rotation. The bottom of the bigger cylinder pipe 160 is sealed and surroundingly enclosed. The inside of the bigger cylinder pipe 160 is empty or filled with foam and near to the bottom of the vertical pole 9 is sealed by a steel plate 165. On the other end of the steel plate 165, reinforcing concrete 164 is filled inside the vertical pole 9. The lower part of the bigger cylinder pipe 159 has two openings 190, each of which is equipped with a pipe 191 connected thereto. The pipe 191 is configured for connecting the opening 191 of this solar power station to a corresponding opening of another solar power station (not shown in FIG. 2H) according to this embodiment, for example, a solar power station that is adjacent to this solar power station. By liquid pressure principles, the liquid 162 can be transferred between the bigger cylinder pipes 159 of a plurality of solar power stations and thereby the level of the liquid 162 in the plurality of solar power stations can be balanced.
FIG. 2I is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 2I, the solar power station is similar to the solar power station depicted in FIG. 2H except in this embodiment, the turning system which includes the motor 45, the reducer 44, the gear 42 and the extending ring gear 98, is replace by a turning screw system, in which the vertical pole 9's z axis is applied with the buoyant force of liquid 162, which is equipped with the incoming water pipe 173 and the outgoing water pipe 176 as shown in FIG. 2I.
The turning screw system operates on turning the screws, which includes bolt fastening or nut loosing. Each bolt or nut has a thread and each thread has a top face and a bottom face. The nut is similar to the external shell hoop 161, which includes the internal thread 195 being helically or spirally turning around and attached from the bottom to the top of the internal surface of the external shell hoop 161. The pitch of the thread (the distance from one thread to the next thread) of shell hoop 161 is bigger than a normal screw thread pitch. The bolt is also similar to the vertical pole 9, which includes the external thread 196 helically or spirally turning around and attached from the lower part to the intermediate position of the external side of the vertical pole 9 above the top ring plate 139. Similarly, the pitch of the thread 196 is bigger than normal screw.
For easy turning, a row of ball bearings 198 are disposed onto the top surface of the internal thread 195 of the external shell hoop 161 and the bottom surface of the external thread 196 of the vertical pole 9. Another row of ball bearings 197 are disposed onto the top surface of the external thread 196 of the vertical pole 9 and the bottom surface of the internal thread 195 of external shell hoop 161.
Referring to FIG. 2J and FIG. 2K, the long bolt 205 passes through the upper end of the external thread 196 of the vertical pole 9, which is fixed by the nut and screw at the external thread 196. The blocker 199 is fixed at the bottom end of the external thread 196 of the vertical pole 9 to store and push the ball bearings 197 and 198 to rotate along the internal thread 195 of the external shell hoop 161.
FIG. 2J and FIG. 2K are transparent views of the turning screw system of the solar power station depicted in FIG. 2I, illustrating how the vertical buoyancy force of the vertical pole 9 is transferred upward to turn the external thread 196 with the bearings 197 and 198 of the vertical pole 9. Referring to FIG. 2J, the bottom of the blocker 199 sits on the top the plate 139 and the top of external thread 196 of the vertical pole 9 near to an intermediate position of the external shell hoop 139. The vertical pole 9's buoyancy upward level follows the water level change within the external bigger cylinder 159. When the water is increased by an external pump and through the incoming water pipe 173, as shown in FIG. 2K, the buoyancy force pushes the vertical pole 9 upwards and changes the resultant vertical upward force into upward clockwise rotation force 212. This results in the blocker 199 and the bottom of the external thread 196 rotating gradually clockwise as shown in the arrow 212, along the internal thread 195 from the bottom to the intermediate position of the external shell hoop 139, and the top external thread 196 rotation turning 212 which follows the internal thread 195 from intermediate to the top of external shell hoop. The bearings 197 and 198 follow the turning. When the water level is decreased by a suction pump and an outgoing water pipe 176 withdrawing the water, the vertical pole automatically downwardly and gradually rotates counter-clockwise in the direction of 213 turning to the original position. Finally the blocker 199 sits on the top of the plate 139.
FIG. 2L is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 2L, the solar power system is similar to the solar power system except that the liquid buoyant system is replaced by a permanent magnet system depicted in FIG. 2H, eliminating the high density liquid 162, the incoming water pipe 173 and the outgoing water pipe 176, and shortening the container 160, the water pipe opening 190 and the water transfer pipe 191.
The permanent magnet system includes an upper permanent magnet 178 within the upper container 160. An S pole or N pole of the permanent magnet 178 is disposed at the top. The lower permanent magnet 179 is within the lower container 182 that is fixed to the external bigger cylinder 159 by bolt and nut and covered by the steel plate 181. An N or S pole magnetic field is disposed at the bottom. The bottom of the upper permanent magnet 178 produces a magnetic field of the same polarity as the top of the lower permanent magnet 179 does between the two permanent magnets. The bottom of the upper permanent magnet 178 is disposed on the top of the lower permanent magnet 179, which is disposed in the lower container 182. The upper container 160 and the lower container 182 have a separation gap in between. The magnetic repulsive force 180 between the same polarity poles of magnet 178 and magnet 179 is generated within the separation gap holds the vertical pole 9.
FIG. 2M is a transparent view of a portion of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 2M is similar to FIG. 2L except that the permanent magnet system is replaced by the electromagnet core system that includes an upper and a lower iron core poles 184 and 185, copper wires 183 and 186, a left incoming DC electric wire 210, and a right incoming DC electric wire 211.
The electromagnet core system includes a plurality of rows of iron core poles 184 within the upper container 160, a copper wire started and fixed at the bottom of the cover steel plate 181 by the bolt and nut of change point 187, the charge point being connected to the incoming DC electric wire 210. The copper wire 183 coils in one-way direction onto the surface of upper iron core pole 184. The copper wire 183 continuously coils in the same direction to the next upper iron core pole 184 till the end of the last upper iron core pole 184. The end of the copper wire is fixed to the bottom of the cover steel plate 181 by bolts and nuts of opposite charge point 188. The charge point is connected to the electric wire 211. This connection is in series. Each electric wire is long enough for rotation. Similarly, the lower container 182 also contains a plurality of rows of the lower iron core poles 185 with the copper wire 186. The lower container 182 is fixed to the external bigger cylinder 159 by bolts and nuts and covered by the steel plate 181.
The fixing of the copper wire 186 on the iron core pole 185 is the same as fixing copper wire 183 on the metal core pole 184 except copper wire 183 start coiling at the top of iron core pole 184, and the copper wire 186 starts at the bottom of iron core pole 185. The same polarity of magnetic field is chosen as the bottom of iron core pole 184 and put at the top of iron core pole 185 within the lower container 182.
The upper container 160 and the lower container 182 have a space gap separation in between. The spring 189 is fixed onto the top of the steel plate 181 of the lower container 182. The magnetic repulsive force 180 generated by the same pole magnetic field of upper metal core pole 184 and lower iron core pole 185 in separation gap holds the vertical pole 9. The repulsive force adjustment depends on the DC current and the numbers of coils at the iron core pole 184 and the iron core pole 185.
FIG. 2N is a partial plane view of iron core poles in the solar power station depicted in FIG. 2M, illustrating another method of connecting the copper wire to the iron core poles. Each copper wire 183 and 186 of each of the iron core poles 184 and 185 starts connection at the same charge point 187. The end of each copper wires 183 and 186 of each of the iron core poles 184 and 185 is also connect to the same opposite charge point 188.
FIG. 2O is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. The liquid buoyancy method is the same as shown in FIG. 2I except the following. The internal second pole 20 is disposed inside the vertical pole 9. A cone shaped waterproof cover 130 is surroundingly fixed to the surface of the vertical pole 9 above the external enclosure cylinder 159. The internal sealed enclosure cylinder 160 looks like a donut. The inner circular circumference of the donut is surroundingly fixed to the lower end of the vertical pole 9. The external sealed enclosure cylinder 159 looks like a donut. The standing pole 20 passes through and connects the inner circular circumference of the external sealed enclosure cylinder 159 to the underground soil 153. The turning screw system is replaced by a turning system that includes a motor 45, a reducer 44, a gear 42 and an extending ring gear 98.
FIG. 2P is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 2P-1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a hoop of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 2P, the solar power system is divided into three parts, the first part is the vertical pole 9 carrying the cross structure, which is the same as in FIG. 2D. The bottom of the standing pole 20 is sealed by steel plate 165 and filled with reinforcing concrete 164. The turning system including the motor 45, the reducer 44, the gear 42 and the extending ring gear 98 is eliminated and replaced by the turning screw system in which the turning vertical pole 9's z axis is forced by the liquid 162 buoyancy resultant force and the system is equipped with incoming water pipe 173 and outgoing water pipe 176. The lower part of the bigger cylinder pipe 159 has two openings 190, each of which is equipped with a pipe 191 connected thereto. The pipe 191 is configured for connecting the opening 191 of this solar power station to a corresponding opening of another solar power station (not shown in FIG. 2P) according to this embodiment, for example, a solar power station that is adjacent to this solar power station. By liquid pressure principles, the liquid 162 can be transferred between the bigger cylinder pipes 159 of a plurality of solar power stations and thereby the level of the liquid 162 in the plurality of solar power stations can be balanced.
The second part of the turning screw system is exactly the same as in FIG. 2I except that the bolt 205 position and the blocker 199 is fixed to the end of the internal thread of the hoop 161 of the turning screw system and the turning pole is the external vertical pole 9. The screw system includes the hoop 161 with internal thread 195 fixed at the top of the internal bigger cylinder 160. The cone shaped waterproof cover 130 is surroundingly fixed to the surface of the vertical pole 9 below the hoop 161. The bottom flange 202 of the hoop 161 is connected to the top flange 203 of the internal bigger cylinder 160. The top flange 201 of the hoop 161 is connected to the bottom flange 200 of the vertical pole 9. The hoop 161 is fixed between the internal bigger cylinder 160 and the vertical pole 9, or alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2P-1, the hoop 161 is fixed to the top of the vertical pole 9 above the truss structure.
FIG. 2Q is a transparent view of a hoop of the solar power station depicted in FIG. 2P. FIG. 2R is a transparent view of a hoop of the solar power station depicted in FIG. 2P. FIG. 2Q and FIG. 2R showing the transparent view of the hoop 161 are the same as FIG. 2J and FIG. 2K except that the bolt 205 position and the blocker 199 is connected to the bottom of the internal thread 195 of the hoop 161. When the internal bigger cylinder 160 pushes with an upward force to the hoop 161 by income water pipe changing high water level within the external bigger cylinder 159 or by the outgoing water pipe change lower water level within the external bigger cylinder 159, the hoop with the internal thread 195 changes the upward force or downward force to a upward turning 212 following the external thread 196 of the standing pole 20 or an opposite downward turning 213. The long bolt 205 passes through the upper end of the internal thread 195 of the hoop 161 and is fixed by the nut screws at the internal thread 195. The blocker 199 is fixed to the lower end of the internal thread 195, which brings the bearings 197 and 198 to follow the external thread 196 in an upward turning 212 or an opposite downward turning 213.
The first track double ring 170 is fixed to the external surface of the standing pole 20 near a lower part of the vertical pole 9 and the circular flat ring 138 is fixed between the bottom flange 200 of the vertical pole 9 and the top flange 201 of the hoop 161. The bearing or thrust bearing is fixed to the top of the circular flat ring 138. The spring 169 is disposed on the top of thrust bearing.
The second track double ring 171 is fixed to the standing pole 20 near the upper part of the internal pipe 204 of the internal bigger cylinder 160. The circular flat ring 139 is also fixed between the bottom flange 202 of the hoop 161 and the top flange 203 of the internal pipe 204 of the internal bigger cylinder 160. The bearing or thrust bearing is fixed to the bottom of circular flat ring 139. The spring 169 is disposed on the top surface of the second track double ring 171.
The third part is a liquid buoyancy portion below the bottom of the hoop 161 and is the same as the liquid buoyancy portion in FIG. 2O.
FIG. 2S is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 2S is similar to FIG. 2L except that the upper permanent magnet 178 looks like a donut and the upper container 160 contains an upper permanent magnet surroundingly fixed to the lower end of the vertical pole 9. The lower permanent magnet 179 looks like a donut and is contained within the lower container 182, surrounding the standing pole 20. The standing pole 20 is fixed to the external bigger cylinder 159.
FIG. 2T is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 2T is similar to FIG. 2M except that the upper container 160 contains the electromagnet core 184 surroundingly fixed to the lower end of the vertical pole 9 and the lower container 182 looks like a donut and contains the lower electromagnet core 185 surrounding the standing pole 20. The standing pole 20 is fixed to the external bigger cylinder 159. The fixing method of the copper wire 183 and 186 at the iron core poles is the same as in FIG. 2M and FIG. 2N.
FIG. 2U, FIG. 2V, and FIG. 2W show a single axis system with rotation parallel to the x axis under different working conditions according to still another embodiment of the present application. The lower part of the system is the same as the lower part under the bracket 75 of FIG. 2O. The upper part of the FIG. 2U, FIG. 2V and FIG. 2W is different from the FIG. 2O. The upper end of the standing pole 20 is fixed to the bracket 216, which pivots at the eye 215 of the second end of bar 214. The other end of bar 214 pivots at the eye 52 and is fixed to the sitter 51. The track 36 is fixed to the internal face of the upper end of the standing pole 20. The narrow bar 21 is fixed to the upper part of the external surface of the vertical pole 9. The narrow bar 21 is configured to slide up and down within the track 36, which is similar to FIG. 3A. The bearing plate 3 with shaft 5 is pivotally fixed to the end of the vertical pole 9. Referring to FIG. 2U, in the morning the water starts to be pumped into the bigger cylinder 159 by the pump and through the incoming water pipe 175 so that water level is minimum within the bigger cylinder 159. The donut shaped internal cylinder 160 is buoyant by water buoyancy force 219 pushing the standing pole 20. The upper end of the standing pole 20 is near to the lower end of the track 36. For the reason of action and reaction relationship the bracket 216 pushes the bar 214 and turns around the solar panel to rotate in direction 217.
Referring to FIG. 2V, after the early morning the water level continuous increase till it reaches the middle level. The water level is more than the half level within external bigger cylinder 159 at the middle of day. The bracket 216 pushes the bar 214 to turn the solar panel to rotate in the direction of 217, which is parallel to the ground. After the middle of the day, the water level continues to increase till the sunset.
Referring to FIG. 2W, upon the sunlight going away, the water level reach to the maximum within the bigger cylinder 159. The donut shaped internal cylinder 160 is buoyant by water buoyancy force pushing the standing pole 20 to the maximum level near the upper end of the vertical pole 9. For the action and reaction relationship the bracket 216 pushes bar 214 to the top and the solar panel rotates in the direction of 217 to the maximum. After the end of the sunlight, the sensor senses the lack of sunlight, and the water is sucked to the outside by a suction pump and through the outgoing pipe 176. The solar panel automatically rotates oppositely and restores to the early morning position.
FIG. 3A is a partial cross-sectional view of the solar power illustrated in FIG. 2A taken along line 3a in FIG. 2A. Referring to FIG. 3A, the lower part of the standing pole 20 has a plurality of recessive tracks 28. A plurality of narrow tubes 21 are respectively inserted into the tracks 28 and fixed by bolts and nuts 35, or alternatively welded with the surface of the standing pole 20. In the assembly process, the lower part of the standing pole 20 with the projecting narrow tubes 21 is first inserted into the upper part of the hoop 22. Then the narrow tubes 21 are inserted into the track 36 between the standing pole 20 and the hoop 22.
FIG. 3B is a partial cross-sectional view of the solar power illustrated in FIG. 2A taken along line 3b in FIG. 2A. In particular, FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the hoop 22 and the upper part of the shock absorbing pole 25. Referring to FIG. 3B, in this embodiment, a spring 34, instead of the track 36, is inserted into the gap between the standing pole 20 and the hoop 22 before the circular plate 31 and lower spring 32 are inserted into the gap between the lower part of the standing pole 20 and the upper part of the shock absorbing pole 25. The upper part of the shock absorbing pole 25 has a thick wall so as to support the spring 32.
FIG. 3C is a partial cross-sectional view of the solar power illustrated in FIG. 2A taken along line 3c in FIG. 2A. In particular, FIG. 3C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lower part of the shock absorbing pole 25. Referring to FIG. 3C, the lower part of the standing pole 20 has a plurality of recessive tracks 28. The standing pole 20 further has a plurality of narrow tubes 21 respectively inserted into the tracks 28 and fixed by bolts and nuts 35, or alternatively welded with the surface of the standing pole 20. The lower part of the standing pole 20 with projecting narrow tubes 21 is inserted into the lower part of the shock absorbing pole 25. While the lower part of the shock absorbing pole 25 continuously holds the standing pole 20 and the narrow tubes 21, the track 36 is inserted therebetween.
FIG. 4A illustrates a solar power station under an upward external force according to still another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 4B illustrates the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 4A under a downward external force. Referring to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the hoop 22 is connected with the shock absorbing pole 25 through an upper circular flange 23 and a lower circular flange 24 by bolts and nuts. The lower spring 32 is disposed into the shock absorbing pole 25 and the upper spring 34 is disposed into the standing pole 20 before the standing pole 20 is connected to the rotatable bearing 40. The separation circular plate 31 is disposed between the lower spring 32 and the upper spring 34 so as to divide them.
Under normal conditions, i.e., when no external forces are applied to the solar power station, the gravity force of structure itself compresses the lower spring 32 downwards through the circular plate 31 and the lower spring 32 reacts with an upward spring force to maintain itself in a balanced position. Referring to FIG. 4a, if an upward external force 37, for example, caused by an earthquake, is applied to the structure, the circular plate 31 along with the standing pole 20 will push the upper spring 34 upwards and compress the upper spring 34 to store energy. Referring to FIG. 4B, if a downward external force 38, for example, caused by an earthquake, is applied to the structure, the force will bring the loading and circular plate 31 together to compress the lower spring 32 to store energy. The lower spring 32 will then rebound and be extended more than it would normally be so as to release the energy. The narrow tubes 21 stay in the tracks 36 as shown in FIG. 3A in this process. Since the upper spring 34 absorbs the energy released by the lower spring 32, the impact of the external force is reduced and thereby the damage to the solar power station can be avoided.
FIG. 5A illustrates a solar power station in one working mode according to still another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 5B illustrates the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 5A in another working mode. FIG. 5C is a partial perspective view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 5B. In particular, FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C illustrate how the solar power station rotates. Referring to FIG. 5A, the solar power station is a solar tracking machine designed to rotate about two axes. The first axis is the x axis, which is parallel to the shaft 4. If the hydraulic jack 10 extends or withdraws the shaft 52, the top roof of the solar panel will rotate anticlockwise (as shown by the arrow 57) and clockwise (as shown by the arrow 58) about the x axis respectively. The second axis is the z axis, which is parallel to the center axis of the standing pole 20. Referring to FIG. 5C, when the tracking motor 45 drives the rotatable platform 40 (as shown in FIG. 2A) to rotate, a space truss 50 of the cross structure and the top roof of the solar panel will rotate anticlockwise (as shown by the arrow 55) or clockwise (as shown by the arrow 56) about the z axis (parallel to the ground). Referring to FIG. 5B, a vertical beam 87 of the top roof supports the loading and transfers the loading to the space truss 50 of the cross structure. The horizontal pad 59 is attached on top of space truss 50 to maintain the top roof of the solar panel near the horizontal position.
FIGS. 6A-6G illustrate different types of the trusses used by the solar power station according to the present application. A truss is a structure including slender members joined together at their ends. The members commonly used in construction include wooden struts, metal bars, angles, channels and so on. The joint connections are usually formed by bolting or welding the ends of the members to a common plate, called a gusset plate, as shown in FIG. 6D and FIG. 6E, or simply by passing a large bolt or pin through each of the members. Planar trusses lie in a single plane and are often used to support roofs and bridges.
FIG. 6A illustrates a truss structure of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 6A, the supporting crossing structure uses a multi-connected space truss including members 52 jointed together at their ends to form a stable three-dimensional structure. Under loading and external disturbances such as wind, maintaining the mechanical stability of the structure requires that the truss is kept in force and angular momentum equilibrium about all axes.
FIG. 6B illustrates a truss structure of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 6B and FIG. 6D, the supporting crossing structure 50 is a triangle space truss forming a tetrahedron, each side of which is formed by six members. Each member has fours joints, adding another tetrahedron connected to form a multi-connected tetrahedron. The center truss member 80 is shared to reduce one side of the common members when sides are combined together, or to extend the width of the shared truss member, if the diameter of the vertical pole 9 is large. The space truss being fixed to the vertical pole 9 is very effective in supporting the loading of the top roof of the solar panel.
Under loading and external disturbances such as wind, maintaining the mechanical stability of the structure requires that the truss is kept in force and angular momentum equilibrium about all axes. Other advantages include that the structure reduces bearing loading at the rotatable perform 40 and reduces energy consumed by the tracking motor. These advantages can be realized provided the joined members at a connection intersect at a common point. FIG. 6E illustrates how the pins and the gusset plates are joined together in this embodiment.
FIG. 6C illustrates a truss structure of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 6C, a compound truss is formed by connecting two or more simple trusses 7 and 8 together. Quite often this type of truss is used to support loads having large dimensions, since it is cheaper to construct very light compound truss. FIG. 6D shows how the pins and the steel frame are joined together to form the truss structure in this embodiment.
FIG. 6E illustrates a truss structure of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 6E, in this embodiment, the truss structure is similar to the truss structure illustrated in FIG. 6C except a steel wire or side truss 151 is connected between a top end of the vertical pole 9 and the horizontal beam 7.
FIG. 6F illustrates a truss structure of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 6F, in this embodiment, the truss structure is similar to the truss structure illustrated in FIG. 6B except a steel wire or side truss 152 is connected between the top end of the vertical pole 9 and a middle position of a top surface of the side truss 50, forming a 45 degree angle with the side truss 50. Another steel wire or side truss 153 is connected between the top end of the vertical pole 9 and an external end of a top surface of a center truss 61.
FIG. 6G is a side view of the truss structure depicted in FIG. 6E illustrating how the pins and the steel frame are joined together to form the truss structure. Referring to FIG. 6G, a steel wire or side truss 154 is connected between the top end of the back side of the vertical pole 9 and an end of the center truss 62. A steel wire or side truss 156 is connected between the end of the center truss 62 and another end of the back side of the vertical pole 9. A steel wire or side truss 155 is connected between the top end of the vertical pole 9 and a middle position of a top surface of the side truss 63. A steel wire or side truss 157 is connected between the middle position of a top surface of the side truss 63 and the other end of the back side of the vertical pole 9, forming a 45 degree angle with the vertical pole 9. The truss structure is symmetrical on the other side of the vertical pole 9.
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 7B is a partial magnified view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 7A in one working mode. FIG. 7C is a partial magnified view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 7A in another working mode. FIG. 7A-FIG. 7C illustrate the details of how the gusset plate 72 of the hydraulic jack 10 is connected to the shaft 70 between the pole 9 and the supporting bracket 75.
FIG. 7D is a partial cross-sectional view of a supporting bearing bracket of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 7A. FIG. 7E is a partial perspective view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 7A. Referring to FIG. 7D and FIG. 7E, the supporting bearing bracket 75 is fixed to the vertical pole 9. The shaft 70 passes through the supporting bearing bracket 75, which is near an end of the side support beam 8 of the space truss, which is screwed or welded to the end of the vertical pole 9. The gusset plate 72 with hole openings is welded to near the shaft ejecting position of the hydraulic cylinder 10. The shaft 70 passes through the opening of gusset plate 74 of the vertical pole 9, which is welded to the rectangular shell shape pole and passes through the hole opening of the gusset plate 72 of the hydraulic jack 10. Thirty through openings of the side plate of the supporting bearing bracket 75 are directly locked to the shaft 70 by the washer 71 with bolts and nuts. The supporting bracket 75 is fixed at two sides of an end of the vertical pole 9. The function of the washer 71 is to serve as a support and to prevent the hydraulic jack 10 from moving out of the shaft 70. The horizontal beam 76 is configured to increase the bracket 75's strength so as to resist the reaction force applied to the hydraulic jack 10.
The second end of the hydraulic jack 10 is fixed to the roof of the solar panel. The details of the fixture have been described in FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B and FIG. 7C. The sitter 51 is connected with the shaft 52 with a washer and the sitter 51 is fixed to the bottom plate of the top roof of the solar panel by bolt and nut. It is noted that the rotatable platform 14, the gusset plates 15 and 16 are eliminated in this embodiment. The fixing position of the supporting bracket 75 can range from being the end of the vertical pole 9 to the center position of the vertical pole 9, through which the space truss 50 is fixed.
Referring to FIGS. 7F, 7G and 7H, in still another embodiment, the gusset plate 72 of the hydraulic cylinder 10 is replaced by the circular thick short pipe 78. The supporting circular thick short pipe 78 is welded near to the shaft ejecting position of the hydraulic cylinder 10 by the trunnion mounting method. The hydraulic jack 10 is connected between the vertical pole 9 and the bracket 75 by the two sides of the shaft 70 or a short pipe 78.
FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C illustrate another way of fixing the hydraulic jack 10. Referring to FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, the gusset plate 72 of the hydraulic jack 10 is connected to the shaft 70 between the center of the back box 76 and the supporting bearing bracket 75.
FIG. 8D is a partial cross-sectional view of a supporting bearing bracket of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 8A. FIG. 8E is a partial perspective view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 8A. Referring to FIG. 8D and FIG. 8E, the supporting bearing bracket 75 is fixed to a back box 73 and then fixed to the vertical pole 9. The fixing position can range from the end of the vertical pole 9 to the center of the vertical pole 9. In this embodiment, the shaft 70 is fixed to the center of the back box 73 behind the vertical pole 9. The back supporting bearing bracket 75 is fixed to the back box 73. The back box 73 is fixed to or welded to the end of the back side of the vertical pole 9 or the center of the back side of the vertical pole 9, where the space truss 50 passes through. The advantage for this structure includes reduction of the total length of the vertical pole 9.
FIG. 8F is a partial cross-sectional view of a supporting bearing bracket of a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 8F, the gusset plates 72 (not shown in FIG. 8F) at the two sides of the hydraulic jack 10 are connected to the shaft 70. The shaft 70 passes through the bearing bracket 75 and is directly connected to the vertical pole 9 by bolt and nut 77.
Referring to FIGS. 8G, 8H and 81, according to still another embodiment, the gusset plate 72 is replaced by the circular thick short pipe 78. The hydraulic jack 10 is welded to the support circular thick short pipe 78 side by side (without the gusset plate 72). The hydraulic jack 10 is connected between the vertical pole 9 and the bracket 75 by the two sides of the shaft 70 or the short pipe 78. The fixed position of the bearing bracket 75 can be anywhere from the ends to the center of the back side of the vertical pole 9.
Referring to FIGS. 8J, 8K and 8L, according to still another embodiment, each vertical pole 9 has two sides to be connected to the hydraulic jack 10. A right angle frame 90 is fixed to side edge of the vertical pole 9. Another right angle frame 91 is horizontally fixed to the right angle frame 90 at the back of the vertical pole 9. The center of the horizontal right angle frame 91 is directly fixed to the backside of the vertical pole 9. The four bearing plates 75 are directly fixed to the top of right angle frame 91. The shaft 70 passes through circular thick short pipes or gusset plates of hydraulic jack 10 to support the hydraulic jack 10 so as to elevate the roof of the solar panel. The connecting position of the right angle frames 90 and 91 can range from the end of the vertical pole 9 to the center of the space truss 50 so as to rotate the roof of solar panel.
FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C illustrate another way of fixing the hydraulic jack 10. Referring to FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C, the gusset plate 72 of the hydraulic jack 10 is connected to the shaft 70 at the center of the supporting bracket 75, which is fixed to the front of the vertical pole 9.
FIG. 9D is a partial cross-sectional view of a supporting bearing bracket of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9E is a partial perspective view of the solar power station illustrated in FIG. 9A. Referring to FIG. 9D and 9E, the supporting bearing bracket 75 is welded or screwed to the gusset plate 79. The gusset plate 79 is welded or screwed to the front of the vertical pole 9 near rotatable bearing 40.
It is noted in this embodiment, the shaft 70 is fixed to the center of the bearing bracket 75 before the vertical pole 9. The supporting bearing bracket 75 is screwed or welded to the gusset plate 79 and the gusset plate 79 is welded to the front of the vertical pole 9 and the side truss 8. The second end of the center truss 80 is welded to upper position of the end of the vertical pole 9. The shaft 70 also passes through the opening of the gusset plate 72 of the hydraulic jack 10 between the bearing brackets 75. The shaft of the hydraulic jack 10 passes through space between the horizontal truss 7, the side truss 8 and the vertical pole 9 to elevate the roof of the solar panel.
FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D illustrate the detail of the rectangle truss 84 that is welded or fixed to the triangle shaped space truss 50. The space truss 50 includes members disposed between the vertical pole 9, the side truss 81 and the side truss 8. The gusset plate 82 is welded between the backsides of the side truss 81, the side truss 8, and the left side of the vertical edge of the rectangle truss 84. The gusset plate 83 is welded to the left and the right sides of the rectangle truss 84 and the vertical pole 9. The two sides of the bearing bracket 75 are welded to the top of the gusset plate 82 and 83. The circular thick short pipe 78 (without the gusset plate 72) is welded to the two sides of the hydraulic jack 10 by the trunnion mounting method, which is connected to the shaft 70, passes through the bearing bracket 75 and locks the shaft 70 by washer with bolts and nuts.
FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D also show that the gusset plate 72 is replaced by the circular thick short pipe 78. The hydraulic jack 10 is welded to the support circular pipe 78 side by side (without the gusset plate 72) by the trunnion mounting method. The shaft of the hydraulic jack 10 passes through space opening of back side of space truss 50 and gets in between the horizontal truss 7, the side truss 8 and the vertical pole 9 so as to elevate the roof of solar panel.
FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C show the decomposition of the coupler 120 for joining the cross structures, the hydraulic jack and the top roof of the solar power station. FIG. 11A shows the decomposition the coupler 120. The coupler 120 includes an upper part and a lower part. The upper part includes two upper arms 121, joined by two horizontal steel structures 122 near the two ends of upper arm 121. For the rotation purpose, the first end and the second end of upper arm 121 have circular openings 123 and 119, which a circular shaft can pass through to rotate. The lower part structure of coupler 120 is similar to the upper part structure of coupler 120. It includes a lower arm 125 joined by two horizontal steel structures 126 near the two end of lower arm 125. For the rotation purpose, the first end and second end of lower arm 125 have circular openings 124 and 127, which a circular shaft can pass through and rotate.
FIG. 11B illustrates how the coupler 120 is assembled. Referring to FIG. 11B, the steel circular shaft 128 sequentially passes through the left side of the circular opening 119 of the upper arm 121, the left side of circular opening 124 of the lower arm 125 and the adjacent side of circular opening 124, and the circular opening 119 of the upper arm 121. The two of ends of the shaft 128 are locked by the steel washer 133.
FIG. 11C shows how other components are joined to the coupler. The bearing bracket 51 is fixed to the bottom roof of solar power station. The bearing bracket 51 traps the first end of the upper arm 121. The shaft 129 passes though bearing opening and the first end circular opening 123 of the upper arm 121. The two ends of shaft 129 are locked by the steel washer 52. Similarly, the bearing bracket 136 is fixed to the back side of cross structure of solar power station, which will be described in more detail with FIG. 11D. The bearing bracket 136 traps the second end of the lower arm 125. The shaft 131 passes though bearing opening and the second end circular opening 127 of the lower arm 125. The two ends of the shaft 131 are locked by the steel washer 135. The second end of two hydraulic jack 10 are fixed at the inner edges of the first end opening 124 of lower arm 125. The circular shaft 128 goes through the opening of the second end of hydraulic jack 10. The washer 134 is fixed to the shaft 128 near the inner edge of the opening of the second end of hydraulic jack 10 to block the hydraulic jack 10 from moving horizontally.
FIG. 11D is a back view of a bracket fixed to a crossing structure in a solar power station according to still another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 11D, the two bearing bracket 135 is fixed to top of two sides of the gusset plate 137. The gusset plate 137 is fixed between the back side of the beam 7, the back side of side truss 81 and the back side of the vertical pole 9.
FIG. 11E is a partial view of a solar power station in one working mode according to still another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 11E, the second end of the hydraulic jack 10 is connected to the coupler 120. The hydraulic jack 10 pushes the coupler 120 and the solar roof so as to rotate upwards.
FIG. 11F is a partial view of a solar power station in another working mode according to still another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 11F, the hydraulic elongate the jack 10 pushes the coupler 120 and the solar roof to rotate to a horizontal position.
FIG. 12A is a partial side view of a solar power station in another working mode according to still another embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 12A, the hydraulic cylinder 10 starts to extrude the hydraulic rod, which pushes the solar panel roof to rotate counterclockwise from a lower point.
FIG. 12B is a partial view of the solar power station depicted in FIG. 12A in another working condition. Referring to FIG. 12B, the hydraulic cylinder 10 fully extrudes the hydraulic rod, which pushes the solar panel roof to rotate counterclockwise to a horizontal position.
FIG. 12C is a perspective view of a supporting triangle frame of the solar power station depicted in FIG. 12A. Referring to FIG. 12A, 12B and 12C, a supporting triangle frame is configured to support and connect the hydraulic cylinder. The supporting triangle frame includes two symmetrical portions separated by the vertical pole 9. The portions include a triangle base frame 141 that is welded or connected to the back side of the vertical pole 9 below the side truss 8. A first end of the upper tile frame 142 is connected to an upper end of the triangle base frame 141. The first end of lower tile frame 142 is connected to a lower end of the triangle base fame 141. A second end of upper tile frame 142 is connected to the base of the upper first end of a short vertical trapezium frame 143. The second end of lower tile frame 142 is connected to the base of the lower second end of the short vertical trapezium frame 143. The end of a horizontal frame 145 is connected to the inner sides of the two short vertical trapezium frames 143.
Referring to FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B, the first end of the supporting frame 147 is connected near to the second end of side truss 80. The second end of the supporting frame 147 is connected to the top ends of the two upper tile frame 142 to offer additional support.
The bracket 144 of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder 10 is connected to the base of the middle position of the short vertical trapezium frame 143. The first end of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder 10 is connected to the bracket 144. The second end of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder 10 is connected to the bracket 51 of the solar panel roof. The same configure is made at the other side of the vertical pole 9.
FIG. 12D is a partial back view of the solar power station depicted in FIG. 12A. Referring to FIG. 12D, two sides of the first end of vertical external outer frame 146 are connected to the side truss 8. The two ends of the top and the bottom horizontal triangle base frame 141 are respectively connected to the two vertical external outer frames 146 near the ends of the internal edges thereof. The second ends of the two vertical external outer frames 146 have 45 degree angle returns, the end of which is connected to the two sides of the vertical pole 9. The first end of the supporting frame 148 connected to the side truss 8 and the second end of the supporting frame 148 is connected to the vertical external outer frame 146 to offer additional support.
FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C show the details of the top roof. FIG. 13B is a plane view of the top roof illustrated in FIG. 13A. Referring to FIG. 13A, the second end of stand post 105 is vertically fixed to or welded to the top face of the horizontal connection beam 88. The standing pole 105 stands at a middle position of the horizontal connection beam 88 and divides the top roof into two wings. The second end of the slope side frame 106 is fixed to or welded to the horizontal connection beam 88. The first end of the slope side frame 106 is fixed to or welded to a middle position of vertical post 105 so as to support the standing post 105. The gusset plate 111 is welded to the left and right side of the top end of the standing pole 105 for fixing purpose. The second end of the beam 87 is connected to the horizontal connection beam 88 and the first end of beam 87 is welded with the gusset plate 112 by its top and bottom faces. The gusset plate 111 of the standing pole 105 and the top face of gusset plate 112 are connected by a tie steel bar 107, or a side truss frame 107 or a steel wire 107. A row of beams 87 and a row of the standing poles 105 are connected together as shown in FIG. 12B.
FIG. 13C is a bottom view of the top roof illustrated in FIG. 13A. Referring to FIG. 13B and FIG. 13C, the bearing plate 3 is connected to the bottom face of the horizontal beam 88. Multiple tie beams 109 respectively connect the neighboring beams 87. The tie beam 113 connects the neighboring top ends of standing post 105. Multiple tie steel bars 114, side truss frames 114 or steel wires 114 form diagonal braces between the gusset plate 111 of the standing pole 105 and the neighboring top face gusset plates 112 of the beam 87. It is understood that for small top roofs a single tie steel bar 114, or a side truss frame 114 or a steel wire 114 is sufficient.
Referring to FIGS. 13A-13C, the bottom face of the gusset plate 112 of the beam 87 and the bottom end of the bearing plate 3 are connected by a tie steel bar 108, or a side frame 108 or a steel wire 108. Multiple tie steel bars 110, or side truss frames 110 or steel wires 110 form diagonal braces between the neighboring of the bottom side of the gusset plates 112 of the beams 87 and bearing plates 3. It is understood that for small bottom face of top roof, a single tie steel bar 110, or a side truss frame 11 or a steel wire 110 diagonal brace is enough. Finally a row of steel bar or side frame or a steel wire (108 or 110) can be used to connect each other, as shown in FIG. 11C.
FIG. 13D is a partial perspective view of the top roof illustrated in FIG. 13A. Referring to FIG. 13D, the tie steel bars 115, or the side truss frames 115 or the steel wires 115 form diagonal braces between the neighboring first end and second end of the standing pole 105. The tie beam 117 is connected with the neighboring second bottom end of the bearing plate 3. The tie steel bars 116, or the side truss frames 116 or the steel wires 116 form diagonal braces between the neighboring edges of the first end and the second end of the bearing plate 3.
While the present patent application has been shown and described with particular references to a number of embodiments thereof, it should be noted that various other changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
