Pinnacle West Capital Corporation

Arizona Public Service Company, Inc.

Herbert T Hayden

Jefferson G Shingleton

Raymond S Zuckerman

James Warrick

A structure () for supporting an array () of solar panels () in a solar energy collection system () includes a support assembly () formed from a rigid subassembly (). The subassembly () includes a truss (), a post () downwardly extending from the truss () for attachment to a footing (), and posts () upwardly extending from the truss (). The structure () further includes torsion tubes (), each of which is pivotally retained by one of the posts () to form parallel rows () of torsion tubes (). Multiple ganged piers () can be interconnected to increase the number of rows () of the system (). The solar panels () are attached to the torsion tubes () to form the array (). Each of the torsion tubes () may have a flat surface () for ready alignment and attachment of solar panels () onto the torsion tubes ().

System for supporting energy conversion modules

A system () for orienting an object () relative to a base () to which the object () is rotatably coupled includes a braking surface () in fixed relation with the base (). A brake () is engaged with the braking surface (). A linear actuator () has a body () in fixed attachment with the object () via a strap member () and a coupling element (). The linear actuator () also includes a rod () in fixed communication with the brake () through an elongate member () that flexes in response to a braking force () imposed on the braking surface () by the brake (). The linear actuator is activated to generate linear motion () of the rod (). The linear motion () of the rod () causes rotational motion () of the object (). The strap member () is enabled to flex as the object () rotates.

Positioning system and method of orienting an object using same

A structure () for supporting an array () of solar panels () in a solar energy collection system () includes a support assembly () formed from a rigid subassembly (). The subassembly () includes an elongated truss (), a base () coupled to the truss () for attachment to a footing (), and posts () extending from a top edge of the truss (). The structure () further includes torsion tubes (), each of which is pivotally retained by one of the posts () to form parallel rows () of torsion tubes (). A number of rigid subassemblies () can be interconnected to further increase the number of rows () of the system (). The solar panels () are attached to the torsion tubes () to form the array (), and a drive mechanism () pivots the torsion tubes () via a single elongated actuator and multiple torque arms ().

Structure for supporting energy conversion modules and solar energy collection system

A fail-safe electrical control system in the form of a sensor loop () is provided. The sensor loop () includes any number of sensor units () coupled in series. Each sensor unit () includes a local power source (), a local sensor (), and a local indicator controller (). The local power source (), local sensor (), and local indicator controller () are coupled in series within the sensor unit () and the sensor loop () to form a closed circuit () that does not require a central controller or the performance of loop configuration activities. The local power sources () distributed throughout the sensor loop () within the sensor units () are all isolated from the earth. In one preferred embodiment, the sensor loop () controls the movement of solar collectors () into wind stow positions when high wind () conditions occur.

Sensor loop with distributed power sources and method therefor

A celestial tracking apparatus ( ) has a support ( ), a tracking assembly ( ) coupled to the support ( ) by an azimuth pivot ( ), a collector assembly ( ) coupled to the tracking assembly ( ) by an elevation pivot ( ), a wind-speed sensor ( ), and a controller ( ) coupled to the azimuth and elevation pivots ( ) and configured to cause the collector assembly ( ) to assume a wind-stow position ( ) when the sensor ( ) detects a wind having a speed greater than a predetermined speed, upon failure of a component of the apparatus ( ), or upon receipt of a wind-stow command. The collector assembly ( ) has a solar collector ( ) with a substantially flat surface ( ), a center of gravity ( ), and a target axis ( ) substantially perpendicular to the substantially flat surface ( ) and passing through the center of gravity ( ). The elevation pivot ( ) is displaced from the target axis ( ) and the center of gravity ( ) so that the collector assembly ( ) is predisposed to pivot to the wind-stow position.

Celestial tracking apparatus and method of controlling wind stow therefor

A tilted single-axis tracking system ( ) for collecting solar energy includes a structure ( ) for supporting an array ( ) of photovoltaic (PV) modules ( ) above a surface ( ). The structure ( ) includes a frame ( ) having first and second legs ( ) configured to extend upwardly from the surface ( ) and join at an apex ( ). A base tensioning member ( ) of the frame ( ) is interposed between the first and second legs ( ). A torque tube ( ) is pivotally retained by the frame ( ) at the apex ( ) and is configured for attachment of the array ( ) of PV modules ( ). A foot member ( ) pivotally retains a tube end ( ) of the torque tube ( ) and is configured to rest on the surface ( ). A first tensioning member ( ) is coupled between the foot member ( ) and the first leg ( ), and a second tensioning member ( ) is coupled between the foot member ( ) and the second leg ( ). A pre-tensioning member ( ) extends from the apex ( ) of the frame ( ) and is configured for attachment to the surface ( ). In an alternative embodiment, the pre-tensioning member ( ) is omitted and pre-tensioning members ( ) extend from each of the first and second legs ( ) and the foot member ( ) and are configured for attachment to the surface ( ).

Structure for supporting a photovoltaic module in a solar energy collection system

A high-concentration photovoltaic assembly ( ) for use in a utility-scale solar power generation system ( ) is configured to couple to a supporting tracking structure ( ) of the system ( ). The assembly ( ) incorporates a frame ( ) substantially centered in a plane ( ), a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal members ( ) substantially centered in the plane ( ) and coupled to the frame ( ), two substantially parallel transverse members ( ) substantially centered in the plane ( ) and coupled to the longitudinal members ( ) substantially at ends thereof, a plurality of bulkheads ( ) coupled between adjacent ones of the longitudinal members ( ) and configured to divide the assembly ( ) into a plurality of chambers ( ), a plurality of photovoltaic modules coupled to the chambers ( ) upon a first side ( ) of the plane ( ), and a plurality of lenses ( ) coupled to the chambers ( ) upon a second side ( ) of the plane ( ).

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Tempe, AZ, United States of America

Herbert T Hayden