US 11,967,921 B2
Self-powered solar tracker apparatus
Yang Liu, Mountain View, CA (US); and Alexander W. Au, Oakland, CA (US)
Assigned to NEXTRACKER LLC, Fremont, CA (US)
Filed by Nextracker LLC, Fremont, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 9, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/884,366.
Application 17/884,366 is a continuation of application No. 17/343,600, filed on Jun. 9, 2021, granted, now 11,411,529, issued on Aug. 9, 2022.
Application 17/343,600 is a continuation of application No. 16/128,022, filed on Sep. 11, 2018, granted, now 11,101,768, issued on Aug. 24, 2021.
Application 16/128,022 is a continuation of application No. 14/972,036, filed on Dec. 16, 2015, granted, now 10,075,125, issued on Sep. 11, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/095,670, filed on Dec. 22, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2023/0050774 A1, Feb. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. H02S 20/32 (2014.01); F24S 30/425 (2018.01); H01L 31/042 (2014.01); H02J 7/35 (2006.01); H02S 40/32 (2014.01); H02S 40/34 (2014.01); H02S 40/38 (2014.01); F24S 30/00 (2018.01)
CPC H02S 20/32 (2014.12) [F24S 30/425 (2018.05); H01L 31/042 (2013.01); H02J 7/35 (2013.01); H02S 40/32 (2014.12); H02S 40/34 (2014.12); H02S 40/38 (2014.12); F24S 2030/11 (2018.05); H02J 2207/20 (2020.01); H02J 2300/24 (2020.01); Y02E 10/50 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A solar tracker apparatus comprising:
a torque tube defining a single axis of rotation;
a plurality of solar modules coupled to the torque tube such that rotation of the torque tube about the single axis of rotation orients the plurality of solar modules;
a drive device operably coupled to the torque tube, the drive device configured to rotate the torque tube and the plurality of solar modules about the single axis of rotation;
a clamp assembly comprising:
a clamp housing member; and
a clam shell clamp rotatably coupled to the clamp housing member about the single axis of rotation, the clam shell clamp configured to support the torque tube in an off-set position from the single axis of rotation;
a solar panel energy source smaller than each of the plurality of solar modules and configured to power the drive device, wherein the solar panel energy source is mounted side by side with one of the plurality of solar modules; and
an electronic module secured to the torque tube, wherein the electronic module and the solar panel energy source are between at least one of the plurality of solar modules and the drive device.