US 12,375,027 B2
Systems for damping a solar photovoltaic array tracker
Joseph D. LoBue, Dale, TX (US); Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli, Cupertino, CA (US); Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Chennai (IN); and Milo Zabala, Concord, CA (US)
Assigned to FTC Solar, Inc., Austin, TX (US)
Filed by FTC Solar, Inc., Austin, TX (US)
Filed on Mar. 22, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/188,001.
Application 18/188,001 is a continuation of application No. 17/223,468, filed on Apr. 6, 2021, granted, now 11,632,074.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/199,643, filed on Jan. 14, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0223893 A1, Jul. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. F24S 30/00 (2018.01); F15B 15/20 (2006.01); F16F 9/02 (2006.01); F16F 9/18 (2006.01); F16F 9/32 (2006.01); F16F 9/34 (2006.01); F16F 9/36 (2006.01); F16F 9/50 (2006.01); F16M 11/10 (2006.01); F24S 30/425 (2018.01); F24S 40/00 (2018.01); G05D 3/10 (2006.01); H02S 20/32 (2014.01); H02S 30/10 (2014.01); H02S 40/30 (2014.01); H02S 50/00 (2014.01); F16F 9/10 (2006.01); F16F 9/44 (2006.01); F16F 9/49 (2006.01); H02S 40/38 (2014.01); H02S 99/00 (2014.01)
CPC H02S 20/32 (2014.12) [F15B 15/20 (2013.01); F16F 9/0254 (2013.01); F16F 9/185 (2013.01); F16F 9/3271 (2013.01); F16F 9/34 (2013.01); F16F 9/369 (2013.01); F16F 9/50 (2013.01); F16M 11/10 (2013.01); F24S 30/425 (2018.05); F24S 40/00 (2018.05); G05D 3/105 (2013.01); H02S 30/10 (2014.12); H02S 40/30 (2014.12); H02S 50/00 (2013.01); F16F 9/10 (2013.01); F16F 9/103 (2013.01); F16F 9/44 (2013.01); F16F 9/49 (2013.01); F16F 2222/12 (2013.01); F16F 2228/066 (2013.01); F16F 2230/0041 (2013.01); F16F 2230/183 (2013.01); F16F 2230/30 (2013.01); F16F 2232/06 (2013.01); F16F 2232/08 (2013.01); F16F 2234/02 (2013.01); F24S 2030/115 (2018.05); F24S 2030/19 (2018.05); H02S 40/38 (2014.12); H02S 99/00 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A solar tracker system comprising:
a support tube;
a solar panel assembly connected to the support tube;
a drive connected to the support tube and operable to rotate the solar panel assembly;
a row controller controlling operation of the drive; and
an active lock connected to the support tube, the active lock comprising:
a housing defining a chamber;
a seal preventing a flow of fluid through the chamber when the active lock is in a sealed state and allowing the flow of fluid through the chamber when the active lock is in an unsealed state;
a locking system motor connected to the seal to transition the active lock between the sealed state and the unsealed state;
a battery providing power to the locking system motor;
an antenna for receiving, from the row controller, instructions controlling the locking system motor; and
an active lock controller connected to the housing, the active lock controller being powered by the battery and in communication with the antenna, wherein the active lock controller is configured to receive the instructions from the antenna and automatically control the locking system motor based on the instructions.