| CPC H02S 20/32 (2014.12) [F16H 1/00 (2013.01); F16H 1/16 (2013.01); H02S 20/00 (2013.01); H02S 20/30 (2014.12)] | 16 Claims |
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13. A solar array, comprising
a first solar tracker comprising a first torsion tube and a first drive assembly, the first drive assembly operably coupled to the first torsion tube to rotate the first torsion tube responsive to input mechanical power;
a second solar tracker comprising a second torsion tube and a second drive assembly, the second drive assembly operably coupled to the second torsion tube to rotate the second torsion tube responsive to input mechanical power;
a support structure that supports the first and second solar trackers above an installation surface;
a drive linkage positioned at or below the installation surface on which the entire solar array is installed, the drive linkage configured to transmit mechanical power between the first and second solar trackers, the drive linkage positioned spaced apart from and below, relative to gravity, the first drive assembly and the second drive assembly;
a first interconnection assembly that operably couples a first end of the drive linkage at or below the installation surface on which the entire solar array is installed to the first drive assembly supported above the installation surface by the support structure;
a second interconnection assembly that operably couples a second end of the drive linkage at or below the installation surface on which the entire solar array is installed to the second drive assembly supported above the installation surface by the support structure; and
a housing that at least partially encloses and protects the drive linkage, wherein the housing comprises a raceway installed on the installation surface or a conduit and the conduit and the drive linkage are buried beneath the installation surface;
wherein the first drive assembly comprises:
a worm gear with an end shaft;
a first spur gear that meshes with the worm gear and is configured to rotate in response to rotation of the worm gear;
a second spur gear formed on or coupled to a same shaft as the first spur gear, the first and second spur gears sharing a common rotational axis, the second spur gear configured to rotate in response to rotation of the first spur gear; and
a sector gear mounted to the first torsion tube, the sector gear meshing with the second spur gear and configured to rotate itself and the second torsion tube in response to rotation of the second spur gear; and
wherein the first interconnection assembly comprises:
an upper sprocket operably coupled to the end shaft of the worm gear, the upper sprocket having a first rotational axis that is coaxial with a second rotational axis of the end shaft of the worm gear;
a lower sprocket operably coupled to the first end of the drive linkage, the lower sprocket having a third rotational axis that is parallel to and below, relative to gravity, the first rotational axis of the upper sprocket; and
a drive chain that operably couples the upper and lower sprockets together, each of the upper and lower sprockets comprising teeth that mesh with the drive chain such that rotation of the upper sprocket or the lower sprocket is vertically translated, relative to gravity, by the drive chain to the other of the lower sprocket or the upper sprocket.
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