Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Locking assembly for a solar photovoltaic array tracker
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Application No.: US17814336Application Date: 2022-07-22
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Publication No.: US11695370B2Publication Date: 2023-07-04
- Inventor: Joseph D. LoBue , Benjamin A. Fulcher
- Applicant: FTC Solar, Inc.
- Applicant Address: US TX Austin
- Assignee: FTC Solar, Inc.
- Current Assignee: FTC Solar, Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US TX Austin
- Agency: Armstrong Teasdale LLP
- Main IPC: H02S20/32
- IPC: H02S20/32 ; H02S30/10

Abstract:
Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel connected to the torque tube, and a locking assembly. The locking assembly includes a first end pivotably connected to the torque tube and a second end pivotably connected to the column. A shell defines a fluid chamber and a piston is positioned within the shell. The piston includes a seal and defines compression and extension portions of the fluid chamber. A flow path extends between the compression portion and the extension portions. A first valve assembly controls fluid flow in a first direction through the flow path and a second valve assembly controls fluid flow in a second direction through the flow path. The valve assemblies are each passively moveable from an unlocked state to a locked state in response to movement of the piston.
Public/Granted literature
- US20230030803A1 LOCKING ASSEMBLY FOR A PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY TRACKER Public/Granted day:2023-02-02
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