Photovoltaic panel support assembly

Patent · Tue Jul 20 00:00:00 EDT 1993

OSTI ID:7368969

Barker, J M; Underwood, J C; Shingleton, J

A solar energy electrical power source is described comprising in combination at least two flat photovoltaic panels disposed side-by-side in co-planar relation with one another, a pivot shaft extending transversely across the panels, at least two supports spaced apart lengthwise of the pivot shaft, means for connecting the pivot shaft to the at least two supports, attachment means for connecting the at least two panels to the pivot shaft so that the panels can pivot about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, coupling means mechanically coupling all of the panels together so as to form a unified flat array, and selectively operable drive means for mechanically pivoting the unified flat array about the axis; wherein each of the flat photovoltaic panels comprises at least two modules each comprising a plurality of electrically interconnected photovoltaic cells, the at least two modules being aligned along a line extending at a right angle to the pivot shaft, and the coupling means comprises (a) an elongate member extending parallel to and spaced from the pivot shaft and (b) means for attaching the elongate member to the panels; and further wherein each flat photovoltaic panel comprises a unitary frame consisting of a pair of end frame members extending parallel to the pivot shaft, a pair of side frame members extending between and connected to the end frame members, and a pair of spaced apart cross frame members, with one of the two modules being embraced by and secured to the side frame members and a first one of each of the end and cross frame members, and the other of the two modules being embraced by and secured to the side frame members and the second one of each of the end and cross frame members, whereby the gap created by the spaced apart cross frame members allow air to pass between them in order to reduce the sail effect when the solar array is subjected to buffeting winds.

• Assignee: Mobil Solar Energy Corp., Billerica, MA (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5228924; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-787538
• OSTI ID: 7368969
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 4 Nov 1991
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SUPPORTS
DESIGN
SOLAR TRACKING
SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEMS
WIND LOADS
DYNAMIC LOADS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
HELIOSTATS
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
POWER SUPPLIES
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
140600* - Solar Energy- Photovoltaic Power Systems