Integrated torque coupling and mount

摘要

A sun tracking solar energy collection system can include torque tubes formed with a plurality of rotatable shafts connected to each other in an end to end fashion. The ends of the shafts can be connected with coupling devices in the form of an integrated coupling flange and mounting devices. The coupling flange can include a mounting surface that extends generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft. Additionally, the coupling flange can include a coupling face that extends generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation, so as to provide a mating face for an adjacent coupling flange to transmit torque from one shaft to another. The mounting flanges can be used to support devices such as solar energy collection devices including photovoltaic modules or other devices.

主权项

1. A sun-tracking solar collector system comprising:
first and second solar energy collector devices; a first torque tube body extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising at least a first end; a second torque tube body extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising at least a second end; at least a first support member fixed to the first torque tube body at a first location spaced from the first end; at least a second support member fixed to the second torque tube at a second location spaced from the second end; a first torque transmission member fixed to the first end of the first torque tube body and configured to receive and transmit a torque to the first torque tube body, the first torque transmission member comprising a third support member, the first and third support members connected to and supporting the first solar energy collection device; and a second torque transmission member fixed to the second end of the second torque tube body, the second torque transmission member coupled to the first torque transmission member and configured to receive and transmit the torque to the second torque tube body, the second torque transmission member comprising a fourth support member, the second and fourth support members connected to and supporting the second solar energy collection device.