Solar system alignment tool and method

摘要

An alignment tool for aligning torque tubes of the solar collection system can include a rigid body member and two laterally extending alignment arms. Optionally, the alignment arms can include releasable clamps that can engage and disengage without the use of tools. The tool can be designed to straddle a sun-tracking drive of a sun-tracking solar system. Thus, the tool can be used both during initial construction as well as after construction is complete for alignment purposes.

主权项

1. A method for aligning two shafts, each shaft having at least one alignment reference surface, the method comprising:
pressing the alignment reference surface of a first shaft against a first reference surface of an alignment device; pressing the alignment reference surface of a second shaft against a second reference surface of the alignment device wherein the first and second reference surfaces of the alignment device are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the shafts; and rotationally fixing the first shaft to the second shaft while the alignment device is pressed against the reference surfaces of the first and second shafts.