DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION

[001] The invention relates generally to a solar tracking system, and more specifically to a manual tacking system which works in accordance with the Photovoltaic (PV) module for an improved power output.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[002] PV power systems are designed to utilize solar power and convert it into electrical energy. The effectiveness and efficiency of these systems are highly dependent on changing orientation of the PV module relative to the position of the sun as a static PV module is not able to utilize most of the incident sun light during the morning and evening hours.

[003] Different solar tracking mechanisms are used in PV systems that regularly change the orientation of the PV module based on the changing position of the sun. These tracking mechanisms can broadly be classified into manual and automated tracking systems. Manual tracking is a simple way of a person in adjusting the orientation of the solar modules to get the maximum power based on the position of the sun. On the other hand, such automated tracking systems generally rely on some automatic mechanism of changing the orientation of the PV module.

[004] The solar tracking mechanisms can be further classified based on the degree of freedom for rotation. Single Axis tracking mechanisms possess one degree of freedom that acts as an axis of rotation, whereas Double Axis tracking mechanisms have two degrees of freedom acting as the axes of rotation.

[005] It is important to choose the right type of tracking mechanism based on various factors including the nature of activity for which the PV system that is installed and the power output of the PV system. As motorized solar trackers contain multiple electronic parts, they require greater maintenance and are usually more expensive than manual trackers. Usually standalone or small-scale PV installations can be taken care of easily by installing manual trackers that can be used to manually change the direction and orientation of the PV module based on the position of the sun.

[006] Since manual trackers are operated by a person, there is a constant effort to improve the design and mechanics in a manner that reduces the exerted force and makes the operation smooth and easy for a single person to operate such manual trackers.

[007] Hence, in light of the aforementioned points, there is a need for a manually adjustable solar tracker that reduces the effort involved in changing the orientation of the PV modules and is significantly easier and less expensive to install and maintain.
OBJECT OF INVENTION

[008] The object of this invention is to provide manually adjustable solar tracker system that can considerably reduces the effort involved in changing the orientation of the PV modules and requires significantly less maintenance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[009] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which, like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0010] Fig. 1 depicts/illustrates a single axis, manually adjustable solar tracking system.
[0011] Fig. 2 depicts/illustrates a top cross sectional view of a single axis, manually adjustable solar tracking system.
[0012] Fig. 3 depicts/illustrates direction of rotatory and corresponding linear motion of a single axis, manually adjustable solar tracking system.
[0013] Fig. 4A depicts/illustrates a PV system comprising of the single axis, manually adjustable solar tracker wherein linear actuator is at full expansion.
[0014] Fig. 4B depicts / illustrates a PV system comprising of the single axis, manually adjustable solar tracker wherein linear actuator is at half expansion.
[0015] Fig. 4C depicts / illustrates a PV system comprising of the single axis, manually adjustable solar tracker system, wherein linear actuator is at minimal expansion.
[0016] Fig. 5 depicts / illustrates a method for tracking solar energy, in accordance to the invention.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The invention is a solar tracking system and method for manually tracking the sun, where the system works in accordance with a photovoltaic module (PV module) configured in the system. The system includes a casing having an aperture, a first screw rod rotatably attached to one end of the casing and a second screw rod rotatably attached to another end of the casing with a torque lever substantially passing through the aperture at the centre of the casing along vertical symmetry axis of the casing. Depending on the location of sun, solar tacking system may be positioned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0018] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and / or detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0019] The embodiments herein below provide a single axis, manually adjustable solar tracker system that helps to the change in orientation of PV modules with respect to the position of the sun. The solar tracker system utilizes a linear actuator wherein single rotatory motion results in double length linear motion as compared to a traditionally known linear actuator.
[0020] Here, the linear actuator is referred to a mechanical actuator which typically operates by conversion of rotary motion into linear motion. Conversion is commonly made via a few simple types of mechanisms such as screw, or lever.
[0021] Referring now to the drawings, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, these are shown in preferred embodiments.
[0022] Fig. 1 depicts a solar tracking system 100 comprising of a casing 102, preferably a hollow metal cylindrical casing having internal threaded collars 116 securely attached to the hollow casing 102. The process of attaching may be carried out through welding, soldering and the like. The system includes a first threaded screw rod 104 is positioned inside a collar 116-1 attached at one end of the casing 102 and a second threaded screw rod 108 is positioned inside a collar 116-2 at another end of the casing 102. Such first threaded rod 104 and second threaded rod 108 are (which is also called as stud) relatively long rod that are threaded on both ends of the rods (104, 108) and the threads may be extend along the length of the each rod. The threaded rods (104, 108) are of helical in structure and such helical structure configured to convert rotary motion to and linear motion .
[0023] Further, each screw threaded rod (104 or 108) is a ridge wrapped around a cylinder or cone in the form of a helix, with the former being called a straight thread and the latter called a tapered thread. The first threaded screw rod 104 bears left hand threading 106 and the second threaded screw rod 108 bears right hand threading 110. The casing 102 bears an aperture 112 at the center of the casing 102 along vertical symmetry axis ‘Y’’of the casing 102. The aperture is enabled to receive a torque lever 114 for providing manual rotary motion to the solar tracking system 100. A user or an operator may rotate the torque lever 114 to convert the rotary motion of the torque lever 114 to linear motion along the screw threaded rods (104 and 108). On rotating the torque lever 114, the first screw threaded rod 104 linearly moves inside the collar 116-1 attached at one end of the casing 102, and this linear motion further linearly exerts out the second screw threaded rod 108 from the collar 116-2 attached at another end of the casing 112. Further, the solar tracking system 100 is connected to a photovoltaic module (not shown in the fig).

[0024] The embodiment described herein is for illustrative purposes only. Other embodiments with opposite threading on the screw rods (104, 108) and different positioning of the aperture are intended to be covered under the scope of this specification.
[0025] Fig. 2 depicts a top cross sectional view 200 of the solar tracking system wherein the first threaded screw rod 104 with left hand threading 106 and the second threaded screw rod 108 with right hand threading 110 are placed inside the casing 102 at the two opposing ends. A stopper 202 is welded at the rear end of the screws (104 and 108) to control the extent of linear movement of the screw threaded rods (104 and 108). The casing 102 bears the aperture112 that lets the torque lever pass through the center of the casing 102 casing along vertical symmetry axis ‘Y’’ of the casing 102 enabling the operator to manually rotate the casing 102. On rotating the casing 102 using the torque lever, the first screw threaded rod 104 linearly moves inside the collar 116-1 attached at one end of the casing 102, and this linear motion further linearly exerts out the second screw threaded rod 108 from the collar 116-2 attached at another end of the casing 112.

[0026] The single axis embodiments detailed herein are only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Alternative embodiments utilizing the inventive concept provided herein may consist of double axis solar tracker assembly wherein each axis provides movement of the PV module in a different direction based on the same rotary motion of the casing 102 using the lever that results in double length linear motion. To achieve rotatory motion there may be use of two torque levers in opposite direction to each other.

Solar Tracker Working
[0027] Since the constant movement of the sun warrants regular change in the orientation of the PV module, it is important to have an effective system that adjusts orientation to obtain maximum output from the PV module. Basically , there are two kinds of tracking systems, manual and motorized. The motorized solar trackers contain multiple electronic parts, they require greater maintenance and are usually more expensive than manual trackers. Usually standalone or small-scale PV installations can be taken care of easily by installing manual trackers that can be used to manually change the direction and orientation of the PV module based on the position of the sun. The current invention is a type of manual solar tracker designed with specific mechanics.

[0028] Fig. 3 depicts the working of the solar tracking system 300 wherein torque lever (not shown in Fig. 3) enables the operator to manually rotate the casing 102 that results in a linear motion of the screw threaded rods. The rotation is oriented in such a way that, the PV module gets maximum insolation or sun exposure. Since first screw threaded rod is left threaded and the second screw threaded rod is right threaded, a single rotational motion of torque lever 114 will result in simultaneous linear movement of the screw rods. For example, consider the casing 102 is rotated in the clockwise direction 302, the left threaded screw rod moves out in the anti-clockwise direction 304 and at the same time the right threaded screw rod moves out in the clockwise direction 306. Thus, on rotating the torque lever rotates the casing 102 thereby rotary motion is converted to linear motion along the horizontal axis of the screw threads. Such linear motion is experienced due to the left threaded and right threaded configuration in the first and the second screw threaded respectively.

[0029] Therefore, a single rotatory motion results in double length linear motion of the two screw rods, thereby requiring less manual effort for changing the orientation of the PV module. The same movement pattern applies when the torque lever is rotated anti-clockwise resulting in simultaneous inward movement of the two threaded screw rods.
PV module using solar tracking system
[0030] Fig. 4A, 4B and 4C depict various stages of a PV module 402 utilizing the solar tracking system 404. Depending on the position or location of the sun, the solar tracking system 404 may position PV module 402 in three different stages which are illustrated below with the appropriate figure. Fig. 4A depicts one embodiment of a PV module utilizing the solar tracker wherein one end of first threaded screw rod of the solar tracking system 404 is attached to a hinge 406 in the PV module 402, while the another end of the second threaded screw rod is attached to a hinge 408 attached on the mount 410 of the PV module 402. The position of the hinges on both the PV module 402 and the mount 410 may vary depending upon the user requirement factors such as dimensions and weight of the module, height of the mount and other related aspects. Fig. 4A also depicts 400 the orientation of the PV module 402 when the linear actuator of the solar tracking system 404 is at full expansion. This orientation/expansion may be optimum in the morning as the PV module 402 is oriented towards the east.

[0031] Similarly, Fig. 4B depicts 400 the orientation of the PV module 402 when the linear actuator of the solar tracking system 404 is at half expansion. This helps in tracking the solar radiation when sun is right at the top or in more specific words, when sun is at zenith. Further Fig. 4C depicts 400 the orientation of the PV module 402 when the linear actuator of the solar tracking system 404 is at minimal expansion.

[0032] It is also pertinent to note that the present invention may be applicable to various types of PV installations for various purposes including but not limited to Solar PV pumping, off grid solar PV tracking system, etc.

[0033] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein. ,CLAIMS:We claim,
1. A solar tracking system (100) for manually tracking solar energy, said system comprising:
a casing (102) having an aperture;
a first screw threaded rod (104) rotatably attached to one end of said casing (102);
a second screw threaded rod (108) rotatably attached to another end of said casing (102); and
a torque lever (114) substantially passing through said aperture of said casing (102).
2. The system (100) for manually tracking solar energy of claim 1, wherein said system (100) further includes one or more threaded collars (116).
3. The system (100) for manually tracking solar energy of claim 1, wherein said system (100) further includes one or more stoppers (202) attached to said casing (102).
4. The system (100) for manually tracking solar energy of claim 1, wherein said casing (102) is a hallow metal cylinder.
5. The system (100) for manually tracking solar energy of claim 1, wherein atleast one said screw threaded rod is right handed threading.
6. The system for manually tracking solar energy of claim 1, wherein atleast one said screw threaded rod is left handed threading.
7. The system (100) for manually tracking solar energy of claim 1, wherein said aperture (112) is at centre of said casing along vertical symmetry axis ‘Y’’of said casing (102).
8. The system (100) for manually tracking solar energy of claim 1, wherein said aperture configured to receive said torque lever (114).
9. The system (100) for manually tracking solar energy of claim 1, wherein said screw threaded rod (104) is enabled to move clock wise direction.
10. The system(100) for manually tracking solar energy of claim 1, wherein said screw threaded rod (108) is enabled to move anti-clock wise direction.
11. The system (100) for manually tracking solar energy of claim 1, wherein said system (100) is attached to a photovoltaic module (402).
12. The system (100) for manually tracking solar energy of claim 11, wherein said photovoltaic module (402) further includes a mount (410) configured to support said photovoltaic module (402).
13. The system (100) for manually tracking solar energy of claim 11, wherein said photovoltaic module (402) further includes one or more hinges (406, 408).
14. The system (100) for manually tracking solar energy of claim 1, wherein atleast one said screw threaded rod (104, 108) is attached to said hinge (408) on said mount (410).
15. The system (100) for manually tracking solar energy of claim 1, wherein atleast one said screw rod (104, 108) is attached to said hinge (406, 408) on said photovoltaic module (402).
16. A method (500) of manually tracking solar energy using a solar tracking system (100), said method comprising:
rotating a torque lever (114) to substantially pass through an aperture in a casing (102);
rising of a first screw threaded rod (104) from one end of said casing (102); and
descending of a second screw threaded rod (108) from another end of said casing (102).
17. The method (500) for manually tracking solar energy of claim 16, wherein said method (500) further includes one or more threaded collars (116) attached to said casing (102) to keep said screw rods (406, 408) in position along with said casing (102).
18. The method (500) for manually tracking solar energy of claim 16, wherein atleast one said screw rod (104) rotates in clockwise direction.
19. The method for manually tracking solar energy of claim 16, wherein atleast one said screw rod (108) rotates in anti-clockwise direction.
20. The method (500) for manually tracking solar energy of claim 16, wherein said aperture is at centre of said casing (102) along vertical symmetry axis of said casing (102).
21. The method (500) for manually tracking solar energy of claim 16, wherein said aperture is configured to receive said torque lever (114).
22. The method (500) for manually tracking solar energy of claim 16, wherein said method (500) further includes one or more stoppers (202) configured to control the extent of linear movement of said screw rods (104, 108).