AU2022203015B1

AU2022203015B1 - Linear mechanical power transmission

Info

Publication number: AU2022203015B1
Application number: AU2022203015A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Thanh Tri Lam
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-04-01
Filing date: 2022-05-05
Publication date: 2023-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 2042-05-05

Abstract

This invention focuses to the development of the Adaptive Flexible Hybrid Energy Systems of Solar, Wave, and Wind (HESSWW). It describes the developed features of the HESSWW, in which, demonstrating the integration of the 3D flexible structures (the 3DFPNFO and, particularly, the VS3DFS), the Floating Damping Wave Energy Convertors, the Adaptive Solar Energy Systems (ASES) and small wind turbines.

Description

TITLE: LINEAR MECHANICAL POWER TRANSMISSION. FIELD

[0001] It is related to the fields of Mechanical Engineering:

DESCRIPTION

1.1 The Linear Mechanical Power Transmission (LMPT)

[0002] A typical dual axes solartracker requires two separate drive motors for each of

the two axes. Thus, multiple trackers need a large number of drive motors leading to

higher cost of installation and maintenance.

[0003] The method developed here provides a different solution which is capable to

rotate multiple dual axes solar trackers with two drive motors connecting to two

independent mechanical power transmissions of the two axes.

[0004] A number of dual axes solar trackers compose:

(1) A number of pairs of Pivots (#6) regarding to the dual axes. They are named the

Primary Pivots and the Secondary Pivots.

(2) A number of Posts (#5) supporting the pairs of Pivots. Each Post supports a pair

of Pivots.

(3) A drive shaft/ Drive Beam (#7) connecting all the Secondary Pivots of the solar

trackers sequentially for mechanical power transmission regarding to the

second axis among the dual axes.

[0005] While the Drive Beam (#7) is rotating the Secondary Pivots, the Primary Pivots

are also rotated independently by pulling Twisting Moment Elimination Mechanism

(TMEM)s (#1). As the pulling TMEMs are twistable or rotatable, twisting moments

between every two ends of each TMEM are not created by rotations of the Drive Beam,

enabling the Primary Pivots and the Secondary Pivots rotating independently. The

method eliminating the twisting moments is called Twisting Moment Elimination

Solution (TMES). In addition, the Tensional Transmission Element (TTE)s (#9) is not

necessary to be compressible or bendable as it is only required for tensional forces.

[0006] The Twisting Moment Elimination Mechanism (TMEM) (#1) is a bar, a drive

shaft, a twistable rope or a twistable flexible drive shaft, of which there are two

universal joints (#2) at its two ends as required. In case of a twistable rope, which is

able to twist about at least 360 degrees between two ends, the two universal joints might not be required. In addition, TMEM must be capable to tensional force. The

Tensional Transmission Elements is made of ropes or cables.

[0007] The rotations of the drive shaft/ Drive Beam (#7) of the second axis being

transferred to the Tilting Structure (#6 and #8) are eliminated by and at the TMEM (#1

and #2). Thus, the motions of the Drive Beams of the First axes, by pulling #3 and #4

sequentially through multiple trackers, are independent with that of the second axis.

[0008] Both the mechanical power transmissions of the two axes are able to transfer,

independently, power from its drive motors to rotate the respected axes of multiple

trackers.

[0009] The pulling direction #3 makes the Drive Beam of the First axis to rotate

clockwise whereas the pulling direction #4 makes it to rotate anti-clockwise.

[0010] The Linear Mechanical Power Transmission (LMPT) is applied for not only the

First axis but also the second axis of single or dual axes solar tracking systems. The

LMPT is beneficial to integrate with the Dual Axes Pivot Arm for Elevational Crossed

Dual Axes solar tracking systems.

1.2 The Free Bending Solution of Symmetric Pull (BSSP)

[0011] This solution is developed to eliminate bending effects on posts caused by

horizontal pulling forces. It integrates two Linear Mechanical Power Transmissions (#3

and #4).

[0012] When a horizontal pulling force (such as #3 in the left) rotates the solar array

clockwise by pulling to the left, the posts of the solar array are being bended

accordingly. In orderto eliminate the bending effects, a symmetric mechanism pulling

to the right (#3 in the right) is added. The two horizontal opposite pulling forces of #3

in the left and #3 in the right, when working together, pulling to both the left and the

right, make the First axis rotating clockwise while eliminating bending of the posts.

Similarly, the rotation of anti-clockwise is handled by the two opposite forces of #4 in

the left and #4 in the right, pulling to both the left and the right, makingthe solar array

to rotate anticlockwise.

[0013] The Free Bending Solution of Symmetric Pull is beneficial for floating dual axes

solar tracking systems, of which, anti-capsizing on the surface of water is considered.

In addition, the solution might also be applied for grounding solar tracking systems

which need to reduce bending moments of posts/ columns.

Claims

1. A Linear Mechanical Power Transmission (LMPT) applied for grounding and

floating solar tracking systems to rotate arrays of solar panels or arrays of single or dual

axes solar trackers, comprising:

• a number of arrays of solar panels or arrays of single or dual axes solar trackers;

• a number of Posts supporting the arrays of solar panels or the arrays of single or dual

axes solar trackers;

• a number of optional secondary pivots; wherein each secondary pivot rotates an array

of solar panels or a solartracker regarding to the second axis among the dual axes;

• an optional Drive Shaft or Drive Beam used to rotate the secondary pivots; wherein:

o the Drive Shaft or Drive Beam are supported by tops of the Posts;

o the Drive Shaft or Drive Beam rotates the secondary pivots;

• a number of primary pivots; wherein each primary pivot rotates an array of solar panels

or a solar tracker regarding to the first axis among the dual axes;

• a set of Pulling Mechanism comprising:

o a number of rotating arms; wherein each rotating arm rotates a primary pivot by

securing its first end to the primary pivot;

o a Tensional Transmission Element (TTE) used to connect the second ends of the

rotating arms together; wherein:

• the TTE is capable to tensional forces and can be made of ropes/ cables or bars;

• theTTE has two ends;'

o two sources of power;

o a pair of Twisting Moment Elimination Mechanism (TMEM)s; wherein:

• each TMEM is used to connect an end of theTTE to a source of power; wherein:

> the TMEM is a rotatable bar, a drive shaft, a twistable rope or a twistable

flexible drive shaft or a rotatable beam capable to tensional forces;

> the first end of the TMEM is pulled by the source of power linearly;

> the second end of the TMEM pulls the end of the TTE linearly;

> the TMEM is twistable; wherein either:

V the body of the TMEM is twistable or;

V the TMEM comprises two universal joints at its two ends forjoining to the TTE and to the source of power; the TMEMs pull the TTE in two opposite linear directions;

2. The Linear Mechanical Power Transmission (LMPT) according to the Claim 1 further comprising another set of Pulling Mechanism; wherein: • the second Pulling Mechanism is arranged symmetrically and oppositely to the first Pulling Mechanism; • each TMEM of the second Pulling Mechanism pulls its connected TTE symmetrically with that of the first Pulling Mechanism; wherein the two pulling forces made by the two TMEMs: o rotate the primary pivots in the same rotational direction; o are equal in magnitudes and opposite in directions; o eliminate forces bending the Posts; wherein the Posts is suitable to be either grounded or floated due to bending moments eliminated.