BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosure of the present patent application relates to solar power, and particularly to a pneumatic solar tracking system for solar panels that uses pneumatic actuators to adjust the orientation of the solar panel.

2. Description of the Related Art

Due to environmental concerns, solar power is of great interest. Although solar panels are typically mounted in areas where sunlight is expected to be abundant, as a result of the orbit and rotation of the Earth, the direction and alignment of solar panels with respect to the sun varies over time, both over the course of a single day, and also over the course of the year. Thus, in order to maintain proper orientation of the solar panel with respect to the position of the sun, the solar panel must be angularly displaced in order to track the apparent movement of the sun. Ideally, in order to maximize the sunlight striking the surface of the solar panel, the solar panel should be adjusted such that the sun's rays are approximately perpendicular to the surface of the solar panel. Although a wide variety of solar tracking systems exist, the physical driven movement of the solar panel is typically performed in only a limited number of ways, most often involving relatively complex mechanical arrangements of gears, rods, wheels, pulleys or chains, etc. Unfortunately, these complex machines are subject to numerous problems, particularly since a flaw in, or misalignment of, only one part tends to affect any other connected parts. Since proper angular orientation of the solar panel is desired for optimization of power output, it would be helpful to simplify the apparatus used for actuating movement of the solar panel to track the sun, particularly to reduce the possible number of mechanical issues that can occur. Thus, a pneumatic solar tracking system for solar panels solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY

The pneumatic solar tracking system for solar panels adjusts the angular orientation of a solar panel to maximize exposure of an upper surface of the solar panel to impinging solar radiation from the sun as the sun moves across the sky. The pneumatic solar tracking system includes a base and a platform supported above the base. The platform has an opening formed therein. A plurality of pneumatic actuators are supported on the base, beneath the opening formed in the platform. A pressurized air tank is in fluid communication with the plurality of pneumatic actuators, and an air compressor is in fluid communication with both the pressurized air tank and the pneumatic actuators for controlling flow of air therebetween. The solar panel is supported on an upper surface of the platform, and a plurality of pivotal connectors pivotally connect a lower surface of the solar panel to respective pistons of the plurality of pneumatic actuators. Each of the pivotal connectors pivots along at least two orthogonal axes. For example, each of the pivotal connectors may include first and second brackets, the first bracket being adapted for mounting on the lower surface of the solar panel. A first shaft is rotatably held by the first bracket, such that the first shaft defines a first axis of rotation. The second bracket is secured to the first shaft, and a second shaft is rotatably held by the second bracket, such that the second shaft defines a second axis of rotation orthogonal to the first axis of rotation, and a corresponding piston is secured to the second shaft.

An optical sensor is provided for detecting the angular position of the sun. A controller is in communication with the optical sensor, and is configured to selectively and individually actuate each of the plurality of pneumatic actuators to adjust the angular orientation of the solar panel to maximize exposure of the upper surface of the solar panel to incident solar radiation from the sun.

Additionally, a pressure gauge may be provided for monitoring the pressure of air flow from the air compressor. Further, at least one air nozzle may be mounted on the platform adjacent the solar panel for selectively cleaning the solar panel. The at least one air nozzle is in fluid communication with the air compressor so that the solar panel can be selectively cleaned with pressurized air blowing on its upper surface.

The air flowing to and from the plurality of pneumatic actuators may be controlled by any suitable type of valves. For example, solenoid valves in communication with the controller may be used. Additionally, at least one level sensor in communication with the controller may be provided for measuring the orientation of the solar panel. In addition to sensing orientation, a temperature sensor may be mounted on the platform for measuring ambient temperature in the vicinity of the solar panel. The measured temperature may be displayed on a temperature indicator in communication with the temperature sensor.

These and other features of the present subject matter will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification.

