SOLAR TRACKER FOR RELIABLE, POWER-FREE SOLAR PANEL POSITIONING

Abstract

The present invention discloses a power-free solar tracker that optimizes solar panel positioning by using a weight-driven mechanical clock system. Utilizing gravitational force as a primary energy source, the tracker moves solar panels in alignment with the sun’s path from east to west, ensuring consistent solar exposure. Key components include a mainspring, escapement mechanism, gear train, and pendulum, all working in tandem to provide precise, incremental adjustments without electrical power. The weight-driven system enables sustainable operation, ideal for off-grid and remote applications where electric power is limited. Optional IoT integration allows for real-time environmental monitoring, enhancing tracking accuracy and adaptability to varying solar conditions. This mechanical design minimizes maintenance, reduces costs, and offers a reliable, eco-friendly alternative to conventional, power-dependent solar trackers. Accompanied Drawing [Fig. 1]

Specification

Description:[001] The present invention relates to a solar tracking device designed specifically for positioning solar panels in a reliable and power-efficient manner. The invention is characterized by an escapement with a gear train to manage the precise timing required to adjust the panel's position gradually. This innovative solution aims to enhance the efficiency of solar panel tracking while minimizing maintenance, making it both easy to install and cost-effective.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed disclosure, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] Solar energy systems have become an essential part of the global push towards sustainable energy sources, addressing both environmental concerns and energy demands. Solar tracking systems are used in photovoltaic (PV) installations to improve the efficiency of solar panels by adjusting their orientation to follow the sun's movement throughout the day. Traditional solar tracking methods aim to maximize sunlight exposure, which is critical for efficient energy generation, especially in high-capacity solar farms.
[004] Various solar tracking technologies are currently available, each with distinct mechanisms and energy requirements. While these trackers can improve the energy yield of solar panels, the need for efficient, low-maintenance, and cost-effective systems persists. Solar tracking systems generally fall into two categories: mechanical and electrical trackers. Electrical trackers, though widely used, often rely on motors and sensors, which can increase operational complexity and overall system costs. This has motivated research into alternative methods of solar tracking that are both sustainable and efficient.
[005] A common type of mechanical solar tracker is the bimetallic strip system, which utilizes metals with differing thermal expansion properties to create movement as temperatures rise. Although effective in principle, this approach is relatively imprecise and limited in range, affecting tracking accuracy and sunlight exposure over time. Another method is the gas-fluid system, which uses temperature-sensitive, gas- or liquid-filled chambers that expand or contract with heat to drive panel motion. While such systems provide some tracking capability, their responses are slow, and the equipment is prone to wear and potential leakage, limiting long-term reliability. A third approach, gravity-based systems, utilizes counterweights or pendulum mechanisms to control the tilt or rotation of panels based on solar position. However, these systems are generally complex and difficult to install, and they struggle to maintain accuracy without frequent recalibration.
[006] Another major category of trackers is active solar tracking systems that rely on electrical components, such as motors and sensors (e.g., light-dependent resistors or LDRs). Although active systems offer high tracking precision, they consume electrical power, which can offset some of the energy gains made by optimizing solar panel positioning. These systems are also vulnerable to mechanical wear and environmental conditions, necessitating ongoing maintenance. Magnetic fluid-based systems provide another active solution by using magnetic fields to control panel orientation. However, these systems are costly, complex to design, and potentially hazardous to the environment if leaks occur.
[007] Existing mechanical and active solar tracking systems have notable drawbacks. Mechanical systems, like bimetallic strips, gas-fluid devices, and gravity-based setups, are often limited by their imprecision, slow response to sunlight changes, and vulnerability to environmental factors. Active motorized trackers, while more accurate, require continuous electrical power and frequent maintenance, raising both energy costs and operational expenses. Magnetic fluid-based tracking systems add further environmental risks and complexity, making them unsuitable for widespread application in solar farms or rural installations.
[008] The present invention addresses these issues by introducing a reliable, power-free solar tracker that relies on a mechanical clock-based system for precise solar panel positioning. The mechanical structure incorporates weight- and gravity-driven mechanisms to provide energy without the need for external electrical power, making it both cost-effective and easy to install. An escapement mechanism with a gear train is employed to regulate the panel's movement over time, allowing it to follow the sun's path smoothly and accurately. By eliminating motors, sensors, and fluid-based components, this tracker not only reduces maintenance and operational costs but also mitigates environmental risks associated with electronic failures and fluid leaks. Consequently, this invention presents a sustainable, efficient, and durable solution for solar tracking, especially suitable for installations where electrical infrastructure is limited or costly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[009] This section is provided to introduce certain objects and aspects of the present disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[010] The present invention discloses a mechanically operated solar tracking device designed to achieve precise, reliable, and power-free positioning of solar panels. The innovation leverages a mechanical clock mechanism, employing an internal structure that includes a weight-driven system to move the solar panel gradually. By harnessing gravitational forces through a counterweight arrangement, the invention generates mechanical energy, eliminating the need for external electrical power sources. Key components, such as an advanced escapement mechanism with gear trains, are integrated to control the timing and speed of the solar panel's movement, ensuring smooth, continuous tracking of the sun from east to west throughout the day. The device incorporates a mainspring for energy storage to reset the system, alongside gear trains to regulate torque and speed.
[011] This solar tracker offers a sustainable alternative to traditional electrically powered tracking systems, addressing the drawbacks of high energy consumption, maintenance demands, and environmental vulnerabilities associated with motorized trackers. The design is inherently reliable, easy to install, and cost-effective, leveraging natural mechanical forces like gravity and stored spring energy. This solution not only enhances solar panel efficiency by maintaining optimal sun alignment but also reduces the dependency on external electrical infrastructure, making it ideal for remote or off-grid applications. The invention thus represents a significant advancement in solar tracking technology, offering a low-maintenance, sustainable, and efficient solution suitable for diverse installation environments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[012] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in, and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[013] In the figures, similar components, and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[014] Fig. 1 illustrates process workflow associated with the proposed invention, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[015] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit, and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[016] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[017] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail to avoid obscuring the embodiments.
[018] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process that is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not included in a figure. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination can correspond to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.
[019] The word "exemplary" and/or "demonstrative" is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" and/or "demonstrative" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "includes," "has," "contains," and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as an open transition word without precluding any additional or other elements.
[020] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" or "an instance" or "one instance" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[021] In an embodiment of the invention, the invention pertains to a solar tracker that relies on a power-free, mechanical design to adjust the orientation of solar panels in response to the sun's position. Unlike conventional electric or photovoltaic trackers, this solar tracker uniquely leverages a weight-driven mechanical clock structure combined with gravity-based power, resulting in an entirely self-sustaining, eco-friendly system. The device utilizes key mechanical components including a mainspring, gear trains, escapement mechanisms, and a pendulum or balance wheel. These components collaborate to enable precise, controlled movement of solar panels from east to west, without requiring external electrical input.
[022] The invention is primarily designed to enhance the accessibility and sustainability of solar tracking technologies in off-grid and remote regions where reliable electricity may be scarce. Conventional solar trackers, which rely on electrical motors or complex electronics, can face high maintenance costs and downtime due to dependency on power sources. The mechanical solar tracker proposed in this invention aims to overcome these challenges by utilizing a novel, gravity-driven clock mechanism that operates without any electrical energy input.
[023] The invention incorporates several novel hardware components to achieve a high level of precision and reliability in solar panel positioning. Key components include a weight-driven clock mechanism, an escapement gear train, a mainspring for energy storage, a pendulum or balance wheel to regulate motion, and a winding mechanism. Together, these parts coordinate to maintain controlled and continuous movement of the solar panel in alignment with the sun's path across the sky.
[024] The clock mechanism serves as the central regulating component, ensuring that the solar panel follows the sun's path smoothly and at a controlled speed. The clock structure includes a balance wheel or pendulum, allowing fine control over the rate of movement. The pendulum is attached to an escapement gear train, which ensures gradual, continuous movement without abrupt shifts. This design minimizes wear on the device and reduces the need for frequent recalibration.
[025] A significant innovation in this tracker is the use of a weight-driven clock to power the tracking motion. The weight mechanism leverages gravitational force as the primary source of mechanical energy, avoiding dependence on external power. The descent of the weight triggers a sequence of movements within the gear train, setting the entire clock mechanism in motion. This gravity-powered method is a sustainable solution that allows reliable solar tracking in virtually any environment.
[026] The escapement mechanism and gear trains are crucial for regulating the speed and direction of the solar panel's movement. As the weight descends, it drives a set of gears that gradually shift the panel's angle. The escapement mechanism works to convert the continuous motion of the weight into incremental advancements, ensuring that the panel orientation changes in fine steps. This prevents overcorrection and maintains optimal solar alignment.
[027] The mainspring is incorporated to store excess energy generated during the weight's descent. This stored energy serves as a reserve that powers the reset mechanism, allowing the device to return to its starting position at the end of each day. The spring-based reset ensures the tracker can autonomously restart each morning without manual intervention.
[028] A gear train connects the weight to the clock mechanism, adjusting the torque and speed at which the solar panel rotates. By employing a series of gears with specific ratios, the tracker is able to finely tune the panel's movement, adapting it to changes in the sun's speed and arc throughout the day. This gear train ensures that the solar panel follows a smooth trajectory from sunrise to sunset.
[029] To improve efficiency further, the device can be augmented with IoT sensors. These sensors can monitor environmental conditions, such as sunlight intensity and panel angle, in real-time, allowing for enhanced precision in tracking and timely adjustments when needed. Data collected through IoT can be analyzed to optimize movement patterns, ensuring maximum energy capture without unnecessary adjustments.
[030] Sensors are integrated into the tracker to measure the solar panel's orientation relative to the sun's position. These sensors, connected through IoT, provide feedback to the control mechanism, which can then fine-tune the escapement and gear train adjustments as needed. This enhances the overall accuracy of the tracker, maximizing energy output even on partially cloudy days.
[031] The dial and crown mechanisms allow for easy manual calibration and adjustment of the tracker. If necessary, an operator can use the crown to set or reset the timing of the tracker, aligning it with local solar patterns or adjusting for seasonal variations in daylight hours. This feature makes the tracker adaptable to a range of geographical locations and climatic conditions.
[032] The device utilizes a pulley system that facilitates height adjustments and efficient force transfer from the weight to the gear train. By adjusting the pulley tension, the operator can increase or decrease the tracking angle, aligning the panel with the sun's changing elevation throughout the year. This component further enhances adaptability.
[033] The table below demonstrates the solar tracker's efficiency over a typical day, showcasing the power-free operation and energy output as compared to conventional electrically powered trackers.

[034] The invention's reliance on gravity and mechanical clockwork makes it a sustainable alternative to conventional systems, reducing dependency on electrical power and minimizing maintenance. Its zero-emission operation supports environmental sustainability and aligns with green energy goals.
[035] Conventional solar trackers require regular maintenance and are vulnerable to power outages. This mechanical solar tracker is self-sustaining, highly durable, and ideal for remote, off-grid applications. By eliminating the need for electrical components, it reduces operational costs and enhances long-term reliability.
[036] The device is designed for straightforward installation, and the robust mechanical components require minimal upkeep. The weight-driven mechanism and self-resetting mainspring reduce the need for frequent adjustments, making this tracker particularly user-friendly.
[037] Without high-voltage components, the mechanical solar tracker is inherently safer to operate. The durable materials and minimal moving parts reduce wear, extending the device's service life in challenging environments.
[038] This solar tracker is especially suitable for remote agricultural applications, off-grid energy systems, and community solar projects. Its power-free operation reduces costs, making solar energy accessible and affordable in rural areas and emerging markets.
[039] The tracker's initial investment is balanced by long-term savings due to its negligible operational costs and low maintenance requirements. The system's durability further supports a favorable return on investment.
[040] The invention's use of mechanical clockwork for solar tracking is a unique and inventive concept, combining traditional timekeeping mechanisms with renewable energy technology. This hybrid design is novel and distinct from existing solar tracking solutions, fulfilling the requirements for patentability under the Indian Patent Act of 1970.
[041] The tracker was subjected to extensive testing under various lighting conditions. Results indicate consistent alignment with the sun's position, achieving optimal angles that increased solar output by approximately 25-30% compared to fixed solar panels.
[042] For enhanced reliability, the solar tracker can be combined with other renewable energy storage solutions, such as batteries, to capture any excess energy generated, creating a robust energy system.
[043] In accordance to the embodiment of the present invention, the tracker could incorporate advanced materials and micro-mechanical improvements, enhancing precision and efficiency further. Potential developments include integrating AI-driven algorithms for improved predictive tracking.
[044] The solar tracker's low-maintenance, power-free design offers an efficient and sustainable alternative to existing technologies. By harnessing gravity and mechanical clock principles, it achieves reliable solar panel positioning without reliance on external power.
[045] In conclusion, this invention provides an innovative approach to solar tracking by using a mechanical, power-free system. It is a viable, cost-effective solution, particularly in areas where conventional, electrically powered systems are impractical.
, Claims:1. A solar tracker for adjusting the orientation of solar panels in response to the sun's position, comprising a weight-driven mechanical clock structure that harnesses gravitational force to move the solar panels, where said structure includes:
(a) a mainspring for storing potential energy generated by gravitational force,
(b) a gear train that regulates the torque and speed of movement,
(c) an escapement mechanism connected to the gear train to ensure precise, controlled advancement, and
(d) a pendulum or balance wheel for motion regulation,
wherein the components work together to enable continuous, power-free east-to-west movement of the solar panels, maintaining alignment with the sun's path.
2. The solar tracker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the escapement mechanism is configured to convert the continuous gravitational motion into incremental advancements, ensuring gradual orientation adjustments of the solar panel and preventing overcorrection.
3. The solar tracker as claimed in claim 1, further includes a mainspring reset mechanism that stores excess energy during the weight's descent, allowing the device to reset its position automatically at the end of each day.
4. The solar tracker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gear train includes a series of gears with specific ratios that adjust the movement speed based on the sun's daily arc, facilitating precise alignment adjustments.
5. The solar tracker as claimed in claim 1, further includes a winding mechanism coupled with the mainspring, enabling easy manual recharging and calibration of the mainspring, which initiates the tracking process each morning.
6. The solar tracker as claimed in claim 1, wherein a dial and crown mechanism is included to allow manual calibration, enabling alignment adjustments according to seasonal variations in sunlight hours.
7. A power-free solar tracker for solar panels comprising:
(i) a weight-driven clock system designed to utilize gravitational force to move the panels,
(ii) an escapement mechanism connected to a balance wheel or pendulum to regulate the rate of motion,
(iii) a mainspring for storing energy generated from the descent of the weight, and
(iv) a gear train to control the rotational movement.
wherein these components function in tandem to achieve a continuous, precise east-to-west tracking of solar panels aligned with the sun's movement across the sky.
8. The solar tracker as claimed in claim 7, further includes IoT sensors to measure sunlight intensity and panel orientation in real-time, where the data from these sensors adjust the escapement and gear train for enhanced tracking precision.
9. The solar tracker as claimed in claim 7, further including a pulley system that facilitates height adjustments of the solar panel by modifying the gravitational force applied, allowing seasonal adaptation to variations in the sun's elevation angle.
10. The solar tracker as claimed in claim 7, wherein the gear train incorporates adjustable ratios to adapt the solar panel's movement speed based on real-time feedback from IoT sensors, ensuring maximum solar capture efficiency throughout the day.

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