US 7,531,741 B1
Tracking solar shelter
David S. Melton, Albuquerque, N. Mex. (US); and Odes Armijo-Caster, Albuquerque, N. Mex. (US)
Assigned to Sacred Power Corporation, Albuquerque, N. Mex. (US)
Filed on Mar. 08, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/796,310.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/452828, filed on Mar. 07, 2003.
Int. Cl. H01L 31/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 136—246  [52/173.3] 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A shelter-providing solar tracking assembly comprising:
at least one fixed support structure comprising:
at least one support pillar, each said support pillar having a first end connected to a ground surface and extending substantially vertically along a longitudinal axis from said first end to a second end;
a horizontal array support beam disposed at said second end of said at least one support pillar, said horizontal array support beam comprising a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said at least one support pillar;
at least one drive assembly disposed at said second end of at least one of said support pillars, positioned collinear with said horizontal array support beam and comprising at least one drive assembly coupler tube;
at least one rotor bearing assembly comprising at least one rotor bearing assembly coupler tube rotatable disposed in a sleeve bearing, said rotor bearing assembly coupler tube further rotatably disposed within a coupler torque tube and disposed at said second end of at least one of said support pillars;
at least one solar power array disposed on said support structure comprising a plurality of solar panels comprising photovoltaic cells, said at least one solar power array moveable on a tracking axis and in communication with said drive assembly to track movement of the sun, said at least one solar power array forming an overhead canopy for at least one item disposed directly beneath said at least one solar power array, and providing electrical power to a building or structure located nearby;
an inverter to convert energy from direct current to alternating current; and
said at least one support pillar at a sufficient height to permit placement of the at least one item beneath said canopy without obstructing a movement of said at least one solar power array about said tracking axis.