The synthesis of a linkage with linear actuator for solar tracking with large angular stroke

Abstract

In the bi-axial tracking of the PV modules (aiming to maximize the normal direct solar radiation on panels), one of the two axes, which has a large angular stroke (180°. . .360°), is usually driven by a gear speed reducer and the other axis, which has a smaller angular stroke (≤ 90°), is driven by a linear actuator. Because a linear actuator is more economical than a rotary one, the paper reports on the use of linear actuators for the large angular strokes; this aim is fulfilled by the synthesis of a linkage composed of two simple linkages, serially connected: a triangle linkage with a linear actuator and a four-bar linkage which amplifies the output angle of the first linkage up to about 180° © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009.