US 11967921

US Patent 11967921 Summary

• Title: Self-powered solar tracker apparatus
• Assignee: Nextpower LLC (current assignee)
• Inventors: Yang Liu, Alexander W. Au
• Filing Date: August 9, 2022
• Issue Date: April 23, 2024
• Abstract: A solar tracker apparatus includes an adjustable hanger assembly that has a clam shell hanger assembly. The clam shell hanger assembly may hold a torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end. A center of mass of the solar tracker apparatus may be aligned with a center of rotation of the torque tubes, in order to reduce a load of a drive device operably coupled to the torque tube. Solar modules may be coupled to the torque tubes. The solar tracker includes an energy system that includes solar panel, a DC to DC converter, a battery, and a micro-controller. The energy system may facilitate full operation movement of the tracker apparatus without any external power lines.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a self-powered solar tracker apparatus. It includes a frame assembly that holds multiple solar modules. A drive device is connected to the frame assembly, allowing it to move. The key feature is an energy system that powers this drive device. This energy system includes a solar panel, a DC-to-DC converter, a battery, a boost converter, and a capacitor. The solar panel is rated at less than 300 Watts. The capacitor ensures a stable voltage for the drive, and a microcontroller manages the power components. The entire system is designed to operate the tracker with less than 15 Watt-hours per day without needing an external power source.
• Independent Claim 13: This claim describes a method for assembling a solar tracker apparatus. The method involves several steps:
  1. Installing a clamp housing member in an upright position on a pier structure. This housing member has a spherical bearing.
  2. Attaching a clam shell clamp to this spherical bearing, so it hangs from it.
  3. Supporting a torque tube between the two halves of the clam shell clamp. This torque tube is positioned off-center from its rotation point.
  4. Coupling a pin to connect the clam shell clamp halves and the spherical bearing.
  5. Coupling a first and second half of the clam shell clamp to "sandwich" the spherical bearing to a "tongue region" of the clamp housing member.
• Independent Claim 14: This claim focuses on a solar tracker apparatus that includes a clamp housing member in an upright direction, with a lower region coupled to a pier and an upper region having a spherical bearing device. A clam shell clamp is coupled to and suspended from this spherical bearing. A torque tube, with a first and second end, is coupled to the spherical bearing device at its first end, supporting it from the upper region of the clamp housing member. This torque tube is offset from its center of rotation. A drive device is coupled to the second end of the torque tube, and the design ensures that the drive device and torque tube are largely free from twisting under load.
• Independent Claim 15: This claim describes a solar tracker apparatus with a drive device connected to a crank, which is offset from a continuous torque tube made of multiple cylindrical torque tubes. This continuous torque tube has a frame assembly attached to it, which in turn holds multiple solar modules. The apparatus also includes a clamp assembly with a housing that is coupled to the other end of the continuous torque tube, so the torque tube is suspended from this housing. The housing has an opening with specific inner regions that act as stops for the torque tube's radial movement. The drive motor is designed to move the torque tube about a center of rotation with substantially the same force, and this center of rotation is offset from the center of the continuous torque tube due to the crank.
• Independent Claim 16: This claim outlines a solar tracker apparatus that specifically details the drive device. It includes a crank with a first crank (1541) and a second crank (1542), each coupled to a side of the drive device. A first torque tube is connected to the first crank (1541) using a first swage fitting, and a second torque tube is connected to the second crank (1542) using a second swage fitting. The apparatus also has a second pier, and a drive mount coupled to that second pier.
• Independent Claim 17: This claim describes a solar tracker apparatus including a plurality of torque tubes (a first, second, and Nth torque tube, where N is greater than 2) coupled together without any welds. Each pair of torque tubes is swage-fitted. These torque tubes are cylindrical, made of steel, and each is longer than 80 meters and includes multiple notches. The apparatus also has multiple U-bolt devices, each coupled to one of the notches.
• Independent Claim 18: This claim describes a tracker apparatus with a pier member having a lower and upper region. A clamp holding member is configured to the upper region and is capable of moving in six different directions (first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth, where these directions include opposite and normal orientations to each other).

I found no information about US Patent 11967921 in the CAFC 2026 dockets. While some search results mention patent litigation and CAFC decisions in 2026, none specifically name US11967921B2. Therefore, I cannot definitively state whether this specific patent is involved in any active litigation before the CAFC as of April 26, 2026.