Patent Publication Number: US-2021194418-A1

Title: Solar tracker bearing apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 16/058,418, filed Aug. 8, 2018, entitled Solar Tracker Bearing Apparatus, published as Pub. No. US 2020/0052643 A1, published on Feb. 13, 2020, which will issue as U.S. Pat. No. 10,944,354 on Mar. 9, 2021. The present application claims priority from above-identified application Ser. No. 16/058,418, Pub. No. US 2020/0052643 A1, and, when issued, U.S. Pat. No. 10,944,354, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their respective entireties, for any and all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a solar tracker bearing assembly or apparatus for a solar tracker system including a plurality of photovoltaic modules supported on a frame assembly and, more specifically, to a solar tracker bearing assembly including a rotatable bearing assembly supported for rotation about an axis of rotation by a stationary saddle assembly, the rotatable bearing assembly includes first and second bearing members defining an interior beam slot for receiving a central support beam or torque tube beam of the solar tracker system and first and second spaced apart peripheral rim bearings, and the stationary saddle assembly including first and second saddle members defining first and second spaced apart arcuate bearing races respectively receiving the first and second peripheral rim bearings. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various types of solar tracker systems are known including a horizontal, single axis solar tracker system. A horizontal, single axis solar tracker system includes a frame for supporting a plurality of photovoltaic modules. The frame includes a support beam such as a torque tube beam and an array module rails which support the plurality of photovoltaic modules. The support beam or torque tube beam is typically comprised of one or more torque tube beam segments affixed in a linear fashion by collars between adjacent segment ends. The torque tube beam may be comprised of a plurality of segments of predetermined length, i.e., 40 foot segments. The module rails are typically spaced uniformly along the torque tube beam and attached to the torque tube beam via a plurality of brackets. The photovoltaic modules, in turn, are secured to the module rails via a plurality of clamps between adjacent pairs of the rails. An extent of the frame extends in two dimensions, length, generally perpendicular to the path or arc of the sun in the sky, and width, generally parallel to the path of sun in the sky. An actuator mechanism, such as a slew drive, is coupled to the torque tube beam to pivot or swing the torque tube beam about an axis of rotation to change an angle of inclination of the frame and thereby adjust the light receiving surfaces of the plurality of photovoltaic modules to track the movement of the sun across the sky so that the photovoltaic modules are maximally exposed to the sun to throughout the day. That is, the goal of the solar tracker system is to move or pivot the frame about an axis of rotation such that the light absorbing surfaces of the photovoltaic modules is generally orthogonal to the position of the sun, within, of course, the limits of the angle of inclination range of the solar tracking system frame. 
     In one typical embodiment of a single axis, horizontal solar tracker system, the torque tube beam extends horizontally along the length of the frame and, to achieve a proper balance, module rails are orthogonal to and centered about the torque tube beam so that a total weight of the frame and the plurality of photovoltaic modules, and associated clamps and brackets/fasteners, is approximately equally distributed on either side of the torque tube beam. A slew drive is approximately centered along the length of the torque tube beam and includes first and second couplers. A first portion of the torque tube beam is affixed to and extends from the first coupler on one side of the slew drive and a second portion of the torque tube beam is affixed to and extends from the second coupler on the opposite side of the slew drive. For example, the first portion of the torque tube beam may extend north from the slew drive and may be comprised of five 40 foot torque tube beam segments, while, the second portion of the torque tube beam may extend south from the slew drive and may similarly be comprised of five 40 foot torque tube beam segments, thus providing a total north-south extent or length of the torque tube beam of 400 feet. The slew drive pivots a table of the solar tracker system. The table of the solar tracking system is everything that pivots or swings about the axis of rotation and includes: a) the frame including the torque tube and the module rails; b) the photovoltaic modules; and c) the movable portions of a plurality of solar tracking bearing apparatuses that support the torque tube along its length. The axis of rotation of the solar tracker system extends parallel to the torque tube beam. 
     The torque tube beam is supported for pivoting movement about the axis of rotation by the plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses. Each of the solar tracker bearing apparatuses are affixed to a respective one of a plurality of spaced apart upright support posts which are anchored to or anchored in a substrate, such as the ground. The upright support posts are stationary and support the plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses, which, in turn, pivotally support the frame and the plurality of photovoltaic modules. Typically, one solar tracker bearing apparatus is mounted or coupled to each upright support post. Each solar tracker bearing apparatus includes a stationary portion, affixed to a support post, and a rotating portion, which rotates about the axis of rotation. Additionally, the slew drive is also mounted to its own support post. 
     The plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses pivotally support the torque tube beam for movement or pivoting about the axis of rotation. The actuator/controller mechanism, i.e., the slew drive, coupled to the torque tube beam provides to motive force to pivot the table about the axis of rotation and thus change the angle of inclination of the table. The plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses rotatably disposed between the torque tube beam and the upright support posts permit the torque tube beam to pivot with respect to the upright support posts and thereby allows the angle of inclination of the frame to be changed by the slew drive such that the plurality of photovoltaic module are maximally exposed to the sun within the range of the angle of inclination of the solar tracking system. The axis of rotation of the table of the solar tracker system is defined by a combination of aligned individual axes of rotation of the individual solar tracker bearing apparatuses. The slew drive is positioned such that it pivots the torque tube beam about the axis of rotation. 
     Solar tracker systems are often erected or installed at remote locations where sun exposure is maximized. As such, the solar tracker bearing apparatuses are utilized in outdoor locations, exposed to varying and potentially harsh weather conditions such as high wind conditions. More over such each solar tracker bearing apparatus receives a portion of a torque tube beam and thus supports a portion of the weight of the solar tracker frame and photovoltaic modules, when the frame and modules are subject to wind loads, snow loads and the like, such forces are transmitted via the torque tube beam through the solar tracker bearing apparatuses to the support posts. Thus, the solar tracker bearing apparatuses are subject to forces, including vector or linear forces of various directions and magnitudes, as well as various torque forces. Accordingly, it is desirable that a solar tracker bearing apparatuses be: a) durable and low maintenance over the useful life of the apparatuses; b) able to withstand linear and torque forces applied to the bearing apparatus; c) provide for stable support of the torque tube beam and the weight of the frame and photovoltaic modules over an extended useful life; d) easy to assemble on site at remote locations by workers with varying skill levels; and e) include mounting adjustment capability along multiple axes to compensate for the fact that the mounting surfaces provided by an individual upright support post may not be in perfect alignment with the torque tube beam to be received and rotatably supported by the solar tracker bearing apparatus. Providing such a solar tracker bearing apparatus is a continuing challenge for designers. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a solar tracker bearing apparatus mountable to a support post for pivotally supporting a support beam of a solar tracker assembly, the solar tracker bearing apparatus comprising: a rotatable bearing assembly supported for rotation about an axis of rotation by a saddle assembly, the rotatable bearing assembly including a first bearing member and a second bearing member, the first bearing member including a central portion and a first arcuate peripheral portion and the second bearing member including a central portion and a second arcuate peripheral portion, the central portion of the first bearing member and the central portion of the second bearing member defining a beam slot, the first arcuate peripheral portion of the first bearing member including a first arcuate rim bearing and the second arcuate peripheral portion of the second bearing member including a second arcuate rim bearing, the first and second rim bearings being spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable bearing assembly, the first bearing member including a first projection extending from the first bearing member central portion in a direction toward the second bearing member and the second bearing member including a second projection extending from the second bearing member central portion in a direction toward the first bearing member, the first and second projections of the first and second bearing members being in contact and spacing apart the central portion of the first bearing member and the central portion of the second bearing member and forming a part of at least one of a bottom wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall of the beam slot; and the saddle assembly including a first arcuate bearing race and a spaced apart second arcuate bearing race, the first arcuate bearing race slidably supporting the first arcuate rim bearing of the rotatable bearing assembly and the second arcuate bearing race slidably supporting the second arcuate rim bearing of the rotatable bearing assembly. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure related to a solar tracker bearing apparatus mountable to a support post for pivotally supporting a support beam of a solar tracker assembly, the solar tracker bearing apparatus comprising: a rotatable bearing assembly supported for rotation about an axis of rotation by a saddle assembly, the rotatable bearing assembly including a first bearing member and a second bearing member, the first bearing member including a central portion and a first arcuate peripheral portion and the second bearing member including a central portion and a second arcuate peripheral portion, the central portion of the first bearing member and the central portion of the second bearing member defining a beam slot, the first arcuate peripheral portion of the first bearing member including a first arcuate rim bearing and the second arcuate peripheral portion of the second bearing member including a second arcuate rim bearing, the first and second rim bearings being spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable bearing assembly, the first bearing member including a first projection extending from the first bearing member central portion in a direction toward the second bearing member, the first projection spacing apart the central portion of the first bearing member and the central portion of the second bearing member and forming a part of at least one of a bottom wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall of the beam slot of the rotatable bearing assembly; and the saddle assembly including a first arcuate bearing race and a spaced apart second arcuate bearing race, the first arcuate bearing race slidably supporting the first arcuate rim bearing of the rotatable bearing assembly and the second arcuate bearing race slidably supporting the second arcuate rim bearing of the rotatable bearing assembly. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a solar tracker bearing apparatus mountable to a support post for pivotally supporting a support beam of a solar tracker assembly, the solar tracker bearing apparatus comprising: a rotatable bearing assembly supported for rotation about an axis of rotation by a saddle assembly, the rotatable bearing assembly including a first bearing member and a second bearing member, the first bearing member including a central region and a first arcuate peripheral portion and the second bearing member including a central region and a second arcuate peripheral portion, the central region of the first bearing member and the central region of the second bearing member defining a beam slot, the first arcuate peripheral portion of the first bearing member including a first arcuate rim bearing and the second arcuate peripheral portion of the second bearing member including a second arcuate rim bearing, the first and second rim bearings being spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable bearing assembly, the first bearing member including a first projection extending from the first bearing member central region in a direction toward the second bearing member, the first projection spacing apart the central region of the first bearing member and the central region of the second bearing member and forming a part of at least one of a bottom wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall of the beam slot of the rotatable bearing assembly; the saddle assembly including an upper bearing portion supporting the rotatable bearing assembly for rotation about the rotatable bearing assembly axis of rotation and a lower mounting portion; and a connecting assembly affixed to the lower coupling portion of the saddle assembly, the connecting assembly including a post cap includes a central planar section and a pair of vertically extending sides, the central planar section including an array of four arcuate slots, the coupling portion of the saddle assembly including four openings, each arcuate slot of the array of four arcuate slots receiving a fastener extending through an aligned one of the four openings of the coupling portion of the saddle assembly to secure the saddle assembly to the post cap. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates upon consideration of the following description of the disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals, unless otherwise described refer to like parts throughout the drawings and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a solar tracker assembly including a plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic front elevation view of a first exemplary embodiment a solar tracker bearing apparatus of the present disclosure mounted to an upper mounting portion of a support post; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic side elevation view of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 2  and additionally includes a portion of a support beam or torque tube beam of a frame assembly of the solar tracker assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic exploded perspective view of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic top plan view of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 2  with a hold down bracket of a rotatable bearing assembly of the solar tracker bearing apparatus removed for clarity; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic bottom plan view of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic longitudinal section view of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 2  as seen from a plane indicated by the line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic longitudinal section view of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 2  as taken along an axis of rotation of the rotatable bearing assembly of the solar tracker bearing apparatus; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic back plan view of a first saddle member of a saddle assembly of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic top plan view of a W brace of a connecting assembly of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic top plan view of a post cap of the connecting assembly of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic top plan view of a stiffener member of the connecting assembly of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic front perspective view of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 2  with a shim positioned in a beam slot of the rotatable bearing assembly; and 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic front elevation view of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic exploded front perspective view of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic right side or front perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment a solar tracker bearing apparatus of the present disclosure mounted to an upper mounting portion of a support post and rotatably supporting a support beam or torque tube beam, a portion of which is shown; 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic left side or back perspective view of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 17 , including portions of the support post and the torque tube beam; 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic front elevation view of the solar tracking bearing apparatus of  FIG. 17 , including portions of the support post and the torque tube beam; 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic side elevation view of the solar tracking bearing apparatus of  FIG. 17 , including portions of the support post and the torque tube beam; 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic top plan view of the solar tracking bearing apparatus of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 22A  is a schematic exploded perspective view of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 17 , including portions of the support post; 
         FIG. 22B  is a schematic exploded perspective view of portions of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 17 , including a rotatable bearing assembly and a stationary saddle assembly; 
         FIG. 23  is a schematic front perspective view of a first bearing member of the rotatable bearing assembly of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic front elevation view of the first bearing member of  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a schematic back elevation view of the first bearing member of  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a schematic top plan view of the first bearing member of  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a schematic side elevation view of the first bearing member of  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a schematic front perspective view of a first saddle member of the stationary saddle assembly of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 29  is a schematic front elevation view of the first saddle member of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a schematic back elevation view of the first saddle member of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a schematic bottom plan view of the first saddle member of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 32  is a schematic side elevation view of the first saddle member of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 33  is a schematic section view of the first saddle member of  FIG. 28 , as seen from a plane indicated by the line  33 - 33  in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 34  is a schematic perspective view of a post cap of a connecting assembly of the solar tracker bearing apparatus of  FIG. 17 ; and 
         FIG. 35  is a schematic sectional view of the solar tracking bearing apparatus of  FIG. 17 , as seen from a plane indicated by the line  35 - 35  in  FIG. 21 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a solar tracker bearing assembly or apparatus  200  for a solar tracker system  100  which permits and constrains a support beam such as a torque tube beam  150  of the system  100 , to pivot or swing about an axis of rotation R. A plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200  are positioned at spaced apart locations along the torque tube beam  150  to pivotally support the torque tube beam  150 . Advantageously, each of the plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200  includes a stationary saddle assembly  400  that rotatably supports and defines the axis of rotation R for a rotatable bearing assembly  300 . That is, the rotatable bearing assembly  300  is confined to rotate about the axis of rotation R by the saddle assembly  400 . In turn, the rotatable bearing assembly  300  supports the torque tube beam  150  and constrains the torque tube beam  150  to pivot or swing about the axis of rotation R. Thus, the axis of rotation R that the torque tube beam  150  is constrained to swing or pivot about is defined by the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200 . 
     The solar tracker system  100  includes components that move or pivot about the axis of rotation R and other components which are stationary. The components of the solar tracker system  100  that pivot about the axis of rotation R are referred to as the table  110  of the solar tracker system and include: a) a frame  120  including the torque tube beam  150  and an array or plurality of module rails  130  affixed to the torque tube beam  150 ; b) a plurality of photovoltaic modules  190 ; c) the rotatable bearing assemblies  300  of the plurality of solar tracking bearing apparatuses  200  that support the torque tube  150  along its length; and d) associated brackets, clamps, fasteners, etc. that affix the photovoltaic modules  190  to the frame  120  and secure the components of the frame  120  together. Stationary components of the solar tracker system  100  include: a) a plurality of upright support posts  170  that support the saddles  400  of the solar tracer bearing apparatuses  200 ; b) the saddles  400  of the plurality of solar tracking bearing apparatuses  200 ; and c) an actuator/drive  180  that is coupled to the torque tube beam  150  and provides the motive power for pivoting the torque tube beam  150  and the table  110  though an angle of inclination AI. In one exemplary embodiment, the actuator/drive  180  is a slew motor that bisects the torque tube beam  150  along its length L at approximately a midpoint and is positioned on a support post  170  such that it drives the torque tube beam  150  and the table  110  about the axis of rotation R. 
     The plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200  are positioned along the torque tube beam  150  such that the bearing apparatuses  200  are substantially parallel to but spaced from a longitudinal axis LA of the torque tube beam  150 . The individual axis of rotation R of each is the plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200  are thus substantially aligned to or coincident forming a single or combined axis of rotation CR. That is, the axis of rotation R of each of the solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200  are substantially coincident with the combined axis of rotation CR of the plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200 . Hence, hereinafter when reference is made to the axis of rotation R of a given solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  it is to be understood that this axis of rotation R is part of and coincident with the combined axis of rotation CR of the plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200 . Thus, reference will only be made to the axis of rotation R both for a specific solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  or the plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200 . 
     Much of the weight of the table  110  is accounted for by the plurality of photovoltaic modules  190  which are supported by the array or plurality of module rails  130  in a position that is generally vertically above the torque tube beam  150 . A vertical direction V is shown  FIG. 1 . As such, a center of mass CM of the table  110  if calculated, will typically be found to be vertically aligned with the longitudinal axis of the torque tube beam  110 , but positioned vertically above an upper wall  156  of the torque tube beam  110 , that is, outside of and vertically above the torque tube beam  150 . Of course, the exact position or location of the center of mass CM of the table  110  will depend on the configuration, and weight of the components comprising the table  110  of the solar tracker system  100 . For proper balance and stability of the table  110  under varying load conditions (i.e., wind and snow loads, etc.), it is advantageous if the axis of rotation R of the plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200  passes through or passes as close as possible to the center of mass CM of the table  110 . Since the axis of rotation R is determined by rotating path of travel of the rotatable bearing assemblies  300  of the plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200 , the toque tube beam  150  which is disposed within a beam slot  306  of the rotatable bearing assemblies  300  is constrained to pivot or swing about the axis of rotation R. As best seen in  FIG. 8 , in one exemplary embodiment, the axis of rotation R is spaced from and outside of the walls of the torque tube beam  150 . A periphery of the beam slot  306  is bounded by and defined by an upper wall  314  and axially spaced apart lower or bottom wall  310  wall and first and second laterally spaced apart side walls  308 . The upper wall  314  of the beam slot  306  is defined by a lower wall  392  of a hold down bracket  390  of the rotatable bearing assembly  300 . Extending through a center of the beam slot  306 , as defined by beam slot walls  314 ,  310 ,  308  is a longitudinally or horizontally extending central beam slot axis BSA. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 8 , in one exemplary embodiment, the axis of rotation R of the rotatable bearing assembly is spaced from and is outside of the beam slot  306 , as defined by beam slot walls  314 ,  310 ,  308  and the axis of rotation R is vertically aligned with and spaced above the central beam slot axis BSA. As best seen in  FIG. 15 , the beam slot  306  of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  has a depth D. Advantageously, as schematically depicted in  FIG. 14-16 , a shim  396  may be affixed to the rotatable bearing assembly  300  and a horizontal central portion  397  of the shim  396  extends through the beam slot  306 . The horizontal central portion  397  of the shim  396  is adjacent to and overlies a bottom wall  310  of the beam slot  306  and bears against a lower wall  157  of the torque tube beam  150  thereby effectively vertically raising the torque tube beam  150  by a thickness T ( FIG. 15 ) of the horizontal central portion  397  of the shim  396  with respect to the bottom wall  310  of the beam slot  306 . That is, when the shim  396  is in place (as shown in  FIGS. 14-16 ) the effective bottom wall  310   a  of the beam slot  306  is an upper surface  397   a  of the horizontal central portion  397  of the shim  396 . Positioning the shim  396  adjacent the bottom wall  310  of the beam slot  310  advantageously adjusts or raises in the upward vertical direction V the center of mass CM of the table  110  to thereby more closely align the center of mass CM of the table  110  with the axis of rotation R of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200 . That is, without the use of a shim  396 , e.g.,  FIG. 8 , if the center of mass CM of the table  110  is vertically below the axis of rotation R of the plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200 , the shim  396  having an appropriate thickness T of the horizontal central portion  397  is selected and installed in the beam slot  306  of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  of each solar tracker bearing apparatus  200 . By doing so, the center of mass CM of the table  110  may advantageously be raised upwardly in the vertical direction V by the thickness T such that the center of mass CM table  100  is closer to alignment with the axis of rotation R of the plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200 . As such and advantageously, the center of mass CM of the table  110  may be adjusted through the use of a selected shim  396 , or the absence of a shim  396 , in the beam slot  306  to change the vertical position of the center of mass CM of the table  110  and thereby come closer to the objective of having the axis of rotation R of the plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200  pass through or pass as close as possible to the center of mass CM of the table  110 . The closer the axis of rotation R of the plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200  is to passing as close as possible to the center of mass CM of the table  110 , the more nearly the table  110  is in balance. 
     As can be seen in a comparison of  FIGS. 8 and 15 , if no shim  396  is present in the beam slot  306  to elevate the torque tube beam  150  (and thereby elevate the center of mass CM of the table  110 ), the central beam slot axis BSA of the beam slot  306  is coincident with the longitudinal axis LA of the torque tube beam  150  ( FIG. 8 ) and if the shim  396  is present in the beam slot  306  such that the torque tube beam  150  is elevated in the vertical direction V, the central beam slot axis BSA of the beam slot  306  is still coincident with the longitudinal axis LA of the torque tube beam  150  because the effective lower wall  310   a  of the beam slot  306  is defined by the upper surface  397   a  of the horizontal central surface  397  of the shim  396 . In one exemplary embodiment, the thickness T of the shim  396  is 0.120 in. 
     As mentioned previously, the solar tracker system  100  includes the frame  120  comprising the torque tube beam  150  and the array of orthogonally oriented module rails  130  which are affixed to the torque tube beam  150  by brackets  160 . Fasteners may also be used in place of or in addition to brackets. The plurality of photovoltaic panels or modules  190  (only an exemplary one of which is shown in  FIG. 1 ) are supported between adjacent pairs of the module rails  130 . A typical size of a photovoltaic panel  190  is one meter by two meters. Thus, a width W of the table  110  of the solar tracker system  100 , in one exemplary embodiment, is approximately two meters. 
     A length L of the table  110  of the solar tracker system  100  is primarily determined by an extent or length of the torque tube beam  150 . In one exemplary embodiment, the torque tube beam  150  is comprised of a plurality of predetermined lengths or segments, i.e., 40 foot segments, which are coupled together in an end to end configuration by collars. For simplicity, in  FIG. 1 , a shortened, schematic version of the torque tube beam  150  is shown. In one exemplary embodiment, the torque tube beam  150  includes a first portion  152  and a second portion  154  extending from either side of the actuator/controller mechanism, namely, the slew drive  180 . That is, the slew drive  180 , which rotates the torque tube beam  150 , bisects or interrupts the torque tube beam  150  at or near a longitudinal center along the length L of the beam  150 . The first portion  152  of the torque tube beam  150  extends from a first coupler  182  affixed to one side of the slew drive  180 , while the second portion  154  of the torque tube beam  150  extends from a second coupler (not shown) affixed to an opposite side of the slew drive  180 . As noted above, the schematic representation of the solar tracking system  100  depicted in  FIG. 1  includes a relatively short toque tube beam  150 . In reality, the length of the torque tube beam  150  may include five 40 foot beam segments comprising the first portion  152  of the torque tube beam  150  and five 40 foot beam segments comprising the second portion  154  of the torque tube beam  150  for a total length of approximately 400 feet and an ability to over 100 photovoltaic modules  190 . 
     The plurality module rails  130  are typically oriented in an east-west orientation and the supported photovoltaic modules  190 , which may extend beyond the ends of modules rails  130 , define the width W of the table  110 , while the torque tube beam  150  is typically oriented in a north-south orientation and defines the length L of the table  110 . Each of the plurality of module rails  130  are affixed to the torque tube beam  150  by a support bracket  160 . The torque tube beam  150  extends in a north-south direction, while the plurality of module rails  130  extend in an east-west direction  120 . In one exemplary embodiment, the torque tube beam  150  is substantially square in cross section, having a hollow interior, and is centered about a torque tube beam longitudinal axis LA. In one exemplary embodiment the torque tube beam  150  is approximately 100 mm by 100 mm (approximately 4 in. by 4 in.). 
     The solar tracker system  100  further includes the plurality of spaced apart aligned upright support posts  170  which are anchored to or anchored in a substrate G ( FIG. 2 ), such as the ground or a roof of a building. To minimize torque load on the posts  170 , the posts  170  typically extend upwardly in the vertical direction V. The plurality of upright support posts  170  are aligned along an extent or length of the torque tube beam  150  and are spaced apart, typically uniformly, along the length of the torque tube beam  150 . Each post  170  includes a center line or central vertical axis PCVA ( FIG. 2 ) that extends through an approximate cross sectional center of the support post  170 . Ideally, if the support post  170  is installed properly, the post center line or central vertical axis PCVA would be vertical. However, due to terrain difficulties and other installation issues, it may be the case that the post center line PCVA is slightly off vertical, resulting in one type of misalignment condition. Further, ideally, each of the plurality of support posts  170  would be positioned such that a vertical center line CLP of each support post  170  would intersect the longitudinal axis LA of the torque tube beam  150 . Again, however, due to terrain difficulties and other installation issues, it may be the case that the post center line PCVA does not intersect the longitudinal axis LA of the torque tube beam  150 , resulting in another type of misalignment condition. Moreover, each support post  170  includes a pair of spaced apart side walls  174 . Each of the side walls  174  include a pair of vertically oriented mounting slots  176 . Ideally, each of the plurality of support posts  170 , when installed, would have the side walls  174  oriented such that they are parallel to the longitudinal axis LA of the torque tube beam  170 . Again, however, due to terrain difficulties and other installation issues, it may be the case that the post side wall  174  that include the mounting slots  176  are off from being parallel with the longitudinal axis LA of the torque tube beam  170 , resulting in yet another type of misalignment condition. Advantageously, the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  of the present disclosure provides for mounting adjustability in the mounting and orientation of the solar tracking bearing apparatus  200  to an upper mounting portion  172  of the support post  170  to account for several common misalignment conditions. That is, a connecting structure or assembly  500  and a lower coupling portion  402  of a saddle assembly  400  of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  have sufficient degrees of freedom or ranges of adjustability when coupled to the upper mounting portion  172  of the support post  170  to account for several of such misalignment conditions (within limits of the ranges of adjustability provided by the connecting assembly  500  and the saddle assembly  400 ). 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 3-9 , mounted to the upper mounting portion  172  of each support post  190  is the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  which receives and rotatably supports a longitudinally extending portion of the torque tube beam  150 . As mentioned previously, the solar tracker system  100  further includes the controller mechanism, such as the slew motor  180 , which is coupled to the torque tube beam portions  152 ,  154  and acts to change an angle of inclination AI ( FIG. 2 ) of the table  110  and thereby adjust light receiving surfaces of the plurality of photovoltaic modules  190  to track the movement of the sun across the sky from east to west so that the photovoltaic modules  190  are maximally exposed to the sun to throughout the day, within the limits or the range of the angle of inclination AI as provided by the slew motor  180  and the configuration of the table  110 . It should be understood that the angle of inclination AI shown in  FIG. 2  represent a maximum rotational or pivotal movement of a rotatable bearing assembly  300  of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  about its axis of rotation R in one direction (shown in dashed line in  FIG. 2  as a clockwise rotation about the axis of rotation R) with respect to a home position of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  (shown in solid line). The rotatable bearing assembly  300  may also rotate or pivot in an opposite direction, a counterclockwise direction, an angular movement or rotation equal to angle of inclination AI. 
     Solar Tracker Bearing Apparatus  200   
     As noted above, the number of solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200  in a solar tracker system  100  will depend on the number of upright support posts  170 . Typically each support post  170  will include a solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  affixed to the upper mounting portion  172  of the post  170  and, thus, the torque tube beam  150  will be supported along its length or extent by a plurality spaced apart bearing apparatuses  200 . Each bearing apparatus  200  will receive and provide bearing support to a longitudinally extending portion  151  of the torque tube beam  150  and each bearing apparatus  200  thus will support a portion of the total weight of the torque tube beam  150 , the frame  120  and the plurality of photovoltaic modules  190 . Typically, the torque tube beam  150  will be oriented in a generally north-south horizontal position such that as the table  110  pivots, the angle of inclination AI of the table  110  changes to track the sun across the sky from east to west to keep the light receiving surfaces of the plurality of photovoltaic modules  190  aimed, to the extent possible, at the sun to maximize sunlight exposure of the modules  190  throughout the day. 
     Each solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  of the plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses is substantially identical and includes the rotatable bearing assembly  300  supported for pivoting or rotation about the axis of rotation R by the stationary saddle assembly  400 . The rotatable bearing assembly  300  of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  is pivotal along a single axis or axis of rotation R. Thus, the bearing apparatus  200  may be referred to as a single axis bearing assembly or single axis tracker. For simplicity purposes, reference to the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  will be understood to apply to each of the plurality of solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200  utilized in a specific solar tracker system  100 . Further, the axis of rotation R of the respective rotatable bearing assemblies  300  of each solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  of the solar tracker assembly  100  is substantially aligned or coincident and is spaced from and parallel to the longitudinal axis LA of the torque tube beam  150 . As used herein, a direction X (or X direction) is a horizontal direction that is orthogonal to the vertical direction V and is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis LA of the torque tube beam  150  and is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation R of each of the solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200 . Assuming that the torque tube beam  150  extends in a generally north-south horizontal direction as mentioned above, the direction X as used herein will be a north-south horizontal direction. Thus, the direction X is parallel to the axis of rotation R of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  of any given solar tracker bearing apparatus  200 . Similarly, as used herein, a direction Y (or Y direction) is a horizontal direction that is orthogonal to the vertical direction V and is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis LA of the torque tube beam  150  and is substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation R of each of the solar tracker bearing assemblies  200 , that is, the direction Y as used herein will be an east-west horizontal direction. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  of the present disclosure includes the rotatable bearing assembly  300  supported for rotation about the axis of rotation R by the stationary saddle assembly  400 . The solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  further includes the connecting assembly  500  for adjustably securing the saddle assembly  400  to the upper mounting portion  172  of the post  170 . In one exemplary embodiment, the connecting assembly  500  affixes a lower coupling portion  402  of the saddle assembly  400  to the upper mounting portion  172  of the support post  150 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 4-6 , in one exemplary embodiment, the rotatable bearing assembly  300  includes a central portion  302  and first and second spaced apart arcuate peripheral portions  320 ,  340 . The central portion  302  of the bearing assembly  300  includes a channel  304  defining the beam slot  306  for receiving the torque tube beam  150 . The beam slot  306  includes spaced apart vertical side walls  308  and the horizontally extending lower wall  310  for receiving and abutting the lower wall  157  and the horizontally extending upper wall  314  abutting the upper wall  156  of the square cross sectional shape of the torque tube beam  150 . The first peripheral portion  320  of the bearing assembly  300  includes a first arcuate rim bearing  322  and the second peripheral portion  340  includes a second arcuate rim bearing  342 . The first and second rim bearings  322 ,  342  are spaced apart as viewed in an axial direction, that is, as measured or viewed along the axis of rotation R of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  (stated another way, spaced apart as measured in the horizontal direction X) and are centered about the axis of rotation R. Further, the first and second rim bearings  322 ,  342 , as viewed with respect to the axis of rotation R, have the same radius or radius of curvature RC (shown schematically in  FIG. 8 ), that is, the first and second rim bearings  322 ,  342  would lie on the surface of a right angle or right cylinder extending along and centered about the axis of rotation R and having a radius RC. To facilitate a flush fit between the portion  151  of the torque tube beam  150  received in the beam slot  306  and, specifically, to facilitate a flush fit between side walls  158  of the torque tube beam portion  151  and the opposing side walls  308  of the beam slot  306  and between the lower wall  157  of the torque tube beam portion  151  and the bottom wall  310  of the beam slot  306  and to facilitate ease of removal of the torque tube beam portion  151  from the beam slot  306 , there are double radius recesses  312  forming the corner transitions between the opposing side walls  308  and the bottom wall  310  of the beam slot  306 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the stationary saddle assembly  400  includes the lower coupling portion  402 , adapted to be affixed to the connecting assembly  500 , and an upper bearing portion  410 , for pivoting support of the rotatable bearing assembly  300 . The upper support portion  410  of the saddle assembly  400  includes a first arcuate slot  420  and a second arcuate slot  440 . The first arcuate slot  420  includes a first arcuate bearing race  422  and the second arcuate slot  440  includes a second arcuate bearing race  442 . The first and second arcuate bearing races  422 ,  442  are spaced apart as viewed in an axial direction, that is, as measured or viewed along the axis of rotation R of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  (stated another way, spaced apart as measured in the horizontal direction X) and are centered about the axis of rotation R. Further, the first and second arcuate bearing races  422 ,  442 , as viewed with respect to the axis of rotation R, have the same radius or radius of curvature RC as the first and second rim bearings  322 ,  342 . That is, the first and second arcuate bearing races  422 ,  442  would lie on the surface of a right cylinder extending along and centered about the axis of rotation R and having a radius RC. The first arcuate bearing race  422  slidably supports the first arcuate rim bearing  322  of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  and the second arcuate bearing race  442  slidably supports the second arcuate rim bearing  342  of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  such that the arcuate or pivoting movement of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  is centered about the axis of rotation R. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 5 , in one exemplary embodiment, the rotatable bearing assembly  300  and the stationary saddle assembly  400  of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  are both two part assemblies that are symmetric about a central vertical plane CVP ( FIGS. 3, 6 and 7 ) extending through the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200 . The central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  is parallel to and aligned with the central vertical axis PCVA of the support post  170  and extends orthogonally to and is intersected by the axis of rotation R of the rotatable bearing assembly  300 , that is, the central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  extends in the vertical direction V. The central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  includes a vertical center line VCL ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) of the apparatus  200  that intersects and is orthogonal to the axis of rotation R of the rotatable bearing assembly  300 . In one exemplary embodiment, the rotatable bearing assembly  300  includes first and second bearing members  350 ,  370  and the saddle assembly  400  includes first and second saddle members  450 ,  470 . Because the first and second bearing members  350 ,  370  are symmetrical about the central vertical plane CVP, advantageously, the members  350 ,  370  are identical, leading to significant efficiencies in the manufacture of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  and reducing inventory requirements. Similarly, because the first and second saddle members  450 ,  470  are symmetrical about the central vertical plane CVP, advantageously, the members  450 ,  470  are identical, leading to significant efficiencies in the manufacture of the saddle assembly  300  and reducing inventory requirements. 
     Rotatable Bearing Assembly  300   
     The first bearing member  350  of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  is generally semicircular including a generally planar central region  352  and a laterally extending peripheral rim  354 . The planar central region  352  is substantially parallel to but spaced laterally from the central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200 . The central region  352  includes a generally U-shaped cut-out  356 . Extending laterally from the planar central region  352  adjacent the U-shaped cut out  356  are a pair of projections  358 . The pair of projections  358  extend laterally from the central portion in a direction opposite the peripheral rim  354  and form a portion of the U-shaped cut out  356 . Similarly, the second bearing member  370  is generally semicircular including a generally planar central region  372  and a laterally extending peripheral rim  374 . The planar central region  372  is substantially parallel to but spaced laterally from the central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200 . The central region  372  includes a generally U-shaped cut-out  376 . Extending laterally from the planar central region  352  adjacent the U-shaped cut-out  376  are a pair of projections  378 . The pair of projections  378  extend laterally from the central portion in a direction opposite the peripheral rim  374  and form a portion of the U-shaped cut-out  376 . 
     The central portion  302  of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  is defined by the spaced apart planar central regions  352 ,  372 , along with the pairs of projections  358 ,  378 , of the first and second bearing members  350 ,  370 . The beam slot  306  of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  receives and supports the torque tube beam  150  is defined by the U-shaped cut-outs  356 ,  376  of the first and second bearing members  350 ,  370 . Advantageously, because of the respective pairs of projections  358 ,  378  extend laterally from the central portions  352 ,  372  and, thus, function to space apart the central portions  352 ,  372  of the first and second bearing members  350 ,  370 , an axial extent of the beam slot  306 , that is, an extent of the beam slot  306  as measured with respect to the axis of rotation R (or as measured along the horizontal direction X) is large. This advantageously provides for increased area of support and thus increased stability in support of the torque tube beam  150  as it is received in the beam slot  306  and is pivotally supported by the bearing assembly  300 . The generally U-shaped hold down bracket  390  is disposed between respective upper portions  353 ,  373  of the central regions  352 ,  372  of the first and second bearing members  350 ,  370 . The hold down bracket  390  functions to both secure a portion  151  of the torque tube beam  150  disposed within the beam slot  306  and laterally space apart the central portions  352 ,  372  of the first and second bearing members  350 ,  370 . The torque tube beam  150  is confined from movement within the beam slot  306  by beam slot bottom wall  310 , a pair of beam slot side walls  308  and the upper wall  314  defined by the lower or bottom wall or end  392  of the hold down bracket  390 . 
     The first and second bearing members  350 ,  370  are secured via four fasteners  394  that extend in the direction X though aligned apertures of the first and second bearing members  350 ,  370  and aligned horizontal apertures in the hold down bracket  390  which functions to laterally space apart the first and second bearing members  350 ,  370 . It should be understood, of course, that if a shim  396  is utilized and the position of the torque tube beam  150  within the beam slot  306  is raised, a different configuration of the hold down bracket  390  will have to be utilized to abut the upper wall  156  of the torque tube beam  150  and still allow the aligned apertures of the hold down bracket  390  to receive the four fasteners  394  that extend though the hold down bracket  390  and the aligned apertures of the first and second bearing members  350 ,  370 . The pair of projections  358 ,  378  also function to laterally space the first and second bearing members  350 ,  370  and horizontal surfaces of the projections  358 ,  378  form portions of the bottom wall  310  of the beam slot  306 . Facing surfaces  357 ,  377  of the respective pairs of projections  358 ,  378  abut and function to space apart the respective planar central regions  352 ,  372 . The facing surfaces  359 ,  379  of the respective pairs of projections  358 ,  378  are positioned along and are coincident with the central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200 . 
     A fifth fastener  395  extends to align apertures of the central portions  352 ,  372  of the first and second bearing members  350 ,  370  in the region of the projections  358 ,  378  to additionally secure the first and second bearing members  350 ,  370 . Additionally, to the extent a shim  396  is used to raise the center of mass CM of the table  110 , the fifth fastener  395  extends through aligned inverted U-shaped recesses or openings  399  formed in lower edges of vertically extending legs  398  of the shim  396  to affix the shim  396  to the first and second bearing members  350 ,  370  such that the horizontal central portion  397  is disposed against and overlies the bottom wall  310  of the beam slot  306 . The upper surface  397   a  of the horizontal central portion  397  of the shim  396  in the beam slot  306  bears against the lower wall  157  of the torque tube beam  150  and thereby raises the torque tube beam  150  in the vertical direction V by a thickness T ( FIG. 15 ) of the horizontal central portion  397  of the shim  396  and thus raises the center of mass CM of the table  110  by the same thickness T of the horizontal central portion  397  of the shim  396 . In one exemplary embodiment, the fasteners  394 ,  395 , as well as other fasteners referred to below, may be two-part threaded fasteners including a threaded bolt and threaded nut combination wherein the head of the bolt includes a hex drive socket for driving by a hex driver. As would be recognized by one of skill in the art, other types of fasteners may be utilized instead of or in combination with the two-part threaded fasteners shown in the drawings. 
     The laterally extending peripheral rim  354  defines the first arcuate rim bearing  322  of the first peripheral portion  320  of the bearing assembly  300 , while the laterally extending peripheral rim  374  defines the second arcuate rim bearing  342  of the second peripheral portion  340  of the bearing assembly  300 . Advantageously, since the peripherally rims  354 ,  374  extend away from the respective central regions  352 ,  372  of the first and second bearing members  250 ,  370 , an axial distance, that is, a distance as measured along the axis of rotation R, between the first and second arcuate rim bearings  322 ,  342  is large. This large axial distance between bearing engagement surfaces of the rim bearings  322 ,  342  of the bearing assembly  300  and the bearing engagement surfaces of the first and second bearing races  422 ,  442  of the saddle assembly  400  advantageously provides for improved bearing support and improved stability for the bearing assembly  300  as it rotates with respect to the saddle assembly  400  about the axis of rotation R. In one exemplary embodiment, as measured with respect to the axis of rotation R, the angular or arcuate extent of the first and second rim bearings  322 ,  342  is approximately 181.75 degrees. If the arcuate extent of the first and second rim bearings  322 ,  342 , was exactly 180 degrees, then the axis of rotation R would pass through a point along an upper end  391  of the hold down bracket  390  and would be centered between the opposing side walls  308  of the beam slot  306 . Since, in the exemplary embodiment, the arcuate extent of the first and second rim bearings  322 ,  342  is slightly greater than 180 degrees, as can best be seen in  FIGS. 3 and 8 , the axis of rotation R passes through a point somewhat vertically below the upper end  391  of the hold down bracket  390  and would be centered between the opposing side walls  308  of the beam slot  306 . If, in another exemplary embodiment, the arcuate extent of the first and second rim bearings  322 ,  342  is somewhat less than 180 degrees, the axis of rotation R would pass through a point somewhat vertically above the upper end  391  of the hold down bracket  390  and would be centered between the opposing side walls  308  of the beam slot  306 . In one exemplary embodiment, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 8 , without the use of the shim  396 , the axis of rotation R is approximately 2.99 inches vertically above the longitudinal axis of the torque tube beam  150  and the same distance vertically above the central axis BSA of the beam slot  306 . In one exemplary embodiment, as measured with respect to the axis of rotation R, the angular or arcuate extent of the first and second bearing races  422 ,  442  of the saddle assembly  400  is approximately 60 degrees. Accordingly, in one exemplary embodiment, the angle of inclination AI of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  is approximately +/−60 degrees (or 120 degrees of total angular pivot of the table  110 ). 
     Saddle Assembly  400   
     As best seen in  FIGS. 3-5 and 10 , the saddle assembly  400  includes a lower coupling portion  402  and the upper bearing portion  410 . As noted above, the upper bearing portion  410  includes the first arcuate slot  420  and the second arcuate slot  440 . The first arcuate slot  420  includes the first arcuate bearing race  422  and the second arcuate slot  440  includes the second arcuate bearing race  442 . The first and second arcuate bearing races  422 ,  442  are spaced apart as viewed in an axial direction, that is, as measured or viewed along the axis of rotation R of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  (stated another way, spaced apart as measured in the horizontal direction X) and are centered about the axis of rotation R. The first arcuate bearing race  422  slidably supports the first arcuate rim bearing  322  of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  and the second arcuate bearing race  442  slidably supports the second arcuate rim bearing  342  of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  such that the arcuate or pivoting movement of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  is centered about the axis of rotation R. 
     The first arcuate bearing race  422 , when viewed in cross section is a horizontally oriented U-shaped surface  423 , with the opening of the U-shaped surface  423  facing toward the vertical center line VCL of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  or, stated another way, facing toward the central vertical plane CVP of the apparatus  200 . The U-shaped surface  423  of the first arcuate bearing race  422  includes an arcuate inner bearing surface or race  424  and a radially spaced apart arcuate outer bearing surface or race  425 , both centered about the axis of rotation R of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  and the inner arcuate bearing race  424  being closer to the axis of rotation R than the arcuate outer bearing race  425 . The inner bearing race  424  providing sliding bearing support for an arcuate inner surface  324  of the first arcuate rim bearing  322  and the outer bearing race  425  providing sliding bearing support for an arcuate outer surface  325  of the first arcuate rim bearing  322 . 
     The second arcuate bearing race  442 , when viewed in cross section is a horizontally oriented U-shaped surface  443 , with the opening of the U-shaped surface  443  facing toward the vertical center line VCL of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  or, stated another way, facing toward the central vertical plane CVP of the apparatus  200 . The U-shaped surface  443  of the first arcuate bearing race  442  includes an arcuate inner bearing surface or race  444  and a radially spaced apart arcuate outer bearing surface or race  445 , both centered about the axis of rotation R of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  and the inner arcuate bearing race  444  being closer to the axis of rotation R than the arcuate outer bearing race  445 . The inner bearing race  444  providing sliding bearing support for an arcuate inner surface  344  of the second arcuate rim bearing  342  and the outer bearing race  445  providing sliding bearing support for an arcuate outer surface  345  of the second arcuate rim bearing  342 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the saddle assembly  400  is a two piece assembly comprising the first and second saddle members  450 ,  470  which are identical and symmetric about the central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200 . The first saddle member  450  includes an upper bearing region  460  and a lower support region  452 . The lower support region  452  of the first saddle member  450  includes a downwardly or vertically extending generally planar flange  453 . The vertical planar flange  453  includes a pair of bosses  454  extending laterally in a direction away from the central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200 . Each of the pair of bosses  454  includes an upper cylindrical sleeve  455   a  and a lower cylindrical sleeve  455   b , each of the sleeves  455   a ,  455   b  includes a horizontally extending aperture through the respective sleeves. The lower support region  452  of the first saddle member  450  also includes a pair of projections  456  extending laterally from the flange  453  in a direction toward the central vertical plane CVP. The pair of projections  456  include apertures that are aligned with the apertures of the upper cylindrical sleeve  455   a , thus, providing a pair of horizontal throughbores  458  through the lower support region  452  of the first saddle member  450 . 
     The second saddle member  470  includes an upper bearing region  480  and a lower support region  472 . The lower support region  472  of the second saddle member  470  includes a downwardly or vertically extending generally planar flange  473 . The vertical planar flange  473  includes a pair of bosses  474  extending laterally in a direction away from the central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200 . Each of the pair of bosses  474  includes an upper cylindrical sleeve  475   a  and a lower cylindrical sleeve  475   b , each of the sleeves  475   a ,  475   b  includes a horizontally extending aperture through the respective sleeves  475   a ,  475   b . The lower support region  472  of the second saddle member  470  also includes a pair of projections  476  extending laterally from the flange  473  in a direction toward the central vertical plane CVP. The pair of projections  476  include apertures that are aligned with respective apertures of the upper cylindrical sleeve  475   a  of the pair of bosses  474 . This alignment of respective apertures provides a pair of horizontal throughbores  478  through the lower support region  472  of the second saddle member  470 . 
     When the first and second saddle members  450 ,  470  are assembled, a pair of horizontally extending fasteners  490  extend through the aligned horizontal throughbores  458 ,  478  of the respective lower support regions  452 ,  472  of the first and second saddle member  450 ,  470  to secure the first and second saddle members  450 ,  470  together. Facing surfaces  457 ,  477  of the respective pairs of projections  456 ,  476  abut and function to axially space apart the respective planar flanges  453 ,  473  of the first and second saddle members  450 ,  470 . The flanges  453 ,  473  are also axially spaced apart by an inverted U-shaped channel  512  of a horizontally oriented W brace  510  of the connecting assembly  500 . The inverted U-shaped channel  512  of the horizontally oriented W brace  510 , like the flanges  453 ,  473  of the first and second saddle members  450 ,  470  extend in the horizontal direction Y. The W brace  510  includes a pair of vertically oriented outer side walls  520  and a pair of vertically oriented inner side walls  522 . A pair of horizontal fasteners  492  extend in the direction X through aligned apertures formed in the outer and inner side walls  520 ,  522  of the W brace  510  and the apertures extending through the respective the lower cylindrical sleeves  455   b  of lower support region  452  of first saddle member  450  and the lower cylindrical sleeves  475   b  of lower support region  472  of second saddle member  470  to secure the saddle assembly  400  to the W brace  510  and additionally secure the first and second saddle members  450 ,  470  together. As best seen in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , the apertures through the lower cylindrical sleeves  455   b ,  475   b  of the first and second saddle members  450 ,  470  constitute arched or arcuate slots  459 ,  479 . The arcuate slots  459 ,  479  are concave with respect to the vertical center line VCL of the bearing assembly  200 . Advantageously, the arcuate slots  459 ,  479  of the first and second saddle members  450 ,  470  provide for a tilt adjustability of the saddle member  400  with respect to the support post  170  to account for a misalignment condition referred to as a post tilt condition, as explained below. The lower support regions  452 ,  472  of the first and second saddle member  450 ,  470 , as assembled, comprise the lower coupling portion  402  of the saddle assembly  400 . Additionally, as the W brace  510  is assembled to the saddle assembly  400  and the saddle assembly  400  rotatably supports the bearing assembly  300 , an assembled combination of the W brace  510  of the connecting assembly  500 , the saddle assembly  400  and the rotatable bearing assembly  300  will be referred to as the assembled combination  600 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , in one exemplary embodiment, the upper bearing region  460  of the first saddle member  450  includes an arcuate body  462  which is generally rectangular in cross section including an inner wall  462   a , an axially spaced apart outer wall  462   b , an upper surface  462   c  and a radially spaced apart lower surface  462   d . By radially spaced apart it is meant that the upper and lower surfaces  460   c ,  460   d  are spaced apart as measured along a radius line extending vertically downwardly from the axis of rotation R of the bearing apparatus  200 , with the upper surface  460   c  being closer to the axis of rotation R. The upper surface  460   c  of the arcuate body  462  includes a J-shaped opening  463 , as viewed in cross section  FIG. 9 ). An interior region  464  of the J-shaped opening  463  defines a U-shaped slot  465 . A low friction, durable U-shaped insert  466  is fixedly positioned in the U-shaped slot  465 . The low friction insert  466  includes a U-shaped slot  467 , as viewed in cross section. The U-shaped slot  467  of the insert  466  defines the U-shaped surface  423  and the inner and outer bearing races  424 ,  425  of the first bearing race  422  which slidingly receives the first arcuate rim bearing  322  of the first peripheral portion  320  of the rotatable bearing assembly  300 . Stated another way, the U-shaped slot  467  of the insert  466  defines a first journal bearing race  468 , comprising the first bearing race  422  of the upper bearing portion  410  of the saddle assembly  400  and the U-shaped slot  467  of the insert  466  defines the first arcuate slot  420  of the upper bearing portion  410  of the saddle assembly  400 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the insert  466  is fabricated of a polymer such as acetal or polymer with glass or another filler or other material exhibits similar properties and/or characteristics. By way of example and without limitation, in one exemplary embodiment, the insert  466  is fabricated a polyoxymethylene thermoplastic polymer exhibiting high stiffness, low friction, dimensional stability and excellent wear and abrasion resistance or other material exhibiting similar characteristics. One commercially available polyoxymethylene thermoplastic polymer is Delrin® polymer available from E.I. DuPont DeNemours and Company, Wilmington, Del. It should be understood, of course, that the insert  466 , while desirable, is optional, and the first bearing race  422  could be defined by the U-shaped slot  465  of the arcuate body  462 , depending on the loading forces applied to the first bearing race  422 , the material(s) that the arcuate body  462  is fabricated of and/or coatings applied to the arcuate body  462  in the region of the U-shaped slot  465 , the durability desired and the coefficient of sliding friction desired for the first bearing race  422 , among other factors. 
     Similarly, in one exemplary embodiment, the upper bearing region  480  of the second saddle member  470  includes an arcuate body  482  which is generally rectangular in cross section including an inner wall  482   a , an axially spaced apart outer wall  482   b , an upper surface  482   c  and a radially spaced apart lower surface  482   d . The upper surface  480   c  of the arcuate body  482  includes a J-shaped opening  483 , as viewed in cross section. An interior region  484  of the J-shaped opening  483  defines a U-shaped slot  485 . A low friction, durable U-shaped insert  486  is fixedly positioned in the U-shaped slot  485 . The low friction insert  486  includes a U-shaped slot  487 , as viewed in cross section. The U-shaped slot  487  of the insert  486  defines the U-shaped surface  443  and the inner and outer bearing races  444 ,  445  of the first second race  442  which slidingly receives the second arcuate rim bearing  342  of the second peripheral portion  340  of the rotatable bearing assembly  300 . Stated another way, the U-shaped slot  487  of the insert  486  defines a second journal bearing race  488  comprising the second bearing race  442  of the upper bearing portion  410  of the saddle assembly  400  and the U-shaped slot  487  of the insert  486  defines second arcuate slot  440  of the upper bearing portion  410  of the saddle assembly  400 . As explained above with respect to the insert  466 , it should be understood that the insert  486 , while desirable, is optional, and the second bearing race  442  could be defined by the U-shaped slot  485  of the arcuate body  482 , depending on the loading forces applied to the second bearing race  442 , the material(s) that the arcuate body  483  is fabricated of and/or coatings applied to the arcuate body  483  in the region of the U-shaped slot  485 , the durability desired and the coefficient of sliding friction desired for the second bearing race  442 , among other factors. 
     Connecting Assembly  500   
     As best seen in  FIGS. 3-5, 7-9 and 11-13 , the connecting assembly  500  functions to couple the saddle assembly  400  of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  to the upper mounting portion  172  of the upright support post  170 . The connecting assembly  500  includes the W brace  510 , a post cap  540  which is affixed to the upper mounting portion  172  of the support post  150 , and a stiffener member  560 , which is interposed between the post cap  540  and an upper end  178  of the support post  150  and provides additional structural rigidity to the connecting assembly  500 . 
     Advantageously, as mentioned previously, the connecting assembly  500 , along with the lower coupling portion  402  of the saddle assembly  400 , allows for adjustability in the mounting of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  to the upper mounting portion  172  of the support post  150  to account for the fact that given the terrain that the support posts  170  are installed, there are often various types of misalignment problems that must be accounted for in attempting to properly and precisely align, orient and position the beam slot  306  of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  of a given solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  to receive the torque tube beam  150 . Misalignment problems between the support post  170  and the torque tube beam  150  can take various forms including: a) Post twist—the side walls  170  of the support post  170  which include the pair of vertically extending slots  176  are not in alignment with the longitudinal axis LA of the torque tube beam  150 . Thus, if the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  were mounted to the support post side walls  170  with post twist adjustability, the axis of rotation R of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  would not be parallel with the torque tube beam longitudinal axis LA. Such post twist condition would cause additional undesirable forces applied to both the rotatable bearing assembly  300 , the saddle assembly  400  and the torque tube beam  150 . b) Y direction misalignment—the vertical center line PCVA of the post  150  is orthogonal to but offset from the torque tube beam longitudinal axis LA. Such a Y direction misalignment condition would cause difficulty in positioning the torque tube beam  150  in the beam slot  306  and/or mounting the connecting assembly  500  to the post mounting portion  172 . c) Post tilt—the vertical center line CLP of the post intersects the torque tube beam longitudinal axis LA but is not orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. Such a post tilt condition would again cause difficulty in positioning the torque tube beam  150  in the beam slot  306  and/or mounting the connecting assembly  500  to the post mounting portion  172 . 
     Advantageously, the connecting assembly  500 , along with the lower coupling portion  402  of the saddle assembly  400 , provide the necessary degrees of freedom or degrees of adjustability to account for post twist, Y direction misalignment, and post tilt conditions. 
     As noted previously and as best seen in  FIGS. 4-5, 8-9 and 11 , the W brace  510  includes the pair of vertically oriented outer or side walls  520  and the pair of vertically oriented inner walls  522 . The outer and inner walls  520 ,  522  are spaced apart or separated, as measured axially (that is, as measured along the axis of rotation R or the direction X), by a central upper wall  524  and a pair of flanking lower walls  526 . This arrangement results in a three channel configuration for the W brace  510 . The channels of the W brace  510  include: a) the inverted U-shaped channel  512  that spaces the flanges  453 ,  473  of the lower support regions  452 ,  472  of the first and second saddle members  450 ,  470 ; b) an upright channel  514  which receives the lower cylindrical sleeves  455   b  of lower support region  452  of first saddle member  450 ; and c) an upright channel  516  which receives lower cylindrical sleeves  475   b  of lower support region  472  of second saddle member  470 . The pair of horizontal fasteners  492  extend in the direction X through aligned apertures formed in the outer and inner side walls  520 ,  522  of the W brace  510  and the apertures extending through the respective the lower cylindrical sleeves  455   b  of lower support region  452  of first saddle member  450  and the lower cylindrical sleeves  475   b  of lower support region  472  of second saddle member  470  to secure the saddle assembly  400  to the W brace  510  of the connecting assembly  400 . Advantageously, the apertures through the lower cylindrical sleeves  455   b ,  475   b  of the first and second saddle members  450 ,  470  constitute arched or arcuate slots  459 ,  479 . The arcuate slots  459  provide for tilt adjustability of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  with respect to the center line PCVA though the support post  170  and, thus provides for adjustability to account for a post tilt condition. In one exemplary embodiment, the arcuate extent of the arcuate slots  459 ,  479  is sufficient to allow for +/−2° of tilt adjustability with respect to the post  150  in the direction X. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 5, 8-9 and 12 , the post cap  540  includes a central horizontal planar section or horizontal upper wall  542  that is rectangular in shape and pair of vertically downwardly extending side walls  550 ,  552  extending from opposite sides  544   a ,  544   b  of the horizontal upper wall  542  of the post cap  540 . The vertical side walls  550 ,  552  are parallel and extend in the direction X, that is, parallel to the rotatable bearing assembly axis of rotation R and parallel to the torque tube beam longitudinal axis LA. The remaining opposite two sides  544   c ,  544   d  of the horizontal upper wall  542  of the post cap  540  are open, that is, there are no side walls extending from sides  544   c ,  544   d . The horizontal upper wall  542  and side walls  550 ,  552  of the post cap  540  define and inverted U-shaped opening  554 . Each of the downwardly extending side walls  550  includes an array of four spaced apart apertures  556 . Eight horizontally extending fasteners  559  extend in the direction Y (orthogonal to the axis of rotation R) through each of the four apertures  556  and through the aligned vertically extending slots  176  in the side walls  174  of the upper mounting portion  172  of the support post  150  to secure the connecting assembly  500  to the support post  150  and thereby mount the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  to the support post  150 . Advantageously, the fact that the mounting slots  176  of the support post  150  extend vertically allows for a range of height adjustment of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  with respect to an upper end  178  of the support post  170 . That is, the height adjustment of the post cap  540  allows a vertical position of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  to be adjusted in the vertical direction V with respect to the upper end  178  of the support post  150  such that the torque tube beam  150  fits snugly in the beam slot  306 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 5, 7-9 and 13 , the stiffener member  560  is attached to the post cap  540  and is interposed between the post cap  540  and the upper end  170  of the support post  150  and functions to increase structural rigidity of the connecting assembly  500 . The stiffener member  560  includes a central horizontal planar section or horizontal upper wall  562  that is rectangular in shape and pair of vertically downwardly extending side walls  570 ,  575  extending from opposite sides  564   c ,  564   d  of the horizontal upper wall  562  of the stiffener member  560 . The side walls  570 ,  572  of the stiffener member  560  are parallel and extend in the horizontal direction Y, that is, perpendicular to the rotatable bearing assembly axis of rotation R and perpendicular to the torque tube beam longitudinal axis LA. The remaining opposite two sides  564   a ,  564   b  of the horizontal upper wall  562  of the stiffener member  560  are open, that is, there are no side walls extending from sides  564   a ,  564   b . The horizontal upper wall  562  and side walls  570 ,  572  of the stiffener member  560  define and inverted U-shaped opening  574 . 
     Advantageously, the horizontal upper wall  562  and side walls  570 ,  572  of the stiffener member  560  is sized to be received within the inverted U-shaped opening  554  of the post cap  540 . That is, the horizontal upper wall  542  of the post cap overlies and is in planar contact with the horizontal upper wall  562  of the stiffener member  560 . Further, the side walls  570 ,  572  of the stiffener member  570  are orthogonal to the side walls  550 ,  552  of the post cap  540  such that vertical edges  573  of the respective side walls  570 ,  572  of the stiffener member  560  are orthogonal to and abut the respective side walls  550 ,  552  of the post cap  540 . The side walls  550 ,  552 ,  570 ,  572  of the post cap  540  and stiffener member  560  form a box-like configuration of four orthogonal, vertically extending side walls  550 ,  552 ,  570 ,  572  which advantageously functions to increase the structural rigidity of the connecting assembly  500 . 
     As explained above, the lower coupling portion  402  of the saddle assembly  400  is affixed to the W brace  510  and the post cap  540  is affixed to the upper mounting portion  172  of the support post  150 . The U-shaped opening  574  of the stiffener member  560  is received on the upper end  178  of the support post  150 . The stiffening member  560  is held rigidly and firmly in place on the upper end  178  of the support post  150  by the horizontal upper wall  542  of the post cap  540  which bears against the horizontal upper wall  562  of the stiffener member  560  and sandwiches the stiffener member  560  against the upper end  178  of the support post  170  when the post cap  540  is affixed to the side walls  174  of the support post  170  via a pair of fasteners. Thus, both the post cap  540  and the stiffening member  574  are rigidly and firmly affixed to the support post  170 . 
     The horizontal upper walls  542 ,  562  of the post cap  540  and stiffener member  560  each include an aligned array of four concentric arcuate openings or slots. The horizontal upper wall  542  of the post cap  540  includes an array four arcuate slots  558 . The four arcuate slots  558  are generally centered about a vertical center line UWVCL though the horizontal upper walls  542 ,  562  of the post cap  540  and stiffener member  560 . The horizontal upper wall  542  of the stiffener member  560  includes an aligned array of four arcuate slots  578 . The four arcuate slots  578  are generally centered about or concentric with the vertical center line UWVCL. The four arcuate slots  558  of the horizontal upper wall  542  of the post cap  540  and the four arcuate slots  558  of the horizontal upper wall  562  of the stiffener member  560  are vertically aligned and are concave with respect to the vertical center line UWVCL. In one exemplary embodiment, the four arcuate slots  558  are concentric with a center point on the vertical center line UWVCL. Additionally, the pair of spaced apart lower walls  526  of the W brace  510  each include a pair of straight slots  528  forming an array of four straight slots which are generally centered about a vertical center line BVCL through the W brace  510 . The combination of the array of four arcuate slots  558 ,  578  of the horizontal upper walls  542 ,  562  of the post cap  540  and stiffener member  560 , combined with the array of four straight slots  528  of the lower walls  526  of the W brace  510  advantageously allow for: a) limited rotational adjustability of the W brace  510  and, thus, the saddle assembly  400  and rotational bearing assembly  300 , which are affixed to the W brace  510 , with respect to the post cap  540  to account for the post twist condition; and b) limited linear adjustability of the W brace  510  and, thus, the saddle assembly  400  and rotational bearing assembly  300 , which are affixed to the W brace  510 , in the Y direction (orthogonal to the axis of rotation R) to account for Y direction misalignment condition. 
     Four vertically extending fasteners  580  extend through the aligned four straight slots  528  of the lower walls  526  of the W brace  510 , the four arcuate slots  558  of the horizontal upper wall  542  of the post cap  540  and the four arcuate slots  578  of the horizontal upper wall  562  of the stiffener member  560  to secure the assembled combination  600  of the W brace  510 , the saddle assembly  400  and rotational bearing assembly  300  to the post cap  540  and stiffener member  560  and thereby secure the assembled combination  600  to the support post  170 . Advantageously, because the overlap of the four straight slots  528  of the lower walls  526  of the W brace  510 , the four arcuate slots  558  of the horizontal upper wall  542  of the post cap  540  and the four arcuate slots  578  of the horizontal upper wall  562  of the stiffener member  560 , the assembled combination  600  of the W brace  510 , the saddle assembly  400  and rotational bearing assembly  300  to the post cap  540  may be rotated about the vertical center line BVCL through the W brace  510 . This rotational adjustability of the W brace  510 , the saddle assembly  400  and rotational bearing assembly  300  account for the post twist condition. In one exemplary embodiment, the angular range of rotation of the assembled combination  600  of the W brace  510 , the saddle assembly  400  and the rotational bearing assembly  300  about the vertical center line BVCL is approximately +/−8 degrees. 
     Additionally, because of the aligned four straight slots  528  of the lower walls  526  of the W brace  510 , advantageously, the assembled combination  600  of the W brace  510 , the saddle assembly  400  and the rotational bearing assembly  300  have limited travel or adjustability permitted in the direction Y (orthogonal to the axis of rotation R). This linear adjustability of the assembled combination  600  of the W brace  510 , saddle assembly  400  and rotational bearing assembly  300  in the direction Y accounts for the Y direction misalignment condition. In one exemplary embodiment, the linear adjustability along the direction Y resulting from the four straight slots  528  of the lower walls  526  of the W brace  510  is +/−0.75 in. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the first and second bearing members  350 ,  370  of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  and the first and second saddle members  450 ,  470  of the saddle assembly  400  are fabricated of cast aluminum. The first and second bearing members  350 ,  370  and first and second saddle members  450 ,  470  could also be made of other materials having similar characteristics or properties including but not limited to cast steel, machined aluminum, machined steel and molded polymer. In one exemplary embodiment, the components of the connecting assembly  500  are made of steel, but could also be made of aluminum or a polymer or filled or reinforced polymer. 
     Second Exemplary Embodiment—Solar Tracker Bearing Assembly  1200   
     A second exemplary embodiment of a solar tracker bearing apparatus of the present disclosure is shown generally at  1200  in  FIGS. 17-22B and 35 . The solar tracker bearing apparatus  1200  is similar in structure and function to the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  of the first exemplary embodiment and may be utilized in connection with the solar tracker system  100 , as previously described. The description and disclosures, including drawings, relating to the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  and the solar tracker system  100  are incorporated herein by reference as supplemental to the description of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  1200  and, for brevity, discussion of components, structure and functions common or applicable to both embodiments  200 ,  1200  will not be repeated. 
     The solar tracker bearing apparatus  1200  includes a rotatable bearing assembly  1300  supported for rotation about an axis of rotation R by a stationary saddle assembly  1400 . The solar tracker bearing apparatus  1200  further includes a connecting assembly  1500  for adjustably securing the saddle assembly  1400  to the upper mounting portion  172  of the mounting post  170 . In one exemplary embodiment, the connecting assembly  500  affixes a lower coupling portion  1402  of the saddle assembly  400  to the upper mounting portion  172  of the support post  170 . The bearing apparatus  1200  receives and provides bearing support to a longitudinally extending support beam  150  of the solar tracker system  100 , such as the torque tube support beam depicted in the drawings. Specifically, the bearing apparatus  1200  receives and rotatably supports an extending portion  151  of the support beam  150  extending through the bearing apparatus  1200 . The support beam  150 , such as the torque tube beam depicted in the drawings extends along a longitudinal axis LA that is substantially parallel to the bearing assembly axis of rotation R. One of skill in the art would recognize that the torque tube support beam or torque tube beam  150 , depicted in the drawings, having a continuous, generally square-shaped cross-section and rounded corners, is one exemplary embodiment of a support beam capable of use with the solar tracker system  100 . One of skill in the art would also recognize that the solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200 ,  1200  of the present disclosure may be utilized in connection with rotatably supporting a variety of support beam shapes and configurations. For example and without limitation, the solar tracker bearing apparatuses  200 ,  1200 , may be used to rotatably support a variety of support beams, a rectangular shaped support beam, a C-shaped or J-shaped support beam, or a hat-shaped support beam (not shown), as viewed in cross section, in addition to the torque tube support beam  150  depicted in the drawings. It is the intent to include to include all such support beam configurations, within the scope of the present application. Further, the terms support beam, torque tube beam, and torque tube support beam will be used interchangeably herein. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 17-22B , in one exemplary embodiment, the rotatable bearing assembly  1300  includes a central portion or region  1302  and first and second spaced apart arcuate peripheral portions or regions  1320 ,  1340 . The central portion  1302  of the bearing assembly  1300  includes a channel  1304  defining a beam slot or support beam slot or torque tube beam slot  1306  for receiving the support beam or torque tube beam  150 . The beam slot  1306  includes spaced apart vertical side walls  1308  and the horizontally extending lower wall  1310 . An upper wall  1314  of the beam slot  1306  is formed by a lower wall  1392  of a hold down bracket  1390 . The beam slot  1306  receives and supports the square cross sectional shape of the torque tube beam  150 . The first peripheral portion  1320  of the bearing assembly  300  includes a first arcuate rim bearing  1322  and the second peripheral portion  1340  includes a second arcuate rim bearing  1342 . The first and second rim bearings  1322 ,  1342  are spaced apart as viewed in an axial direction, that is, as measured or viewed along the axis of rotation R of the rotatable bearing assembly  300  (stated another way, spaced apart as measured in the horizontal direction X) and are centered about the axis of rotation R. Further, the first and second rim bearings  1322 ,  1342 , as viewed with respect to the axis of rotation R, have substantially the same radius. The first rim bearing  1322  is part of a first bearing member  1350  and the second rim bearing  1342  is part of a second bearing member  1370 , which, in one exemplary embodiment, are identical parts. To facilitate a flush fit between the portion  151  of the torque tube beam  150  received in the beam slot  1306  and, specifically, to facilitate a flush fit between side walls  158  of the torque tube beam portion  151  and the opposing side walls  1308  of the beam slot  1306  and between the lower wall  157  of the torque tube beam portion  151  and the bottom wall  1310  of the beam slot  1306  and to facilitate ease of removal of the torque tube beam portion  151  from the beam slot  1306 , there are double radius recesses  1312  forming the corner transitions between the opposing side walls  1308  and the bottom wall  1310  of the beam slot  1306 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the stationary saddle assembly  400  includes the lower coupling portion  1402 , adapted to be affixed to the connecting assembly  1500 , and an upper bearing portion  1410 , for pivoting support of the rotatable bearing assembly  1300  about the bearing assembly axis of rotation R. The upper support portion  1410  of the saddle assembly  1400  includes a first arcuate slot  1420  and a second arcuate slot  1440 . The first arcuate slot  1420  includes a first arcuate bearing race  1422  and the second arcuate slot  1440  includes a second arcuate bearing race  1442 . The first and second arcuate bearing races  1422 ,  1442  are spaced apart as viewed in an axial direction, that is, as measured or viewed along the axis of rotation R of the rotatable bearing assembly  1300  (stated another way, spaced apart as measured in the horizontal direction X) and are centered about the axis of rotation R. Further, the first and second arcuate bearing races  1422 ,  1442 , as viewed with respect to the axis of rotation R, have the same radius or radius of curvature as the first and second rim bearings  1322 ,  1342 . The first bearing race  1422  is part of a first saddle member  1450  and the second bearing race  1442  is part of a second bearing member  1470 , which, in one exemplary embodiment, are identical parts. The first arcuate bearing race  1422  slidably supports the first arcuate rim bearing  1322  of the rotatable bearing assembly  1300  and the second arcuate bearing race  1442  slidably supports the second arcuate rim bearing  1342  of the rotatable bearing assembly  1300  such that the arcuate or pivoting movement of the rotatable bearing assembly  1300  is centered about the axis of rotation R. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 22A and 22B , in one exemplary embodiment, the rotatable bearing assembly  1300  and the stationary saddle assembly  1400  of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  1200  are both two part assemblies that are symmetric about a central vertical plane CVP ( FIGS. 20 and 21 ) extending through the solar tracker bearing apparatus  1200 . The central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  1200  extends orthogonally to and is intersected by the axis of rotation R of the rotatable bearing assembly  1300 , that is, the central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  1200  extends in the vertical direction V. The central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  1200  includes a vertical center line VCL ( FIGS. 19 and 21 ) of the apparatus  1200  that intersects and is orthogonal to the axis of rotation R of the rotatable bearing assembly  1300 . In one exemplary embodiment, the rotatable bearing assembly  1300  includes first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370  and the saddle assembly  1400  includes first and second saddle members  1450 ,  1470 . Because the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370  are symmetrical about the central vertical plane CVP, advantageously, as explained above, the members  1350 ,  1370  are identical, leading to significant efficiencies in the manufacture of the rotatable bearing assembly  1300  and reducing inventory requirements. Similarly, because the first and second saddle members  1450 ,  1470  are symmetrical about the central vertical plane CVP, advantageously, as explained above, the members  1450 ,  1470  are identical, leading to significant efficiencies in the manufacture of the saddle assembly  1300  and reducing inventory requirements. 
     Rotatable Bearing Assembly  1300   
     As best seen in  FIGS. 17-27 and 35 , in one exemplary embodiment, the rotatable bearing assembly  1300  of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  1200  is a two part assembly that is symmetric about the central vertical plane CVP ( FIGS. 20 and 21 ) extending through the solar tracker bearing apparatus  1200 . The central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  is parallel to and aligned with a central vertical axis PCVA ( FIGS. 19, 20 and 22A ) of the support post  170  and extends orthogonally to and is intersected by the axis of rotation R of the rotatable bearing assembly  1300 , that is, the central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  1200  extends in the vertical direction V ( FIGS. 17-20 ). The central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  200  includes the vertical center line VCL ( FIGS. 19-21 ) of the bearing apparatus  1200  that intersects and is orthogonal to the axis of rotation R of the rotatable bearing assembly  1300 . 
     The first bearing member  1350  of the rotatable bearing assembly  1300  is generally semicircular including a generally planar central portion or region  1352  and a laterally extending peripheral rim  1354 . The planar central portion  1352  is substantially parallel to but spaced laterally from the central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  1200 . The planar central region  1352  includes a generally u-shaped cut-out  1356  extending vertically downwardly from an upper edge  1353  of the central region  1352 . The u-shaped cut-out  1356  includes a horizontally extending lower surface  1356   a  and a pair of opposing vertically extending side surfaces  1356   b . A pair of arcuate or radius recessed surfaces  1356   c  bridge the lower surface  1356   a  and side surfaces  1356   b . Extending laterally from the planar central region  1352  adjacent the u-shaped cut-out  1356  is a first projection  1358 . Also extending laterally from the planar central region are a first set of protuberances  1364 . The first projection  1358  and the first set of protuberances  1364  extend axially toward the second bearing member  1370 . 
     Similarly, the second bearing member  1370  is generally semicircular including a generally planar central region or portion  1372  and a laterally extending peripheral rim  1374 . The planar central region or portion  1372  is substantially parallel to but spaced laterally from the central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  1200 . The central region  1372  includes a generally u-shaped cut-out  1376  extending vertically downwardly from an upper edge  1373  of the central region or portion  1372 . The u-shaped cut-out  1376  includes a horizontally extending lower surface  1376   a  and a pair of opposing vertically extending side surfaces  13   f   6   b . A pair of arcuate or radius recessed surfaces  1356   c  bridge the lower surface  1356   a  and side surfaces  1356   b . Extending laterally from the planar central region  1372  adjacent the u-shaped cut-out  1376  is a second projection  1378 . Also extending laterally from the planar central region are a second set of protuberances  1384 . The second projection  1378  and the second set of protuberances  1364  extend axially toward the first bearing member  1370 . In one exemplary embodiment, the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370  and, specifically, the planar central regions  1352 ,  1372  are spaced apart axially (that is, as measured along the rotatable bearing member axis of rotation R) by the aligned contact of the first and second projections  1358 ,  1378  and the aligned contact of the first and second set of protuberances  1364 ,  1384 . Facing surfaces  1359 ,  1379  of the first and second projections  1358 ,  1378  and facing surfaces  1365 ,  1385  of the first and second set of protuberances  1364 ,  1384  engage along the central vertical plane CVP of the bearing apparatus  1200 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 23-24 and 35 , in one exemplary embodiment, the first projection  1358  of the first bearing member  1350  extends axially (that is, extends in the X direction parallel to axis of rotation R) from the planar central region  1352  adjacent the u-shaped cut-out  1356 . As viewed from a plane orthogonal to the bearing assembly axis of rotation R, for example, as viewed from the central vertical plane CVP of the bearing apparatus  1200 , the first projection  1358  is generally u-shaped, conforming to the shape of a lower region of the u-shaped cut-out  1356 . Specifically, in one exemplary embodiment, the first projection  1358  includes a base  1360  extending along at least a portion of the lower surface  1356   a  of the cut-out  1356  and first and second vertically extending, arcuate arms  1361  extending from the base  1360  and extending along at least a portion of the two radius surfaces  1356   c  and the first and second side surfaces  1356   b  of the cut-out  1356 . The first set of protuberances  1364  also extend axially from the planar central region  1352  toward the second bearing member  1370 . The first set of protuberances  1364 , in one exemplary embodiment, include: a) a central vertical protuberance  1366  extending downwardly from the base  1360  of the projection  1358 ; b) a pair of vertical protuberances  1367  extending upwardly from upper regions of the first and second arcuate arms  1361  of the first projection  1358 ; and c) a pair of horizontally extending protuberances  1368  positioned near the upper edge  1353  of the planar central region  1352  of the first bearing member  1350 . 
     Similarly, as best seen in  FIGS. 22A, 22B and 35 , in one exemplary embodiment, the second projection  1378  of the second bearing member  1370  extends axially (that is, extends in the X direction parallel to axis of rotation R) from the planar central region  1372  adjacent the u-shaped cut-out  1376 . As viewed from a plane orthogonal to the bearing assembly axis of rotation R, for example, as viewed from the central vertical plane CVP of the bearing apparatus  1200 , the second projection  1378  is generally u-shaped, conforming to the shape of a lower region of the u-shaped cut-out  1376 . Specifically, in one exemplary embodiment, the second projection  1378  includes a base  1380  extending along at least a portion of the lower surface  1376   a  of the cut-out  1376  and first and second vertically extending, arcuate arms  1381  extending from the base  1380  and extending along at least a portion of the two radius surfaces  1376   c  and the first and second side surfaces  1376   b  of the cut-out  1376 . The second set of protuberances  1384  also extend axially from the planar central region  1352  toward the first bearing member  1350 . The second set of protuberances  1384 , in one exemplary embodiment, include: a) a central vertical protuberance  1386  extending downwardly from the base  1380  of the projection  1378 ; b) a pair of vertical protuberances  1387  extending upwardly from upper regions of the first and second arcuate arms  1381  of the second projection  1378 ; and c) a pair of horizontally extending protuberances  1368  positioned near the upper edge  1373  of the planar central region  1372  of the second bearing member  1370 . 
     Advantageously, the engagement and contact of first and second projections  1358 ,  1378  and the first and second sets of protuberances  1364 ,  1384  function to axially space the respective planar central regions  1352 ,  1372  of the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370 . As discussed above, with respect to the first embodiment, increasing the axial spacing of the axial distance between bearing engagement surfaces of the rim bearings  1322 ,  1342  of the bearing assembly  1300  and the bearing engagement surfaces of the first and second bearing races  1422 ,  1442  of the saddle assembly  400  advantageously provides for improved bearing support and improved stability for the bearing assembly  1300  as it rotates with respect to the saddle assembly  1400  about the axis of rotation R. Additionally, the surfaces of first projection  1358  adjacent the bottom surface  1356   a  and side surfaces  1356   b  of the u-shaped cut-out  1356  of the first bearing member  1350  effectively extends and enlarges the bottom and side surfaces  1356   a ,  1356   b  of the cut-out  1356 . Similarly, the surfaces of second projection  1378  adjacent the bottom surface  1376   a  and side surfaces  1376   b  of the u-shaped cut-out  1376  of the second bearing member  1370  effectively extends and enlarges the bottom and side surfaces  1376   a ,  1357   b  of the cut-out  1376 . Since the aligned cut-outs  1356 ,  1376  of the first and second members  1350 ,  1370  define, in part, the torque tube beam slot  1306 . This enhanced surface area of the beam slot  1306  afforded by the extension of the bottom and side surface  1376   a ,  1376   b  of the cut-out  1376  advantageously provides for increased area of support and thus increased stability in support of the torque tube beam  150  as it is received in the beam slot  1306  and is pivotally supported by the bearing assembly  1300 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 17-19, 22A and 22B , the hold down bracket  1390  is disposed between respective upper portions  1353   a ,  1573   a  of the central regions  1352 ,  1372  of the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370 . The hold down bracket  390  functions to both secure the portion  151  of the torque tube beam  150  disposed within the beam slot  1306  and laterally space apart the central regions or portions  1352 ,  1372  of the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370 . Accordingly, the torque tube beam  150  is confined from movement within the beam slot  1306  by the beam slot bottom wall  1310 , the pair of beam slot side walls  1308  and the upper wall  1314  defined by the lower or bottom wall or end  1392  of the hold down bracket  390 . The beam slot bottom wall  1310  is defined by the lower surface  1356   a  of the u-shaped cut-out  1356  of the first bearing member  1350  and portions the base  1360  of the first projection  1356  adjacent and extending the lower surface  1356   a  of the cut-out  1356 . The beam slot bottom wall  1310  is also defined by the lower surface  1376   a  of the u-shaped cut-out  1376  of the second bearing member  1370  and portions the base  1380  of the second projection  1378  adjacent to and extending the lower surface  1376   a  of the cut-out  1376 . The beam slot vertical side walls  1308  are defined by the side surfaces  1356   b  of the cut-out  1356  of the first bearing member  1350  and portions of the arcuate arms  1361  of the first projection  1356  adjacent to and extending the side surfaces  1356   b  of the cut-out  1356 . The beam slot vertical side walls  1308  are also defined by the side surfaces  1376   b  of the cut-out  1376  of the second bearing member  1370  and portions of the arcuate arms  1381  of the second projection  1378  adjacent to and extending the side surfaces  1376   b  of the cut-out  1376 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, an axial extent of the first projection  1358  and the second projection  1378  extend from the respective central regions  1352 ,  1372  of the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370 , as measured in the direction X parallel to the bearing assembly axis of rotation R, are each approximately 0.09 in., thereby spacing the facing surfaces of the central portion  1352 ,  1372  of the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370  by approximately 0.18 in. While the first and second projections  1358 ,  1378  of the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370  are smaller in axial extent that the pairs of projections  358 ,  378  of the first and second bearing members  350 ,  370 , the advantages of: a) increased stability due to an increased area of support provided by the beam slot  1306  to the torque tube beam  150 ; and b) increase stability due to an increase in the axial spacing between the peripheral bearing rim  1354  (defining the first arcuate rim bearing  1322 ) of the first bearing member  1350  and the peripheral bearing rim  1374  (defined the second arcuate rim bearing  1342 ) of the second bearing member  1370  still exist to a certain degree. By contrast, the smaller axial extent of the first and second projections  1358 ,  1378  provide for reduced material requirement and, thus, lower manufacturing cost for the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370 , as compared with the first and second bearing members  350 ,  370  of the bearing apparatus  200  of the first exemplary embodiment. Thus, as one of skill in the art would recognize, the extent of axial spacing between the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370  provided by the first and second projections  1358 ,  1378  may be varied depending on design objectives and cost considerations. Additionally, the addition of the first and second set of protuberances  1364 ,  1384  increase and spread out the areas of contact between the first and second members  1350 ,  1370  thereby increasing overall stability of the central regions  1352 ,  1372  of the first and second members  1350 ,  1370 , as compared with the smaller and more concentrated area of contact between the contacting surfaces of the pairs of projections  358 ,  378  of the first and second bearing members  350 ,  370  of the first bearing apparatus  200 . 
     The first projection  1358  of the first bearing member  1350  advantageously further includes an interfitting alignment structure  1369  ( FIGS. 23 and 24 ) that engages a mating alignment structure  1389  ( FIGS. 22A and 22B ) of the second projection  1378  of the second bearing member  1370 . The interfitting alignment structures  1369 ,  1389  facilitate alignment of the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370  and provides additional strength and stability to the coupling of the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370  and thereby enhances the support of the torque tube beam  150  by the torque tube beam slot  1306 . This is in addition to the stability of the beam slot  1306  provided by greater surface area of the beam slot  1306  (by virtue of the first and second projections  1358 ,  1378 , as explained above) and the enhanced stability of the bearing members  1350 ,  1370  due to the axial spacing apart of the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370  (by virtue of the first and second projections  1358 ,  1378  and the first and second set of protuberances  1365 ,  1385 ), as discussed above. In one exemplary embodiment, the alignment structure  1369  of the first projection  1358  includes a first tab  1369   a  extending axially from the base  1360  on one side of the vertical center line VCL of the bearing apparatus  1200  and a first recess  1369   b  extending into the base  1360  on the opposite side and equidistant from the vertical center line VCL of the bearing apparatus  1200 . The interfitting alignment structure of the  1389  of the second projection  1378  also includes a second tab  1389   a  extending axially from the base  1380  on one side of the vertical center line VCL of the bearing apparatus  1200  and a second recess  1389   b  extending into the base  1380  on the opposite side and equidistant from the vertical center line VCL of the bearing apparatus  1200 . Upon assembly of the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370 , the first tab  1369   a  of the first projection  1358  of the first bearing member  1350  is snugly received in the second recess  1389   b  of the second projection  1378  of the second bearing member  1370  and the second tab  1389   a  of the second projection  1378  is snugly received in the first recess  1369   b  of the first projection  1358  to facilitate proper alignment of the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370  and further enhance stability of the bearing assembly  1300 . 
     As can best be seen in the exploded view of  FIGS. 22A and 22B , the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370 , in one exemplary embodiment, are secured together by three fasteners  1395  that pass through aligned openings  1396 ,  1397 ,  1398  of the central regions or portions  1352 ,  1372  of the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370 . In one exemplary embodiment, the three fasteners are conventional bolt and nut fasteners. The first opening  1396  is centered just below the lower wall  1310  of the torque tube beam slot  1306  and passes though the bases  1360 ,  1380  of the first and second projections  1358 ,  1378 . The second and third openings  1397 ,  1398  are on opposite sides of the torque tube beam slot  1306  and pass through enlarged, dog-eared upper sections  1353   b ,  1373   b  of the upper portions  1353   a ,  1373   b  of the central regions  1353 ,  1373  of the of the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370 . The hold down bracket  1390  also includes openings aligned with second and third openings  1397 ,  1398  to allow for passage of the fasteners  1395 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, with reference to  FIG. 25 , typical dimensions for the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370  are as follows: a width A of approximately 14.2 in., a height B of 7.37 in., and a radius RAD with respect the bearing assembly axis of rotation R of 7.11 in. As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , in one exemplary embodiment, the bearing assembly axis of rotation is centered with respect to the width A of the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370  and is approximately 0.24 inches above the upper surface of the torque tube  151  within the torque tube beam slot  1306 . 
     Saddle Assembly  1400   
     As best seen in  FIGS. 17-20 and 30-33 , the saddle assembly  1400  includes the lower coupling portion  1402  and the upper bearing portion  1410 . As noted above, the upper bearing portion  1410  includes the first arcuate slot  1420  and the second arcuate slot  1440 . The first arcuate slot  1420  includes the first arcuate bearing race  1422  and the second arcuate slot  1440  includes the second arcuate bearing race  1442 . The first and second arcuate bearing races  1422 ,  1442  are spaced apart as viewed in an axial direction, that is, as measured or viewed along the axis of rotation R of the rotatable bearing assembly  1300  (stated another way, spaced apart as measured in the horizontal direction X) and are centered about the axis of rotation R. The first arcuate bearing race  1422  slidably supports the first arcuate rim bearing  1322  of the rotatable bearing assembly  1300  and the second arcuate bearing race  1442  slidably supports the second arcuate rim bearing  1342  of the rotatable bearing assembly  1300  such that the arcuate or pivoting movement of the rotatable bearing assembly  1300  is centered about the axis of rotation R. The upper bearing portion  1410  is similar in function and structure to the upper bearing portion  410  of the saddle assembly  400  of the first embodiment. 
     The saddle assembly  1400 , in one exemplary embodiment, like the bearing assembly  1300 , is a two piece assembly comprising the first saddle member  1450  and the second saddle member  1470  which are identical and symmetric about the central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  1200 . As best seen in  FIGS. 28-33 , the first saddle member  1450  includes an upper bearing region  1465  and a lower support region  1452  that is coupled to and supports the upper bearing region  1465 . The lower support region  1452  of the first saddle member  1450  includes a downwardly or vertically extending plate  1453  and an orthogonally extending flange  1454  extending from a lower end region of the plate  1453 . The plate  1453  includes a generally planar first surface  1453   a  facing in the direction toward an aligned lower support region  1472  of the second saddle member  1470 . The plate  1453  includes a boss  1455  defining an opening  1456  extending through the plate  1453 . The second saddle member  1470  similarly includes an upper bearing region  1485  and a lower support region  1472  that is coupled to and supports the upper bearing region  1475 . The respective upper bearing regions  1465 ,  1485  of the first and second saddle members comprise the upper bearing portion  1410  of the saddle assembly  1400 . The respective lower support regions  1452 ,  1472  comprise the lower couple portion  1402  of the saddle assembly  1400 . The lower support region  1472  of the second saddle member  1470  includes a downwardly or vertically extending plate  1473  and an orthogonally extending flange  1474  extending from a lower end region of the plate  1473 . The plate  1473  includes a generally planar second surface  1473   a  facing in the direction toward the aligned plate  1453  of the lower support region  1452  of the first saddle member  1450 . The plate  1473  includes a boss  1475  defining an opening  1476  extending through the plate  1473 . A fastener  1492 , such as a conventional bolt and nut fastener, pass through the aligned openings  1456 ,  1476  to secure the first and second saddle members  1450 ,  1470  together. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 28 and 29 , the planar first surface  1453   a  of the plate  1453  of the first saddle member  1450  further includes a first projection  1458  that extends axially from the planar first surface  1453   a  in the horizontal direction X toward the planar second surface  1473   a  of the second saddle member  1470 . That is, the first projections  1458  extends axially from the first surface  1453   a  in a direction toward the central vertical plane CVP of the bearing apparatus  1200 . In one exemplary embodiment, the first projection  1458  comprises a pair of spaced apart projections  1458   a ,  1458   b  that are mirror images (that is, each projection of the pair of projections  1458   a ,  1458   b  is symmetric with respect to a vertical plane passing through the bearing assembly axis of rotation R) and, each of the pair of projections  1458   a ,  1458   b  are angled forming an inverted number  7  with a horizontal base and an upwardly angled leg extending from the base. The planar second surface  1473   a  of the plate  1473  of the second saddle member  1470  similarly includes a second projection  1478  that extends axially from the planar second surface  1473   a  in the horizontal direction X toward the planar first surface  1453   a . That is, the second projection  1478  extends axially from the second surface  1473   a  in a direction toward the central vertical plane CVP of the bearing apparatus  1200 . In one exemplary embodiment, the second projection  1478  comprises a pair of spaced apart projections  1478   a ,  1478   b  that, like the first pair of projections  1458   a ,  1458   b , are mirror images or symmetric and each of the pair of spaced apart projections  1478   a ,  1478   b  is angled forming an inverted number  7  with a horizontal base and an upwardly angled leg extending from the base. Facing surfaces  1459 ,  1479  of the first and second projections  1458 ,  1479  of the first and second saddle members  1450 ,  1470  engage and contact to axially space apart the first and second surfaces  1453   a ,  1473   a  and thereby axially space apart the lower support regions  1452 ,  1472  of the first and second saddle members  1450 ,  1470 . Each of the first and second surfaces  1453   a ,  1473   a  are spaced equidistant from the central vertical plane CVP of the solar tracking bearing apparatus  1200 . Advantageously, in one exemplary embodiment, an axial extent of the first projection  1458  and the second projection  1478  extend from the respective plate surfaces  1453   a ,  1473   a  of the first and second saddle member  1450 ,  1470 , as measured in the direction X parallel to the bearing assembly axis of rotation R, are each approximately 0.09 in., thereby spacing the respective plate surfaces  1453   a ,  1473   a  of the first and second saddle members  1350 ,  1370  by approximately 0.18 in., which matches the axial spacing of the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370 . Axially spacing the plate surfaces  1453   a ,  1473   a  of the first and second saddle members also advantageously increases the axial distance between the first and second arcuate bearing races  1422 ,  1442  of the upper bearing portion  1410  of the saddle assembly  1400 . 
     Additionally, the first projection  1458  of the first saddle member  1450  advantageously further includes an interfitting alignment structure  1460  that engages a mating alignment structure  1480  of the second projection  1478  of the second saddle member  1470  to facilitate alignment of the first and second saddle members  1450 ,  1470 . In one exemplary embodiment, the alignment structure  1460  of the first projection  1458  includes a first tab  1460   a  extending axially from one projection  1458   a  of the pair of projections  1458   a ,  1458   b  of the first projection  1458  on one side of the vertical center line VCL of the bearing apparatus  1200  and a first recess  1460   b  extending into the other projection  1458   b  of the pair of projections  1458   a ,  1458   b  of the first projection  1458  on the opposite side and equidistant from the vertical center line VCL of the bearing apparatus  1200 . The interfitting alignment structure of the  1480  of the second projection  1478  also includes a second tab  1480   a  extending axially from one projection  1478   a  of the pair of projections  1478   a ,  1478   b  of the second projection  1478  on one side of the vertical center line VCL of the bearing apparatus  1200  and a second recess  1480   b  extending into the other projection  1478   b  of the pair of projections  1478   a ,  1478   b  of the second projection  1478  on the opposite side and equidistant from the vertical center line VCL of the bearing apparatus  1200 . 
     Upon assembly of the first and second saddle members  1450 ,  1470 , the first tab  1460   a  of the first projection  1458  of the first saddle member  1450  is snugly received in the second recess  1480   b  of the second projection  1478  of the second saddle member  1470  and the second tab  1480   a  of the second projection  1478  is snugly received in the first recess  1460   b  of the first projection  1458  to facilitate proper alignment of the first and second saddle members  1450 ,  1470  and further enhance stability of the bearing assembly  1300 . The horizontal flange  1454  of the first bearing member  1450  includes a pair of slotted  1462  and the horizontal flange  1470  of the second bearing member  1470  includes a pair of slotted openings  1482  for affixing the first and second saddle members  1450 ,  1450  and thereby the saddle assembly  1400  and the bearing assembly  1300  to the post cap  1540  of the connecting assembly  1500  via four fasteners  1489 . In one exemplary embodiment, the four fasteners  1489  are, such as a conventional bolt and nut fasteners. 
     Connecting Assembly  1500   
     As best seen in  FIGS. 17-22A and 34 , the connecting assembly  1500  functions to couple the lower coupling portion  1402  of the saddle assembly  1400  of the solar tracker bearing apparatus  1200  to the upper mounting portion  172  of the upright support post  170 . Since the upper bearing portion  1410  of the saddle assembly  1400  rotatably supports the bearing assembly  1300 , securing the lower coupling portion  1402  of the saddle assembly  1400  effectively couples both the saddle assembly  1400  and the bearing assembly  1300  to the support post  170 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the connecting assembly  1500  includes a post cap  1540  which is affixed to the upper mounting portion  172  of the support post  150 . The post cap  1540  is generally U-shaped and includes a horizontal top wall  1542  and a pair of vertically extending, opposing side walls  1550 ,  1552 . As best seen in  FIGS. 22A and 34 , the horizontal upper wall  1542  of the post cap  540  includes an aligned array of four concentric arcuate openings or slots  1558 . The array of four arcuate slots  558  are generally centered about a vertical center line though the horizontal upper wall  1542  of the post cap  540 . Each of the side walls  1550 ,  1552  includes a horizontal slot or opening  1556 . The upper mounting portion  172  of the support post  150  includes a pair of opposing side walls  174 ,  175  each of the side walls  174  having a pair of vertically oriented slots or openings  176 ,  177 . 
     Four fasteners  1560  of the connecting assembly  1500  extend vertically through slotted openings  1462 ,  1482  in flanges  1454 ,  1474  in the of the lower support regions  1452 ,  1472  of the first and second saddle members  1450 ,  1470  and extend through the array of four concentric arcuate slots  1558  of the horizontal upper wall  1542  of the post cap  540  to secure the saddle assembly  1400  to the post cap  1540 . Four fasteners  1559  of the connecting assembly  1500  secure the post cap  1540  to the upper mounting portion  172  of the support post  150 . Specifically, in one exemplary embodiment, two of the four fasteners  1559  extend horizontally through the horizontal slot  1556  of the side wall  1550  of the post cap  1540  and extend through respective vertical slots  176  in the side wall  174  of the upper mounting portion  172  of the support post  150 . Two remaining two fasteners of the four fasteners  1559  extend horizontally though the horizontal slot  1557  of the side wall  1552  of the post cap  1540  and extend through respective vertical slots  177  in the other side wall  175  of the upper mounting portion  172  of the support post  150 . The four fasteners  1559  thereby secure the post cap  1540  to the upper mounting portion  172  of the support post  150 . 
     The combination of the array of four arcuate slots  1558  of the horizontal upper wall  1542  of the post cap  1540 , the two horizontally extending arcuate slots  1556 ,  1557  of the vertical side walls  1550 ,  1552  of the post cap  1540 , the two pairs of vertical slots  176 ,  177  in the opposing side walls  174 ,  175  of the mounting portion  172  of the support post  170  advantageously allow for: a) limited rotational adjustability of the saddle assembly  1400  and the rotational bearing assembly  1300  with respect to the post cap  1540  to account for the post twist condition (as previously discussed); and b) limited linear adjustability of the saddle assembly  1400  and rotational bearing assembly  1300  in the Y horizontal direction (orthogonal to the axis of rotation R) to account for Y direction misalignment condition (as previously discussed); and c) limited linear adjustability in the vertical direction V and limited tilting of the saddle assembly  1400  and the rotational bearing assembly  1300  with respect to the central vertical axis PCVA of the support post  150  accounts for post tilt condition (as previously discussed). Advantageously, the connecting assembly  1500 , along with the lower coupling portion  1402  of the saddle assembly  1400 , provide the necessary degrees of freedom or degrees of adjustability to account for post twist, Y direction misalignment, and post tilt conditions, as discussed with respect to the connecting structure  500  of the bearing apparatus  200  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370  of the rotatable bearing assembly  1300  and the first and second saddle members  1450 ,  1470  of the saddle assembly  1400  are fabricated of cast aluminum. The first and second bearing members  1350 ,  1370  and first and second saddle members  1450 ,  1470  could also be made of other materials having similar characteristics or properties including but not limited to cast steel, machined aluminum, machined steel and molded polymer. In one exemplary embodiment, the components of the connecting assembly  1500  are made of steel, but could also be made of aluminum or a polymer or filled or reinforced polymer. 
     As used herein, terms of orientation and/or direction such as upward, downward, forward, rearward, upper, lower, inward, outward, inwardly, outwardly, horizontal, horizontally, vertical, vertically, distal, proximal, axially, radially, etc., are provided for convenience purposes and relate generally to the orientation shown in the Figures and/or discussed in the Detailed Description. Such orientation/direction terms are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, this application and the invention or inventions described therein, or the claims appended hereto. 
     What have been described above are examples of the present disclosure/invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components, assemblies, or methodologies for purposes of describing the present disclosure/invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present disclosure/invention are possible. Accordingly, the present disclosure/invention is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.