Patent ID: 7836879

Claim:
A solar tracker drive system for rotatably driving one or more solar objects, said system comprising: a torque element mounted for rotation about an axis, wherein said torque element can support the one or more solar objects for rotation therewith about said axis; a lever arm connected with said torque element, said lever arm being movable to rotate said torque element; a movable drive member that is drivable by a drive mechanism along a linear path in a linear movement of the drive member; a dynamic coupler coupling the linear movement of said drive member with said lever arm such that said lever arm is drivable by said the linear movement of drive member to rotate said torque element; wherein said one or more solar objects form a first set of one or more solar objects, and said system further comprises: a second torque element mounted for rotation about a second axis parallel to the first-mentioned axis, wherein said second torque element supports a second set of one or more solar objects for rotation therewith; a second lever arm connected with said second torque element, said second lever arm being movable to rotate said second torque element; and a second dynamic coupler coupling said drive member with said second lever arm, such that said second lever arm is drivable by said drive member to rotate said second torque element; a drive mechanism operable to drive said drive member into driving engagement with said lever arms; first and second foundations, whereby the first set of one or more solar objects is supported on the first foundation, and the second set of one or more solar objects is supported on the second foundation; whereby said first and second foundations also support said drive mechanism; and a support beam supported on said first and second foundations, said drive mechanism being supported on said support beam such that a load exerted by said drive mechanism is transferred substantially to said first and second foundations.