Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120152326 | Discrete Attachment Point Apparatus and System for Photovoltaic Arrays - An attachment point apparatus and system for photovoltaic arrays is disclosed. One embodiment provides a rail system for receiving a PV module, including a first rail, a second rail, a substantially rectilinear double male connector adapted for coupling an end of the first rail to an end of the second rail, and a connector adapted to attach a PV module to the first rail. Another embodiment provides a PV module including a PV laminate, a frame integral with and supporting the PV laminate, and a spanner bar adapted to solely span a width of the PV module, orthogonally connect at various locations along the frame, and attach to a support structure. A further embodiment provides a coupling device for a PV module comprising a first coupling portion adapted to rotatably engage a PV module, and a second coupling portion adapted to rotatably engage a rail. | 06-21-2012 |
20120234378 | Pivot-Fit Connection Apparatus and System for Photovoltaic Arrays - An apparatus and system for quickly and easily assembling PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In some embodiments, the PV modules may have a grooved frame where the groove is angled into the frame with respect to the planar surface of the modules. Various components may engage within the angled groove to assemble the PV modules into the PV array using what may be referred to as a pivot-fit connection between the components and angled groove. Other embodiments may operate with PV modules having frames without angled grooves as by use of wraparound brackets. | 09-20-2012 |
20120266946 | Discrete Attachment Point Apparatus and System for Photovoltaic Arrays - An attachment point apparatus and system for photovoltaic arrays is disclosed. One embodiment provides a rail system for receiving a PV module, including a first rail, a second rail, a substantially rectilinear double male connector adapted for coupling an end of the first rail to an end of the second rail, and a connector adapted to attach a PV module to the first rail. Another embodiment provides a PV module including a PV laminate, a frame integral with and supporting the PV laminate, and a spanner bar adapted to solely span a width of the PV module, orthogonally connect at various locations along the frame, and attach to a support structure. A further embodiment provides a coupling device for a PV module comprising a first coupling portion adapted to rotatably engage a PV module, and a second coupling portion adapted to rotatably engage a rail. | 10-25-2012 |
20120301661 | Skirt for Photovoltaic Arrays - A skirt for photovoltaic arrays provides a screen portion, a groove portion, and a separate coupling adapted to couple the skirt to the skirt of an adjacent photovoltaic array and to a photovoltaic module. Another embodiment provides a screen portion comprising an angled louver and is adapted to partially obscure an area substantially beneath a PV module in a PV array. A further embodiment provides an edge blocking skirt for a PV array comprising a screen portion adapted for mounting a bottom of the screen portion substantially close to a roof. | 11-29-2012 |
20140026946 | Discrete Attachment Point Apparatus and System for Photovoltaic Arrays - An attachment point apparatus and system for photovoltaic arrays is disclosed as well as an installed photovoltaic array using attachment apparatus. One embodiment provides a rail for receiving a PV module, including a rail member located substantially beneath at least a portion of a second photovoltaic module and having a first end located near a gap between a first and second photovoltaic modules. An embodiment also provides a second photovoltaic module which is substantially coplanar with and located between a first and third photovoltaic modules and wherein said rail member is connected to the first, second, and third photovoltaic modules and attached to a support structure by a first and second attachment brackets. A further embodiment provides a lever clip, said lever clip comprising a head portion connecting a photovoltaic module to a rail, a lever portion extending away from a head portion, and a retaining portion near an end of a lever portion wherein the lever portion acts as a lever to rotate the head portion during installation such that the head portion secures the photovoltaic module to a frame. | 01-30-2014 |
20140130847 | PV Array Mounting for Trapezoidal Metal and Low-Slope Roofs - Components mount an array of solar panels to trapezoidal metal roofs or flat or low-slope roofs. Couplings may secure a trapezoidal metal roof mounting adapter to the peak of the trapezoidal portion of a trapezoidal metal roof, and couplings may secure additional mounting hardware to the adapter. Solar panels may connect to the rear portion of one support and the front portion of another support to achieve an angled installation to improve sun exposure. Wind diffusers may connect to solar panels to form a barrier extending from the upper-most edge of the installed solar panel downward toward the roof to impede wind. The flat and low-slope roof solution may comprise a penetration-free mechanism to install solar panels at an angle on a flat or substantially flat surface while impeding effect from wind and maintaining an electrically grounded connection between all components. | 05-15-2014 |
20140158184 | Skirt and Other Devices for Photovoltaic Arrays - A skirt and other devices for photovoltaic arrays, as well as photovoltaic arrays with a skirt(s) and/or other device(s) installed, related modules, and foothold devices and systems are herein disclosed. Various such embodiments include one or more array skirt(s), T-locks, grip(s), inside and outside corner cap(s), array trim(s), pest abatement screen(s), wire clip(s), foothold(s), groove adaptor bracket(s), magnetic skirt embodiment(s), as well as other structures and embodiments which are herein disclosed. | 06-12-2014 |
20140174511 | Photovoltaic Array Mounting Apparatus, Systems, and Methods - The invention comprises an apparatus for mounting a photovoltaic (PV) module on a surface, comprising a support with an upper surface, a lower surface, tabs, one ore more openings, and a clip comprising an arm and a notch, where the apparatus resists wind forces and seismic forces and creates a grounding electrical bond between the PV module, support, and clip. The invention further comprises a method for installing PV modules on a surface that includes arranging supports in rows along an X axis and in columns along a Y axis on a surface such that in each row the distance between two neighboring supports does not exceed the length of the longest side of a PV module and in each column the distance between two neighboring supports does not exceed the length of the shortest side of a PV module, placing a PV module upon the supports such that each corner of the frame of the PV module rests on a support, and connecting the supports to the PV module by engaging a clip to at least a portion of the frame of the PV module and to the support. The invention further comprises an apparatus for mounting a PV module on a surface, comprising a support with an upper surface, a lower surface, tabs, one or more openings, and a clip comprising an arm and a notch, and a bracket. The invention additionally comprises a method for installing a PV module on a surface that includes arranging supports in rows along an X axis and in columns along a Y axis on a surface such that in each row the distance between two neighboring supports does not exceed the length of the longest side of a PV module and in each column the distance between two neighboring supports does not exceed the length of the shortest side of a PV module, placing a PV module upon the supports such that each corner of the frame of the PV module rests on a support, connecting the supports to the PV module by engaging a clip to at least a portion of the frame of the PV module and to the support, and securing a bracket to a support and to the surface or structure. | 06-26-2014 |
20140246549 | Torque Tube Mounted Photovoltaic Apparatus, System, and Method - An interlocking system for connecting photovoltaic module frames to a torque tube, including: (a) an interlock dimensioned to be positioned between the sides of two adjacent photovoltaic module frames; (b) a pair of couplings or flanges, wherein the couplings or flanges connect the interlock to both of the adjacent photovoltaic module frames; and (c) a U-lock connected to the interlock, wherein the U-lock is dimensioned to be connected to a torque tube. | 09-04-2014 |
20140299179 | Photovoltaic Array Mounting Apparatus, Systems, and Methods - A photovoltaic array, including: (a) supports laid out on a surface in rows and columns; (b) photovoltaic modules positioned on top of the supports; and (c) fasteners connecting the photovoltaic modules to the supports, wherein the supports have an upper pedestal surface and a lower pedestal surface such that the photovoltaic modules are positioned at a non-horizontal angle when edges of the photovoltaic modules are positioned on top of the upper and lower pedestal surfaces, and wherein a portion of the fasteners rotate to lock the photovoltaic modules onto the supports. | 10-09-2014 |
20150040965 | Ground Mount Structure With Mounting Assemblies And Central Quick-Mount Rail - A solar array having three rails with the central rail having upward and downward facing pivot connectors, with top and bottom photovoltaic modules being pivot mounted onto the shared central rail such that the two photovoltaic modules are supported by three mounting rails. | 02-12-2015 |
20150075589 | Low-Slope Mounted Photovoltaic Array - A photovoltaic array mounting system for a low-slope roof having interchangeable first and second bases, with a short leg extending from the first base at a non-vertical angle and a long leg extending from the second base at a non-vertical angle, wherein the short and long legs support opposite sides of a photovoltaic module such that the module is held at a non-horizontal angle, and wherein rock-in connectors are provided on top of the short and long legs permitting fast and easy system installation. | 03-19-2015 |