Support assembly for photovoltaic modules and mounting system using the same
AssigneeEcolibrium Solar, Inc.
InventorsAndrew Brian Dick, Devin Glen MacRostie
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A support assembly for supporting one or more photovoltaic modules on a support surface, such a generally flat roof, is disclosed herein. The support assembly includes a ballast tray configured to accommodate one or more ballasts; at least one tubular member coupled to the ballast tray, the at least one tubular member configured to support one or more photovoltaic modules above a support surface; and at least one clamp member coupled to the at least one tubular member. In one or more embodiments, the support assembly further includes at least one channel member coupling said at least one tubular member to said ballast tray. A mounting system including a plurality of support assemblies is also disclosed herein.
Claims17
A support assembly for supporting one or more photovoltaic modules on a support surface, said support assembly comprising:
- a pair of spaced-apart channel members, at least one of said pair of spaced-apart channel members configured to extend in a generally north-south direction of said one or more photovoltaic modules;
- a pair of spaced-apart tubular members coupled to said pair of spaced-apart channel members, each of said pair of spaced-apart tubular members configured to support one or more photovoltaic modules above a support surface, and at least one of said pair of spaced-apart tubular members configured to extend in a generally east-west direction of said one or more photovoltaic modules;
- and
- a plurality of clamp members, at least a first one of said plurality of clamp members coupled to a first one of said pair of spaced-apart tubular members, and at least a second one of said plurality of clamp members coupled to a second one of said pair of spaced-apart tubular members, each of said plurality of clamp members configured to secure a respective photovoltaic module frame of said one or more photovoltaic modules to said support assembly, and at least one of said plurality of clamp members comprising a generally horizontal landing surface for a bottom surface of a respective said photovoltaic module frame so as to facilitate the engagement of said at least one of said plurality of clamp members with said photovoltaic module frame, and said at least one of said plurality of clamp members further comprising a fastener member configured to secure said at least one of said plurality of clamp members to said photovoltaic module frame, a portion of said fastener member extending transversely below said generally horizontal landing surface.
A support assembly for supporting one or more photovoltaic modules on a support surface, said support assembly comprising:
- a ballast tray configured to accommodate one or more ballasts;
- at least one support member coupled to said ballast tray, said at least one support member configured to support one or more photovoltaic modules above a support surface;
- and
- at least one clamp member coupled to said at least one support member, said at least one clamp member including a looped portion for receiving an edge portion of a photovoltaic module frame, said at least one clamp member further including an upstanding portion configured to be disposed proximate to a side surface of said photovoltaic module frame when said at least one clamp member is engaged with said photovoltaic module frame, and said at least one clamp member additionally including a fastener member configured to secure said at least one clamp member to said photovoltaic module frame, a portion of said fastener member configured to extend underneath said photovoltaic module frame.
A mounting system for supporting a photovoltaic module on a support surface, said mounting system comprising:
- a photovoltaic module having a photovoltaic module frame;
- a ballast tray configured to accommodate one or more ballasts;
- at least one support member coupled to said ballast tray, said at least one support member configured to support said photovoltaic module above a support surface;
- and
- at least one clamp member coupled to said at least one support member, said at least one clamp member including a looped portion receiving an edge portion of said photovoltaic module frame, said at least one clamp member further including a generally horizontal landing surface for a bottom surface of said photovoltaic module frame so as to facilitate the engagement of said at least one clamp member with said photovoltaic module frame, and said at least one clamp member further comprising a fastener member securing said at least one clamp member to said photovoltaic module frame, a portion of said fastener member extending transversely below said generally horizontal landing surface and underneath said photovoltaic module frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.