# US 10,312,855 B2 · Bracket mount for securing micro-inverters and power optimizers to solar panel arrays > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,312,855 B2 - Document ID: US10312855B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/610,403 - Filed: 2017-05-31 - Published: 2017-11-30 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-05-31 - Assignees: IronRidge, Inc. - Applicants: Ironridge, Inc. - Inventors: Bryan Lester; William Pereira; Shawn Meine - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10312855B2 ## CPC - H02S 40/34: comprising specially adapted electrical connection means to be structurally associated with the PV module, e.g. junction boxes - G05F 1/67: to the maximum power available from a generator, e.g. from solar cell - H02M 7/003: {Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections} - H02S 30/00: Structural details of PV modules other than those related to light conversion (semiconductor device aspects of modules of electrolytic light sensitive devices H01G9/20, of inorganic PV modules H10F10/00, H10F19/00, of organic PV modules H10K30/00) - H02S 40/32: comprising DC/AC inverter means associated with the PV module itself, e.g. AC modules - F16B 3/00: Key-type connections; Keys (F16B2/00 takes precedence; for rods or tubes mutually F16B7/00) - F16B 5/0642: {the plates being arranged one on top of the other and in full close contact with each other} - F16B 2200/93: Fastener comprising feature for establishing a good electrical connection, e.g. electrostatic discharge or insulation feature - Y02B 10/10: Photovoltaic [PV] - Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy - H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00) - G05F: SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract In various representative aspects, an assembly for connecting and electrically bonding electronic equipment to solar panel frames is provided. More specifically, the present invention relates generally to an assembly for securing and installing micro inverter and power optimizer units for use with solar panel arrays that are typically installed on roof structures. The assembly comprises a bracket assembly that couples micro invertors and power optimizers to solar panel frames. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bracket mount assembly for securing and electrically coupling an electrical panel to a solar panel frame comprising: a) a flange, the flange comprising: i) a threaded aperture extending from a bottom surface to a top surface of the flange; ii) a raised portion disposed on the bottom surface around the threaded aperture for penetrating a surface oxidation layer on a first metal object; iii) a series of grips disposed on the bottom surface opposite to the threaded aperture, the series of grips shaped to grip the bracket mount assembly to the solar panel frame; b) a bolt, the bolt comprising: i) a head comprising at least one serration on a bottom surface of the head for penetrating a surface oxidation layer on a second metal object; ii) a threaded shaft that extends perpendicular from the bottom surface of the head and is coupled to the flange through the aperture; and c) an electrically conductive mounting bracket having an aperture for receiving the threaded shaft, the electrically conductive mounting bracket configured to couple the electrical panel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 further comprising the electrical panel, wherein the electrical panel is a power optimizer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 further comprising the electrical panel, wherein the electrical panel is a micro inverter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 wherein the flange is elongated oval-shaped. ### Claim 5 A bracket mount assembly for securing and electrically coupling an electrical panel to a solar panel frame comprising: a) a flange, the flange comprising: i) a threaded aperture extending from a bottom surface to a top surface of the flange; ii) a raised portion disposed on the bottom surface around the threaded aperture for penetrating a surface oxidation layer on a first metal object; iii) a series of grips disposed on the bottom surface opposite to the threaded aperture, the series of grips shaped to grip the bracket mount assembly to the solar panel frame; b) a bolt, the bolt comprising: i) a head comprising at least one serration on a bottom surface of the head for penetrating a surface oxidation layer on a second metal object; ii) a threaded shaft that extends perpendicular from the bottom surface of the head and is coupled to the flange through the aperture; c) an electrically conductive mounting bracket having an aperture for receiving the threaded shaft, the electrically conductive mounting bracket configured to couple the electrical panel; and d) a support bracket, the support bracket further comprising: i) an opening for receiving the threaded shaft of the bolt such that the support bracket is positioned between the flange and the bolt. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The assembly of claim 5 further comprising the electrical panel, wherein the electrical panel is a power optimizer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 further comprising the electrical panel, wherein the electrical panel is a micro inverter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The assembly of claim 5 wherein the flange is elongated oval-shaped. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The assembly of claim 5 wherein the support bracket is an L-shaped support bracket. ### Claim 10 A method of securing and electrically coupling an electrical panel to a solar panel frame comprising the steps of: a) coupling an electrically conductive mounting bracket to a bracket mount assembly such that the bracket mount assembly comprises: i) a flange, the flange comprising; (1) a threaded aperture extending from a bottom surface to a top surface of the flange; (2) a raised portion disposed on the bottom surface around the threaded aperture; (3) a series of grips disposed on the bottom surface opposite to the threaded aperture, the series of grips shaped to grip the bracket mount assembly to the solar panel frame; ii) a bolt, the bolt comprising: (1) a head comprising at least one serration on a bottom surface of the head; (2) a threaded shaft that extends perpendicular from the bottom surface of the head and is coupled to the flange through the aperture; the electrically conductive mounting bracket is configured to couple the electrical panel; b) clamping a lip of the solar panel frame between the bottom surface of the flange and a top surface of the electrically conductive bracket; and c) rotating the bolt until the electrically conductive mounting bracket is: i) secured to the lip of the solar panel frame; ii) the serration of the head penetrates a surface oxidation layer of the electrically conductive bracket; and iii) the raised portion penetrates a surface oxidation layer of the lip of the solar panel frame. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of coupling a support bracket between the lip of the solar panel frame and the head of the bolt. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein the aperture of the flange is positioned in the middle of the flange. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein the flange is elongated oval-shaped. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the support bracket is an L-shaped support bracket.