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US 11,223,318 B2Granted
Integrated external connectors
AssigneeSunPower Corporation
InventorLee J. Gorny
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Connectors, systems with connectors and processes with connectors are described. These include how connectors can actively hold external portions of two frames or other components together during transport and before final installation, as well as, how the connectors can be repositionable on the frame or other component so as to provide a mechanical connection in one position and not to provide a mechanical connection when moved into a second position. The connectors can also function to provide spacing or alignment or both between frames or other components grouped together using the connectors.
Claims21
A connector system comprising:
- a first photovoltaic module having a first frame rail;
- a second photovoltaic module having a second frame rail;
- and
- a first external connector, the first external connector comprising a first arm terminating in an anchor, a second arm connected to and extending away from the first arm, and a tail extending in a normal direction away from the first arm,
- wherein the first external connector is coupled to the first photovoltaic module for transport of the first photovoltaic module with the second photovoltaic module and is coupled to the second photovoltaic module for transport of the second photovoltaic module with the first photovoltaic module,
- wherein the first photovoltaic module is coupled to the second photovoltaic module in a stacked orientation,
- wherein the first external connector restrains movement of the first photovoltaic module in at least one direction, and
- wherein the first external connector restrains movement of the second photovoltaic module in at least one direction.
5 more elements
A frame and integrated external connector system comprising:
- a plurality of integrated external connectors (IECs);
- and
- at least two photovoltaic (PV) frames, each of the PV frames having an external rail on at least one side, the external rail having a cross-sectional shape with at least one perpendicular angle,
- wherein the IECs comprise a first arm terminating in an anchor;
- a second arm;
- a hinge positioned between the first arm and the second arm;
- and a tail extending from the hinge, wherein the first arm, the second arm, and the tail comprise an extruded material.
4 more elements
An extruded connector comprising:
- a pair of arms, a first arm of the pair extending in a first direction, a second arm of the pair extending in a second direction, the pair coupled to a body portion, the body portion including a third arm, the third arm extending from the body portion,
- the first arm comprising a deformable section, the deformable section extending behind a first exposed surface of the first arm, the second arm terminating in a hook the hook comprising one or more hollows,
- wherein the hook, pair of arms, body portion, and third arm comprise an extruded material.
A connector system comprising:
- a first photovoltaic module having a first frame rail;
- a second photovoltaic module having a second frame rail;
- and
- a first external connector, the first external connector comprising a first arm terminating in an anchor, a second arm connected to and extending away from the first arm, and a tail extending in a normal direction away from the first arm,
- wherein the first external connector is coupled to the first photovoltaic module and is coupled to the second photovoltaic module,
- wherein the first external connector restrains movement of the first photovoltaic module in opposing lateral directions,
- wherein the first external connector restrains movement of the second photovoltaic module in at least one direction, and
- wherein the anchor comprises a hollow.
5 more elements
A connector system comprising:
- a first photovoltaic module having a first frame rail;
- a second photovoltaic module having a second frame rail;
- and
- a first external connector, the first external connector comprising a first arm terminating in an anchor, a second arm connected to and extending away from the first arm, and a tail extending in a normal direction away from the first arm,
- wherein the first external connector is coupled to the first photovoltaic module and is coupled to the second photovoltaic module,
- wherein the first external connector restrains movement of the first photovoltaic module in opposing lateral directions,
- wherein the first external connector restrains movement of the second photovoltaic module in at least one direction, and
- wherein the first arm and the second arm are connected at a hinge.
5 more elements
A polymeric PV module transport connector comprising:
- a pair of arms, a first arm of the pair extending in a first direction, a second arm of the pair extending in a second direction, the pair coupled to a body portion, the body portion including a third arm, the third arm extending from the body portion,
- the first arm comprising a deformable section, the deformable section extending behind a first exposed surface of the first arm, the second arm terminating in a hook,
- wherein the hook, pair of arms, body portion, and third arm comprise a polymeric material,
- wherein the first arm is configured to couple with a portion of a first photovoltaic module and the second arm is configured to couple with a portion of a second photovoltaic module when the first photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module are positioned in a stacked orientation for transportation.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.