Leading edge units device and methods
AssigneeErthos, Inc.
InventorsJames Scott Tyler, Michael Gladkin, William T Hammack
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Leading-edge units for a PV array comprising fastener or component holes for anchoring the array bonding the array and protecting array cabling. The leading-edge units provide a favorable aerodynamic shape to help deflect incoming wind, the channel rainwater and to protect the edge of the array. Methods having steps of placing modules contacting native topography or a smoothed or substantially flat portion of the ground in an array and holding the array together and down are also disclosed.
Claims5
A utility-scale PV array comprising:
- several PV modules on or contacting native topography or a smoothed or substantially flat portion of the ground in an array;
- 1 to 100 PV modules;
- a maximum of 30 corner leading-edge units;
- and
- a perimeter leading edge that comprises a leading-edge unit adapted to direct wind and water across the array;
- wherein the leading-edge unit comprises an upper side, a horizontal portion, and an angled portion;
- wherein the leading-edge unit further comprises a module alignment hole and a bonding hole;
- wherein a connecting cable passes through the module alignment hole and the 1 to 100 PV modules;
- and
- wherein the perimeter leading edge comprises more than one leading-edge unit.
A utility-scale PV array comprising several PV modules on or contacting native topography or a smoothed or substantially flat portion of the ground in an array and a perimeter leading edge that comprises a leading-edge unit adapted to direct wind and water across the array
- wherein
- the perimeter leading edge comprises more than one leading-edge unit
- the leading-edge unit comprises a thick flange;
- a front edge;
- a vertical wall;
- an inclined surface;
- and a back edge
- the leading-edge unit comprises a capped leading-edge base and a cap,
- the cap comprises a tongue,
- the capped leading-edge base comprises a longitudinal slot,
- and
- the tongue is disposed in the slot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.