US 11,689,152 B2 · Spring clip for photovoltaic module mounting

Abstract

A module mounting system may include a photovoltaic (PV) module frame including a mounting rail. The module mounting system may include a spring clip with a PV module frame interfacing element and a clip interfacing element. The spring clip may apply spring force via deformation to lock the PV module frame and a clip together. A second embodiment of the spring clip may include an upper component having one or more arms and a lower component having a central loop configured to rotate relative to each other and interface with the PV module frame or the mounting rail. A second embodiment of the module mounting system may include screwless clips including outer walls and inner walls coupled together as a continuous sheet of material. The screwless clips may couple to a respective mounting flange and a respective frame flange to lock the mounting purlin and the PV module frame together.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A module mounting system, comprising:

a mounting rail shaped to interface with a photovoltaic (PV) module frame, the mounting rail including a locking portion comprising a lock ramp disposed along a bottom surface of the mounting rail;
one or more support structures to which the mounting rail is coupled;
and
a mounting clip with a PV module frame interfacing portion and a mounting rail interfacing portion, the mounting clip shaped to apply force via deformation of the mounting clip to force the mounting rail and the PV module frame against each other and wherein the mounting rail interfacing portion is configured to engage with the locking portion, wherein the mounting rail interfacing portion comprises a central loop configured to slide over and engage with the lock ramp.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Spring clip for photovoltaic module mounting

Life of this patent

Spring clip for photovoltaic module mounting

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8