Low-profile backrail module clamp
AssigneeArray Tech, Inc.
InventorsLucas Creasy, Nathan Schuknecht, Benjamin C. De Fresart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of forming a module clamp of a photovoltaic module support structure may include cutting a folding pattern into a sheet of metal. The folding pattern may include one or more width-wise slits relative to the sheet of metal, one or more length-wise slits relative to the sheet of metal, and a hole. The method may include stamping one or more first features onto the sheet of metal to form a stamped sheet and folding the stamped sheet along the one or more width-wise slits and the one or more length-wise slits to form a preliminary module clamp. The method may include stamping one or more second features onto the preliminary module clamp to form the module clamp.
Claims8
A method of forming a module clamp of a photovoltaic module support structure, the method comprising:
- cutting a folding pattern into a sheet of metal, the folding pattern including one or more width-wise slits relative to the sheet of metal, one or more length-wise slits relative to the sheet of metal, and a hole;
- stamping a first jog feature and a second jog feature onto the sheet of metal with the folding pattern to form a stamped sheet;
- and
- folding the sheet along a line extending parallel to the one or more length-wise slits and at ends of the one or more width-wise slits to form a U-shaped module clamp having a first wall, a second wall, a base surface a first tab, and a second tab, wherein:
- the hole is defined by the base surface,
- the first jog feature is in the first wall,
- the second jog feature is in the second wall,
- the first tab extends below the first wall and is shaped to interface, at least in part, with a torque tube, and
- the second tab extends below the second wall and is shaped to interface, at least in part, with the torque tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.