Clamping assembly for mounting solar panel modules
AssigneeUnirac, Inc.
InventorsSindhu Madhavi Gopalam, Sai Vamsi Behara, Sai Nihar Yadav Godha
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A clamp assembly for securing a solar panel module includes a base that secures to an attachment of a solar module mounting system. The base is connected to a clamp component through a vertical component that enables vertical adjustment of the clamp component relative to the base. The clamp component includes a bottom clamp and a top clamp that connect through a threaded connector and a spring to enable adjustment of a thickness to accommodate a range of solar panel modules. The top clamp further includes a connection interface for receiving a trim component that moves with positioning of the top clamp relative to the bottom clamp and the base.
Claims20
A mounting system for mounting a solar panel module, the mounting system comprising:
- an attachment including a connection interface extending along a length of the attachment;
- a base configured to connect to the connection interface;
- a vertical support coupled to the base;
- a top clamp positionable along a height of the vertical support, the top clamp including first alignment features, the top clamp and bottom clamp configured to releasably secure an edge of the solar panel module;
- a bottom clamp connected to and positionable along a height of the vertical support and including second alignment features;
- and
- a compression spring positioned between the bottom clamp and the top clamp, the compression spring configured to apply a force in a first direction and having a body extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and wherein the first alignment features and the second alignment features maintain the compression spring in an orientation.
A mounting system for mounting a solar panel module, comprising:
- a plurality of attachments;
- and
- a plurality of clamp assemblies attached to the plurality of attachments, wherein a clamp assembly of the plurality of clamp assemblies includes:
- a base configured to connect one of the plurality of attachments;
- a vertical support coupled to the base;
- a bottom clamp connected to and positionable along a height of the vertical support;
- a top clamp positionable relative to the bottom clamp along a direction parallel with the height of the vertical support, the top clamp and bottom clamp configured to releasably secure an edge of the solar panel module adjacent a first side of the clamp assembly, the top clamp including a trim connection interface configured to receive a connection component;
- and
- a spring configured to bias positioning of the top clamp relative to the bottom clamp.
A method of mounting a solar panel module to a structure via a clamp assembly, the clamp assembly comprising:
- a base;
- a vertical support coupled to the base;
- a bottom clamp connected to and positionable along a height of the vertical support;
- a top clamp positionable relative to the bottom clamp along a direction parallel with the height of the vertical support, the top clamp and bottom clamp configured to releasably secure an edge of the solar panel module adjacent a first side of the clamp assembly;
- and
- a spring configured to bias positioning of the top clamp relative to the bottom clamp, the method comprising:
- connecting the base to an attachment connected to the structure;
- placing a frame of the solar panel module on the bottom clamp adjacent a first side of the clamp assembly;
- and
- securing the top clamp against the frame of the solar panel module by positioning the top clamp relative to the bottom clamp;
- and
- connecting a trim component to the top clamp through a trim interface, the trim component positioned adjacent a second side of the clamp assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.