Systems and methods for deploying photovoltaic modules
AssigneeMokun Solar Technology Inc.
InventorBo Zhang
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides improves systems and methods for mounting photovoltaic modules. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic array includes a first photovoltaic module having a first photovoltaic module edge including a first purlin engagement device. The photovoltaic array further includes a first purlin, and the first purlin can be removably coupled with the first purlin engagement device of the first photovoltaic module edge of the first photovoltaic module. In another embodiment, a photovoltaic module includes a first photovoltaic module edge including a first purlin engagement device. The first purlin engagement device provides a purlin aperture, and the purlin aperture is configured to receive a first lip of a first purlin.
Claims20
A photovoltaic array comprising:
- a first photovoltaic module comprising a first photovoltaic module edge including a first purlin engagement device, the first photovoltaic module having a vertical axis extending along a thickness of the first photovoltaic module and horizontal axis extending along the length of the photovoltaic module;
- and
- a first purlin;
- wherein the first purlin can be removably coupled with the first purlin engagement device of the first photovoltaic module edge of the first photovoltaic module;
- wherein the first purlin engagement device is removably coupled with the first purlin by slidably engaging a first lip of the first purlin with a first purlin aperture of the first purlin engagement device;
- wherein a long axis of the first lip of the first purlin is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis of the photovoltaic module edge;
- wherein the first purlin aperture of the first purlin engagement device has a total surface area and a majority of the total surface area of the first purlin aperture is in contact with the first lip of the first purlin;
- wherein a mid tongue and a bottom tongue of the first purlin engagement device comprise tips that are slated at opposite angles providing the first purlin aperture;
- and
- wherein the mid tongue is not locally thickened at its opening tip.
A method for installing a photovoltaic module comprising:
- providing a first photovoltaic module having a vertical axis extending along a thickness of the first photovoltaic module and horizontal axis extending along the length of the photovoltaic module, the first photovoltaic module comprising a first photovoltaic module edge comprising a first purlin engagement device including a first purlin aperture;
- providing a first racking system comprising a first purlin including a first lip;
- connecting the first lip of the first purlin with the first purlin aperture of the first purlin engagement device of the first photovoltaic module;
- and
- fastening the first purlin with a first purlin fastening device includes connecting the first lip of the first purlin with the first purlin aperture of the first purlin engagement device of the first photovoltaic module;
- wherein a long axis of the first lip of the first purlin is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis of the photovoltaic module edge;
- wherein the first purlin aperture of the first purlin engagement device has a total surface area and a majority of the total surface area of the first purlin aperture is in contact with the first lip of the first purlin;
- wherein a mid tongue and a bottom tongue of the first purlin engagement device comprise tips that are slated at opposite angles providing the first purlin aperture;
- and
- wherein the mid tongue is not locally thickened at its opening tip.
A photovoltaic module comprising:
- a first photovoltaic module edge including a first purlin engagement device;
- wherein the photovoltaic module has a vertical axis extending along a thickness of the first photovoltaic module and horizontal axis extending along the length of the photovoltaic module,
- wherein the first purlin engagement device comprises a purlin aperture;
- wherein the purlin aperture is configured to receive a first lip of a first purlin;
- wherein the horizontal axis of the first photovoltaic module edge is substantially parallel to a long axis of the first lip of the first purlin;
- wherein the first purlin aperture of the first purlin engagement device has a total surface area and a majority of the total surface area of the first purlin aperture is in contact with the first lip of the first purlin;
- wherein a mid tongue and a bottom tongue of the first purlin engagement device comprise tips that are slated at opposite angles providing the first purlin aperture;
- and
- wherein the mid tongue is not locally thickened at its opening tip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.