Solar module frames
AssigneeNextpower LLC
InventorsCraig Bradley Edward Wildman, Madeleine Davis Kho, Ricardo Delgado-Nanez, Ning Liu, Matheus Martins Lopes Machado, Alexander W. Au, Lincoln Duca Silva
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solar module frame coupling assembly includes a solar module frame and a rail. The solar module frame includes a frame side portion having a protruded guide structure. The rail includes a first rail side and a second rail side that is opposite the first rail side. The first rail side is configured to interface with a torque tube, and the second rail side includes an alignment slot. The alignment slot is configured to receive the protruded guide structure to couple the solar module frame to the rail.
Claims12
A solar module coupling assembly comprising:
- a solar module frame comprising a frame side portion, the frame side portion comprising a protruded guide structure and a frame coupling aperture;
- and
- a rail comprising a first guiding sidewall extending along a first longitudinal side of the rail, a second guiding sidewall extending along a second longitudinal side of the rail opposite the first longitudinal side, and a channel between the first guiding sidewall and the second guiding sidewall, each of the first and second guiding sidewall having a proximal guiding sidewall end intersecting the channel and a distal guiding sidewall end forming a free end of the respective first and second guiding sidewall, the first guiding sidewall comprising a first rail coupling aperture and a first alignment slot that extends along the first guiding sidewall from the distal guiding sidewall end, the second guiding sidewall comprising a second rail coupling aperture and a second alignment slot that extends along the second guiding sidewall from the distal guiding sidewall end, wherein each of the first guiding sidewall and the second guiding sidewall angle inward toward the channel such that the first guiding sidewall and the second guiding sidewall are spaced closer together between respective proximal guiding sidewall ends than between respective distal guiding sidewall ends,
- wherein the protruded guide structure is receivable at the first alignment slot with the frame coupling aperture aligned with the first rail coupling aperture to couple the solar module frame to the rail.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.