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US 2014/0102996 A1Published application
Structure following roof mounted photovoltaic system
AssigneeSunLink Corporation
InventorTodd Pelman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adjustable photovoltaic panel mounting system that allows for variations in roofs and roof elements, while still maintaining a rigid and secure assembly. The specific location for supporting feet and structural elements of the mounting system may be varied to allow for variations in roof features and different panel configurations. The mounting mechanisms are adjustable in both a North/South and a East/West direction to provide for maximum layout flexibility.
Claims26
A photovoltaic panel mounting system comprising:
- a panel assembly comprising:
- at least one photovoltaic panel;
- a first spar connected to a first edge of the panel;
- and
- a second spar connected to a second edge of the panel;
- wherein each spar comprises a slot along a length of the spar;
- a mourning sub-structure comprising:
- a plurality of feet assemblies;
- and
- a plurality of longitudinal beams, each longitudinal beam connecting at least two feet together in a column, the feet assemblies and longitudinal beams forming at least two separate columns;
- wherein each longitudinal beam comprises a slot along a length of the longitudinal beam;
- a plurality of yokes comprising:
- a bottom channel, the bottom channel configured to slide along a longitudinal beam in a first direction, but grasp and hold the longitudinal beam in a second direction;
- a plurality of pivot blocks connected to the first spar to connect the first edge of the panel assembly to corresponding yokes on the longitudinal beams, the pivot blocks formed to slide along the slot in a spar in order to align the pivot block to a corresponding yoke on a longitudinal beam;
- and
- a plurality of angle struts connected to the second spar to connect the second edge of the panel assembly to corresponding yokes on the longitudinal beams, each angle strut connecting to the second spar with a sliding attachment mechanism.
13 more elements
A photovoltaic panel mounting system comprising:
- a plurality of panel assemblies, each panel assembly comprising:
- a plurality of photovoltaic panels;
- a first spar connected to a first edge of each panel;
- and
- a second spar connected to a second edge of each panel;
- wherein each spar comprises a t-slot along a length of the spar;
- a mounting sub-structure comprising:
- a plurality of feet assemblies;
- and
- a plurality of longitudinal beams, each longitudinal beam connecting at least two feet together in a column, the feet assemblies and longitudinal beams forming at least two separate columns;
- wherein each longitudinal beam comprises a t-slot along a length of the longitudinal beam;
- a plurality of yokes comprising:
- a bottom channel, the bottom channel configured to slide along a longitudinal beam in a first direction, but grasp and hold the longitudinal beam in a second direction;
- and
- a t-bolt to secure the yoke to the longitudinal beam, a head of the t-bolt sliding in the t-slot of a longitudinal beam;
- a plurality of pivot blocks connected to the t-slot in the first spar with a t-bolt, in order to connect the first edge of the panel assembly to corresponding yokes on the longitudinal beams, the pivot blocks formed to slide along the slot in a spar in order to align the pivot block to a corresponding yoke on a longitudinal beam;
- and
- a plurality of angle struts connected to the t-slot in the second spar with a t-bolt, each angle strut connects the second edge of the panel assembly to corresponding yokes on the longitudinal beams.
15 more elements
A photovoltaic panel mounting system comprising:
- a plurality of longitudinal beams arranged in columns, each longitudinal beam having a top slot;
- a plurality of foot assemblies connected to the longitudinal beams, each foot assembly connected to two longitudinal beams in a column, wherein each foot assembly has mounting slots to align with mounting holes in each longitudinal beam such that the mounting slots provide for variances in a mounting surface;
- and
- a plurality of yokes attached to the top slots in the longitudinal beams.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.