# US 2014/0196386 A1 · Universal non-penetrating roof solar panel mounting system

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- Number: US 2014/0196386 A1
- Document ID: US20140196386A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/743,704
- Filed: 2013-01-17
- Published: 2014-07-17
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-17
- Assignees: Olympic Energy Systems, Inc.
- Inventors: Jonathan A. Clemens
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196386A1

## CPC

- H02S 20/20: Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object (H02S20/30 takes precedence)
- F24S 25/33: forming substantially planar assemblies, e.g. of coplanar or stacked profiles
- F24S 25/50: comprising elongate non-rigid elements, e.g. straps, wires or ropes
- F24S 25/61: for fixing to the ground or to building structures
- H02S 20/23: specially adapted for roof structures
- Y02B 10/10: Photovoltaic [PV]
- Y02B 10/20: Solar thermal
- Y02E 10/47: Mountings or tracking
- Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00)
- F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00)
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A roof-based system for suspending photovoltaic modules, such as solar panels, relative to a roof surface without penetration of the roof surface. Cables under tension span the roof surface, with opposed ends of the cables securely mounted to generally C-shaped cable arm assemblies that wrap around the roof edge for connection via pivot joint assemblies to the underside of an overhanging eave, the immediate side wall of the structure below the roof, or directly to roof edge fascia. The system is completely contained to the roof area with no penetration of any parts through the roof surface. Vertical and horizontal rails set upon the roof surface, but not attached to the roof surface, support the weight of the photovoltaic modules attached thereto, while the cables, under tension, hold down the rails in position relative to the roof surface.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system to suspend one or more photovoltaic modules relative to a surface, said surface comprising a left edge and a right edge, said system comprising:
a first cable generally parallel to and spaced from a second cable, each of said cables comprising a left end and a right end;
a first, second, third and fourth generally C-shaped cable arm, each of said cable arms having a base margin and a top margin;
a first, second, third and fourth pivot joint assembly, each of said pivot joint assemblies comprising a plurality of mounting bolts, end keeper clips, a central mid keeper clip, a pair of opposed cross braces, a uni-strut base, and nuts;
a cable arm assembly, said assembly comprising the cable arm, the pivot joint assembly, a cable arm pad, a pull eye bolt and a pull eye nut;
the left end of the first cable attached to the top margin of the first cable arm;
the right end of the first cable attached to the top margin of the second cable arm;
the left end of the second cable attached to the top margin of the third cable arm;
the right end of the second cable attached to the top margin of the fourth cable arm;
the base margin of the first cable arm spaced from the surface and secured proximate to the left edge of the surface by the first pivot joint assembly;
the base margin of the second cable arm spaced from the surface and secured proximate to the right edge of the surface by the second pivot joint assembly;
the base margin of the third cable arm spaced from the surface and secured proximate to the left edge of the surface by the third pivot joint assembly;
the base margin of the fourth cable arm spaced from the surface and secured proximate to the right edge of the surface by the fourth pivot joint assembly;
a lift tensioner assembly in cooperative association with each cable, said lift tensioner assembly comprising a lift box, a pull eye bolt, a pull eye nut, a lift box bolt and a spring nut;
a vertical rail generally perpendicular to and spanning the first and second cables;
at least two spaced horizontal rails retained on the vertical rail and positioned generally parallel to and intermediate to the cables;
said first cable retained under a first desired tension force applied to the first and second cable arms transferring a lesser portion of the first desired tension force to the top margin of the first and second cable arms at a non-penetrating point of contact between the top margins of the first and second cable arms and the surface, and a greater portion of the first desired tension force to the first and second pivot joint assemblies;
said second cable retained under a second desired tension force applied to the third and fourth cable arms transferring a lesser portion of the second desired tension force to the top margin of the third and fourth cable arms at a non-penetrating point of contact between the top margins of the third and fourth cable arms and the surface, and a greater portion of the second desired tension force to the third and fourth pivot joint assemblies; and,
at least one module retained against the horizontal rails by a plurality of photovoltaic clamps.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the surface is selected from the group consisting of: shingles, asphalt, composition, metal, tile, structural insulated panel.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the left or right edge is selected from the group consisting of: overhanging eave with fascia, overhanging eave without fascia, no eave with fascia, no eave without fascia.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the cable arms comprise a cross-sectional portion of steel pipe.

### Claim 5

(canceled)

### Claim 6

(canceled)

### Claim 7

(canceled)

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the photovoltaic module is selected from the group consisting of: monocrystalline silicon panel, polycrystalline silicon panel, string ribbon silicon panel, thin-layer silicon panel, amorphous silicon panel, concentrator photovoltaic module, high-efficiency multi-junction photovoltaic module, flat-plate stationary array, adjustable array, portable array, and reflector photovoltaic module.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a peak mount.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a turnbuckle.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, comprising a single row of mounted photovoltaic modules.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, comprising two rows of mounted photovoltaic modules.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a horizontal distance and vertical distance between the base margin of the cable arm, and the top margin of the cable arm is less than 1.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a horizontal distance and vertical distance between the base margin of the cable arm and the top margin of the cable arm equals 1.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a horizontal distance and vertical distance between the base margin of the cable arm and the top margin of the cable arm is greater than 1.