Module rail for a photovoltaic system
AssigneeCooper Technologies Company
InventorsEric Roland Nuernberger, William E. McCarthy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A module rail for a photovoltaic system includes a module-supporting surface extending along the length of the module rail for supporting at least one photovoltaic module thereon. A vertical sidewall extends downward from a side of the module-supporting surface. Fastener openings are spaced apart from one another along the length of the rail. Each of the fastener openings extend through the sidewall generally adjacent to a juncture of the module-supporting surface and the sidewall. Each of the fastener openings is configured to receive a clip fastener for securing a photovoltaic module on the module-supporting surface.
Claims15
A module rail for a photovoltaic system, the module rail having a length and comprising:
- a module-supporting surface extending along the length of the module rail for supporting at least one photovoltaic module thereon;
- a vertical sidewall extending downward from a side of the module-supporting surface;
- and
- fastener openings spaced apart from one another along the length of the rail, each of the fastener openings extending through the sidewall generally adjacent to a juncture of the module-supporting surface and the sidewall, wherein each of the fastener openings is configured to receive a clip fastener for securing a photovoltaic module on the module-supporting surface.
A photovoltaic system comprising:
- a module rail comprising a module-supporting surface extending along the length of the module rail, a vertical sidewall extending downward from a side of the module-supporting surface, and fastener openings spaced apart from one another along the length of the rail, each of the fastener openings extending through the sidewall generally adjacent to a juncture of the module-supporting surface and the sidewall;
- at least one photovoltaic module secured to the module rail, the photovoltaic module including a lower flange;
- and
- clip fasteners securing the at least one photovoltaic module to the module-supporting surface of the module rail, each clip fastener including upper and lower clip jaws partially defining a press-fit channel, wherein the lower clip jaw of each clip fastener is inserted into one of the fastener openings such that the module-supporting surface and the lower flange of the photovoltaic module are press-fit into the press-fit channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.