# US 2024/0200323 A1 · System and Method for Attaching Panels > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2024/0200323 A1 - Document ID: US20240200323A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/392,131 - Filed: 2023-12-21 - Published: 2024-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2019-10-03 - Assignees: Solaredge Technologies Ltd. - Applicants: Solaredge Technologies Ltd. - Inventors: Michael Raikh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240200323A1 ## CPC - E04B 1/388: {Separate connecting elements (Connecting devices specially adapted for embedding in concrete E04B1/41; Dowels, i.e. members adapted to penetrate the surfaces of two parts and to take the shear stresses E04B1/48)} - H02S 20/20: Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object (H02S20/30 takes precedence) - F16B 1/00: Devices for securing together, or preventing relative movement between, constructional elements or machine parts - F16B 7/0486: {forming an abutting connection of at least one tube} - F16B 47/00: Suction cups for attaching purposes; Equivalent means using adhesives {(devices using adhesives, suction or magnetism for hanging or supporting pictures or the like A47G1/17; vacuum work holders B25B11/005; anchoring of ships using suction B63B21/27; suction cups for handling glass B65G49/061; load-engaging elements for cranes using suction means B66C1/02)} - H02S 30/10: Frame structures - F16B 2200/205: the hook being a separate retainer - F16B 2200/83: Use of a magnetic material - Y02E 10/40: Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers - Y02E 10/47: Mountings or tracking - Y02E 10/56: Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers - Y02E 70/30: Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) - 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) - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract Apparatuses for locking PV panels to support structures, e.g., support beams. The support beams may be designed and built with corresponding connection elements, e.g., slots and tabs, which may be used to enable locking and unlocking of the PV panels on the support beams. Once in place, a ferromagnetic flap may be put into an engaged position, thereby closing and engaging a panel locking mechanism. The ferromagnetic flap may be lifted by using a magnet. The magnet may be may be embedded in a suction cup device which is designed to lift and maneuver an object with a relatively flat surface, e.g. a glass pane. The suction cup device may, when suction is applied, be attached to glass covering the PV panels, and thus the suction cup device may be used to move the PV panels. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: a suction cup mechanism comprising: a handle; a magnet; a suction cup; and a suction cup activation element comprising a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state the suction cup activation element is configured to cause the suction cup to attach to a flat surface, and wherein in the second state the suction cup activation element is configured to cause the suction cup to detach the suction cup from the flat surface; wherein the magnet is configured to activate a ferromagnetic lock distal to the flat surface when the suction cup activation element is in the first state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ferromagnetic lock comprises an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the ferromagnetic lock comprises: a first portion with ferromagnetic properties; a second portion configured to engage with a latch when in the engaged position; a hinge that hingedly connects the first portion and the second portion; and a locking mechanism disposed on a first side of a photovoltaic panel to be locked in place, at least a portion of the photovoltaic panel being magnetically neutral, wherein when the ferromagnetic lock is in the engaged position, the first portion is in a first position that forces the hingedly connected second portion to engage with the latch; and when the ferromagnetic lock is in the disengaged position, the first portion is in a second position that forces the hingedly connected second portion to disengage from the latch, thereby locking the locking mechanism. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flat surface comprises a front surface of a photovoltaic panel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second suction cup, and wherein in the first state the suction cup activation element is configured to cause the second suction cup to attach to the flat surface, and wherein in the second state to release the suction cup. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the magnet comprises an electromagnet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the suction cup mechanism further comprises a button operative to activate the electromagnet. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the suction cup mechanism further comprises a lever operative to activate the electromagnet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the suction cup mechanism further comprises a battery operative to provide power to the electromagnet. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the electromagnet comprises a plurality of electromagnets. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the plurality of electromagnets is arranged radially inside the suction cup. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the magnet comprises a permanent magnet. ### Claim 12 A system comprising: a suction cup mechanism comprising: a handle, a magnet, a suction cup, and a suction cup activation element comprising a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state the suction cup activation element is configured to cause the suction cup to attach to a flat surface, and wherein in the second state the suction cup activation element is configured to cause the suction cup to detach from the flat surface, wherein the magnet is configured to activate a ferromagnetic lock distal to the flat surface when the suction cup activation element is in the first state; and the ferromagnetic lock comprising: a first portion with ferromagnetic properties; a second portion configured to engage with a latch when in an engaged position; a hinge that hingedly connects the first portion and the second portion; and a locking mechanism disposed on a first side of a photovoltaic panel to be locked in place, at least a portion of the photovoltaic panel being magnetically neutral, wherein the ferromagnetic lock comprises an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein when the ferromagnetic lock is in the engaged position, the first portion is in a first position that forces the hingedly connected second portion to engage with the latch, and when the ferromagnetic lock is in the disengaged position, the first portion is in a second position that forces the hingedly connected second portion to disengage from the latch, thereby locking the locking mechanism. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12 wherein the flat surface comprises a front surface of a photovoltaic panel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12 wherein the suction cup mechanism further comprises a second suction cup, and wherein in the first state the suction cup activation element is configured to cause the second suction cup to attach to a flat surface, and wherein in the second state the suction cup activation element is configured to cause the suction cup to detach from the flat surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12 wherein the magnet comprises an electromagnet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the suction cup mechanism further comprises a button operative to activate the electromagnet. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the suction cup mechanism further comprises a lever operative to activate the electromagnet. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the suction cup mechanism further comprises a battery operative to provide power to the electromagnet. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the electromagnet comprises a plurality of electromagnets. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19 wherein the plurality of electromagnets is arranged radially inside the suction cup.