# US 2026/0100673 A1 · Adapter clamp for facilitating installation of photovoltaic components to a cylindrical pile > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2026/0100673 A1 - Document ID: US20260100673A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 19/349,884 - Filed: 2025-10-03 - Published: 2026-04-09 - Earliest claimed: 2024-10-07 - Assignees: Array Tech, Inc. - Applicants: Array Tech, Inc. - Inventors: Jose Martin; Kevin Read; Anthony Widmer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20260100673A1 ## CPC - H02S 20/30: Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment - H02S 20/32: specially adapted for solar tracking - F24S 30/425: Horizontal axis - H02S 20/10: Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground (H02S20/30 takes precedence) - H02S 20/20: Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object (H02S20/30 takes precedence) - F24S 2025/6003: {by clamping} - 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) ## Abstract Adapter clamps and systems that include adapter clamps for facilitating installation of photovoltaic (PV) components to a cylindrical pile are provided. In one embodiment, an adapter clamp may include a first arm configured to be secured to a first side of the cylindrical pile. The first arm may have edges that are configured to create Hertzian contacts with an outer surface of the cylindrical pile, and a mounting surface configured for coupling a first PV component. The adapter clamp may include a second arm configured to be secured to a second side of the cylindrical pile. The adapter clamp may further include a fastener configured to secure the first arm to the second arm and decrease a distance therebetween in order to create a frictional attachment between the first and second arms and the cylindrical pile. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adapter clamp for facilitating installation of photovoltaic (PV) components to a cylindrical pile, the adapter clamp comprising: a first arm configured to be secured to a first side of the cylindrical pile, the first arm having a first edge that is configured to create a first Hertzian contact with an outer surface of the cylindrical pile, a second edge that is configured to create a second Hertzian contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical pile, and a first mounting surface configured for coupling a first PV component; a second arm configured to be secured to a second side of the cylindrical pile, the second arm having a second mounting surface configured for coupling a second PV component; and a fastener configured to secure the first arm to the second arm and decrease a distance therebetween in order to create a frictional attachment between the first and second arms and the cylindrical pile. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The adapter clamp of claim 1, further comprising a top surface that connects the first arm to the second arm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The adapter clamp of claim 2, wherein the first arm, the second arm, and the top surface are integrally formed from a single sheet of metal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The adapter clamp of claim 1, wherein the mounting surface defines one or more mounting holes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The adapter clamp of claim 1, wherein the first and second edges are machined edges. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The adapter clamp of claim 1, wherein the first and second edges are rounded edges. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The adapter clamp of claim 1, wherein the second arm includes a third edge that is configured to create a third Hertzian contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical pile and a fourth edge that is configured to create a fourth Hertzian contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical pile. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The adapter clamp of claim 1, wherein the fastener is a bolt. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The adapter clamp of claim 8, wherein the first and second arms each define at least one fastener hole. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The adapter clamp of claim 8, wherein the fastener is a U-bolt. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The adapter clamp of claim 1, wherein the second arm is curved such that an inner surface of the second arm is configured to create a third Hertzian contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical pile. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The adapter clamp of claim 1, wherein the first arm further includes a vertical locking tab. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The adapter clamp of claim 1, wherein the first and second arms are configured to ensure alignment on opposite sides of the cylindrical pile. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The adapter clamp of claim 1, wherein the first and second arms are configured to ensure that the first and second Hertzian contacts are approximately parallel with an axis of the cylindrical pile. ### Claim 15 A solar installation system comprising: a cylindrical pile having a round or oval cross sectional shape; an adapter clamp comprising: a first arm configured to be secured to a first side of the cylindrical pile, the first arm having a first edge that is configured to create a first Hertzian contact with an outer surface of the cylindrical pile, a second edge that is configured to create a second Hertzian contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical pile, and a first mounting surface configured for coupling a first PV component; a second arm configured to be secured to a second side of the cylindrical pile, the second arm having a second mounting surface configured for coupling a second PV component; and a fastener configured to secure the first arm to the second arm and decrease a distance therebetween in order to create a frictional attachment between the first and second arms and the cylindrical pile. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the adapter clamp further comprises a top surface that connects the first arm to the second arm. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the first arm, the second arm, and the top surface are integrally formed from a single sheet of metal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the first and second edges of the adapter clamp are machined edges. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the first and second edges of the adapter clamp are rounded edges. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the second arm includes a third edge that is configured to create a third Hertzian contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical pile and a fourth edge that is configured to create a fourth Hertzian contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical pile.