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US 4,966,631 AGranted
Support for photovoltaic arrays
AssigneeChronar Corp.
InventorsRonald W. Matlin, Richard K. Lenskold, Anand Rangarajan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A supported photovoltaic array and method in which support elements are in rows spaced from one another and are bi-directionally spanned by members which mount photovoltaic modules that are separated from one another and are secured to the spanning members by cushioned load-spreading attachments positioned in the spaces between adjacent modules.
Claims20
A supported photovoltaic array comprising
- a first row of support elements set in the earth;
- a second row, spaced from said first row, of support elements set in the earth;
- a plurality of first members, each spanning a plurality of said support elements;
- a plurality of second members spanning said first members;
- and
- a set of photovoltaic modules mounted on each pair of said second members, with each module separated from an adjacent module, with each adjacent pair of modules being secured to an underlying second member by at least one cushioned, load-spreading attachment positioned in the spaces between adjacent pairs of modules.
3 more elements
The method of providing a support system for a photovoltaic array, which comprises the steps of
- (1) setting a first row of support elements in the earth with each element extending vertically upward;
- (2) setting a second row of support elements in the earth displaced from said first row;
- (3) providing a plurality of reinforcement members and connecting the upper ends of adjoining support elements by a reinforcement member;
- (4) spanning the reinforcement members by a plurality of support members;
- (5) mounting a plurality of spaced apart photovoltaic modules separated from one another on said photovoltaic support members;
- and
- (6) attaching said separated photovoltaic modules to said support members by load-spreading fasteners positioned in the spaces between adjacent pairs of modules.
4 more elements
The method of generating electricity which comprises the steps of:
- (a) providing support elements for a photovoltaic array;
- (b) mounting said photovoltaic array on said support elements;
- (c) fastening individual modules of said array to the support members by cushioned load spreading fasteners positioned in the spaces between adjacent pairs of modules;
- and
- (d) interconnecting the, separated modules of said array to produce electricity in response to illumination of the modules of said array by solar energy.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.