US 8,375,654 B1Granted

Apparatus for forming and mounting a photovoltaic array

AssigneeZap Solar, Inc.

InventorsJohn R. West, Christina C. Manansala, Hans-Christoph Haenlein

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A photovoltaic (PV) module framing and coupling system enables the attachment of PV modules to a roof or other mounting surface without requiring the use of separate structural support members which attach directly to and span between multiple PV modules in a formed PV array. The apparatus provides a parallel coupling for securely interlocking the outside surfaces of parallel frame members together in a side to side arrangement to form an array with improved structural load distribution. The coupling may attach to a slot in the frame at substantially any position along the length of the frame thereby enabling the interconnection of adjacent PV modules along both an x and y axis. The apparatus may further provide a rotating portion and locking portion, mounting brackets for direct connection to a mounting surface, grounding teeth, and a twist-lock engagement means for interlocking and aligning PV modules in the array.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A photovoltaic array comprising:

a first, second, third, and fourth photovoltaic module each comprising two or more frame members mechanically connected to a photovoltaic laminate;
and
a series-parallel coupling adapted to engage with at least one of said frame members from each of said photovoltaic modules near the corners of said modules to interlock a first frame member of said first photovoltaic module with a first frame member of said second photovoltaic module in parallel, a first frame member of said third photovoltaic module with a first frame member of said fourth photovoltaic module in parallel, said first frame member of said first photovoltaic module with said first frame member of said third photovoltaic module in series, and said first frame member of said second photovoltaic module with said first frame member of said fourth photovoltaic module in series, wherein said series-parallel coupling is adapted to cut into at least a portion of a surface of at least four of said frame members to provide a ground bond between said series-parallel coupling and said photovoltaic modules.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/370,612Filed 10 Feb 2012 · continuation
Priority: 17 Jan 2012
Granted: 19 Feb 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification24 codes

F16B 5/10
Joining sheets or plates , e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them: by means of bayonet connections
F24S 25/10
Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules: extending in directions away from a supporting surface
F24S 25/16
Extending in directions away from a supporting surface: arrangement of interconnected standing structures; Standing structures having separate…
F24S 25/20
Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules: peripheral frames for modules