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US 8,522,490 B1Granted
Solar module mounting apparatus allowing for at least one degree of freedom
AssigneeNanosolar, Inc.
InventorRobert Stancel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for rapid solar module installation. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic module is provided comprising of a plurality of photovoltaic cells positioned between a transparent module layer and a backside module layer. The module may be a frameless module. The module may have brackets that allow one degree of freedom. Optionally, the module may have brackets that allow the module to flex in at least one axis of rotation.
Claims12
A photovoltaic module mounting system comprising:
- a plurality of photovoltaic cells positioned between a transparent module layer and a backside module layer, wherein the transparent module layer has an upper surface and the backside module layer has a lower surface;
- at least one mounting bracket in contact with the upper surface and the lower surface of the module inside of the distance between the ends of the module, wherein the mounting bracket is configured to resist pullout forces inplane with the plane of the module and the bracket is configured to hold the module flat in a horizontal plane until a threshold pressure is reached upon which the bracket allows for motion in one degree of freedom such that the module deflects in a pre-determined mode of deflection, wherein the threshold pressure is at least 500 psi.
A photovoltaic module mounting system comprising:
- a plurality of photovoltaic cells positioned between a transparent module layer and a backside module layer, wherein the transparent module layer has an upper surface and the backside module layer has a lower surface;
- at least one mounting bracket in contact with the upper surface and the lower surface of the module inside of the distance between the ends of the module, wherein the mounting bracket is configured to resist pullout forces inplane with the plane of the module and the bracket is configured to hold the module flat in a horizontal plane until a threshold pressure is reached upon which the bracket allows for motion in one degree of freedom such that the module deflects in a pre-determined mode of deflection, wherein the threshold pressure is at least ⅛ of the module stress concentration till failure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.