Bracket for photovoltaic modules
AssigneeSunPower Corporation
InventorsJohn Ciasulli, Jason Jones
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Brackets for photovoltaic (“PV”) modules are described. In one embodiment, a saddle bracket has a mounting surface to support one or more PV modules over a tube, a gusset coupled to the mounting surface, and a mounting feature coupled to the gusset to couple to the tube. The gusset can have a first leg and a second leg extending at an angle relative to the mounting surface. Saddle brackets can be coupled to a torque tube at predetermined locations. PV modules can be coupled to the saddle brackets. The mounting feature can be coupled to the first gusset and configured to stand the one or more PV modules off the tube.
Claims11
A saddle bracket to support one or more photovoltaic (“PV”) modules over a tube, comprising:
- a PV module mounting surface configured to support the one or more PV modules over the tube, the PV module mounting surface comprising a plurality of openings to receive fasteners to removably attach the one or more PV modules to the PV module mounting surface;
- a first gusset, wherein the first gusset is a plate having a first plate edge directly coupled to a first mounting surface edge of the PV module mounting surface at a substantially perpendicular angle to the PV module mounting surface, and wherein the plate is divided into two first plate sections extending from the first plate edge and separated by a first gap;
- a first mounting feature directly coupled to the first gusset and passing through the first gap, the first mounting feature comprising an opening to receive a fastener to couple to the tube disposed under the PV module mounting surface, having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the PV module mounting surface, and passing through the first gap in the first gusset.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.