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US 8,893,713 B2Granted
Locating connectors and methods for mounting solar hardware
AssigneeSunPower Corporation
InventorsBrian Wares, Charles Almy, Nicholas Barton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solar concentrator assembly can include mirror assemblies that are connected to pivotable frames with locating connections. The locating connections can be in the form of cam devices or tool-less connections formed by snap fitting devices as well as tool-less cam devices.
Claims19
A solar energy concentrator, comprising:
- a frame;
- at least one longitudinal trough-shaped mirror supported by the frame;
- at least one connection device connecting the at least one longitudinal trough-shaped mirror to the frame, the connection device comprising at least one tool-less connection connecting the mirror to the frame when the tool-less connection is in an engaged state;
- and
- a pivot mount configured to guide the longitudinal trough-shaped mirror through a pivoting motion about a pivot axis, between a disconnected state in which the tool-less connection is not in an engaged state and in which the mirror can be rotated about the pivot axis and a second connected state in which the tool-less connection is engaged with a snap fitting thereby inhibiting movement of the longitudinal trough-shaped mirror through the pivoting motion.
2 more elements
A solar energy concentrator, comprising:
- a frame;
- at least one longitudinal trough-shaped mirror supported by the frame;
- connection means for connecting the at least one longitudinally trough-shaped mirror to the frame with a tool-less, self-locking fit when the mirror is moved toward the frame;
- and
- means for defining a pivot path for the mirror relative to the frame, wherein the connection means comprises means for connecting the mirror to the frame as the mirror is moved along the pivot path between a disconnected state in which the mirror can be rotated about the pivot path and a second connected state to inhibit movement of the mirror through the pivot path.
2 more elements
A method of connecting a mirror of a concentrated solar reflector assembly, comprising:
- connecting a first portion of a longitudinally extending trough-shaped mirror assembly from a first support disposed on a support frame;
- moving the mirror assembly along a pivot path defined by the first support such that a second portion of the mirror assembly that is spaced from the first portion is moved toward a snap fitting disposed on the support frame;
- and
- connecting the second portion to the snap fitting such that the mirror assembly is fixed to the support frame in a predetermined orientation.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.