# US 9,518,596 B2 · Pivot-fit frame, system and method for photovoltaic modules

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,518,596 B2
- Document ID: US9518596B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/454,471
- Filed: 2014-08-07
- Published: 2015-02-12
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2009-07-02
- Assignees: SolarCity Corporation
- Applicants: SolarCity Corporation
- Inventors: Jack Raymond West; Tyrus Hawkes Hudson; Nathaniel Coleman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9518596B2

## CPC

- F16B 5/0004: {Joining sheets, plates or panels in abutting relationship (F16B5/01 takes precedence)}
- F24S 25/20: Peripheral frames for modules
- F24S 25/61: for fixing to the ground or to building structures
- F24S 25/613: in the form of bent strips or assemblies of strips; Hook-like connectors; Connectors to be mounted between building-covering elements
- F24S 25/617: Elements driven into the ground, e.g. anchor-piles; Foundations for supporting elements; Connectors for connecting supporting structures to the ground or to flat horizontal surfaces
- F24S 25/67: for coupling adjacent modules or their peripheral frames (for fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements F24S25/63)
- F24S 25/70: with means for adjusting the final position or orientation of supporting elements in relation to each other or to a mounting surface; with means for compensating mounting tolerances
- H02S 20/23: specially adapted for roof structures
- H02S 20/24: specially adapted for flat roofs
- H10F 19/80: Encapsulations or containers for integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, having photovoltaic cells
- H10F 19/807: {Double-glass encapsulation, e.g. photovoltaic cells arranged between front and rear glass sheets}
- F24S 2025/02: {Ballasting means}
- Y02B 10/10: Photovoltaic [PV]
- Y02E 10/47: Mountings or tracking
- Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- Y10T 403/32606: Pivoted
- Y10T 403/70: Interfitted members
- F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D)
- F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00)
- H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00)
- H10F: INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A system and apparatus are disclosed including PV modules having a frame allowing quick and easy assembling of the PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the PV modules may have a grooved frame where the groove is provided at an angle with respect to a planar surface of the modules. Various couplings may engage within the groove to assemble the PV modules into the PV array with a pivot-fit connection. Further examples of the present technology operate with PV modules having frames without grooves, or with PV modules where the frame is omitted altogether.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An interlock for securing a first photovoltaic module to a second photovoltaic module, comprising:
(a) a first module receiving portion that receives the first photovoltaic module therein, the first module receiving portion having a first top panel, a first bottom panel and a first rear stop extending upwardly from the first bottom panel to the first top panel, a first riser extending upwardly from the first bottom panel, wherein the first riser engages with a bottom surface of the first photovoltaic module, and a seat extending downwardly from the first bottom panel, the seat comprising a vertical portion with a horizontal portion extending therefrom, wherein the first bottom panel and the seat are formed from a continuous piece of material, and wherein the first bottom panel and the seat define a slot therebetween; and
(b) a second module receiving portion that receives the second photovoltaic module therein, the second module receiving portion having a second top panel, a second bottom panel and a second rear stop extending upwardly from the second bottom panel to the second top panel, and a sliding flange extending therefrom, wherein the second top panel, second bottom panel, second rear stop and sliding flange are formed from a continuous piece of material,
wherein the sliding flange on the second module receiving portion is slidable within the slot on the first module portion to vary the lateral distance between the first and second photovoltaic modules, such that the first and second module receiving portions interlock together, and
wherein the first module receiving portion further comprises a lip extending vertically from the horizontal portion of the seat that prevents the sliding flange on the second module receiving portion from being fully removed from the slot.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The interlock of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second rear stops abut one another when the sliding flange on the second module receiving portion is fully inserted into the slot on the first module receiving portion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The interlock of claim 1, wherein the second module receiving portion further comprises a second riser extending upwardly from the second bottom panel, wherein the second riser engages with a bottom surface of the second photovoltaic module.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The interlock of claim 1, wherein the interlock grounds the first and second modules.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The interlock of claim 4, wherein the first and second modules are frameless.