Frameless solar module mounting
AssigneeNextracker LLC
InventorAlexander W. Au
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In an example, a clamp assembly for a glass on glass solar module for a tracker is included. The assembly has a lower clamp structure characterized by a top-hat shaped rail structure having a length extending from a first end to a second end. In an example, the assembly has an upper clamp structure configured to sandwich a pair of edges of a pair of solar modules with a portion of the lower clamp structure. In an example, the assembly has a locking spacer configured to the pair of edges of the pair of solar modules. In an example, the pair of edges comprises substantially glass material. In an example, the assembly has a pair of key structures configured with the locking spacer. Each of the key structures is affixed to each of the solar modules to physically lock each of the solar modules to the upper clamp structure.
Claims15
A solar tracker system comprising:
- a pair of pillars:
- a torque tube configured between the pair of pillars;
- at least one glass-on-glass solar module spatially disposed between the first end of the torque tube and the second end of the torque tube, the at least one glass-on-glass solar module being configured to pivot with the torque tube in a radial direction;
- at least one locking spacer comprising a lower insulating region and an upper insulating region, and a spacer coupling the lower insulating region and the upper insulating region coupling the at least one of the glass-on-glass solar module to a portion of the torque tube;
- a recess provided in the lower insulating region of the at least one locking spacer;
- a polycarbonate puck configured on an edge region of the at least one glass-on-glass solar module, the polycarbonate puck being affixed to the edge region using a glue material, and configured to be sandwiched between the lower insulating region and the upper insulating region such that the polycarbonate puck is adapted to be a male member to be inserted into the recess, which acts as a female portion, of the lower insulating region to prevent the at least one glass-on-glass solar module from sliding in a planar direction that is parallel to a major surface region of the at least one glass-on-glass solar module:
- and
- wherein the at least one locking spacer is characterized by the lower insulating region having a thickness of d1, the thickness of d1 is configured to allow the lower insulating region to be in a compressive state to physically hold the polycarbonate puck in place within the recess, and being affixed to the edge region using the glue material, while preventing a stress to be caused in a portion of a glass material of the at least one glass-on-glass module, thereby preventing any damage
- including a crack, to the portion of the glass material;
- whereupon d1 is thicker than a height of the polycarbonate puck during a compressive state.
The system of claim IT wherein the at least one locking spacer is made of an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), a rubber, or a polymer material;
- wherein the polycarbonate puck is characterized by a UV resistance;
- wherein the polycarbonate puck is affixed to the at least one glass-on-glass module using an epoxy material.
A solar tracker system comprising:
- a pair of pillars:
- a torque tube configured between the pair of pillars;
- at least one glass-on-glass solar module spatially disposed between the first end of the torque tube and the second end of the torque tube, the at least one glass-on-glass solar module being configured to pivot with the torque tube in a radial direction;
- at least one locking spacer comprising a lower insulating region and an upper insulating region, and a spacer coupling the lower insulating region and the upper insulating region coupling the at least one of the glass-on-glass solar module to a portion of the torque tube;
- a recess provided in the lower insulating region of the at least one locking spacer;
- a polycarbonate puck configured on an edge region of the at least one glass-on-glass solar module, the polycarbonate puck being affixed to the edge region using a glue material, and configured to be sandwiched between the lower insulating region and the upper insulating region such that the polycarbonate puck is adapted to be a male member to be inserted into the recess, which acts as a female portion, of the lower insulating region to prevent the at least one glass-on-glass solar module from sliding in a planar direction that is parallel to a major surface region of the at least one glass-on-glass solar module:
- and
- wherein the at least one locking spacer is characterized by the lower insulating region having a thickness of d1, the thickness of d1 is configured to allow the lower insulating region to be in a compressive state to physically hold the polycarbonate puck in place within the recess, and being affixed to the edge region using the glue material, while preventing a stress to be caused in a portion of a glass material of the at least one glass-on-glass module, thereby preventing any damage including a crack, to the portion of the glass material;
- whereupon d1 is thicker than a height of the polycarbonate puck during a compressive state;
- wherein the lower insulating region, the upper insulating region, and the spacer being made from a monolithically integrated structure of material, the material being a polymeric or rubber material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.