Apparatus and method for positioning a module on an object

• US 20030015637A1
• Filed: 04/04/2002
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unirac Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Unirac Incorporated
• Inventors: Liebendorfer, John E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,260,918 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/237
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/6008 by using toothed elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/801 having hollow parts with closed cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/807 having undercut grooves
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/33 forming substantially planar assemblies, e.g. of coplanar or stacked profiles
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/613 in the form of bent strips or assemblies of strips; Hook-like connectors; Connectors to be mounted between building-covering elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/636 clamping by screw-threaded elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/65 for coupling adjacent supporting elements, e.g. for connecting profiles together
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/00 Supporting structures for PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/23 specially adapted for roof structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on an object is provided. The system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on an object, according to the present invention, includes an apparatus and method useful for removably and adjustably mounting one or more photovoltaic modules on an object such as a pole or roof, and includes one or more triple track rails. Also included are one or more connector brackets that are demountably attachable to the one or more triple track rails and to the object.

Claims

1. A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on an object, comprising:

a rail formed with two or more tracks,

wherein the rail further comprises a cavity substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail; and

means for connecting the rail to the object.

2. A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a object as recited in claim 1, wherein the rail includes three tracks formed of extruded aluminum.

3. A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a object as recited in claim 2, wherein two of the three tracks include a channel extending the length of the rail substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail.

4. A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a object as recited in claim 3, wherein the channel is formed with a slot extending the length of the rail substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail.

5. A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a object as recited in claim 4, wherein at least one slot is formed at substantially a right angle to the slot in the other of the two of the three tracks.

6. A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a object as recited in claim 1, wherein the rail is formed with a body having a proximal end, a distal end, opposing sides, and a hollow chamber extending the length of the rail substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail.

7. A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a object as recited in claim 6, wherein the cavity is formed in the hollow chamber through one of the opposing sides.

8. A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a object as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for connecting the rail to the object is one or more connector brackets demountably attachable to the rail and to the object.

9. A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a object as recited in claim 8, wherein the one or more connector brackets is monolithically formed with a first flange and a second flange substantially at a right angle.

10. A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a object as recited in claim 9, wherein the first flange is formed with a lip.

11. A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a object as recited in claim 10, wherein the first flange is formed with a bore.

12. A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a object as recited in claim 8, wherein the one or more connector brackets further comprises an elbow extending monolithically at substantially a right angle from the second flange for detachable engagement with the cavity formed in the hollow chamber.

13. A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a object as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for connecting the rail to the object is one or more is one or more clamps slidably attachable to the rail.

14. A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a object as recited in claim 13, wherein the one or more clamps is formed as a duct with at least two opposing flanges.

15. A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a object as recited in claim 14, wherein the at least two opposing flanges of the one or more clamps are substantially perpendicular to one another.

16. A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a object as recited in claim 15, wherein the one or more clamps is formed with a leg having a base, a descending member monolithically extending from the base, and an ascending member monolithically extending from the base in a direction substantially opposite the direction of the descending member.

17. A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a object as recited in claim 16, wherein the one or more clamps includes means for connecting the device to the rail.

19. An apparatus for positioning a module on an object as recited in claim 18, wherein the one or more triple track rails includes a channel extending the length of the rail.

20. An apparatus for positioning a module on an object as recited in claim 18, wherein the one or more triple track rails includes a slot extending the length of the rail.

21. An apparatus for positioning a module on an object as recited in claim 20, wherein at least one slot is positioned at substantially a right angle to any other slot.

22. An apparatus for positioning a module on an object as recited in claim 18, further comprising a cavity formed within the hollow chamber through one of the opposing sides.

23. An apparatus for positioning a module on an object as recited in claim 18, wherein at least one of the plurality of flanges is formed with a lip.

24. An apparatus for positioning a module on an object as recited in claim 18, wherein at least one of the plurality of flanges is formed with a bore.

25. An apparatus for positioning a module on an object as recited in claim 17, wherein the connector bracket further comprises an elbow extending monolithically at substantially a right angle from at least one of the plurality of flanges.

26. An apparatus for positioning a module on an object as recited in claim 25, wherein the elbow is removably securable in the cavity of the hollow chamber.

28. A method for installing a module on an object as recited in claim 27, wherein the rail forming step includes the substeps of:

shaping the rail to include at least two channels that extend the length of the rail substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail;

forming a slot in the at least two channels that extend the length of the at least two channels substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail;

positioning at least one slot in the at least two channels that extend the length of the at least two channels at substantially a right angle to each other;

including a hollow chamber in the rail that extends the length of the rail substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail; and

forming a cavity in the hollow chamber.

29. A method for installing a module on an object as recited in claim 27, wherein the one or more connector brackets providing step includes the substeps of:

forming the one or more connector brackets monolithically with a plurality of flanges;

disposing a bore in at least one of the plurality of flanges; and

including a lip at one end of one of the plurality of flanges.

30. A method for installing a module on an object as recited in claim 27, wherein the rail mounting step includes the substeps of:

inserting a fastener through the bore and the plurality of holes in the at least two opposing edges of the module; and

sliding the elbow on the one or more connector brackets into the cavity of the hollow chamber.

33. A method for installing one or more devices on an object as recited in claim 30, wherein the one or more rails mounting step includes the substeps of:

forming at least one connector bracket with a plurality of flanges;

disposing a bore in at least one of the plurality of flanges;

including a lip on one of the plurality of flanges;

mounting an elbow on the at least one connector bracket;

inserting a fastener through the bore and the module; and

placing the elbow into the cavity of the hollow chamber.

18. An apparatus for positioning a module on an object, comprising:

one or more triple track rails having a proximal end, a distal end, opposing sides, and a hollow chamber extending the length of the one or more triple track rails,

wherein one or more grooves is formed in an opposing side; and

a connector bracket having a plurality of flanges for demountable attachment to the module and to the one or more triple track rails,

wherein at least one of the plurality of flanges is formed with an elbow.

27. A method for installing a module on an object, comprising:

selecting a module having a collector side, a back side, and at least two opposing edges formed with a plurality of holes;

forming a rail having at least three tracks;

including one or more semicircular grooves in the rail;

providing one or more connector brackets;

positioning the module collector side down;

mounting the rail on the back side of the module;

repositioning the module, rail and one or more connector brackets collector side up; and

installing the module, rail and one or more connector brackets on the object.

31. A method for installing one or more devices on an object, comprising:

arranging a footing grid on the object;

selecting a module having opposing edges;

providing one or more rails having two or more tracks; and

mounting the one or more rails on the footing grid.

32. A method for installing one or more devices on an object as recited in claim 31, wherein the one or more rails providing step includes the substeps of:

shaping at least two channels in the rail extending the length of the rail;

forming a slot in the at least two channels extending the length of the at least two channels;

positioning at least one slot in one of the at least two channels at substantially a right angle to any other slot;

including a hollow chamber in the rail extending the length of the rail; and

forming a cavity in the hollow chamber.