ROOF STRUCTURE HAVING AN ARRANGEMENT OF SOLAR PANELS

• US 20110314752A1
• Filed: 11/13/2009
• Published: 12/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Energieburo AG
• Original Assignee: Energieburo AG
• Inventors: Meier, Christian
• Application Number:
  US13/129,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20110314752A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/173.3
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2020/13 Overlaying arrangements similar to roof tiles
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/6002 by using hooks
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/6004 by clipping, e.g. by using snap connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/6008 by using toothed elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/20 Peripheral frames for modules
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/61 for fixing to the ground or to building structures
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/632 Side connectors; Base connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/636 clamping by screw-threaded elements
• 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

In a roof structure having an arrangement of solar panels, horizontally running fixing profiles are in each case arranged between adjacent solar panels. Each fixing profile extends underneath the frame of the respective upper solar panel and over the frame of the respective lower solar panel and both the upper and the lower solar panel are fixed to the fixing profile. In this way, a laying in a tile-like sealing manner is ensured by the fixing profiles, and at the same time the fixing profiles are used to install the solar panels.

Claims

1. A roof structure having an arrangement of solar panels laid in a tile-like sealing manner, wherein each solar panel is mounted in a metal frame, characterized in that in each case a fixing profile is arranged between solar panels which lie adjacent to one another in the ridge-eaves direction, wherein the fixing profile extends underneath the frame of the respective upper solar panel and above the frame of the respective lower solar panel, wherein the upper and the lower solar panel are fixed to the fixing profile.

2. The roof structure according to claim 1, wherein the fixing profile is fixed to the upper solar panel from below.

3. The roof structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one anchor which is suspended in the fixing profile to the underside of the frame of the upper solar panel.

4. The roof structure according to claim 3, wherein the anchor engages in a horizontally running slot of the fixing profile which is open on the ridge side.

5. The roof structure according to claim 4, wherein the slot opens out into a depression on the top side of the fixing profile.

6. The roof structure according to claim 3, wherein the anchor is a step profile having an upper and lower flat section, wherein the sections are connected by means of a step, wherein the upper section is retained on the frame of the upper solar panel from below and the lower section engages in the fixing profile.

7. The roof structure according to claim 3, wherein at least one separate anchor is provided for each solar panel.

8. The roof structure according to claim 1, wherein the upper solar panel is fixed to the fixing profile by means of at least one retaining device which overlaps an eaves-side frame profile of the frame of the upper solar panel.

9. The roof structure according to claim 8, wherein the retaining device encompasses the eaves-side frame profile of the upper solar panel.

10. The roof structure according to claim 8, wherein the retaining device comprises a clamp made from a profile material or wire which overlaps or encompasses the eaves-side frame profile of the frame of the upper solar panel.

11. The roof structure according to claim 10, wherein the clamp engages in a horizontally running slot of the fixing profile which is open on the eaves side.

12. The roof structure according to claim 11, wherein the slot opens out into a depression in the top side of the fixing profile in which a securing element, which prevents the clamp from escaping from the slot by positive locking, is arranged.

13. The roof structure according to claim 12, wherein the securing element is made of sheet metal or wire and is fixed by snapping into place, latching and/or spring-elastic clamping to the fixing profile.

14. The roof structure according to claim 13, wherein the securing element has a tab or a lift-out opening by means of which it can be detached once more without damage by pulling the tab or inserting a lever tool into the lift-out opening.

15. The roof structure according to claim 12, wherein the securing element secures the clamp against a movement along the profile direction of the fixing profile by positive locking.

16. The roof structure according to claim 8, wherein the retaining device comprises at least one supporting element which is arranged between the top side of the fixing profile and the underside of the eaves-side frame profile of the frame of the upper solar panel and which by engaging in, overlapping and/or encompassing file sections of the fixing profile is fixed to the fixing profile it by positive locking, and forms a mechanical stop in the eaves direction or the eaves-side frame profile of the upper solar panel in order to secure this solar panel against slipping in the eaves direction.

17. The roof structure according to claim 16, wherein the supporting element consists of a profile material, folded sheet material or wire or includes such material.

18. The roof structure according to claim 17, wherein by engaging in, overlapping and/or encompassing profile sections of the fixing profile, the supporting element is fixed to the fixing profile in the ridge direction by positive locking.

19. The roof structure according to claim 16, wherein the securing element is fixed by snapping into place, latching and/or spring-elastic clamping to the fixing profile.

20. The roof structure according to claim 10, wherein the supporting element is secured by the clamp against a movement along the profile direction of the fixing profile by positive locking.

21. The roof structure according to claim 1, wherein the fixing profile rests on the lower solar panel from above via an elastic contact-pressure element.

22. The roof structure according to claim 1, wherein a ridge-side end of the lower solar panel is encompassed by at least one retaining device, wherein the retaining device is formed at least partially by the fixing profile.

23. The roof structure according to claim 22, wherein the retaining device has a lower limb which supports the lower solar panel from below.

24. The roof structure according to claim 23, wherein the lower limb is formed by a supporting profile which is retained by the fixing profile.

25. The roof structure according to claim 24, wherein the supporting profile can be fixed to the fixing profile in a plurality of positions in order to accommodate solar panels of different thicknesses.

26. The roof structure according to claim 25, wherein a shaft of the supporting profile engages in a recess in the fixing profile and is anchored by means of at least one toothed surface.

27. The roof structure according to claim 24, wherein the supporting profile is pulled against the fixing profile by means of an elastic retaining member.

28. The roof structure according to claim 1, wherein a foot for fixing to a roof or sub roof is arranged on the fixing profile.

29. The roof structure according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower solar panels do not overlap and a resulting gap between the solar panels is covered by the fixing profile.

30. The roof structure according to claim 29, wherein, starting from an eaves-side boundary edge which is formed by a profile section of the fixing profile which overlaps the frame of the lower solar panel, the top side of the fixing profile extends upwards in the ridge direction and without interruption to beyond a ridge-side boundary edge of the underside of an eaves-side frame profile of the frame of the upper solar panel in order to drain off any water escaping from the frame profile onto the lower solar panel.

31. The roof structure of claim 1 wherein the solar panels are photoelectric solar modules or solar-thermal collectors.

32. The roof structure of claim 3 wherein at least one anchor is screwed or riveted, to the underside of the frame.

33. The roof structure of claim 6 wherein the upper section is retained on the frame of the upper solar panel from below by a screw or rivet.

34. The roof structure of claim 7 wherein at least two separate anchors are provided for each solar panel.

35. The roof structure of claim 20 wherein the supporting element is secured by the clamp against movement along the profile direction due to the fact that it encompasses the clamp.

36. The roof structure of claim 26 wherein the shaft of the supporting profile engages in a recess in the fixing profile and is anchored by means of at least one toothed surface and wherein an elastic clamping element is arranged on aside opposite one of the toothed surfaces between the shaft and the fixing profile.

37. The roof structure of claim 27 wherein retaining member engages with the lower limb and exerts a force thereon which is substantially in the ridge direction.