Method and Apparatus for Forming and Mounting a Photovoltaic Array
First Claim
1. A photovoltaic module comprising a frame with an outward facing groove and a coupling, said coupling comprising a locking portion, said outward facing groove comprising a locking portion stop, and said locking portion comprising a radially extending portion adapted to resist rotation of said locking portion beyond a predetermined rotational position.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A photovoltaic (PV) module framing and coupling system enables the attachment of PV modules to a roof or other mounting surface without requiring the use of separate structural support members which attach directly to and span between multiple PV modules in a formed PV array. The apparatus provides a parallel coupling for securely interlocking the outside surfaces of parallel frame members together in a side to side arrangement to form an array with improved structural load distribution. The coupling may attach to a slot in the frame at substantially any position along the length of the frame thereby enabling the interconnection of adjacent PV modules along both an x and y axis. The apparatus may further provide a rotating portion and locking portion, mounting brackets for direct connection to a mounting surface, grounding teeth, and a twist-lock engagement means for interlocking and aligning PV modules in the array.
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Citations
22 Claims
- 1. A photovoltaic module comprising a frame with an outward facing groove and a coupling, said coupling comprising a locking portion, said outward facing groove comprising a locking portion stop, and said locking portion comprising a radially extending portion adapted to resist rotation of said locking portion beyond a predetermined rotational position.
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14. A photovoltaic module comprising a frame with an outward facing groove and a coupling, wherein:
said coupling comprises a key having a width slightly less than a height of an opening of said outward facing groove and a longest dimension approximately equal to a height inside of said outward facing groove. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
Specification