SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTALLATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES

• US 20130048815A1
• Filed: 08/30/2011
• Published: 02/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Wagner, Christian Joseph, Johnson, Neil Anthony, Korman, Charles Steven, Doherty, Donald Michael
• Application Number:
  US13/220,768
• Publication Number:
  US 20130048815A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/228.1
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/6004 by clipping, e.g. by using snap connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/6006 by using threaded elements, e.g. stud bolts
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/35 by means of profiles with a cross-section defining separate supporting portions for adjacent 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 25/67 for coupling adjacent modules or their peripheral frames for fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements F24S25/63
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener

Abstract

A mounting system is presented. An embodiment of a mounting system that includes a support platform configured to fasten the mounting system to a mounting surface. The mounting system further includes a stud operatively coupled to the support platform and disposed substantially perpendicular to the support platform. In addition, the mounting system includes an elevating unit operatively coupled to the stud, wherein the elevating unit includes a fastener operatively coupled to one end of the stud and configured to vary a height of the mounting system, and a rail-clip coupled to the fastener, wherein a rotational motion of the rail-clip is independent of a rotational motion of the fastener. Furthermore, the mounting system includes a rail operatively coupled to the rail-clip and configured to support at least one module.

Claims

1. A mounting system, comprising:

a support platform configured to fasten the mounting system to a mounting surface;

a stud operatively coupled to the support platform and disposed substantially perpendicular to the support platform;

an elevating unit operatively coupled to the stud, wherein the elevating unit comprises;

a fastener operatively coupled to one end of the stud and configured to vary a height of the mounting system;

a rail-clip coupled to the fastener, wherein a rotational motion of the rail-clip is independent of a rotational motion of the fastener; and

a rail operatively coupled to the rail-clip and configured to support at least one module.

2. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the elevating unit further comprises a snap ring disposed along a circumference of an aperture in the rail-clip and configured to allow the rotational motion of the rail-clip that is independent of the rotational motion of the fastener.

3. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the elevating unit is configured to vary the height of the mounting system independent of the coupling of the rail to the rail-clip.

4. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the support platform further comprises:

a first joint configured to be inserted into the mounting surface through a first aperture of the support platform; and

a second joint configured to be inserted into the mounting surface through a second aperture of the support platform.

5. The mounting system of claim 4, wherein the stud is disposed at the center of the support platform between the first aperture and the second aperture.

6. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the rail-clip further comprises:

a base-wall comprising an aperture aligned with a cavity of the fastener; and

a pair of side walls, wherein each side wall comprises a protruding portion, a ridged portion, or both the protruding portion and the ridged portion.

7. The mounting system of claim 6, wherein the stud is configured to protrude through the cavity of the fastener and the aperture in the base-wall when the fastener is rotated on the stud.

8. The mounting system of claim 6, wherein the rail-clip is configured to slide the rail over a track area of the rail-clip along a direction perpendicular to the stud.

9. The mounting system of claim 8, wherein the track area comprises at least an area between the protruding portion and the ridged portion of each side wall of the rail-clip.

10. The mounting system of claim 6, wherein the rail comprises:

at least two parallel beams configured to mate with the rail-clip; and

at least an I-beam configured to support the at least one module.

11. The mounting system of claim 10, wherein the at least two parallel beams comprise:

a first beam having a first wedge configured to couple with the protruding portion on one side wall of the rail-clip; and

a second beam having a second wedge configured to couple with the protruding portion on the other side wall of the rail-clip.

12. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the elevating unit is configured to translate the rail in at least one of a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction.

13. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the fastener is configured to be rotated over the stud to adjust the height of the mounting system.

14. A method for assembling a mounting system, the method comprising:

fastening a support platform to a mounting surface;

disposing a stud on the support platform such that the stud is disposed substantially perpendicular to the support platform;

coupling an elevating unit to one end of the stud, wherein the elevating unit comprises;

a fastener operatively coupled to the stud;

a rail-clip coupled to the fastener, wherein a rotational motion of the rail-clip is independent of a rotational motion of the fastener;

coupling at least a portion of a rail to the elevating unit; and

adjusting, by the fastener, a height of the mounting system independent of the coupling of the portion of the rail to the elevating unit.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein fastening the support platform to the mounting surface comprises:

inserting a first joint through a first aperture in the support platform to fasten the support platform to the mounting surface; and

inserting a second joint through a second aperture in the support platform to fasten the support platform to the mounting surface.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein adjusting, by the fastener, the height of the mounting system comprises rotating the fastener over the stud to protrude the stud through an aperture of the rail-clip.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein coupling at least the portion of the rail to the elevating unit comprises:

detachably coupling a first beam of the rail to the rail-clip to lock a first wedge of the first beam with a first protruding portion of the rail-clip; and

detachably coupling a second beam of the rail to the rail-clip to lock a second wedge of the second beam with a second protruding portion of the rail-clip.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein coupling at least the portion of the rail to the elevating unit comprises inserting the portion of the rail into the rail-clip to allow at least one of a lateral movement and a longitudinal movement of the rail.

19. A mounting system for supporting an array of modules on a mounting surface, the mounting system comprising:

a support platform configured to fasten the mounting system to the mounting surface;

a stud having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the support platform such that the stud is disposed substantially perpendicular to the support platform;

an elevating unit coupled to the second end of the stud, wherein the elevating unit comprises;

a fastener operatively coupled to the second end of the stud, and configured to rotate on the stud to vary a height of the mounting system;

a rail-clip coupled to the fastener, wherein the rail-clip comprises an aperture that allows the stud to protrude through the elevating unit; and

a snap ring disposed along the circumference of the aperture in the rail-clip and configured to allow the rotational motion of the rail-clip that is independent of the rotational motion of the fastener; and

a rail operatively coupled to the rail-clip and configured to support the array of modules.

20. The mounting system of claim 19, wherein the elevating unit is configured to adjust the height of the mounting system when the rail supporting the array of modules is coupled to the rail-clip.