Skirt and Other Devices for Photovoltaic Arrays

• US 20140158184A1
• Filed: 08/07/2013
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Zep Solar Incorporated (Tesla Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Zep Solar Incorporated (Tesla Inc.)
• Inventors: West, John Raymond, Hudson, Tyrus Hawkes, Johansen, Emil, Capsuto, Ian, Medcroft, Chad, Coleman, Nate, West, Brian, Atchley, Brian
• Application Number:
  US13/960,835
• Publication Number:
  US 20140158184A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/251
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 20/67 in the form of roof constructions in the form of shingles or tiles F24S20/69
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/021 Sealing means between support elements and mounting surface
• 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 2025/807 having undercut grooves
• 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 25/65 for coupling adjacent supporting elements, e.g. for connecting profiles together
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 40/10 Protective covers or shrouds; Closure members, e.g. lids transparent coverings F24S80/50
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 80/70 Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/048 Encapsulation of modules
• 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: H02S 20/24 specially adapted for flat roofs
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 30/10 Frame 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 skirt and other devices for photovoltaic arrays, as well as photovoltaic arrays with a skirt(s) and/or other device(s) installed, related modules, and foothold devices and systems are herein disclosed. Various such embodiments include one or more array skirt(s), T-locks, grip(s), inside and outside corner cap(s), array trim(s), pest abatement screen(s), wire clip(s), foothold(s), groove adaptor bracket(s), magnetic skirt embodiment(s), as well as other structures and embodiments which are herein disclosed.

Claims

1. An installed photovoltaic array comprising:

a photovoltaic module;

a skirt covering at least a portion of an opening beneath said photovoltaic module;

a spring bracket connecting said skirt to said photovoltaic module, said spring bracket comprising a base portion, an arm extending outward from said base portion, and a retaining portion near an end of said arm;

wherein said arm acts as a flexible lever reducing an input force required to rotate said base portion into an installed position and flexing to enable said retaining portion to lock onto said photovoltaic module and said skirt.

2. The installed photovoltaic array of claim 1, wherein said retaining portion bears against at least one of said photovoltaic module and said skirt with a spring force, said spring force substantially resulting from said flexing of said arm.

3. The installed photovoltaic array of claim 1, wherein said retaining portion comprises a tab, said tab at least partially retained by at least one of said photovoltaic module and said skirt in an installed position.

4. The installed photovoltaic array of claim 1, wherein said arm comprises an elongate form extending in a direction substantially parallel to a plane of a top surface of a light receiving side of a photovoltaic laminate of said photovoltaic module.

5. The installed photovoltaic array of claim 1, wherein said spring bracket connects to a groove in a frame of said photovoltaic module.

6. The installed photovoltaic array of claim 1, wherein said spring bracket connects to a groove in said skirt.

7. The installed photovoltaic array of claim 1, wherein said spring bracket captures at least a portion of said photovoltaic module.

8. A photovoltaic array skirt, comprising:

a skirt portion covering at least a portion of an opening beneath a photovoltaic module;

a mounting foot connecting said skirt portion to a support structure; and

a slidable retainer at least partially connecting said skirt portion to said mounting foot;

wherein said slidable retainer is laterally slidable along said skirt portion to disengage from said mounting foot and comprises a retaining feature, said retaining feature enabling an adjustably secure connection of said slidable retainer to said skirt portion prior to connecting said slidable retainer to said mounting foot.

9. The photovoltaic skirt of claim 8, wherein said slidable retainer is installed by snapping onto said skirt portion then sliding into engagement with said mounting foot.

10. A photovoltaic array, comprising:

a photovoltaic module having a frame;

a skirt removably connected to said skirt bracket; and

a coupling comprising a first engaging portion connected to said frame and a second engaging portion connected to said skirt bracket;

wherein said coupling is adjustably positionable along a length of said frame.

11. A photovoltaic module, comprising:

a frame supporting a photovoltaic laminate;

a screen coupling connected to a groove in said frame, said screen coupling comprising a key portion, said key portion permitting insertion of said key portion into a photovoltaic module frame in a first position and preventing rotation of said key portion inside said frame in a second position; and

a screen connected to said screen coupling;

wherein said screen covers at least a portion of an opening beneath said photovoltaic module when said photovoltaic module is mounted to a support structure.