APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES

• US 20160111997A1
• Filed: 10/16/2014
• Published: 04/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unirac Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Unirac Incorporated
• Inventors: Ganshaw, Todd, Mayfield, Jason, Schuit, Nathan, Gallegos, Ernest
• Granted Patent: US 9,584,062 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• 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 2025/6003 by clamping
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/6004 by clipping, e.g. by using snap connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/6005 by screwed connection
• 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 25/634 Clamps; Clips
• 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: 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 10/44 Heat exchange systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

An apparatus for mounting photovoltaic modules is disclosed. The apparatus includes a bracket where the bracket defines a slot in a lower portion of the bracket and the slot extends along a longitudinal length of the bracket. A clamp is securable to the bracket on an upper portion of the bracket. A first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module are mountable on a first side of the bracket and a first side of the clamp, where the first photovoltaic module is adjacent to the second photovoltaic module. A footer is variably positionable on the bracket along the slot.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mounting photovoltaic modules, comprising:

a bracket, wherein the bracket defines a slot in a lower portion of the bracket and wherein the slot extends along a longitudinal length of the bracket;

a clamp securable to the bracket on an upper portion of the bracket;

wherein a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module are mountable on a first side of the bracket and a first side of the clamp and wherein the first photovoltaic module is adjacent to the second photovoltaic module; and

a footer, wherein the footer is variably positionable on the bracket along the slot.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a first bonding clip and a second bonding clip, wherein the first bonding clip and the second bonding clip are disposed on the first side of the bracket.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first bonding clip and the second bonding clip are disposed on opposing longitudinal ends of a first ledge of the bracket and wherein the first photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module are engageable with the first bonding clip and the second bonding clip, respectively.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first and the second bonding clips each include teeth on an upper side and a lower side.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first and the second bonding clips are each formed generally in a U-shape.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the footer is generally L-shaped and wherein the footer is variably positionable on the bracket along the slot via a securement mechanism that is disposed through the footer and is received in the slot.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bracket includes a first ledge on the first side of the bracket and a second ledge on a second side of the bracket.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the clamp includes a first wing on the first side of the clamp and a second wing on a second side of the clamp.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module are mountable on the first side of the bracket and the first side of the clamp between the first ledge of the bracket and the first wing of the clamp.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a third photovoltaic module and a fourth photovoltaic module are mountable on the second side of the bracket and the second side of the clamp between the second ledge of the bracket and the second wing of the clamp and wherein the third photovoltaic module is adjacent to the fourth photovoltaic module.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first ledge of the bracket, the second ledge of the bracket, the first wing of the clamp, and the second wing of the clamp each extend along an entire longitudinal length of the apparatus.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of attachment mechanisms secure the clamp to the bracket on the upper portion of the bracket.

13. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first ledge includes a depression and wherein a portion of the first bonding clip and a portion of the second bonding clip are disposed in the depression.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bracket defines a cavity between the upper portion of the bracket and the lower portion of the bracket.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the bracket includes an extension member, wherein the clamp includes two opposing legs, and wherein the extension member of the bracket is disposed between the two opposing legs of the clamp when the clamp is secured to the bracket.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the extension member defines a cavity within the extension member.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a trim assembly, wherein the trim assembly includes a trim and a trim mounting bracket, wherein the trim mounting bracket is mountable on the bracket, and wherein the trim is mountable on the trim mounting bracket.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a longitudinal length of the trim is longer than the longitudinal length of the bracket.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a lowest-most portion of the trim assembly extends below a lowest-most portion of the bracket.

20. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a top portion of the trim is electrically bonded to a top portion of the trim mounting bracket and wherein a bottom portion of the trim mounting bracket is electrically bonded to the bracket.

21. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the trim mounting bracket is mountable on a ridge of the bracket and in the slot of the bracket.

22. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a micro-inverter mounting bracket, wherein the micro-inverter mounting bracket is mountable on the bracket.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the micro-inverter mounting bracket is generally L-shaped.

24. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the micro-inverter mounting bracket is mountable in the slot of the bracket.

25. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the micro-inverter mounting bracket is electrically bonded to the bracket.

26. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first ledge extends outwardly from the first side of the bracket and wherein the second ledge extends outwardly from the second side of the bracket.

27. The apparatus according to claim 1 in combination with a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module, wherein the first photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module are mounted on the first side of the bracket and the first side of the clamp and wherein the first photovoltaic module is adjacent to the second photovoltaic module.