ASSEMBLY FOR LOCKING AND GROUNDING SOLAR PANEL MODULES TO MOUNTING COMPONENTS

• US 20160218661A1
• Filed: 01/27/2016
• Published: 07/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ironridge Incorporated (Esdec B.V.)
• Original Assignee: Ironridge Incorporated (Esdec B.V.)
• Inventors: Meine, Shawn
• Granted Patent: US 9,985,577 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/016 Filling or spacing means; Elastic means
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/021 Sealing means between support elements and mounting surface
• 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 25/16 Arrangement of interconnected standing structures; Standing structures having separate supporting portions for adjacent modules
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/60 Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/61 for fixing to the ground or to building structures
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/63 for fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/634 Clamps; Clips
• 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 various representative aspects, an assembly for securing array skirts and solar panel modules in an array on a roof by utilizing semi-rigid and resilient spring tabs as locking mechanisms that both secure the solar panel modules to mounting plates and splices as well as provide a grounding path between the solar panel modules and the entire array. A method of installation of the assembly is also provided.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for installing a solar panel array to a roof comprising:

a. a mounting plate for receiving a solar panel module;

b. a tab for affixing the solar panel module to the mounting plate;

c. the mounting plate further comprising

i. a first section; and

ii. a second section further comprising an end and such that the first and second sections are opposite each other;

d. the tab further comprising;

i. a first and a second side;

ii. a raised portion on the first side for penetrating a layer on the solar panel module; and

iii. the second side of the tab is coupled to the first section of the mounting plate.

2. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the end of the mounting plate is a lip for receiving an edge of the solar panel module;

3. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the tab is comprised of a resilient material that allows it to deflect upward or downward along an axis when a force is exerted on the first side of the tab.

4. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the first end of the raised portion of the tab is along the perimeter of the tab.

5. The mounting assembly of claim 3 such that once the first side of the tab is deflected by a solar panel module, the first side of the tab can return to its original position and laterally move the solar panel module along the mounting plate into a locked position.

6. The mounting assembly of claim 5 such that the raised portion of the tab penetrates the outer layer of the solar panel module when the tab is in the locked position.

7. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the mounting plate is rotatably coupled to a pivot base.

8. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the first section of the mounting plate further comprises an elevated base.

9. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the mounting plate is a splice for securing a plurality of adjacent solar panel modules by utilizing a plurality of tabs wherein the second sides of the tabs are coupled to the first section of the mounting plate.

10. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the tab is further comprised of an electrically conducting material.

11. A method of securing and grounding a solar panel module to a mounting plate comprising the steps of:

a. lowering a side portion of a solar panel module against a first side of a tab such that a second side of the tab is coupled to a first section of a mounting plate, the tab further comprises a raised portion, and the second section of the mounting plate further comprises an end;

b. deflecting the first side of the tab from a horizontal position to a bent position;

c. rotating an end of the solar panel module downward so that the end of the solar panel module is inserted into the end of the mounting plate; and

d. releasing the first side of the tab so that the first side of the tab deflects back from a bent position to a substantially horizontal position such that the first side of the tab exerts an outward force that laterally moves the end of the solar panel into a locked position.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the end of the mounting plate is a lip;

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the second end of the tab is secured to the first section of the mounting plate.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of having the raised portion of the tab penetrate an outer layer of the solar panel module when the tab is in the locked position.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the mounting plate is a splice for securing a plurality of adjacent solar panel modules by utilizing a plurality of tabs wherein the second sides of the tabs are coupled to the first section of the mounting plate.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of coupling the mounting plate to a pivot base.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of coupling the pivot base to a flashing.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of coupling the flashing to a roof.