SOLAR PANEL MOUNTING CLAMP AND SYSTEM

• US 20180013382A1
• Filed: 07/10/2017
• Published: 01/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solar Connections International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Solar Connections International Incorporated
• Inventors: Smeja, Michael V.
• Granted Patent: US 10,749,466 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/065 using screw-thread elements F16B2/08 - F16B2/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/12 using sliding jaws
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 37/145 Sleeve nuts, e.g. combined with bolts
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 39/282 Locking by means of special shape of work-engaging surfaces, e.g. notched or toothed nuts
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 43/025 for surfaces not surrounding the bolt, e.g. hook adaptors for bolts
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/121 fastened over the edge(s) of the sheet(s) or plate(s)
• CPC Class Codes: F24J 2/5211 Solar module peripheral frames
• CPC Class Codes: F24J 2/5258 with clamping action by using screw-threaded elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/6008 by using toothed elements
• 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 25/615 for fixing to protruding parts of buildings, e.g. to corrugations or to standing seams
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/636 clamping by screw-threaded elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/30 utilising a screw or nut clamping member H01R4/50 takes precedence; utilising a clamping member acted on by screw or nut H01R4/38; for coaxial cables H01R9/0521
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/64 Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/18 Fastening by means of screw or nut
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/23 specially adapted for roof structures
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 30/00 Structural details of PV modules other than those related to light conversion semiconductor device aspects of modules of electrolytic light sensitive devices H01G9/20, of inorganic PV modules H01L31/00, of organic PV modules H10K30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 30/10 Frame structures
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/30 Electrical components
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/34 : comprising specially adapted electrical connection means to be structurally associated with the PV module, e.g. junction boxes
• 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 system having a plurality of solar panel mounting clamps for mounting a plurality of solar panels including a plurality of threaded projections fixed in a mounting surface; a plurality of the solar panel mounting clamps, each respectively disposed upon one of the plurality of threaded projections such that the threaded receiving portion of each solar panel mounting clamp receives each respective threaded projection, such that the plurality of solar panel mounting clamps are capable of securing a plurality of solar panels to the mounting surface such that each clamp makes a conductive bond with one or more panels such that each panel shares a common ground. The system may include one or more mounting plates to rest upon the mounting surface that has one or more retainer clip to ease in cable management.

Claims

1. A solar panel mounting clamp comprising:

a first member having a central axial through-hole, a top surface and a base; and

a cylindrical member having a central axial through-hole, the cylindrical member disposed upon the base of first member such that the central axial through-hole of the second member shares an axis with the axial through-hole of the first cylindrical member, the central axial through-hole of the cylindrical member forming an inner wall of the cylindrical member at least a portion of which inner wall comprises a threaded receiving portion capable of receiving a threaded projection;

wherein the first member has a greater width than the cylindrical member such that the base of the first member extends radially outward from the circumference of the cylindrical member in a direction perpendicular to the axis; and

wherein when the threaded receiving portion receives a threaded projection fixed in a mounting surface the solar panel mounting clamp is capable of securing at least one panel between the base of the first member and the fixed mounting surface.

2. The solar panel mounting clamp of claim 1, wherein central axial through-hole of the first member forms a hexagonal void.

3. The solar panel mounting clamp of claim 1, wherein the base of the first member comprises one or more teeth projecting from the base parallel to the axis and arranged circumferentially around the cylindrical member such that when the threaded receiving portion of the cylindrical member receives a threaded projection in order to serve as a clamp to secure a panel between the base of the first member and the fixed mounting surface, the teeth form an electrically conductive bond with the panel.

4. The solar panel mounting clamp of claim 3, wherein the first member and the cylindrical member comprise aluminum.

5. The solar panel mounting clamp of claim 4, wherein the teeth form an electrically conductive bond with the solar panel by removing an anodized layer to form a metal to metal contact between the teeth and the solar panel.

6. The solar panel mounting clamp of claim 5, wherein the first member has one or more external sidewalls comprising a knurling pattern.

7. The solar panel mounting clamp of claim 1, further comprising a plate having an inner circumference formed by a central hole, the central hole capable of receiving the threaded projection, wherein the inner circumference comprises one or more tabs extending at least partially inward towards a center of the central hole such that the one or more tabs form a slip lock mechanism for securing the plate to the threaded projection.

8. The solar panel mounting clamp of claim 7 further comprising a threaded projection fixed in a mounting surface, wherein the plate receives the threaded projection through the central hole such that the plate is secured to the threaded projection by the slip lock mechanism such that the plate rests on the fixed mounting surface, and wherein the solar panel mounting clamp is disposed upon the threaded projection such that threaded receiving portion of the cylindrical member receives the threaded projection, wherein solar panel mounting clamp is capable of securing a panel between the plate and at least a portion of the base of the first member.

9. The solar panel mounting clamp of claim 8, wherein the plate further comprises one or more clip members extending at least partially radially outward from an outer edge of the plate;

the clip members being deformed away from a plane including a top surface of the plate.

10. The solar panel mounting clamp of claim 9, wherein the clip members are capable of retaining one or more electrical cables.

11. The solar panel mounting clamp of claim 8, wherein the mounting surface is a roof mounting bracket for securing accessories to seamed panel roof systems.

12. The solar panel mounting clamp of claim 8, wherein the mounting surface is one of the ground, a wall, a frame, a solar panel mounting frame, a solar panel mounting system, or a roof.

13. A system for mounting a plurality of solar panels comprising:

a plurality of threaded projections fixed in a mounting surface;

a plurality of the solar panel mounting clamps of claim 5, each respectively disposed upon one of the plurality of threaded projections such that the threaded receiving portion of each respective one of the plurality of solar panel mounting clamps threadably receives one of the plurality of threaded projection, such that the plurality of solar panel mounting clamps are capable of securing a plurality of solar panels to the mounting surface such that each clamp makes a conductive bond with one or more panels such that each panel shares a common ground.

20. A solar panel mounting system comprising the solar panel mounting clamp of claim 1 and the solar panel mounting clamp of claim 14.

14. A solar panel mounting clamp comprising a plate having an inner circumference formed by a central hole, the central hole capable of receiving a threaded projection, wherein the inner circumference comprises one or more tabs extending radially inward towards a center of the central hole such that the one or more tabs form a slip lock mechanism for securing the plate to a threaded projection.

15. The solar panel mounting clamp of claim 14 further comprising a threaded projection fixed in a mounting surface, wherein the plate receives the threaded projection through the central hole such that the plate is secured to the threaded projection by the slip lock mechanism such that the plate rests on the fixed mounting surface, and wherein the plate is capable of supporting a panel for mounting.

16. The solar panel mounting clamp of claim 15, wherein the plate further comprises one or more clip members extending at least partially radially outward from an outer edge of the plate, the one or more clip members being deformed away from a plane including a top surface of the plate.

17. The solar panel mounting clamp of claim 16, wherein the clip members are capable of retaining one or more electrical cables.

18. The solar panel mounting clamp of claim 17, wherein the mounting surface is a roof mounting bracket for securing accessories to a seamed panel roof.

19. The solar panel mounting clamp of claim 17, wherein the mounting surface is one of the ground, a wall, a frame, a solar panel mounting frame, a solar panel mounting system, or a roof.

21. A solar panel mounting system for mounting a solar panel array to a fixed mounting surface having a plurality of projections, comprising:

at least two solar panels, wherein the at least two solar panels collectively comprise the solar panel array, and wherein at least one edge of each respective solar panels forms an end-edge of the solar panel array and wherein each at least one edge constitutes an internal-edge of the array;

at least one solar panel mounting clamp capable of securing both (1) the end-edge of one solar panel or (2) one internal-edge of each of two panels;

wherein each solar panel mounting clamp secures at least one solar panel to a projection of the fixed mounting surface.

22. A solar panel mounting system comprising:

a mounting base having a top portion and a bottom portion connected by a riser, wherein a top surface of the top portion has a slot formed therein;

a mounting sliding member having a threaded portion and a hollow channel, wherein the hollow channel slidably engages the top portion of the mounting base;

a first member having a central axial through-hole, a top surface and a base;

a cylindrical member having a central axial through-hole, the cylindrical member disposed upon the base of first member such that the central axial through-hole of the second member shares an axis with the axial through-hole of the first cylindrical member, the central axial through-hole of the cylindrical member forming an inner wall of the cylindrical member at least a portion of which inner wall comprises a threaded receiving portion capable of receiving a threaded projection;

wherein the first member has a greater width than the cylindrical member such that the base of the first member extends radially outward from the circumference of the cylindrical member in a direction perpendicular to the axis; and

a threaded projection threadably received by each of the central axial through-hole of the first member, the central axial through-hole of the cylindrical member, and the threaded portion of the mounting sliding member;

wherein the threaded projection extends into slot formed in the top portion of the mounting base.

23. The solar panel mounting system of claim 22 wherein the top portion of the base member and the hollow channel of the mounting sliding member have a common profile.

24. The solar panel mounting system of claim 22 wherein the threaded projection abuts the surface of the top portion of the base member in the slot to restrict movement of the mounting sliding member relative to the mounting base.

25. The solar panel mounting system of claim 22 wherein the length of the slot is less than the length of the top portion of the base.