Semirigid photovoltaic module assembly and structural support therefor
First Claim
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1. A semirigid photovoltaic module assembly comprising:
- (a) a flexible photovoltaic module;
(b) a semirigid support member having a frame adapted to be in contact with the perimeter of the flexible photovoltaic module, an inwardly facing flange extending upward from the frame which overlaps a portion of the module perimeter said flexible photovoltaic module being gripped by said flange, a skirt depending downward from the frame, and rib stiffeners integral to the frame and extending inward and adapted to contact the flexible photovoltaic module; and
(c) means for attaching the photovoltaic module to the support member.
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Abstract
A semirigid support member is provided for deploying flexible photovoltaic modules in a manner that imparts a degree of rigidity and permanence to the deployment. The semirigid support members provide lightweight economical means for lending structural support to flexible photovoltaic modules. The support members may be interconnected and additionally connected to a permanent base foundation.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A semirigid photovoltaic module assembly comprising:
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(a) a flexible photovoltaic module; (b) a semirigid support member having a frame adapted to be in contact with the perimeter of the flexible photovoltaic module, an inwardly facing flange extending upward from the frame which overlaps a portion of the module perimeter said flexible photovoltaic module being gripped by said flange, a skirt depending downward from the frame, and rib stiffeners integral to the frame and extending inward and adapted to contact the flexible photovoltaic module; and (c) means for attaching the photovoltaic module to the support member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A semirigid array of flexible photovoltaic modules, which semirigid array comprises:
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(a) individual flexible photovoltaic modules and individual semirigid support members for said modules, each individual support member having a frame adapted to be in contact with the perimeter of a photovoltaic module, an inwardly facing flange extending upward from the frame and which overlaps a portion of the module perimeter, a said flexible photovoltaic module being gripped by said flange, a skirt depending downward from the frame, rib stiffeners integral to the frame and extending inward and adapted to contact the photovoltaic module, and means for attaching the photovoltaic module to the support member to form a photovoltaic assembly; (b) means for fixedly attaching individual semirigid support members to adjacent semirigid support members to form an array; and (c) means for securing at least one semirigid support member to a base so that the array of flexible photovoltaic modules may be displayed in the desired configuration. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A semirigid array of flexible photovoltaic modules, which array comprises:
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(a) individual flexible photovoltaic modules and individual semirigid support members for said modules, each individual support member having a frame adapted to be in contact with the perimeter of a photovoltaic module, an inwardly facing flange extending upward from the frame which overlaps a portion of the module perimeter, a said flexible photovoltaic module being gripped by said flange, a skirt depending downward from the frame, rib stiffeners integral to the frame and extending inward and adapted to contact the photovoltaic module, and means for attaching the photovoltaic module to the support member to form a photovoltaic assembly; (b) means fixedly attaching individual semirigid support members to a common torque bar; and (c) means for securing said common torque bar to a base.
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Specification