Photovoltaic module and interlocked stack of photovoltaic modules
First Claim
1. An arrangement of photovoltaic modules, the arrangement comprising:
- a plurality of photovoltaic modules,each said photovoltaic module including a frame having at least a top member and a bottom member, wherein the top member is disposed over a portion of a top surface and a perpendicular side surface of a glass layer of the photovoltaic module;
a plurality of male alignment features disposed over the top member and protruding from the top member of each frame perpendicular to a main longitudinal axis of the glass, wherein the male alignment features securely attach to the top member upon being pressed into holes in the top member; and
a plurality of female alignment features on the bottom member of each frame comprising a hole in the bottom member of the frame,wherein adjacent photovoltaic modules are configured to be unterlocked by the male alignment features protruding from the top member of a lower module fitting together with the female alignment features on the bottom member of an upper module.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment relates to an arrangement of photovoltaic modules configured for transportation. The arrangement includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each photovoltaic module including a frame having at least a top member and a bottom member. A plurality of alignment features are included on the top member of each frame, and a plurality of alignment features are included on the bottom member of each frame. Adjacent photovoltaic modules are interlocked by the alignment features on the top member of a lower module fitting together with the alignment features on the bottom member of an upper module. Other embodiments, features and aspects are also disclosed.
47 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An arrangement of photovoltaic modules, the arrangement comprising:
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a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each said photovoltaic module including a frame having at least a top member and a bottom member, wherein the top member is disposed over a portion of a top surface and a perpendicular side surface of a glass layer of the photovoltaic module; a plurality of male alignment features disposed over the top member and protruding from the top member of each frame perpendicular to a main longitudinal axis of the glass, wherein the male alignment features securely attach to the top member upon being pressed into holes in the top member; and a plurality of female alignment features on the bottom member of each frame comprising a hole in the bottom member of the frame, wherein adjacent photovoltaic modules are configured to be unterlocked by the male alignment features protruding from the top member of a lower module fitting together with the female alignment features on the bottom member of an upper module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A photovoltaic module comprising:
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an array of solar cells; and a frame for supporting the array of solar cells, the frame including a top member and a bottom member connected by a side member, wherein the top member is disposed over a portion of a top surface and a perpendicular side surface of a layer covering the array of solar cells; a plurality of male alignment features disposed over the top member and protruding from the top member perpendicular to a main longitudinal axis of the glass, wherein the male alignment features are one selected from the group consisting of self-clinching male alignment features that securely attach to the top member upon being pressed into holes in the top member and male alignment features that securely attach to the top member upon being screwed into screw holes in the top member; and a plurality of female alignment features on the bottom member comprising holes in the bottom member of the frame which are configured to interlock with the male alignment features protruding from the top member of another module. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. An arrangement of photovoltaic modules, the arrangement comprising:
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a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each said photovoltaic module including a frame having at least a top member and a bottom member, wherein the top member is disposed over a portion of a top surface and a perpendicular side surface of a glass layer of the photovoltaic module; a plurality of male alignment features disposed over the top member and protruding from the top member of each frame perpendicular to a main longitudinal axis of the glass, wherein the male alignment features are securely attached to the top member upon being screwed into screw holes in the top member; and a plurality of female alignment features on the bottom member of each frame comprising a hole in the bottom member of the frame, wherein adjacent photovoltaic modules are configured to be interlocked by the male alignment features protruding from the top member of a lower module fitting together with the female alignment features on the bottom member of an upper module. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification