Clip fastener for photovoltaic system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of assembling a photovoltaic system comprising:
- supporting a photovoltaic module on a module-support portion of a module rail, the photovoltaic module including a frame having a lower flange;
press fitting the module-support portion of the module rail and the lower flange of the photovoltaic module into a press-fit channel of a clip fastener to secure the photovoltaic module on the module-support portion of the module rail.
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Abstract
A photovoltaic system includes a photovoltaic module including a plurality of photovoltaic cells, and a frame surrounding the photovoltaic cells. The frame includes a lower flange. A module rail includes a module-support portion supporting the lower flange of the photovoltaic module. A clip fastener defines a press-fit channel in which the lower flange of the photovoltaic module and the module-support portion of the module rail are press fit to secure the module to the module-support portion of the module rail.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of assembling a photovoltaic system comprising:
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supporting a photovoltaic module on a module-support portion of a module rail, the photovoltaic module including a frame having a lower flange; press fitting the module-support portion of the module rail and the lower flange of the photovoltaic module into a press-fit channel of a clip fastener to secure the photovoltaic module on the module-support portion of the module rail. - View Dependent Claims (2, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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3. A photovoltaic system comprising:
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a photovoltaic module including a plurality of photovoltaic cells, and a frame surrounding the photovoltaic cells, the frame including a lower flange; a module rail including a module-support portion supporting the lower flange of the photovoltaic module; and a clip fastener defining a press-fit channel in which the lower flange of the photovoltaic module and the module-support portion of the module rail are press fit to secure the module to the module-support portion of the module rail. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A racking assembly for a photovoltaic system, the racking assembly comprising:
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a module rail on which at least one photovoltaic module is securable, the module rail including a module-support portion for supporting the photovoltaic module; and a clip fastener for securing the photovoltaic module to the module rail, the clip fastener defining a press-fit channel for press fitting a lower flange of the photovoltaic module and the module-support portion of the module rail therein to secure the module to the module rail. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A clip fastener for securing a photovoltaic module to a module rail of a racking assembly, the clip fastener comprising:
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first and second clip jaws partially defining a press-fit channel for press fitting a lower flange of the photovoltaic module and a module-support portion of the module rail therein to secure the photovoltaic modules to the module rail, wherein at least one of the first and second clip jaws is resiliently deflectable generally away from the other of the first and second clip jaws as the lower flange of the photovoltaic module and the module-support portion of the module rail are press fit into the press-fit channel; and a piercing member extending from the first clip jaw into the press-fit channel, the piercing member configured to pierce an electrically non-conductive outer layer of the lower flange so that the piercing member is in contact with an electrically-conductive material below the outer layer. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification