PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE MOUNTING CLIP WITH INTEGRAL GROUNDING

• US 20090000220A1
• Filed: 09/10/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sunpower Corporation (Totalenergies Se)
• Original Assignee: Sunpower Corporation (Totalenergies Se)
• Inventors: Lenox, Carl J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,780,472 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/173.100
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/021 Sealing means between support elements and mounting surface
• 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 25/634 Clamps; Clips
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/636 clamping by screw-threaded elements
• 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: H02S 20/23 specially adapted for roof structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44 Clasp, clip, support-clamp, or required component thereof

Abstract

An electrically conductive mounting/grounding clip, usable with a photovoltaic (PV) assembly of the type having an electrically conductive frame, comprises an electrically conductive body. The body has a central portion and first and second spaced-apart arms extending from the central portion. Each arm has first and second outer portions with frame surface-disrupting element at the outer portions.

Claims

1. A clip for use with a photovoltaic (PV) assembly comprising:

an electrically conductive body comprising a central portion and first and second spaced-apart arms extending from the central portion;

each arm having first and second outer portions with frame surface-disrupting element at the outer portions.

2. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the frame surface-disrupting elements point generally towards the central portion.

3. The clip according to claim 1, wherein each arm extends from the central portion at an acute angle to the central portion.

4. The clip according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said frame surface-disrupting elements at each outer end.

5. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the frame surface-disrupting elements of each arm can be oriented in a direction generally perpendicular to the PV assembly.

6. The clip according to claim 5, further comprising means for preventing the clip from tipping away from a PV assembly as the clip is biased against the PV assembly by the elongated connection member.

7. The clip according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second member; and

an elongated connection member securing the clip to the second member so that the frame surface-disrupting element can be forced against PV assemblies thereby electrically connecting the PV assemblies to one another through the clip.

8. The clip according to claim 7, wherein the central portion comprises an opening and the elongated connection member comprises a connection element passing through the opening, the connection element having an upper end, the upper end located completely within the access region and below the upper surface.

9. The clip according to claim 8, wherein connection element comprises a bolt, the upper end comprises a bolt head, and the second member comprises a threaded hole with which the bolt is threadably engaged.

10. The clip according to claim 8, wherein connection element comprises a stud extending from the second member and the upper end comprises a threaded portion of the stud and a nut threadably engaging the threaded portion.

11. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the frame surface-disrupting portion comprises surface-penetrating teeth.

12. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the body is generally U-shaped.

13. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises two arms and two outer portions for each arm.

14. A clip for use with a photovoltaic (PV) assembly comprising:

an electrically conductive body comprising a central portion and first and second spaced-apart arms extending from the central portion;

each arm extending from the central portion at an acute angle to the central portion;

each arm having first and second outer portions with frame surface-penetrating elements at each outer portion;

the frame surface-penetrating elements pointing generally towards the central portion; and

the frame surface-penetrating elements of each arm being orientable in a direction generally perpendicular to the PV assembly.

15. A PV installation comprising:

a support;

first and second PV assemblies of the type having electrically conductive frames separated by a gap, the frames each having an upper surface; and

a clip assembly for use with the first and second PV assemblies, the clip assembly comprising;

an electrically conductive clip comprising;

an electrically conductive body comprising a central portion and first and second spaced-apart arms extending from the central portion; and

each arm having first and second outer portions with frame surface-disrupting elements at the outer portions.