Structure for rigidly connecting solar panels to a fixture

• US 8,555,569 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2011
• Issued: 10/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Institut de Recherche Fondamentale en Technologies Solaires-IRFTS
• Original Assignee: Institut de Recherche Fondamentale en Technologies Solaires-IRFTS
• Inventors: Crasnianski, Serge
• Primary Examiner(s): Katcheves, Basil
• Assistant Examiner(s): MINTZ, RODNEY K
• Application Number:
  US13/158,793
• Publication Number:
  US 20110302859A1
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 521/733, 525/060.5, 525/11, 525/52, 526/561, 126/621, 126/622, 126/623, 126/704, 136/244, 136/251, 248/237
• US Class Current: 52/173.3
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/35 by means of profiles with a cross-section defining separate supporting portions for adjacent 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 40/44 Draining rainwater or condensation
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/23 specially adapted for roof structures
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/32 comprising DC/AC inverter means associated with the PV module itself, e.g. AC modules
• 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 device for integrating solar panels on a fixture, in particular a roofing framework, that includes a plurality of frames intended to accommodate the solar panels, added to the fixture, said frames being defined by a peripheral edge fitted with linear elements that project relative to the plane in which the frames are set; tightening means for holding said panels on the frames; and means for securing the frames to the fixture. The frames are openwork and cover or partially overlap each other on the edges which define them, laterally on the one hand and in the direction of the roof pitch on the other hand, the projecting linear elements with which they are fitted cooperating with each other to form a barrier seal.

Claims

1. A device for integrating solar panels on a fixture, the device comprising:

a plurality of frames intended to accommodate the solar panels, added to the fixture, said frames being defined by a peripheral edge fitted with linear elements that project relative to a plane in which the frames are set;

said frames being formed by at least two longitudinal sections intended to be arranged in a direction of a roof pitch, and upper and lower transverse sections, each of the longitudinal sections having at least an external longitudinal chute and an internal longitudinal chute, said external longitudinal chute and said internal longitudinal chute being connected to each other at a respective lateral edge of said external longitudinal chute and said internal longitudinal chute by means of a longitudinal support surface, said external longitudinal chute and said internal longitudinal chute being intended to rest on the fixture;

tightening means for holding said panels on the frames;

means for securing the frames to the fixture;

wherein the frames are openwork and cover each other or partially overlap each other at the peripheral edge that defines said frames, laterally on the one hand and in the direction of the roof pitch on the other hand, the linear projecting elements with which the frames are fitted cooperating with each other in order to form a first barrier seal,

wherein the tightening means are positioned by a dry zone, said dry zone being defined by the internal longitudinal chute, separated from the external longitudinal chute,

wherein the means for securing the frames to the fixture include securing lugs capable of cooperating with through orifices or machined bores implemented in a wall forming a bottom of each of the internal longitudinal chutes of the frames, and

wherein the lateral edge of the internal longitudinal chute which is connected to the longitudinal support surface forms an upward projecting chevron structure, additionally allowing a part of a lower face of the solar panel to be supported and a second barrier seal to be formed.

2. The device for integrating solar panels on a fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frames define a continuous or single piece chute, providing continuity between transverse chutes oriented perpendicular to the direction of the roof pitch and the longitudinal chutes oriented in the direction of the roof pitch.

3. The device for integrating solar panels on a fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the free lateral edge of the external longitudinal chute of the frames forms an upward projecting chevron structure, capable of covering the free lateral edge of the external longitudinal chute of an adjacent frame.

4. The device for integrating solar panels on a fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the machined bores or through orifices provided in the internal longitudinal chutes of the frame have different dimensions, according to whether said machined bores or through orifices are implemented in a central position or in an end position,

and the securing lugs are fitted with at least one positioning and securing pin, capable of passing through said machined bores and able to cooperate by contact with the walls defining said machined bores.

5. The device for integrating solar panels on a fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device further includes flashings, capable of cooperating with the longitudinal and transverse sections defining the frame, said flashings being fitted with projecting elements able to cooperate with the chutes of said the longitudinal and transverse sections, and having a plane extension for the accommodation of tiles, including flat tiles or slates.

6. The device for integrating solar panels on a fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device further comprises flashing components, and the frames and the flashing components are made of plastic material by thermo-forming.

7. The device for integrating solar panels on a fixture as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plastic material includes a plurality of layers of different polymers.

8. The device for integrating solar panels on a fixture as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plastic material integrates at least one material that has protective properties against ultra-violet radiation.

9. The device for integrating solar panels on a fixture as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plastic material is selected from the group that includes polyethylene, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PMMA (polymethyl metacrylate), polycarbonates, polyurethane, vinyl polychloride, polyamide, polystyrene, polyester and polyepoxides.

10. The device for integrating solar panels on a fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame integrates a receptacle-forming element, intended to at least one of support and accommodate a low voltage inverter or micro-inverter.

11. The device for integrating solar panels on a fixture as claimed in claim 10, wherein the frame and the receptacle-forming element constitute an assembly cast in one piece made of plastic material, and produced by thermo-forming.

12. The device for integrating solar panels on a fixture as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

the micro-inverter, once positioned in the receptacle-forming element, is embedded in a liquid or soft coating layer which then solidifies, said layer being made of epoxy resin, silicone or polyurethane;

or

the micro-inverter, once positioned in the receptacle-forming element, is bonded to a bottom thereof or secured by means of screws;

or

the micro-inverter, once positioned in the receptacle-forming element, is covered by a protective lid;

or

the micro-inverter, once positioned in the receptacle-forming element, is enclosed in a sealed way and joints are used to form an insulation that satisfies the standards IP55 or IP67 according to the IEC60529 edition 2.1 published by the International Electrotechnical Commission.

13. The device for integrating solar panels on a fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device includes flashings, comprising a plurality of elements, and respectively:

a first assembly including longitudinal components that can be fitted to the external longitudinal chutes provided on the longitudinal sections defining the frame, and in a way complementary thereto,

a second assembly including angle components that can be fitted to an intersection between the longitudinal sections and the transverse sections of said frame;

and a third assembly including transverse components that can be fitted to central transverse chutes provided on the transverse section defining the frame in cooperation with the longitudinal sections, and in a way complementary thereto.

14. The device for integrating solar panels on a fixture as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one of the longitudinal components belonging to said first assembly includes a rib or a pillar arranged to project relative to a plane which contains said longitudinal components, capable of giving the flashing a constant height for the accommodation of tiles or slates.