Grid support system for a tracker-mounted solar panel array for rooftop applications
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
G01C-021/02
F24J-002/46
출원번호
US-0342520
(2008-12-23)
등록번호
US-8188414
(2012-05-29)
발명자
/ 주소
Linke, Edward J.
출원인 / 주소
Opel, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Gordon & Jacobson, PC
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
10인용 특허 :
21
초록▼
A grid support system for tracker-mounted solar panel array for rooftop applications includes a base frame having a plurality of interconnected lateral members which define a generally planar area substantially parallel with the rooftop. The system also includes a set of support legs corresponding t
A grid support system for tracker-mounted solar panel array for rooftop applications includes a base frame having a plurality of interconnected lateral members which define a generally planar area substantially parallel with the rooftop. The system also includes a set of support legs corresponding to each one of the tracker devices. The set of support legs are secured to the lateral members and extend upward and inward toward one another to a respective tracker mounting plate. The tracker mounting plate supports a tracker device and associated solar panel(s). A plurality of ballast trays are secured to the base frame and are adapted to hold a plurality of ballast weights for applying a downward force on the base frame to stabilize and resist movement of the base frame.
대표청구항▼
1. In a terrestrial photovoltaic system including a plurality of tracker devices each supporting at least one solar panel on a rooftop, the tracker devices for adjusting orientation of the at least one solar panel supported thereon, an apparatus for supporting the plurality of tracker devices and as
1. In a terrestrial photovoltaic system including a plurality of tracker devices each supporting at least one solar panel on a rooftop, the tracker devices for adjusting orientation of the at least one solar panel supported thereon, an apparatus for supporting the plurality of tracker devices and associated solar panels in conjunction with a plurality of ballast weights, the apparatus comprising: a base frame including a plurality of interconnected lateral members which define a generally planar area that is substantially parallel with the rooftop and disposed under the plurality of tracker devices and the solar panels supported thereon;a plurality of support structures mounted to said base frame and arranged in a rectangular array, wherein each support structure corresponds to a respective tracker device of the plurality of tracker devices and includes a set of support legs mounted to said lateral members of said base frame and extending upward and inward toward one another to a tracker mounting plate, said tracker mounting plate disposed below a corresponding tracker device and supporting the corresponding tracker device and at least one solar panel secured thereto, and wherein each given support leg is secured to a respective lateral member with a connector that provides for fixation of the given support leg relative the respective lateral member at different positions along the length of the respective lateral member; anda plurality of ballast trays, separate and distinct from the plurality of ballast weights, attached to said base frame and adapted to hold the plurality of ballast weights for applying a downward force on said base frame to stabilize and resist movement of said base frame, wherein said ballast trays are attached to said base frame along at least a perimeter portion of said generally planar area defined by said base frame. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said set of support legs includes four legs that define a generally pyramidal shape. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said lateral members of said base frame which connect to said set of support legs are substantially parallel relative to each other. 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said lateral members of said base frame are arranged in a rectangular grid including a first set of said lateral members that extend in a parallel direction relative to each other and a second set of lateral members that extend in a perpendicular direction relative to said first set of lateral members. 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the connector that secures the given support leg to the respective lateral member is moveable along a channel defined over the length of the respective lateral member. 6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: the channel is defined by oppositely disposed sidewalls with oppositely disposed lips projecting from said sidewalls;the connector is retained inside the channel below the lips and moveable within the channel; andthe given support leg is secured to the respective lateral member by a flange mounted to said given support leg with a through-opening to allow for bolt-on connection thereto, and at least one bolt that extends through said through-opening of said flange into said channel of the respective lateral member to mate with said connector, whereby said connector grips bottom sides of the lips of the respective lateral member to fixably secure the given support leg to the respective lateral member. 7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: each of said tracker mounting plates has two parts, each of said parts having a top section and a side section extending at an angle from said top section, wherein a first plurality of support legs of a given set are secured to said side section of one of said two parts of a corresponding mounting plate, and a second plurality of support legs of a given set are secured to said side section of the other of said two parts, said top sections of said corresponding mounting plate forming a generally planar mounting surface. 8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: said two parts of each mounting plate are symmetrical and lie opposite each other. 9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: each ballast tray has a generally planar bottom surface disposed opposite a generally planar top surface, said bottom surface oriented downward and facing said rooftop, and said top surface oriented upward and supporting at least one ballast weight resting thereon during use. 10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: said bottom surface of each respective ballast tray contacts the rooftop. 11. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: said bottom surface of each respective ballast tray is suspended above the rooftop. 12. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: each respective ballast tray extends between and is supported by a pair of lateral members of the base frame that extend parallel to one another. 13. A terrestrial photovoltaic system for use on a rooftop in conjunction with a plurality of ballast weights, the terrestrial photovoltaic system comprising: a plurality of solar panels;a plurality of tracker devices each supporting at least one of said plurality of solar panels, said tracker devices for adjusting orientation of the at least one solar panel supported thereon;a base frame including a plurality of interconnected lateral members which define a generally planar area that is substantially parallel with the rooftop and disposed under the plurality of tracker devices and the solar panels supported thereon;a plurality of support structures mounted said to base frame and arranged in a rectangular array, wherein each support structure corresponds to a respective tracker device of the plurality of tracker devices and includes a set of support legs secured to said lateral members of said base frame and extending upward and inward toward one another to a tracker mounting plate, said tracker mounting plate disposed below a corresponding tracker device and supporting the corresponding tracker device and at least one solar panel secured thereto, and wherein each given support leg is secured to a respective lateral member with a connector that provides for fixation of the given support leg relative the respective lateral member at different positions along the length of the respective lateral member; anda plurality of ballast trays, separate and distinct from the plurality of ballast weights, attached to said base frame and holding the plurality of ballast weights for applying a downward force on said base frame to stabilize and resist movement of said base frame, wherein said ballast trays are attached to said base frame along at least a perimeter portion of said generally planar area defined by said base frame. 14. A terrestrial photovoltaic system according to claim 13, wherein: said set of support legs includes four legs that define a generally pyramidal shape. 15. A terrestrial photovoltaic system according to claim 13, wherein: said lateral members of said base frame which connect to said set of support legs are substantially parallel relative to each other. 16. A terrestrial photovoltaic system according to claim 13, wherein: said lateral members of said base frame are arranged in a rectangular grid including a first set of said lateral members that extend in a parallel direction relative to each other and a second set of lateral members that extend in a perpendicular direction relative to said first set of lateral members. 17. A terrestrial photovoltaic system according to claim 13, wherein: the connector that secures the given support leg to the respective lateral member is moveable along a channel defined over the length of the respective lateral member. 18. A terrestrial photovoltaic system according to claim 17, wherein: the channel is defined by oppositely disposed sidewalls with oppositely disposed lips projecting from said sidewalls;the connector is retained inside the channel below the lips and moveable within the channel; andthe given support leg is secured to the respective lateral member by a flange mounted to said given support leg with a through-opening to allow for bolt-on connection thereto, and at least one bolt that extends through said through-opening of said flange into said guide channel of the respective lateral member to mate with said connector, whereby said connector grips bottom sides of the lips of the respective lateral member to fixably secure the given support leg to the respective lateral member. 19. A terrestrial photovoltaic system according to claim 11, wherein: each of said tracker mounting plates has two parts, each of said parts having a top section and a side section extending at an angle from said top section, wherein a first plurality of support legs of a given set are secured to said side section of one of said two parts of a corresponding mounting plate, and a second plurality of support legs of a given set are secured to said side section of the other of said two parts, said top sections of said corresponding mounting plate forming a generally planar mounting surface. 20. A terrestrial photovoltaic system according to claim 19, wherein: said two parts of each mounting plate are symmetrical and lie opposite each other. 21. A terrestrial photovoltaic system according to claim 13, wherein: each ballast tray has a generally planar bottom surface disposed opposite a generally planar top surface, said bottom surface oriented downward and facing said rooftop, and said top surface oriented upward and supporting at least one ballast weight resting thereon during use. 22. A terrestrial photovoltaic system according to claim 21, wherein: said bottom surface of each respective ballast tray contacts the rooftop. 23. A terrestrial photovoltaic system according to claim 21, wherein: said bottom surface of each respective ballast tray is suspended above the rooftop. 24. A terrestrial photovoltaic system according to claim 21, wherein: each respective ballast tray extends between and is supported by a pair of lateral members of the base frame that extend parallel to one another.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (21)
Russell,Miles Clayton, Apparatus and method for mounting photovoltaic power generating systems on buildings.
Zimmerman Thomas H. (Houston TX) Pop Julian J. (Houston TX) Perkins Joseph L. (Sugar Land TX), Down hole tool for determination of formation properties.
Laaly Heshmat O. (9037 Monte Mar Dr. Los Angeles CA 90035) Stevenson Edward J. (2970 Avacado Ct. Newbury Park CA 91320 4), Photovoltaic cells in combination with single ply roofing membranes.
Laing Johanes L. N. (1253 La Jolla Rancho Rd. La Jolla CA 92037) Laing Inge (1253 La Jolla Rancho Rd. La Jolla CA 92037), Platform for the utilization of solar power.
Sinclair, Michael; Morgan, John Paul; Chang, Philip M.; Balachandreswaran, Dhanushan; Chellabi, Abdelkader; Arbogast, Porter; Iannello, Richard, Self-ballasted apparatus for solar tracking.
Sinclair, Michael; Morgan, John Paul; Chang, Philip M.; Balachandreswaran, Dhanushan; Chellabi, Abdelkader; Arbogast, Porter; Iannello, Richard, Self-ballasted apparatus for solar tracking.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.