IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0776316
(2007-07-11)
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등록번호 |
US-8424255
(2013-04-23)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Lenox, Carl J. S.
- Johnson, Kurt M.
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
45 인용 특허 :
27 |
초록
▼
A method for mounting PV modules to a deck includes selecting PV module layout pattern so that adjacent PV module edges are spaced apart. PV mounting and support assemblies are secured to the deck according to the layout pattern using fasteners extending into the deck. The PV modules are placed on t
A method for mounting PV modules to a deck includes selecting PV module layout pattern so that adjacent PV module edges are spaced apart. PV mounting and support assemblies are secured to the deck according to the layout pattern using fasteners extending into the deck. The PV modules are placed on the PV mounting and support assemblies. Retaining elements are located over and secured against the upper peripheral edge surfaces of the PV modules so to secure them to the deck with the peripheral edges of the PV modules spaced apart from the deck. In some examples a PV module mounting assembly, for use on a shingled deck, comprises flashing, a base mountable on the flashing, a deck-penetrating fastener engageable with the base and securable to the deck so to secure the flashing and the base to the shingled deck, and PV module mounting hardware securable to the base.
대표청구항
▼
1. A PV module mounting and support assembly, for use on a support structure of the type having a deck on which PV modules are to be mounted, comprising: a PV module;a base, having a lower surface, mountable to a deck;a deck-penetrating fastener engageable with the base and extendable into the deck
1. A PV module mounting and support assembly, for use on a support structure of the type having a deck on which PV modules are to be mounted, comprising: a PV module;a base, having a lower surface, mountable to a deck;a deck-penetrating fastener engageable with the base and extendable into the deck so to secure the base to the deck, the lower surface facing the deck;the base comprising a PV module-support surface; andPV module mounting hardware comprising an elongated fastener and a retaining element securable to the base by the elongated fastener at a position spaced apart from and not in contact with the PV module-support surface, whereby an edge of the PV module is positioned on top of and is supported by the PV module-support surface with the edge of the PV module spaced apart from the deck and captured between the PV module-support surface and the retaining element, wherein the retaining element comprises a mounting clip securable directly to the base by the elongated fastener with the elongated fastener extending between and directly engaging the mounting clip and the base. 2. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the fastener comprises a threaded fastener and the deck-penetrating fastener comprises a self-tapping screw. 3. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the base comprises first and second raised portions on opposite sides of the elongated fastener, the first and second raised portions engageable with the same PV module. 4. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the PV module-support surface comprises first and second PV module-support surfaces, whereby adjacent edges of adjacent PV modules can be positioned on top of and be supported by the first and second PV module-support surfaces with the elongated fastener extending between said adjacent edges. 5. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a deck hole sealing element associated with the deck-penetrating fastener, and wherein the deck hole sealing element comprises a sealing layer at the lower surface. 6. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising flashing positionable between the lower surface and the deck. 7. PV module kit, for installation on a support structure of the type having a deck, comprising: a PV module having a peripheral edge, the peripheral edge having upper and lower peripheral edge surfaces, and a lower surface configured to be positioned toward the deck;a plurality of PV mounting and support assemblies configured to be positioned along the peripheral edge for securing the PV module to a deck of a support structure, each PV mounting and support assembly comprising: a base having a lower surface;a deck-penetrating fastener configured to engage the base and extend into the deck so to enable the base to be secured to the deck, the lower surface of the base configured to be facing the deck;the base comprising a PV module-support surface, the PV module-support surface comprising a pair of raised portions defining a gap therebetween and configured to extend beneath the lower peripheral edge surface for supporting the peripheral edge;the PV module-support surface located a chosen distance above the lower surface of the base; andPV module mounting hardware comprising an elongated fastener and a retaining element configured to be secured to the base by the elongated fastener at a position spaced apart from and not in contact with the base, the retaining element configured to be engaged with the peripheral edge of the PV module so the PV module is securable to the deck with the peripheral edge of the PV module spaced apart from the deck, the base configured to extend only part way across the lower surface of the PV module, wherein the retaining element comprises a mounting clip configured to be secured directly to the base by the elongated fastener with the elongated fastener extending between and directly engaging the mounting clip and the base. 8. The kit according to claim 7 wherein the retaining element is configured to be placed against and separated from the upper peripheral edge surface of the PV module. 9. The kit according to claim 7 for installation on a support structure of the type comprising spaced-apart deck support elements beneath a deck, the positions of the bases being independent of the positions of the deck support elements. 10. The kit according to claim 7 wherein the PV module comprises first and second PV modules configured to have adjacent peripheral edge portions positioned adjacent to one another. 11. The kit according to claim 10 wherein the PV module-support surface of at least one of the PV mounting and support assemblies comprises first and second PV module-support surfaces configured to be located beneath the adjacent peripheral edge portions with the elongated fastener configured to extend therebetween. 12. The kit according to claim 7 for installation on a support structure of the type comprising upper and lower rows of shingles mounted on the deck, and flashing having upper and lower flashing surfaces and upper and lower flashing edges, the flashing supported on the lower row of shingles with the upper flashing edge positioned beneath the upper row of shingles, and wherein: the base is configured to be mounted on the flashing. 13. A PV module kit, for installation on a support structure of the type having a deck, comprising: a PV module having a peripheral edge, the peripheral edge having upper and lower peripheral edge surfaces;a plurality of PV mounting and support assemblies configured to be positioned along the peripheral edge for securing the PV module to a deck of a support structure, each PV mounting and support assembly comprising: a base having a lower surface;a deck-penetrating fastener configured to engage the base and extend into the deck so to enable the base to be secured to the deck, the lower surface of the base configured to face the deck;the base comprising a PV module-support surface, the PV module-support surface comprising a pair of raised portions defining a gap therebetween and configured to extend beneath the lower peripheral edge surface for supporting the peripheral edge;the PV module-support surface located a chosen distance above the lower surface of the base; andPV module mounting hardware comprising an elongated fastener and a retaining element configured to be secured to the base by the elongated fastener at a position spaced apart from and not in contact with the base, the retaining element configured to engage with the peripheral edge of the PV module so the PV module is securable to the deck with the peripheral edge of the PV module spaced apart from the deck, the base configured to extend only part way across the lower surface of the PV module, wherein the PV module comprises a frame along the peripheral edge, wherein the retaining element comprises a mounting clip configured to be secured directly to the base by the elongated fastener with the elongated fastener extending between and directly engaging the mounting clip and the base; andwherein the frame is an electrically conductive frame and the retaining element is configured to make electrical contact with the electrically conductive frame. 14. The kit according to claim 7 wherein the PV module is at least substantially frameless at the peripheral edge and the retaining element comprises a surface-cushioning member configured to reduce localized stresses in the PV module. 15. A method for mounting first and second PV modules to a support structure, the support structure of the type comprising a deck, the method comprising: selecting first and second PV modules each having upper and lower sides and edge segments defining a peripheral edge, the peripheral edge having upper and lower peripheral edge surfaces, and each PV module having a lower surface positioned toward the deck;selecting a layout pattern for the first and second PV modules so that a chosen edge segment of the first PV module will lie adjacent to but spaced apart from a chosen edge segment of the second PV module;positioning a plurality of PV mounting and support assemblies at selected locations according to the layout pattern, each PV mounting and support assembly comprising: a base comprising a lower surface and a PV module-support surface, the PV module-support surface located a chosen distance above the lower surface;a deck-penetrating fastener engageable with the base and penetrable into the deck with the lower surface facing the deck; andPV module mounting hardware securable to the base, the PV module mounting hardware comprising a retaining element;securing each base to the selected locations using the deck-penetrating fasteners to engage the base and to extend into the deck with the lower surface facing the deck;positioning the first and second PV modules in the layout pattern and placing the first and second PV modules on the PV module-support surfaces;locating retaining elements over the upper peripheral edge surfaces of the first and second PV modules; andsecuring the retaining elements directly to the bases and against the upper peripheral edge surfaces without the retaining elements contacting the bases using elongated fasteners with the elongated fastener extending between and directly engaging the retaining elements and the bases, so to secure the first and second PV modules to the deck with the peripheral edges of the PV modules spaced apart from the deck, and each base extending only part way across the lower surface of the PV modules, wherein each of the retaining elements comprise a mounting clip. 16. The method according to claim 15 wherein the PV mounting and support assemblies positioning step is carried out with the aid of a layout tool. 17. The method according to claim 15 wherein the base securing step is carried out with the fasteners forming holes in the deck. 18. The method according to claim 15 wherein the layout pattern selecting step is carried out without a need for the layout pattern to be aligned with any deck-supporting structure. 19. A method for mounting first and second PV modules to a support structure, the support structure of the type comprising a deck, the method comprising: selecting first and second PV modules each having upper and lower sides and edge segments defining a peripheral edge, the peripheral edge having upper and lower peripheral edge surfaces, and each PV module having a lower surface positioned toward the deck;selecting a layout pattern for the first and second PV modules so that a chosen edge segment of the first PV module will lie adjacent to but spaced apart from a chosen edge segment of the second PV module;positioning a plurality of PV mounting and support assemblies at selected locations according to the layout pattern, each PV mounting and support assembly comprising: a base comprising a lower surface and a PV module-support surface, the PV module-support surface located a chosen distance above the lower surface;a deck-penetrating fastener engageable with the base and penetrable into the deck with the lower surface facing the deck; andPV module mounting hardware securable to the base, the PV module mounting hardware comprising a retaining element;securing each base to the selected locations using the deck-penetrating fasteners to engage the base and to extend into the deck with the lower surface facing the deck;positioning the first and second PV modules in the layout pattern and placing the first and second PV modules on the PV module-support surfaces;locating retaining elements over the upper peripheral edge surfaces of the first and second PV modules; andsecuring the retaining elements directly to the bases and against the upper peripheral edge surfaces without the retaining elements contacting the bases using elongated fasteners with the elongated fastener extending between and directly engaging the retaining elements and the bases, so to secure the first and second PV modules to the deck with the peripheral edges of the PV modules spaced apart from the deck, and each base extending only part way across the lower surface of the PV modules, wherein the PV modules selecting step comprises selecting framed PV modules, the frames being electrically conductive frames, and the second securing step is carried out so that the retaining elements make electrical contact with the electrically conductive frames, wherein each of the retaining elements comprise a mounting clip. 20. The method according to claim 15 wherein the PV modules selecting step comprises selecting substantially frameless PV modules with the PV modules being at least substantially frameless at the peripheral edges, and the PV mounting and support assemblies positioning step is carried out with the retaining elements comprising a surface-cushioning members between the retaining elements and the upper peripheral edge surfaces to reduce localized stresses in the PV module.
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