An improved grounding and bonding bracket-type electrical connector is described with improved properties for directionally orienting grounding conductors. The electrical connector has a body with a first and a second clamp area. The second clamp area may be partially formed by a second body member.
An improved grounding and bonding bracket-type electrical connector is described with improved properties for directionally orienting grounding conductors. The electrical connector has a body with a first and a second clamp area. The second clamp area may be partially formed by a second body member. A frame substrate is connected in the first clamp area, while a grounding conductor is connected in the second clamp area. The grounding conductor may be connected such that the path of the conductor runs parallel, at 45 degrees, or perpendicular as compared to the mounting line of the frame substrate.
대표청구항▼
1. An electrical connector comprising: (a) an electrical connector body;(b) a cable clamp body;(c) a first clamp area formed in said electrical connector body, wherein said first clamp area is capable of electrical connection with a frame substrate;(d) a second clamp area formed by coupling said ele
1. An electrical connector comprising: (a) an electrical connector body;(b) a cable clamp body;(c) a first clamp area formed in said electrical connector body, wherein said first clamp area is capable of electrical connection with a frame substrate;(d) a second clamp area formed by coupling said electrical connector body and said cable clamp body, wherein said second clamp area is capable of electrical connection with a grounding conductor;(e) a first fastener coupled to said electrical connector body, wherein said first fastener is configured to secure the frame substrate in said first clamp area; and(f) a second fastener capable of coupling said electrical connector body and said cable clamp body, wherein said second fastener secures said grounding conductor in said second clamp area; wherein said grounding conductor may be seated in said second clamp area in one of a plurality of orientations about an axis defined by said second fastener. 2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said electrical connector body and said cable clamp body are formed from aluminum, a conductive aluminum alloy, tin-plated copper, or a tin-plated conductive copper alloy. 3. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said first clamp area is formed with a plurality of serrations oriented opposite from said first fastener. 4. The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein said first fastener is threadably coupled to said electrical connector body, and said second fastener is threadably coupled to said electrical connector body and said cable clamp body. 5. The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein said first fastener has a knurled tip capable of physically bonding with the frame substrate. 6. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said cable clamp body has raised arm members on two sides opposite from each other for securing said cable clamp body to said electrical connector body in a fixed orientation. 7. The electrical connector of claim 6, wherein said fixed orientation secures said grounding conductor in approximately parallel orientation to the electrical connection with the frame substrate. 8. The electrical connector of claim 6, wherein said fixed orientation secures said grounding conductor in approximately perpendicular orientation to the electrical connection with the frame substrate. 9. The electrical connector of claim 6, wherein said fixed orientation secures said grounding conductor in approximately a 45° angle orientation to the electrical connection with the frame substrate. 10. An electrical connector for electrically connecting a photovoltaic module in a photovoltaic system having a plurality of photovoltaic modules to a grounding conductor in electrical connection with each of the photovoltaic modules in a photovoltaic system, the electrical connector comprising: (a) an electrical connector body;(b) a first and a second clamp area formed in said electrical connector body, wherein said electrical connector body is in electrical contact with an edge of an associated photovoltaic module in said first clamp area and said electrical connector body is in electrical contact with said grounding conductor in said second clamp area, wherein said first and said second clamp areas are oriented on said electrical connector body such that said edge of the associated photovoltaic module and said grounding conductor form geometric lines that run approximately perpendicular to one another; and(c) a first and a second fastener coupled to said electrical connector body, wherein said first fastener secures said edge of the associated photovoltaic module in said first clamp area and said second fastener secures said grounding conductor in said second clamp area. 11. The electrical connector of claim 10, wherein said electrical connector body is formed from aluminum or a conductive aluminum alloy. 12. The electrical connector of claim 10, wherein said first clamp area is formed with a plurality of serrations oriented opposite from said first fastener. 13. The electrical connector of claim 12, wherein said first and second fasteners are stainless steel set screws. 14. The electrical connector of claim 13, wherein said first fastener has a knurled tip capable of physically bonding with said edge of the associated photovoltaic module. 15. The electrical connector of claim 10, wherein said edge of the associated photovoltaic module is a long edge of the associated photovoltaic module. 16. An electrical connector for electrically connecting a photovoltaic module in a photovoltaic system having a plurality of photovoltaic modules to a grounding conductor in electrical connection with each of the photovoltaic modules in a photovoltaic system, the electrical connector comprising: (a) an electrical connector body;(b) a first and a second clamp area formed in said electrical connector body, wherein said electrical connector body is capable of electrical contact with an edge of an associated photovoltaic module in said first clamp area and said electrical connector body is capable of electrical contact with said grounding conductor in said second clamp area, wherein said first and said second clamp areas are oriented on said electrical connector body such that said edge of the associated photovoltaic module and said grounding conductor form geometric lines that run approximately perpendicular to one another; and(c) a first and a second fastener coupled to said electrical connector body, wherein said first fastener is capable of securing said edge of the associated photovoltaic module in said first clamp area and said second fastener is capable of securing said grounding conductor in said second clamp area. 17. The electrical connector of claim 16, wherein said electrical connector body is formed from aluminum or a conductive aluminum alloy. 18. The electrical connector of claim 16, wherein said first clamp area is formed with a plurality of serrations oriented opposite from said first fastener. 19. The electrical connector of claim 18, wherein said first and second fasteners are stainless steel set screws. 20. The electrical connector of claim 19, wherein said first and second fasteners have a knurled tip capable of physically bonding with said edge of the associated photovoltaic module. 21. The electrical connector of claim 16, wherein said edge of the associated photovoltaic module is a long edge of the associated photovoltaic module. 22. A photovoltaic system comprising: (a) a plurality of photovoltaic modules each having an edge capable of electrical conduction;(b) a grounding conductor; and(c) a plurality of electrical connectors each in electrical contact to one of said photovoltaic modules and to said grounding conductor, wherein at least one of the electrical connectors further comprises: (i) an electrical connector body;(ii) a first and a second clamp area formed in said electrical connector body, wherein said electrical connector body is in electrical contact with said edge of an associated photovoltaic module in said first clamp area, and said electrical connector body is in electrical contact with said grounding conductor in said second clamp area, wherein said first and said second clamp areas are oriented on said electrical connector body such that said edge of the associated photovoltaic module and said grounding conductor form geometric lines that run approximately perpendicular to one another; and(iii) a first and a second fastener coupled to said electrical connector body, wherein said first fastener secures said edge of the associated photovoltaic module in said first clamp area and said second fastener secures said grounding conductor in said second clamp area. 23. The photovoltaic system of claim 22, wherein said electrical connector body is formed from aluminum or a conductive aluminum alloy. 24. The photovoltaic system of claim 23, wherein said first and second fasteners are stainless steel set screws. 25. The photovoltaic system of claim 24, wherein said first fastener and second fasteners have a knurled tip capable of physically bonding with said edge of the associated photovoltaic module. 26. The electrical connector of claim 22, wherein said edge of the associated photovoltaic module is a long edge of the associated photovoltaic module.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (18)
Yoder Ronald L. (Topeka IN) Mault John L. (Wolcottville IN), Angular cam clamp.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.