A design is described for solar panel that allows for modular installation and efficient removal of panels irrespective of the panel's relative location in an array arrangement. A system is provided that includes a plurality of modular panels (such as solar power panels). These panels are rimmed by
A design is described for solar panel that allows for modular installation and efficient removal of panels irrespective of the panel's relative location in an array arrangement. A system is provided that includes a plurality of modular panels (such as solar power panels). These panels are rimmed by frames featuring one or more exterior-facing, grooved channels. A first channel—which may be used to mount the panel, and which replaces traditional railing installation systems—and a second channel that is configured to allow movement of one or more panel splices used to secure the panels together. Integrated electrical connection interfaces are provided on opposite side surfaces of the frames to couple with the electrical connection interfaces of adjacent panels to establish an electrical path between them. A spacer component may be inserted between panels to provide access to the electrical connection interfaces; support and rigidity to the joined panels; a grounding path between the panels; and, when combined with the panel splices, to align the panels to prevent damage to the electrical connection interfaces.
대표청구항▼
1. An installation system for a plurality of panels, the system comprising: a plurality of panels, each panel of the plurality of panels comprising: a frame encircling a perimeter of the panel;a first channel disposed along the frame, the first channel being configured to affix the panel to a plural
1. An installation system for a plurality of panels, the system comprising: a plurality of panels, each panel of the plurality of panels comprising: a frame encircling a perimeter of the panel;a first channel disposed along the frame, the first channel being configured to affix the panel to a plurality of mounting points;a second channel disposed along a surface of the frame and defining a channel opening extending along the surface of the frame; anda plurality of panel splices operable to mechanically secure a pair of adjacent panels of the plurality of panels when a first portion of a panel splice is affixed to a frame of a first panel of the two adjacent panels and a second portion of the panel splice is affixed to a frame of the second panel of the two adjacent panels,a plurality of spacer components, wherein a pair of spacer components of the plurality of spacer components is configured to be physically disposed between a pair of opposite, parallel, edges of the frames corresponding to a pair of adjacent panels; anda spacer channel disposed in each spacer component of the plurality of spacer components, the spacer channel being configured to align with the second channels of the pair of adjacent panels and to bridge a width of the spacer component between the second channels, the spacer channel sized to slidably receive the panel splice, the spacer channel having the panel splice positioned therein having the panel splice extending into the second channel of a first panel of the pair of adjacent panels and the second channel of a second panel of the pair of adjacent panels having the spacer positioned between the first and second panels;wherein a panel splice is further operable to traverse an entire length of a side of a frame of a panel along a second channel of the panel for alignment thereof. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein each panel of the plurality of panels comprises one or more of solar cells. 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the one or more solar cells comprise at least one solar cell selected from the group of solar cells consisting of: a plurality of silicon solar cells;a plurality of crystalline solar cells;a plurality of thin-film solar cells;a plurality of amorphous solar cells; anda multi-composition solar cell. 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the frame comprises at least one of: an exterior surface of the frame;a top surface of the frame;a bottom surface of the frame;a side surface of the frame; andan interior surface of the frame. 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises a plurality of integrated electrical interfaces configured to couple with each other to provide an electrical path between a pair of adjacent panels. 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of integrated electrical interfaces comprises: a connection interface disposed on a first side surface of the frame; anda reception interface disposed on a second side surface of the frame, the second side surface of the frame being an opposite side of the frame from the first side surface of the frame,wherein a connection interface of a first panel of a pair of adjacent panels is operable to physically couple to a reception interface of a second panel of the air of adjacent panels,further wherein an electrical path between the first and second panels is generated when the connection interface of the first panel is physically coupled to the reception interface of the second panel. 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the panel splice is further configured to align the pair of adjacent panels during an installation of the pair of adjacent panels such that damage to the plurality of integrated electrical interfaces is substantially prevented during the installation. 8. The system according to claim 6, further comprising an engagement feature to physically couple the connection interface of the first panel with a reception interface of the second panel, wherein the connection interface of the first panel is decoupled from the reception interface of the second panel by activating a release element of the engagement feature disposed on at least one of: the connection interface and the reception interface. 9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the engagement element comprises at least one element from the group consisting of: a spring action element;a clasping element;a latch element;a twist element; anda cam element. 10. An installation system for a plurality of panels, the system comprising: a plurality of panels, each panel of the plurality of panels comprising: a frame encircling a perimeter of the panel;a first channel disposed along the frame, the first channel being configured to affix the panel to a plurality of mounting points;a second channel disposed along a surface of the frame; anda plurality of panel splices operable to mechanically secure a pair of adjacent panels of the plurality of panels when a first portion of a panel splice is affixed to a frame of a first panel of the two adjacent panels and a second portion of the panel splice is affixed to a frame of the second panel of the two adjacent panels,wherein a panel splice is further operable to traverse an entire length of a side of a frame of a panel along a second channel of the panel for alignment thereof;a plurality of spacer components, wherein a pair of spacer components of the plurality of spacer components is configured to be physically disposed between a pair of opposite, parallel, edges of the frames corresponding to the pair of adjacent panels; anda spacer channel disposed in each spacer component of the plurality of spacer components, the spacer channel being configured to align with the second channels of the pair of adjacent panels and to bridge a width of the spacer component between the second channels, the spacer channel sized to slidably receive the panel splice, the spacer channel having the panel splice positioned therein having the panel splice extending into the second channel of a first panel of the plurality of panels and the second channel of a second panel of the plurality of panels having the spacer positioned between the first and second panels. 11. The system according to claim 10, wherein a gap is created between the pair of adjacent panels in an area between the pair of spacer components, the gap providing access to the engagement elementfurther wherein, a spacer component provides a surface against which to tighten a pair of adjacent panels. 12. The system according to claim 10, wherein a spacer component is removable from a position between a pair of frames of a pair of adjacent panels without removing either of the pair of adjacent panels. 13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the spacer component comprises at least one from the group consisting of: a clamp;a washer;a bolt;a shelf;a full cross-section of a frame;a partial cross-section of a frame; anda component configured to align against an exterior surface of a frame of a panel and to provide a clearance between two adjacent panels of the plurality of panels. 14. The system according to claim 10, wherein a panel splice of the plurality of panel splices comprises a first plurality of apertures, wherein the panel splice may be affixed to a position via a fastening device through at least one aperture of the first plurality of apertures; wherein the second channel includes an opening extending along the surface of the frame; andwherein the panel splice is further operable to traverse an entire length of a side of a frame of a panel of the plurality of panels along a second channel of the panel for alignment thereof, the fastening device being accessible through the channel opening along an entire length of the channel opening and slidable within the channel opening with sliding of the panel splice within the second channel, the panel splice not protruding out of the channel opening when positioned within the second channel. 15. The system according to claim 14, wherein at least one aperture of the first plurality of apertures is disposed on at least one of the group consisting of: a top surface of the panel splice;a bottom surface of the panel splice;an interior surface of the panel splice. 16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the fastening device is configured to be secured to the panel splice through an aperture disposed on at least one aperture of the first plurality of apertures. 17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of spacer components comprises a second plurality of apertures, further wherein the fastening device is configured to be inserted through an aperture in a spacer component and secured to the panel splice. 18. The system according to claim 14, wherein the fastening device comprises at least one fastening device from the group comprising: a spring loaded pin;a bolt;a cam device;a screw;an interference fit fastener;a threaded fastener;a tapered threaded fastener;a cone threaded fastener;a ball-tipped fastener;a spring loaded fastener;a pin; anda tapered spring fastener. 19. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second channel comprises a securing mechanism configured to secure a panel splice during movement of the panel splice along the second channel. 20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the securing mechanism comprises at least one of: a bolstered channel in the second channel; anda dovetail groove disposed on a panel splice. 21. The system according to claim 14, wherein at least one of a spacer component and a panel splice positioned between a pair of adjacent panels is operable to provide a grounding path for the pair of adjacent panels. 22. The system according to claim 1, wherein a panel splice of the plurality of panel splices comprises at least one from the group consisting of: a plate;a rod;a slider;a beam;a bolt;an arch;a polyhedral extension; anda stamped and bent metal plate. 23. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of panel splices comprises a friction-reducing element, the friction-reducing element comprising at least one from the group comprising: a surface finish;a surface coating;a surface plating;a plurality of surface grooves;a plurality of raised elements;an embossing;an encasing in a low friction polymer;a low friction tape. 24. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first channel is further configured to provide mounting for a plurality of channel accessories, the plurality of channel accessories comprising at least one from the group of: a plurality of cable clips operable to fasten a plurality of cables together;an additional panel splice of the plurality of panel splices to provide structural reinforcement;an electrical box attachment;a micro inverter attachment;a solar optimizer;a safety enhancement device; anda performance enhancement device. 25. A method for coupling a plurality of panels, the method comprising: a) affixing a first panel to a mounting via a fastener disposed in a first channel of a frame surrounding the first panel;b) positioning a second panel adjacent to the first panel in a serial alignment;c) positioning a spacer component between the first panel and the second panel, the first spacer component in physical contact with both the first panel and the second panel along an edge of the frame of the first panel and an edge of a frame surrounding the second panel;d) inserting a panel splice into at least one of: a second channel disposed in the frame of the first panel, and a second channel disposed in the frame of the second panel;e) moving the panel splice through the second channel of the second panel and a spacer channel comprised in the spacer component until a portion of the panel splice extends into a second channel of the first panel and a second portion of the panel splice extends into the second channel of the second panel; andf) fastening of the panel splice to spacer,wherein steps c).-f). are performed for a first edge of the panel and a second edge of the panel opposite of the first edge. 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the b) positioning the second panel adjacent to the first panel comprises: coupling a first electrical connector interface disposed in a side surface of the first panel to a second electrical connector interface disposed in a side surface of the second panel,wherein the side surface of the first panel faces the side surface of the second panel. 27. A method for removing a panel between a plurality of adjacent panels, the method comprising: unfastening a plurality of panel splices from a plurality of spacers positioned adjacent panels, the plurality of adjacent panels comprising a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel, wherein the second panel is positioned between the first panel and the third panel;sliding, via a plurality of connection channels comprised in each of the first, second, and third panels, a first pair of panel splices from the plurality of panel splices comprised between the first panel and the second panel such that the first pair of panel splices moves from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position each of the first pair of panel splices extends into the connection channel of the first panel and the connection channel of the second panel and through a spacer channel of a spacer of the plurality of spacers positioned between the first and second panels to a second position wherein in the second position at least a substantial portion of each of the first pair of panel splices extends into the connection channel of the first panel and no portion of the first pair of panel splices extends into the connection channel of the second panel;sliding a second pair of panel splices from the plurality of panel splices comprised between the second panel and the third panel such that at least a substantial portion of the second pair of panel splices extends into the connection channel of the third panel and no portion of the second pair of panel splices extends into the connection channel of the second panel; andremoving the second panel.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (4)
West, John R.; Manansala, Christina C.; Haenlein, Hans-Christoph, Apparatus for forming and mounting a photovoltaic array.
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