A solar power system can include a rail and a solar module disposed on the rail. A clamp assembly can couple the solar module to the rail. The clamp assembly can have a clamped configuration in which the solar module is secured to the rail and an unclamped configuration. The clamp assembly can compr
A solar power system can include a rail and a solar module disposed on the rail. A clamp assembly can couple the solar module to the rail. The clamp assembly can have a clamped configuration in which the solar module is secured to the rail and an unclamped configuration. The clamp assembly can comprise an upper clamp member, a lower clamp member coupled to the rail, and a stabilization member mechanically engaging the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member. The stabilization member can prevent rotation of the lower clamp member relative to the rail when the clamp assembly is in the clamped and unclamped configurations. In the unclamped configuration, the stabilization member can be biased such that the upper clamp member is disposed at a sufficient clearance above the rail to permit the insertion of the solar module between the upper clamp member and the rail.
대표청구항▼
1. A clamp assembly having a major axis, the clamp assembly comprising: an upper clamp member;a lower clamp member; anda stabilization member having a relaxed state and one or more compressed states, the stabilization member configured to prevent rotation of the lower clamp member relative to the up
1. A clamp assembly having a major axis, the clamp assembly comprising: an upper clamp member;a lower clamp member; anda stabilization member having a relaxed state and one or more compressed states, the stabilization member configured to prevent rotation of the lower clamp member relative to the upper clamp member about the major axis, the stabilization member comprising a central portion having a first upwardly-extending flange configured to support the upper clamp member, andwherein the stabilization member in the relaxed state is biased to support at least the weight of the upper clamp member to prevent translation of the upper clamp member towards the lower clamp member along the major axis,wherein the stabilization member in the one or more compressed states is compressed such that the upper clamp member is translated towards the lower clamp member along the major axis relative to the relaxed state,wherein the clamp assembly has a longitudinal axis transverse to the major axis, and wherein the upper clamp member has a first arm extending outwardly from the major axis along the longitudinal axis, andwherein the upper clamp member comprises a first projection extending from a distal portion of the first arm along the major axis towards the lower clamp member, the first projection adapted to secure a first photovoltaic module to a mounting structure. 2. The clamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fastener mechanically coupling the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member, the fastener adapted to translate the upper clamp member towards the lower clamp member. 3. The clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the stabilization member comprises an upper portion engaged with the upper clamp member and a lower portion configured to engage with a mounting structure. 4. The clamp assembly of claim 3, wherein the stabilization member comprises a generally X-shaped cross-section, the stabilization member further comprising a second upwardly-extending flange configured to support the upper clamp member and two downwardly-extending flanges extending from the central portion. 5. The clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein a bottom side of the central portion comprises a C-shaped channel facing the lower clamp member. 6. The clamp assembly of claim 5, wherein the lower clamp member comprises an upper locking nut disposed in a recess of the C-shaped channel and a lower body member having a length larger than a major dimension of the upper locking nut, the C-shaped channel comprising inwardly extending projections that captures the upper locking nut. 7. The clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the stabilization member comprises a spring that mechanically couples the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member. 8. The clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the stabilization member comprises a polymer. 9. The clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper clamp member comprises a second projection extending from the distal portion of the first arm along the major axis towards the lower clamp member, the second projection spaced apart from the first projection along the lateral axis and adapted to secure a second photovoltaic module to the mounting structure when the second photovoltaic module is positioned adjacent the first photovoltaic module. 10. The clamp assembly of claim 9, wherein the upper portion includes a flange supporting the upper clamp member, the flange disposed between the first projection and the second projection. 11. The clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the central portion has a hole formed therethrough, the hole configured to receive a fastener that couples the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member. 12. The clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the stabilization member supports the upper clamp member at a position vertically spaced above the lower clamp member. 13. The clamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first downwardly-extending flange configured to engage the lower clamp member, wherein the first upwardly-extending flange and the first downwardly-extending flange of the stabilization member prevent relative rotation between the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member. 14. A solar power system comprising: a rail;a solar module disposed on the rail; anda clamp assembly having a major axis, the clamp assembly comprising: an upper clamp member;a lower clamp member; anda stabilization member having a relaxed state and one or more compressed states, the stabilization member configured to prevent rotation of the lower clamp member relative to the upper clamp member about the major axis, the stabilization member comprising a central portion having a first upwardly-extending flange configured to support the upper clamp member,wherein the stabilization member in the relaxed state is biased to support at least the weight of the upper clamp member to prevent translation of the upper clamp member towards the lower clamp member along the major axis,wherein the stabilization member in the one or more compressed states is compressed such that the upper clamp member is translated towards the lower clamp member along the major axis relative to the relaxed state,wherein the clamp assembly couples the solar module to the rail, the clamp assembly having a clamped configuration in which the solar module is secured to the rail and an unclamped configuration, the lower clamp member being coupled to the rail, and the stabilization member mechanically engaging the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member,wherein the stabilization member prevents rotation of the lower clamp member relative to the rail when the clamp assembly is in the clamped and unclamped configurations, andwherein, when the clamp assembly is in the unclamped configuration, the stabilization member is biased such that the upper clamp member is disposed at a sufficient clearance above the rail to permit the insertion of the solar module between the upper clamp member and the rail. 15. The solar power system of claim 14, wherein, in the clamped configuration, the stabilization member is compressed and the upper clamp member bears an edge portion of the solar module against the rail. 16. The solar power system of claim 15, further comprising a fastener mechanically coupling the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member, wherein when the fastener is rotated in a first direction, the fastener moves the clamp assembly from the unclamped configuration to the clamped configuration to secure the solar module to the rail. 17. The solar power system of claim 14, wherein the lower clamp member comprises an upper locking nut disposed in a recess of the stabilization member and a lower body member having a length along the longitudinal axis and a width along the lateral axis, the length larger than the width and a major dimension of the upper locking nut. 18. The solar power system of claim 17, wherein the rail comprises a groove along a mounting surface on which the solar module is disposed, and wherein the lower body of the lower clamp member is disposed in the groove of the rail. 19. The solar power system of claim 18, wherein, when the clamp assembly is in the clamped configuration and the unclamped configuration, the lower body is captured by an aperture defined by the groove to prevent the lower body from translating out of the groove. 20. The solar power system of claim 14, wherein the rail comprises a groove extending along a length of the rail, the groove defining an aperture between a first ledge and a second ledge, the first ledge having a first rib extending along the length of the rail from the first ledge towards a recess of the groove, wherein, when the lower clamp member is clamped against the rail, the first rib and an arcuate contact ridge of the lower clamp member engage to form an electrical pathway between the lower clamp member and the rail.
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