Discrete attachment point apparatus and system for photovoltaic arrays
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
H02S-020/23
F24J-002/52
H01L-031/042
H02S-020/00
출원번호
US-0911955
(2013-06-06)
등록번호
US-9647157
(2017-05-09)
발명자
/ 주소
West, Jack Raymond
Atchley, Brian
Hudson, Tyrus
출원인 / 주소
SolarCity Corporation
대리인 / 주소
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
1인용 특허 :
5
초록▼
An attachment point apparatus and system for photovoltaic arrays is disclosed as well as an installed photovoltaic array using attachment apparatus. One embodiment provides a rail for receiving a PV module, including a rail member located substantially beneath at least a portion of a second photovol
An attachment point apparatus and system for photovoltaic arrays is disclosed as well as an installed photovoltaic array using attachment apparatus. One embodiment provides a rail for receiving a PV module, including a rail member located substantially beneath at least a portion of a second photovoltaic module and having a first end located near a gap between a first and second photovoltaic modules. An embodiment also provides a second photovoltaic module which is substantially coplanar with and located between a first and third photovoltaic modules and wherein said rail member is connected to the first, second, and third photovoltaic modules and attached to a support structure by a first and second attachment brackets. A further embodiment provides a lever clip, said lever clip comprising a head portion connecting a photovoltaic module to a rail, a lever portion extending away from a head portion, and a retaining portion near an end of a lever portion wherein the lever portion acts as a lever to rotate the head portion during installation such that the head portion secures the photovoltaic module to a frame.
대표청구항▼
1. A photovoltaic array, comprising: an array of photovoltaic modules, comprising: a first photovoltaic module;a second photovoltaic module adjacent to said first photovoltaic module; anda third photovoltaic module adjacent to said second photovoltaic module;a rail member disposed substantially bene
1. A photovoltaic array, comprising: an array of photovoltaic modules, comprising: a first photovoltaic module;a second photovoltaic module adjacent to said first photovoltaic module; anda third photovoltaic module adjacent to said second photovoltaic module;a rail member disposed substantially beneath at least a portion of said second photovoltaic module and comprising a first end and a second end, each of which are positioned inward of a periphery of the array of photovoltaic modules in a lengthwise direction of the rail member;first and second attachment brackets coupled to said rail member, the first attachment bracket being offset from a gap between said first and second photovoltaic modules; anda coupling engaged with both the rail member and the second photovoltaic module, the coupling being at least partially positioned within the gap,wherein (i) said second photovoltaic module is substantially coplanar with and located between said first and third photovoltaic modules and (ii) said rail member is connected to said first, second, and third photovoltaic modules and attached to a support structure by said first and second attachment brackets. 2. The photovoltaic array of claim 1, wherein said rail member is adjustably connected to said attachment brackets in a direction substantially parallel with a plane defined by a top surface of a light-receiving side of a photovoltaic laminate of said first photovoltaic module. 3. The photovoltaic array of claim 2, wherein adjustment of said rail member enables connection of said photovoltaic modules to said rail member when said first attachment bracket does not align with said gap. 4. The photovoltaic array of claim 1, wherein said first and second attachment brackets align with tiles of a roof. 5. The photovoltaic array of claim 1, wherein a portion of said rail member spans between said gap and said first attachment bracket. 6. The photovoltaic array of claim 5, wherein said first and second attachment brackets substantially align with roof tiles of the support structure. 7. The photovoltaic array of claim 1, wherein said first attachment bracket is connected to said rail member by a lever clamp. 8. The photovoltaic array of claim 7, wherein said lever clamp is connectable to said rail member without a separate tool. 9. The photovoltaic array of claim 1, wherein said first attachment bracket is shaped to fit beneath a roof tile. 10. The photovoltaic array of claim 1, wherein said attachment brackets comprise notches for receiving said rail member. 11. The photovoltaic array of claim 1, further comprising a third attachment bracket coupled to said support structure and to a second coupling, at least a portion of the second coupling being disposed within a second gap between the first photovoltaic module and a fourth photovoltaic module adjacent to and substantially coplanar with the first photovoltaic module. 12. The photovoltaic array of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first, second and third photovoltaic modules is mounted to said support structure without a rail member extending from a first side of the at least one photovoltaic module to a second side of the at least one photovoltaic module, the first side being opposite the second side. 13. The photovoltaic array of claim 1, wherein said first photovoltaic module is connected to a third attachment bracket without a rail member. 14. The photovoltaic array of claim 1, wherein said coupling connects said first photovoltaic module to said second photovoltaic module. 15. The photovoltaic array of claim 1, wherein said coupling elevates the first and second photovoltaic modules above the rail member. 16. A photovoltaic array, comprising: a first photovoltaic module, comprising a frame extending along at least one side of the first photovoltaic module and defining a channel;a second photovoltaic module adjacent to the first photovoltaic module;a rail located substantially beneath said first photovoltaic module; anda lever clip, said lever clip comprising: a head disposed at a first end of said lever clip and connecting said first and second photovoltaic modules to said rail, the head comprising a first pivot portion engaging said first photovoltaic module and a second pivot portion engaging said second photovoltaic module,a retaining portion proximate a second end of said lever clip, and engaging said channel, anda lever arm extending between the head and the retaining portion. 17. The photovoltaic array of claim 16, wherein said lever arm is substantially rigid. 18. The photovoltaic array of claim 16, wherein said lever arm acts as a spring that applies a force that at least partially holds said retaining portion in engagement with said channel. 19. The photovoltaic array of claim 16, wherein said lever arm acts as a lever to rotate said head during installation such that said head secures said first photovoltaic module to said rail when said retaining portion is secured to said first photovoltaic module. 20. The photovoltaic array of claim 16, wherein said lever clip is deployable as a single unit without requiring a separate tool to install. 21. The photovoltaic array of claim 16, wherein said lever arm pivots about a portion of said head during installation. 22. The photovoltaic array of claim 16, wherein said head applies a preload to a joint between said first photovoltaic module and said rail. 23. The photovoltaic array of claim 16, wherein said first and second pivot portions resist upward movement of said first and second photovoltaic modules. 24. The photovoltaic array of claim 16, wherein said lever clip cuts into said frame of said first photovoltaic module to create an electrical ground path between said lever clip and said rail. 25. The photovoltaic array of claim 16, wherein said lever clip is made of sheet metal. 26. The photovoltaic array of claim 16, wherein said lever clip is formed by a casting, molding, stamping or extrusion process.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (5)
West, Jack Raymond; Atchley, Brian; Hudson, Tyrus Hawkes; Johansen, Emil, Connecting components for photovoltaic arrays.
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