A clamping mechanism includes a body defining a first end, a second end, a module engagement component disposed proximate to the first end, and a clamp actuation component disposed proximate to the second end. The module engagement component engages a portion of a solar module frame. The clamping mechanism includes a rail engagement component that engages at least a portion of a rail to which the solar module frame couples. The clamping mechanism includes a fastener that engages the clamp actuation component for imparting movement to the module engagement component such that the module engagement component engages the portion of the solar module frame.
H01R 4/26 - Connections in which at least one of the connecting parts has projections which bite into or engage the other connecting part in order to improve the contact
A wire management clip for positioning and securing wires, cables, and other components relative to a rail, such as a rail of a modular rail system. The wire management clip includes a body that defines a passage through which a securing device may be inserted to secure the wires, cables, or components to the wire management clip. The wire management clip includes an interface surface against which the wires press when secured by the securing device. The wire management clip also includes a second interface for frictionally interfacing with the rail to resist movement of the wire management clip after installation on the rail.
F24S 25/33 - Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules using elongate rigid mounting elements extending substantially along the mounting surface, e.g. for covering buildings with solar heat collectors forming substantially planar assemblies, e.g. of coplanar or stacked profiles
A ballast system includes a first ballast tray and a second ballast tray. The first ballast tray has a first side profile including a south leg connected to a north leg. The second ballast tray has a second side profile that is different than the first side profile. A length of the north leg of the second side profile is greater than a length of the south leg of the first side profile, and a height of the north leg of the second side profile is substantially equal to a height of the south leg of the first side profile. The north leg of the second side profile includes a curvature so as to partially curve toward the south leg of the second side profile.
H02S 20/30 - Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
F24S 25/33 - Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules using elongate rigid mounting elements extending substantially along the mounting surface, e.g. for covering buildings with solar heat collectors forming substantially planar assemblies, e.g. of coplanar or stacked profiles
F24S 25/70 - Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules with means for compensating mounting tolerances
H02S 20/24 - Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings specially adapted for roof structures specially adapted for flat roofs
4.
PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE SUPPORT SYSTEM AND MOUNT ASSEMBLY
A mounting assembly includes a rail configured to support a photovoltaic module. The rail includes a first slot, a second slot, and a web extending between the first slot and the second slot. The web being offset from a plane extending along an outer surface of the rail, so as to form a recess in the second side of the rail. The mount assembly further includes a clip configured to be secured to the rail and to a secondary structure. The clip includes a base having a flange extending from an end of the base, and an arm extending from the base in a second direction opposite the first direction, the flange being inserted in the second slot when the clip is secured to the rail and the secondary structure and at least a portion of the arm abuts the recess of the rail when the clip is secured to the rail.
A bracket includes a base configured to be mounted to a mounting surface and a flange extending from the base and positioned to bisect the base thereby forming a first side and a second side of the base. The base includes a first hole disposed along a central axis of the base and in the first side of the base, a second hole disposed along the central axis of the base and in the second side of the base, and one or more divots formed in a top side of the base and disposed on the first side of the base. Fasteners are inserted through the first hole and the second hole when the bracket is secured to a first mounting structure. Furthermore, fasteners are inserted through the first hole, the second hole, and are drilled through the one or more divots when the bracket is secured to a second mounting structure.
H02S 20/23 - Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings specially adapted for roof structures
F16B 25/10 - Screws performing an additional function to thread-forming, e.g. drill screws
F24S 25/60 - Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules
F24S 25/61 - Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules for fixing to the ground or to building structures
An electrical junction box mount apparatus including a base for mounting to a mounting surface and a lid sized to seal against the base. The base includes a mounting portion having a penetration area. A periphery of the penetration area is circumscribed via a groove formed into a bottom surface of the base such that upon placing the base on a mounting surface, the groove encloses empty space within the groove against the mounting surface.
A mounting system includes a base to mount to a surface, a mounting bracket to mount over the base and to the surface, a clamp for attaching to the mounting bracket and securing a rail segment, and a bonding clamp to mount to the rail segment and secure a solar panel module ("module") thereto.
H02S 20/23 - Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings specially adapted for roof structures
E04D 13/18 - Roof covering aspects of energy collecting devices, e.g. including solar panels
F24S 25/33 - Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules using elongate rigid mounting elements extending substantially along the mounting surface, e.g. for covering buildings with solar heat collectors forming substantially planar assemblies, e.g. of coplanar or stacked profiles
H02S 20/24 - Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings specially adapted for roof structures specially adapted for flat roofs
A mounting system includes a mounting device. The mounting device includes an internal cavity defined in a side of the mounting device, a first sealant aperture defined in the mounting device and opening into the internal cavity, a second sealant aperture defined in the mounting device and opening into the internal cavity, the first sealant aperture and the second sealant aperture being in fluid communication when the mounting device is placed on a surface for use, and a fastener aperture defined through the internal cavity. The mounting system further includes a coupling bracket including a bottom portion, an underside surface of which is correspondingly shaped in conformance with a shape of an outer surface of a central portion of the mounting device so as to be accommodated thereon when in use, and a fastener to couple the mounting device and the coupling bracket together via the fastener aperture.
E04B 1/68 - Sealings of joints, e.g. expansion joints
E04D 13/00 - Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coverings; Roof drainage
E06B 1/68 - Tightening or covering joints between the border of openings and the frame by profiled external parts
F16B 9/00 - Connections of rods or tubular parts to flat surfaces at an angle
H02S 20/23 - Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings specially adapted for roof structures
F16B 39/24 - Locking of screws, bolts, or nuts in which the locking takes place during screwing down or tightening by means of washers, spring washers, or resilient plates that lock against the object
H02S 20/30 - Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
9.
CLAMP APPARATUSES AND COMPONENTS THEREOF FOR MOUNTING SOLAR PANEL MODULES
A clamp assembly includes a clamp with a lateral edge support portion that extends in a first direction to support against a lateral edge of the module. A flange extends in a second direction transverse to the first direction to clamp against an upper surface of the solar panel module in coordination with the lateral edge support portion. A nut is configured to align with the clamp. The nut receives a fastener. The nut has an outer surface to engage the second surface of the lateral edge support portion to prevent rotation of the nut. A connection member extends from the nut in a position that is fixed. A head of the connection member is shaped such that, in a first orientation, the head is accommodated passage through a slot in the intermediary member, and in a second orientation, the head is prevented from passage through the slot.
A universal end clamp and method for clamping a solar module to a rail are configured for applying a torque to a clamp body and generating a compressive clamping force between the body and a lower flange of a solar panel module frame so that the lower flange of the module frame is clamped to the rail. The clamp is disposed underneath the solar module, where it cannot be seen. The components of the assembly that can move include threaded bolts, front and rear T-slides, drive blocks, cams, coil springs, leaf springs, and offset drive brackets.
A click-on clamping mechanism is for attaching, without tools, a clamp+tower subassembly to a slider bar (which is attached to a roof substrate with lag screws). The clamp+tower sub-assembly can have a height-adjustable, rail-less solar panel mounting assembly attached to it for mounting one or more photovoltaic solar panels thereto. The height of the solar panel mounting assembly can be easily adjusted, either before or after mounting of the solar panels. The click-on clamp+tower sub- assembly is easily removable from the slider bar. A click-on L-foot mount for attaching solar mount rails is also described. The click-on structures can be spring- loaded.
An apparatus and method for mounting a solar panel in a solar panel mounting assembly is disclosed. The solar panel mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket and a helical drive, where the mounting bracket is vertically adjustable by the helical drive. The helical drive engages with a stanchion that is variably positioned along a base member that is fixed to a roof.
An apparatus and method for mounting a solar panel array on a surface is disclosed. The solar panel array includes a plurality of solar panel modules and a hybrid solar panel module mounting assembly. The hybrid solar panel module mounting assembly includes a component of a rail-based mounting system and a component of a rail-less mounting system. At least one of the plurality of solar panel modules is mounted on the component of the rail-based mounting system and at least one of the plurality of solar panel modules is mounted on the component of the rail-less mounting system.
An apparatus for mounting a photovoltaic module is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mounting member and an engagement member attached to the mounting member. The engagement member is longitudinally fixed on the mounting member and the engagement member is moveable with respect to the mounting member. The solar industry is growing- world-wide and as a result, more-efficient structures are desirable for mounting a photovoltaic module to a structure, such as a roof of a home or other building.
A positioner used to fasten a pair of structural members together includes side walls, lateral flanges extending from the side walls, and an interior web interconnecting the side walls. Each side wall is interconnected at vertices to one of the lateral flanges and to the interior web, and the interior web includes web sections interconnected at a vertex to each other. Each vertex interconnecting one of the side walls with the interior web terminates at a void extending between adjacent portions of the one of the side walls and the interior web, and the vertex interconnecting the web sections is displaced from the lateral flange surfaces so as to avoid contact with a positioner supporting surface. A support frame and a fastening process utilizing such a positioner are also discussed. The positioner is particularly suitable for use in constructing photovoltaic panel supports.
Universal End and Mid Clamps are used to connect 2 things together and are designed so that when the clamp fastener is properly tightened the piece being clamped will resist loads in 3 directions and will resist sliding.
The present invention generally relates to a modular, structural framing system While the structural framing system is suitable and adaptable for many uses, one specific use is as a structural framing system for photovoltaic panels The modular structural framing system is generally comprised of a unique I-beam structural member as well as a bracket compatible with the I-beam structural member The modular structural framing system includes at least one I-beam structural member, and at least one bracket having an aperture, the bracket capable of connecting to one flange of the I-beam structural member by engaging the flange
A connector is provided and includes a first and second side wall that are connected by a base. The side walls have recesses such that a structural member's protrusions can be interposed between the side wall's recesses and snapped into place to connect the connector to the structural member.
F16L 3/24 - Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets with special member for attachment to profiled girders
A fastening device is provided and includes an elongated fastener, a head, and an elastomeric element. The head is coupled to an end of the elongated fastener, and the elastomeric element is coupled to a surface of the head substantially opposite to the elongated fastener. Furthermore, a method of securing a device to a support structure is provided.
A soft-faced clamp for securing frameless photovoltaic modules and laminates to each other and to a surface is provided herein. The clamp may be a mid-clamp securing two photovoltaic modules or an end-clamp securing a single photovoltaic module. The clamps include a top part, a bound elastomer for contacting the frameless module, and a base with extruded steps forming a ledge for securing the top part and elastomer and preventing excessive force from being applied to the photovoltaic module.
H02N 6/00 - Generators in which light radiation is directly converted into electrical energy (solar cells or assemblies thereof H01L 25/00, H01L 31/00)
patents
