Bracket mounting assembly for securing junction boxes to solar panel arrays

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10224870-B2
Application number	US-201715610363-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 31, 2017
Priority date	May 31, 2016
Publication date	Mar 5, 2019
Grant date	Mar 5, 2019

Abstract

In various representative aspects, an assembly for connecting and electrically bonding electronic equipment to solar panel frames is provided. The present invention relates generally to an assembly for supporting junction box structures used in a solar panel frame array. More specifically, the apparatus comprises an adjustable bracket assembly that can mount most sizes and shapes of junction boxes that are then secured virtually to any solar panel frame while being electrically bonded by way of a surface layer penetrating means.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bracket mounting assembly for securing and electrically coupling an electrical panel to a solar panel frame comprising:
a. a bracket; the bracket comprising:
i. a rear side; the rear side comprising a clip, wherein the clip is configured to conform to the outer sides of the solar panel frame, the clip further comprising a fastener for securing the clip to the solar panel frame wherein the fastener is a screw; and
ii. a front side extending outward from the rear side for supporting the electrical panel.

2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising an electrical junction box wherein the electrical junction box is coupled to the front side of the bracket.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the bracket is an L-shaped bracket.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the front side further comprises at least one opening for securing the electrical panel to the front side.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the bracket is an L-shaped bracket.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the front side further comprises at least one opening for securing the electrical panel to the front side.

7. A bracket mounting assembly for securing and electrically coupling an electrical panel to a solar panel frame comprising:
a. a bracket; the bracket comprising:
i. a rear side; the rear side comprising:
A. a bottom panel;
B. a first aperture; and

ii. an adjustable mounting clip, the adjustable mounting clip further comprising:
A. a rear panel;
B. a top panel wherein the top panel extends outward from the rear panel;
C. an adjustable portion extending outward from the rear panel and is adjustably coupled to the rear side of the bracket; and

iii. a front side extending outward from the rear side for supporting the electrical panel further comprising at least one opening for receiving a bolt.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the adjustable portion further comprises:
a. a second aperture; and
b. a fastener such that the adjustable mounting clip is coupled to the rear side of the bracket by coupling the fastener between the first and second threaded apertures.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the fastener is a screw.

10. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the bottom panel further comprises a grounding pin capable of penetrating a surface oxidation layer of a solar panel frame.

11. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the top panel further comprises a grounding pin capable of penetrating a surface oxidation layer of a solar panel frame.

12. The assembly of claim 7 further comprising an electrical junction box wherein the electrical junction box is coupled to the front side of the bracket.

13. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the bracket is an L-shaped bracket.

14. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the front side further comprises at least one opening for securing the electrical panel to the front side.

15. A method of securing and electrically coupling an electrical panel to a solar panel frame comprising the steps of:
a. coupling a bracket to a solar panel frame such that the bracket comprises:
i. a rear side; the rear side comprising:
A. a bottom panel;
B. a first aperture; and

ii. an adjustable mounting clip, the adjustable mounting clip further comprising:
A. a rear panel;
B. a top panel further comprising a grounding pin, wherein the top panel extends outward from the rear panel;
C. an adjustable portion extending outward from the rear panel and is adjustably coupled to the rear side of the bracket; and

iii. a front side extending outward from the rear side for supporting the electrical panel;

b. adjusting the height of the adjustable portion downward such that the grounding pin penetrates a surface oxidation layer of the solar panel frame; and
c. securing the electrical panel to the front side of the bracket so that the electrical panel is electrically coupled to the bracket.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of tightening the adjustable portion the bracket to the solar panel frame comprises the steps of:
a. coupling a fastener through the first threaded aperture and a second threaded aperture on the adjustable portion.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the electrical panel is an electrical junction box.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the support bracket is an L-shaped support bracket.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the fastener is an adjustment screw.

20. A bracket mounting assembly for securing and electrically coupling an electrical panel to a solar panel frame comprising:
a. a bracket; the bracket comprising:
i. a rear side; the rear side comprising a clip, wherein the clip is configured to conform to the outer sides of the solar panel frame, the clip further comprising:
A. a fastener for securing the clip to the solar panel frame;
B. a rear panel;
C. a top panel extending outward from the rear panel; and
D. a bottom panel extending outward from the rear panel wherein the bottom panel further comprises a threaded aperture for receiving the fastener;

ii. a front side extending outward from the rear side for supporting the electrical panel.

21. The assembly of claim 20 further comprising an electrical junction box wherein the electrical junction box is coupled to the front side of the bracket.

Assignees

• Ironridge Inc

Inventors

• Lester Bryan
• Pereira William
• Meine Shawn

Classifications

• H02S40/34 Primary

  comprising specially adapted electrical connection means to be structurally associated with the PV module, e.g. junction boxes · CPC title

• H02S30/10

  Frame structures · CPC title

• Y02E10/50

  Photovoltaic [PV] energy · CPC title