Solar module skirt assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11728764-B2
Application number	US-202117240270-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 26, 2021
Priority date	Sep 24, 2018
Publication date	Aug 15, 2023
Grant date	Aug 15, 2023

Abstract

A solar module skirt assembly includes a skirt that is attached to a frame of a solar module, and a clip to attach the skirt to the solar module. The clip includes a first portion to attach to a frame of the solar module and to the skirt, a second portion to hold a portion of the frame of the solar module and a portion of the skirt, and a fastener to affix the clip to the frame of the solar module and the portion of the skirt.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A clip to attach a skirt to a solar module, comprising:
a first portion configured to attach to an edge feature of the solar module and to the skirt;
a second portion configured to hold a portion of the edge feature of the solar module and a portion of the skirt;
a single fastener configured to affix the clip to both the edge feature of the solar module and the portion of the skirt; and
a spring assembly configured to hold the first portion and the second portion together.

2. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the first portion is a clip body and the second portion is a clip base configured to hold a portion of the edge feature of the solar module and the portion of the skirt to the clip body in response to tightening of the single fastener.

3. The clip according to claim 2 , wherein the cross-section of the clip body is S-shaped.

4. The clip according to claim 2 , wherein the clip base includes a threaded opening to receive the single fastener and to allow the single fastener to draw the clip base towards the clip body as the single fastener is tightened.

5. The clip according to claim 4 , wherein the clip body includes protrusions and the clip base includes channels corresponding to the protrusions, the protrusions and channels preventing the clip base from spinning as the single fastener is tightened.

6. The clip according to claim 2 , further comprising a spacer configured to prevent the clip body from deforming as the single fastener is tightened.

7. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are formed from extruded stock.

8. The clip according to claim 2 , wherein the clip base includes at least one opening to allow installation of the single fastener.

9. The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the clip is secured to the solar module and the skirt by a separating force exerted on the first and second portions by the single fastener, the separating force causing the first portion to move away from the second portion.

Assignees

• Sunpower Corp

Inventors

• Rossi Gary
• Ely Ethan

Classifications

• H02S30/10 Primary

  Frame structures · CPC title

• H02S20/23

  specially adapted for roof structures · CPC title

• Y02E10/50

  Photovoltaic [PV] energy · CPC title

• Y02B10/10

  Photovoltaic [PV] · CPC title