Hybrid solar panel mounting assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11942892-B2
Application number	US-202218051480-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 31, 2022
Priority date	Aug 3, 2015
Publication date	Mar 26, 2024
Grant date	Mar 26, 2024

Abstract

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A solar module mounting assembly comprising:
a first trim-rail including:
a rail;
a trim monolithically formed with the rail; and

at least one clamping ledge monolithically formed with the trim, the trim comprising:
a curved surface extending from a top portion of the trim;
a first vertical surface monolithically formed with the curved surface and extending downward; and
a second vertical surface monolithically formed with the first vertical surface and extending below the rail; and

a second trim-rail extending perpendicular to the first trim-rail.

2. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first trim-rail extends along at least two adjacent solar panel frames.

3. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one clamping ledge includes:
an upper clamping ledge extending from a top portion of the trim; and
a lower clamping ledge extending from a vertical section extending from the top portion of the trim.

4. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 3 , wherein a distance between the upper clamping ledge and the lower clamping ledge defines a slot dimensioned to retain a solar panel frame between the upper clamping ledge and the lower clamping ledge.

5. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the curved surface, the first vertical surface, and the second vertical surface have a smoothly rounded surface.

6. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the curved surface extending from the top portion of the trim is rounded over and creates a smooth transition with an upper clamping ledge extending horizontally from a top portion of the trim.

7. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the second vertical surface extends to a surface upon which the solar module mounting assembly is mounted.

8. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first trim-rail is disposed on an outer-most edge of the solar module mounting assembly and the second trim-rail is disposed transversely with respect to the first trim-rail.

9. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the rail includes:
a first horizontal flange extending horizontally from the trim;
a second horizontal flange extending horizontally from the trim; and
a vertical web coupling the first horizontal flange and the second horizontal flange.

10. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a splice to mechanically couple two adjacent first trim-rails to one another, the splice being dimensioned to fit within a first hollow defined in a first one of the two adjacent first trim-rails and a second hollow defined in a second one of the two adjacent first trim-rails, the splice comprising a spring connector to couple the splice to the first one of the two adjacent first trim-rails and the second one of the two adjacent first trim-rails.

11. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the second trim-rail includes:
a clamp;
a bracket mechanically coupled to the clamp; and
a base mechanically coupled to the bracket and a surface on which the solar module mounting assembly is coupled.

12. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the base is variably positionable along a length of the bracket.

13. A solar module mounting assembly comprising:
a first trim-rail including:
a rail;
a trim monolithically formed with the rail, the trim comprising:
a curved surface extending from a top portion of the trim;
a first vertical surface monolithically formed with the curved surface and extending downward; and
a second vertical surface monolithically formed with the first vertical surface and extending below the rail; and

at least one clamping ledge monolithically formed with the trim.

14. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 13 , further comprising a second trim-rail extending perpendicular to the first trim-rail and disposed between two adjacent devices, the second trim-rail comprising:
a clamp;
a bracket mechanically coupled to the clamp; and
a footer mechanically coupled to the bracket and a surface on which the solar module mounting assembly is coupled,
wherein the footer is variably positionable along a length of the bracket.

15. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the first trim-rail extends along at least two solar modules.

16. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the at least one clamping ledge includes:
an upper clamping ledge extending horizontally from a top portion of the trim; and
a lower clamping ledge extending horizontally from a vertical section extending from the top portion of the trim.

17. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 16 , wherein a distance between the upper clamping ledge and the lower clamping ledge defines a slot dimensioned to retain a device between the upper clamping ledge and the lower clamping ledge.

18. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the curved surface, the first vertical surface, and the second vertical surface have a smoothly rounded surface.

19. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the curved surface extending from the top portion of the trim is rounded over and creates a smooth transition with an upper clamping ledge extending horizontally from a top portion of the trim.

20. A trim-rail comprising:
a rail;
a trim monolithically formed with the rail, the trim including:
a vertical extension portion extending upward from the rail,
a curved exterior surface extending downward and outward from a top end of the vertical extension portion, and
a vertical wall extending from the curved exterior surface and extending below the rail, the vertical wall being monolithically formed with the vertical extension portion; and
at least one clamping ledge monolithically formed with the trim.

Assignees

• Unirac Inc

Inventors

• Schuit Nathan
• Mayfield Jason
• Cowen December
• Womacks Darren

Classifications

• H02S20/23 Primary

  specially adapted for roof structures · CPC title

• F24S25/35 Primary

  by means of profiles with a cross-section defining separate supporting portions for adjacent modules · CPC title

• F24S25/632

  Side connectors; Base connectors · CPC title

• F24S25/636

  clamping by screw-threaded elements · CPC title

• F24S25/65

  for coupling adjacent supporting elements, e.g. for connecting profiles together · CPC title