Apparatus for Electrically Bonding a Solar Array

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016285177-A1
Application number	US-201514796140-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 10, 2015
Priority date	Jul 5, 2012
Publication date	Sep 29, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

In various representative aspects, an apparatus for securing solar panels to a rail support guide, while facilitating grounding by a common grounding wire. The apparatus is an electrically conductive lay-in-lug fastener, which facilitates multiple rows of solar panels to be electrically bonded to each other. The apparatus includes a lug member for securing the grounding wire. In doing so, the structure for securing the grounding wire is at an acute angle to the frame, enabling a wrench to be used even in space-challenged locations.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus for facilitating the completion of an electrical circuit in a solar panel array having an electrically conductive rail support guide and using a common grounding wire, the apparatus comprising:
a fastener having a frame, the frame having a proximal end and a distal end; a clamp assembly located at the distal end, the clamp assembly further comprising:
a first member having an enlarged end, the enlarged end further comprising at least one raised portion for penetrating a surface treatment layer of the rail support guide to contact the electrically conductive portion of the rail support guide for creating a grounding path for the solar panel array,
a shank extending from the enlarged end, the shank further comprising a nut end on the opposite end of the enlarged end for securing the fastener to the rail support guide; and the frame further comprising an opening at the distal end for allowing passage of the shank; and the frame further comprising a lug member on the proximal end for securing the common grounding wire.

2 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lug member further comprises an opening that is at an acute angle with respect to the rail support guide wherein the lug member further comprises a securing member for passing through the opening for contacting the grounding wire and securing it to the assembly.

3 . The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the securing member has a nut end and a shank, the acute angled opening allows the shank to pass through.

4 . The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the shank and the opening are compatibly threaded and wherein the nut end can be rotated to connect the grounding wire to the frame.

5 . The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the clamp assembly includes a washer between the nut end and the enlarged end;

6 . The assembly of claim 5 , wherein the fastener and each of its elements are electrically conductive.

7 . The assembly of claim 6 wherein the washer further comprises at least one raised portion for penetrating the assembly.

8 . The assembly of claim 7 , wherein the common grounding wire is secured to a plurality lug members that are secured to a corresponding rail support guide that provides an electrical conducting path between the rail support guides.

Assignees

• Ironridge Inc

Inventors

• Meine Shawn
• Ash Jon
• Ochenreider Scott

Classifications

• H01R25/142

  Their counterparts · CPC title

• H01R4/64

  Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail · CPC title

• H01R4/36

  Conductive members located under tip of screw · CPC title

• H01R4/34 Primary

  Conductive members located under head of screw · CPC title

• H01R4/302

  having means for preventing loosening of screw or nut, e.g. vibration-proof connection · CPC title