End clamps for solar systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017038098-A1
Application number	US-201615234829-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 11, 2016
Priority date	Feb 28, 2014
Publication date	Feb 9, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A solar power system can include an array of solar modules. The system can include a rail and a solar module positioned at an outer end of the array. The solar module can have a frame around a periphery of the solar module. The frame can include a flange along an edge of the solar module that is disposed at the outer end of the array. The flange can project inwardly from the frame underneath the solar module. A clamp assembly can be disposed underneath the solar module and can mechanically secure the solar module to the rail. The clamp assembly can include a clamp body and a base. The clamp body and the base can cooperate to clamp the flange between the clamp body and the rail.

First claim

1 . (canceled)

2 . A photovoltaic system comprising:
an array of solar modules mounted to a support surface, the array including a first solar module, the first solar module comprising:
a frame;
a photovoltaic laminate supported by an upper portion of the frame;
a bracket connected to and cantilevered from an inner surface of the frame below and spaced from the photovoltaic laminate; and
an accessory component supported by a mounting surface of the bracket with the accessory component disposed between the mounting surface and the photovoltaic laminate.

3 . The photovoltaic system of claim 2 , wherein the accessory component is positioned above a lowermost extent of the frame and directly below the laminate.

4 . The photovoltaic system of claim 2 , wherein the bracket comprises a first projection and the inner surface of the frame comprises a first mounting recess, the first projection inserted into the first mounting recess.

5 . The photovoltaic system of claim 4 , wherein the bracket comprises a second projection below the first projection and the inner surface of the frame comprises a second mounting recess below the first mounting recess, the second projection inserted into the second mounting recess.

6 . The photovoltaic system of claim 5 , wherein the bracket comprises a vertical segment extending between the first projection and the second projection.

7 . The photovoltaic system of claim 6 , wherein the bracket comprises a horizontal support surface extending generally transverse to the vertical segment, the accessory component positioned on the horizontal support surface, the horizontal support surface being cantilevered from the vertical segment.

8 . The photovoltaic system of claim 6 , further comprising a wire below the photovoltaic laminate, the wire supported by the bracket.

9 . The photovoltaic system of claim 8 , wherein the bracket comprises a horizontal segment extending from the vertical segment, a second vertical segment extending transversely from an end of the horizontal segment, a second horizontal segment extending from an end of the second vertical segment, and a third vertical segment extending from an end of the second horizontal segment, the wire supported by the second horizontal segment between the second and third vertical segments.

10 . The photovoltaic system of claim 2 , wherein the accessory component comprises a microinverter.

11 . The photovoltaic system of claim 2 , wherein the accessory component comprises a junction box.

12 . The photovoltaic system of claim 2 , wherein the accessory component is obscured when the array is seen from a side view.

13 . The photovoltaic system of claim 2 , further comprising a rail mounted to the support surface, the rail supporting the array of solar modules.

14 . A photovoltaic system comprising:
a solar module comprising:
a photovoltaic laminate;
a frame that supports the photovoltaic laminate, the frame comprising an engagement portion on an inner surface of the frame below the photovoltaic laminate;
a bracket configured to connect to and cantilevered from the engagement portion of the frame; and
an accessory component to be supported by a mounting surface of the bracket directly below the photovoltaic laminate with the accessory component disposed between the mounting surface and the photovoltaic laminate.

15 . The photovoltaic system of claim 14 , wherein the bracket comprises a first projection and the inner surface of the frame comprises a first mounting recess, the first projection dimensioned to be inserted into the first mounting recess.

16 . The photovoltaic system of claim 15 , wherein the bracket comprises a second projection below the first projection and the inner surface of the frame comprises a second mounting recess below the first mounting recess, the second projection dimensioned to be inserted into the second mounting recess.

17 . The photovoltaic system of claim 16 , wherein the bracket comprises a vertical segment extending between the first projection and the second projection.

18 . The photovoltaic system of claim 17 , wherein the bracket comprises a horizontal support surface extending generally transverse to the vertical segment, the accessory component to be positioned on the horizontal support surface.

19 . The photovoltaic system of claim 17 , wherein the bracket comprises a horizontal segment extending from the vertical segment, a second vertical segment extending transversely from an end of the horizontal segment, a second horizontal segment extending from an end of the second vertical segment, and a third vertical segment extending from an end of the second horizontal segment, the wire supported by the second horizontal segment between the second and third vertical segments.

20 . The photovoltaic system of claim 14 , wherein the accessory component comprises a microinverter.

21 . The photovoltaic system of claim 14 , wherein the accessory component comprises a junction box.

Assignees

• Sunpower Corp

Inventors

• Braunstein Ryan
• Carre Guillaume
• Kinyon Zachary

Classifications

• H02S20/23

  specially adapted for roof structures · CPC title

• F24S2025/6003

  by clamping · CPC title

• F24S25/632

  Side connectors; Base connectors · CPC title

• F16B5/06

  by means of clamps or clips ({F16B5/0004 takes precedence}; friction-grip releasable fastenings in general F16B2/00) · CPC title

• F24S25/634 Primary

  Clamps; Clips · CPC title