Active fire-blocking wind deflector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9512620-B2
Application number	US-201414319985-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 30, 2014
Priority date	Mar 30, 2012
Publication date	Dec 6, 2016
Grant date	Dec 6, 2016

Abstract

A rooftop photovoltaic solar system is disclosed. The solar system comprises a plurality of photovoltaic modules forming a rooftop array, the rooftop array having at least one edge and a wind deflector positioned along the edge of the rooftop array, the wind deflector constrained in a first configuration by a fuse. In the first configuration the wind deflector comprises a deflecting portion adapted to deflect wind blowing on the rooftop above the rooftop array and a ventilation portion having a plurality of openings, the openings positioned to permit airflow under the rooftop array. The wind deflector assumes a second configuration upon release of the fuse. In the second configuration, the deflecting portion is elevated from the first configuration and the ventilation portion is positioned to permit less airflow through the plurality of openings than in the first configuration.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A wind deflector assembly for a photovoltaic solar system installed on a rooftop, the wind deflector assembly comprising:
a planar portion oriented at an angle to a slope of the rooftop;
a support portion beneath the planar portion; and
a compression portion coupled between the planar portion and the support portion, the compression portion retained in a strain-loaded position, the compression portion disposed between the planar portion and the support portion, the compression portion comprising a plurality of openings.

2. The wind deflector assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a fuse maintaining the compression portion in the strain-loaded position.

3. The wind deflector assembly of claim 2 , wherein the compression portion is adapted to release to an un-loaded position upon release of the fuse.

4. The wind deflector assembly of claim 3 , wherein the compression portion is adapted to adjust the angle of the planar portion relative to the slope of the rooftop upon release of the fuse.

5. The wind deflector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings have a first profile when the compression portion is in the strain-loaded position, and to have a second profile when the compression portion is in the un-loaded position, and wherein the second profile has a reduced airflow as compared to the first profile.

6. The wind deflector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the planar portion, support portion, and compression portion are integrally formed as a single piece.

7. The wind deflector assembly of claim 6 , wherein the single piece comprises shaped flashing material.

8. The wind deflector assembly of claim 7 , wherein the planar portion has a fire-resistant coating.

9. A rooftop photovoltaic solar system comprising:
an array of photovoltaic modules on a roof, the array having at least one edge, the array comprising at least a first photovoltaic module, each photovoltaic module of the array comprising a frame about a perimeter of the photovoltaic module, wherein each photovoltaic module of the array is disposed generally parallel to the roof;
an edge member mechanically connected to a first outer edge of the frame of the first photovoltaic module by way of a first fastener, the first outer edge disposed along the at least one edge of the array, wherein a connection between the edge member and the first outer edge of the frame is at a bottom portion of the frame at a location on the frame that is below a top surface of the first photovoltaic module;
a second edge member mechanically connected to a second outer edge of the frame of the first photovoltaic module, the second outer edge of the frame disposed transverse to the first outer edge of the frame, wherein a second connection between the second edge member and the second outer edge of the frame is at a location on the frame that is below the top surface of the first photovoltaic module; and
a rail mounted to the roof by way of a member extending between the rail and the roof, the array mounted to the rail, wherein the rail extends completely across and underneath a plurality of photovoltaic modules, wherein the first photovoltaic module is connected to the rail by a second fastener, the first fastener different from the second fastener,
wherein the edge member extends downwardly from the frame towards the roof such that a distal end of the edge member extends below the frame, and wherein the edge member extends completely across the plurality of photovoltaic modules, the plurality of photovoltaic modules wherein the connection between the edge member and the first outer edge of the frame is underneath the frame and the first photovoltaic modules; and comprising the first photovoltaic module.

10. The rooftop photovoltaic solar system of claim 9 , wherein the edge member is angled relative to the frame such that the edge member extends away from the first photovoltaic module.

11. The rooftop photovoltaic solar system of claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of edge members, the edge members spanning multiple photovoltaic modules.

12. The rooftop photovoltaic solar system of claim 11 , wherein the array is substantially surrounded by the plurality of edge members.

13. The rooftop photovoltaic solar system of claim 9 , wherein the edge member comprises a wind deflector.

14. The rooftop photovoltaic solar system of claim 9 , wherein the edge member is mechanically connected to the frame by a clip.

15. The rooftop photovoltaic solar system of claim 9 , wherein the first photovoltaic module is spaced from the roof by a gap, the edge member extending across substantially the entire gap.

16. A wind deflector held in compression, the wind deflector comprising:
a planar portion;
a support portion coupled to the planar portion, the planar portion held in a first position relative to the support portion, the first position causing strain in the wind deflector; and
a surface between the planar portion and the support portion, the surface comprising a plurality of openings, the surface comprising a compression portion, the compression portion retained in a strain-loaded position in the first position.

17. The wind deflector of claim 16 , wherein the wind deflector comprises a fire-resistant coating.

18. The wind deflector of claim 16 , further comprising fuse means retaining the wind deflector in the first position, the fuse means adapted to release at a predetermined temperature, thereby releasing the wind deflector from compression and positioning the planar portion at a second position relative to the support portion.

19. The rooftop photovoltaic solar system of claim 9 , further comprising a gap between an uppermost surface of the frame and a top surface of the edge member.

20. The rooftop photovoltaic solar system of claim 9 , wherein the edge member extends across an entire width of the array.

Assignees

• Sunpower Corp

Inventors

• Concho Christine
• Crockett Michael
• Lenox Carl J S

Classifications

• Y02B10/12

  Cross-Sectional Technologies · mapped topic

• E04D13/00 Primary

  Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coverings; {Protection against birds;} Roof drainage {; Sky-lights} (ventilation tiles E04D1/30; ventilation slabs E04D3/40; internal channels E04F17/00) · CPC title

• F24J2/4638

  Mechanical Engineering · mapped topic

• Y02B10/20

  Solar thermal · CPC title

• A62C2/12

  Hinged dampers · CPC title