Mounting system for photovoltaic modules

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9985576-B2
Application number	US-201514998380-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 23, 2015
Priority date	Dec 23, 2015
Publication date	May 29, 2018
Grant date	May 29, 2018

Abstract

A system for mounting one or more photovoltaic (PV) modules to a structure. The system can include a base having quarter turn receptacles. A coupling member can mate to one of the receptacles to compress a mounting foot to the base and prevent it from moving. A handle attached coupling member can be used to lock the coupling member to the base. A PV module coupling device attached to the foot may support two PV modules.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A mounting system comprising:
a base configured to mount to a structure, the base comprising at least one receptacle;
a foot adapted to couple with the base;
a photovoltaic (PV) module coupling device attached to the foot, the PV module coupling device being adapted to engage frames of at least two PV modules while maintaining a space in between them;
an elongated handle coupled to a coupling member, the coupling member being configured to secure the foot to the base by insertion of the coupling member through the foot and into the at least one receptacle and turning of the handle less than a full revolution to compress the foot between the base and a coupling surface of the coupling member;
wherein the at least one receptacle comprises an opening and at least one stop for limiting turning of the handle, and
wherein the at least one receptacle comprises a first surface portion, a second surface portion vertically displaced from the first surface portion and abutting the at least one stop, and a ramp portion leading from the first surface portion to the second surface portion.

2. The mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one stop is configured to limit revolution of the elongated handle to 90 degrees or less.

3. The mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the coupling member comprises an elongated shaft and a key member attached to an end of the elongated shaft.

4. The mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the key member comprises a plurality of curved portions configured to forcibly hold onto complimentary portions of the at least one receptacle.

5. The mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the elongated handle is removably coupled to the coupling member.

6. A mounting system comprising:
a base configured to mount to a structure, the base comprising a plurality of receptacles;
a foot having a bottom surface and an upper surface, the bottom surface for engagement with the base;
a photovoltaic (PV) module coupling device mounted to the foot, the PV module coupling device being adapted to engage frames of at least two PV modules while maintaining a space in between them;
an elongated handle coupled to a coupling surface of a coupling member, the coupling member being configured to compress the foot between the base and the coupling surface by insertion of the coupling member through the foot and into one of the plurality of receptacles and turning of the handle less than 360 degrees;
wherein each receptacle comprises an opening and a stop for limiting turning of the handle, and
wherein the each receptacle comprises a ramp portion leading to the stop.

7. The mounting system of claim 6 , wherein the coupling member comprises a key member configured to ramp over the ramp portion during the turn of the handle.

8. The mounting system of claim 6 , wherein the stop is configured for limiting revolution of the elongated handle to 90 degrees or less.

9. The mounting system of claim 6 , wherein the coupling member comprises an elongated shaft and key flanges attached to an end of the elongated shaft.

10. A mounting system comprising:
a puck configured to mount to a structure, the puck comprising an elevated surface having a plurality of receptacles;
a foot having a bottom surface and an upper surface, the bottom surface for frictional engagement with the elevated surface of the puck;
a photovoltaic (PV) module coupling device mounted above the upper surface of the foot, the PV module coupling device being adapted to engage frames of at least two PV modules while maintaining a space in between them;
a coupling member configured to maintain position of the foot against the base by insertion of the coupling member through the foot and into one of the plurality of receptacles and turning of the coupling member;
wherein the coupling member comprises an elongated shaft and key flanges attached to an end of the elongated shaft, and
wherein each receptacle comprises ramp portions for engagement with the key flanges.

11. The mounting system of claim 10 , wherein the coupling member comprises a feature for coupling to an elongated handle.

12. The mounting system of claim 11 , wherein the feature comprises a male protrusion.

13. The mounting system of claim 10 , wherein each receptacle comprises a stop for limiting revolution of the elongated handle to 90 degrees or less.

14. The mounting system of claim 10 , wherein each receptacle comprises stops arranged for preventing full revolution of the key flanges.

Assignees

• Solarcity Corp

Inventors

• Almy Charles

Classifications

• F24J2/52

  Mechanical Engineering · mapped topic

• H02S20/23 Primary

  specially adapted for roof structures · CPC title

• F24S25/00

  Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules · CPC title

• Y02B10/10

  Photovoltaic [PV] · CPC title

• F24S25/63

  for fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements · CPC title