Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Apparatus for forming and mounting a photovoltaic array
- Patent Title (中): 用于形成和安装光伏阵列的装置
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Application No.: US12594935Application Date: 2008-04-08
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Publication No.: US08109048B2Publication Date: 2012-02-07
- Inventor: John R. West , Christina C. Manansala , Hans-Christoph Haenlein
- Applicant: John R. West , Christina C. Manansala , Hans-Christoph Haenlein
- Applicant Address: US CA San Rafael
- Assignee: Zap Solar, Inc.
- Current Assignee: Zap Solar, Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US CA San Rafael
- Agent Larry D. Johnson
- International Application: PCT/US2008/004569 WO 20080408
- International Announcement: WO2008/124158 WO 20081016
- Main IPC: E04D13/18
- IPC: E04D13/18 ; H01L31/05

Abstract:
A photovoltaic (PV) module framing and coupling system enables the attachment of PV modules to a roof or other mounting surface without requiring the use of separate structural support members which attach directly to and span between multiple PV modules in a formed PV array. The inventive apparatus provides a parallel coupling for securely interlocking the outside surfaces of parallel frame members together in a side to side arrangement to form an array with improved structural load distribution. The inventive coupling member may attach to a slot in the frame at substantially any position along the length of the frame thereby enabling the interconnection of adjacent PV modules along both an x and y axis. The inventive apparatus may further provide a rotating portion and locking portion for coupling to frame attachment, mounting brackets for direct connection to a mounting surface, grounding teeth for the automatic creation of a reliable two axis grounding matrix, and a rapid twist-lock engagement means for reliably interlocking and aligning PV modules in the array.
Public/Granted literature
- US20100065108A1 Method and Apparatus for Forming and Mounting a Photovoltaic Array Public/Granted day:2010-03-18
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