1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a photovoltaic panel mounting systems, and more particularly to a modular roof mounting system for photovoltaic panels.
2. Description of the Related Art
One challenge in the design of a universal photovoltaic module mounting system is the wide range of variation in module sizes and mounting geometries. The ideal solution would be a standard kit that works with any type of solar module, but given the wide variation in module geometry it is hard to make such a universal solution work without other costly compromises. This is particularly difficult when the mounting system is a contiguous structure rather than a series of elements that rely on the solar module frame to provide physical continuity across the array.
In general, the present invention is a universal photovoltaic module mounting system. The Precision-Modular Roof Mounting System (RMS) according the present invention is a system that is able to achieve a contiguous structure without sacrificing its universality across a wide range of module geometries. Most components incorporated in the Precision-Modular RMS are universal, accommodating all module sizes, with varying geometries.
More particularly, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the Precision-Modular Roof Mounting System utilizes an assembly Jig that makes assembly of the structural units very easy and repeatable. One unique aspect of the Jig design is that it does not require any adjustments or measurements as it is built to the correct geometry. It accomplishes this by integrating a photovoltaic panel mounting frame that the structure is required to support. In addition to the photovoltaic panel mounting frame it includes only two low cost universal components.
Specifically, the assembly Jig according to an embodiment of the present invention includes two South rail locators and two North rail locators, which are mounted on the photovoltaic panel mounting frame that has been chosen for a particular project. The rail locators are attached to the mounting holes in the photovoltaic panel mounting frame, two on the South edge and two on the North, and produce a rail spacing that lines up with the same holes. The North Rail Locators have additional locating features to position the cross beams. There may be multiple locating features to accommodate different size ballast blocks or a different number of rows of ballast. Using a photovoltaic panel mounting frame to create a Jig that automatically determines the configuration of the Precision-Modular Roof Mounting System and requires no adjustments provides a significant improvement over current mounting structures and methods.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a modular photovoltaic panel mounting system utilizes an assembly Jig comprising a photovoltaic panel mounting frame, first and second North rail locators attached to a first side of the photovoltaic panel mounting frame, and first and second South rail locators attached to a second side of the photovoltaic panel mounting frame, the second side opposite the first side. The mounting system further comprises a first rail positioned at the first North rail locator and the first South rail locator, a second rail positioned at the second North rail and the second South rail locator, wherein the second rail is located parallel to the first rail, a first cross beam attached perpendicular to the first and second rails, a second cross beam attached perpendicular to the first and second rails, and parallel to the first cross beam, a first strut clamp attached to the first rail, and a second strut clamp attached to the second rail, wherein the assembly Jig facilitates the location and alignment of the first and second rails, the first and second cross beams, and first and second struts.
A method according to the present invention includes a method of constructing an assembly Jig comprising the steps of:
placing a mounting frame of a photovoltaic panel to be mounted in a mounting location;
attaching first and second North rail locators to mounting holes on a first side of the photovoltaic panel frame;
attaching first and second South rail locators to mounting holes on a second side of the photovoltaic panel frame, the mounting frame, and rail locators comprising an assembly Jig.
The Jig is then used to construct multiple Precision-Modular assemblies, identically configured, the construction steps comprising:
positioning a first rail in the first North and first South rail locators;
positioning a second rail in the second North and second South rail locators;
positioning a first cross beam in the first and second North rail locators, perpendicular to the first and second rails;
positioning a second cross beam in the first and second North rail locators, the second cross beam parallel to the first cross beam, and perpendicular to the first and second rails;
positioning a first North strut on the first rail and engaging the first cross beam;
positioning a second North strut on the second rail and engaging the first cross beam;
attaching the second cross beam to the first and second rails;
attaching the first cross beam and the first North strut to the first rail; and
attaching the first cross beam and the second North strut to the second rail.
Once the structure is assembled, the mounting structure is removed from the assembly Jig. This process may be repeated to produce as many Precision-Modular assemblies as required to build a particular array.
As the Precision-Modular assemblies are built, they can be laid out in any two-dimensional array format required, interlocking mechanically in both directions. In the North-South direction a rail link extending from the North end of an assembly engages the South end of a next assembly, inserting into the rail track and registering on the tabs of the rail link. In the East-West direction, a Stiffener of one assembly fastens onto a Stiffener of a next assembly with two bolt-nut pairs. Multiple fastening locations may be available on the Stiffener to accommodate more than one possible spacing between assemblies.
Ballast blocks may be placed on the array, and the blocks are supported between the two cross beams of each assembly.
Finally, the photovoltaic panels are mounted onto the array in two steps. First, the module mounting clips are attached to both holes on a first side of each photovoltaic module. Then the modules are mounted to each Precision-Modular assembly in the array, fastened on the South side via the module mounting clips, and engaging on the North side hooks on a module flange on both North struts. Once all the modules are mounted and fastened, the system is mechanically complete.
The present invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:
The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Any and all such modifications, equivalents and alternatives are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
As described above, it is desired to have a more universal photovoltaic module mounting system. The Precision-Modular Roof Mounting System (RMS) according the present invention is a system that is able to achieve a contiguous structure without sacrificing its universality across a wide range of module geometries. Most components incorporated in the Precision-Modular RMS are universal, accommodating all module sizes, but it is practical to deviate slightly from absolute universality by dividing the solar module (also referred to as a photovoltaic panel or solar panel) universe into a few subsets within which the range of variation is considerably smaller.
One practical way to divide the universe of solar modules is based on the number of solar cells per module, since the number and arrangement of the cells correlate closely with the geometry of the module. Typical module categories are 60-cell, 72-cell, and 96-cell modules. Each category may have a wide variation of mounting geometries. Generally modules have four, six, or eight mounting holes provided, of which four are generally required for the most common loading conditions.
The Precision-Modular RMS of the present invention has been designed to accommodate all modules that fall into any defined category with a fixed set of components, using a four-hole mounting pattern. In general, the Precision-Modular RMS system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fixed set of components, and can be configured to match any particular module within any given category.
More particularly, as illustrated in
Specifically, the Precision-Modular assembly Jig 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes two South rail locators 101, 102 and two North rail locators 103, 104, which are mounted on the photovoltaic panel mounting frame 12 that has been chosen for a particular project. The rail locators 101-104 are attached to the mounting holes in the panel mounting frame, two on the South edge and two on the North, and produce a rail spacing that lines up with the same holes. The North Rail Locators 103, 104 have additional locating features 105a-105d to position the cross beams. The South Rail locators 101, 102 determine the longitudinal position of the rails by providing a rail end registration.
There may be multiple locating features 105a-105d to accommodate different size ballast blocks or a different number of rows of ballast. The ballast is supported by the cross beams, and therefore the cross beams' spacing is determined by the size and orientation of the ballast blocks that are selected, depending on availability and cost.
Using a photovoltaic panel mounting frame 12 to create a Jig 10 that automatically determines the configuration of the Precision-Modular assembly and requires no adjustments provides a significant improvement over current mounting structures and methods. The built-in accommodation for different size ballast blocks without any adjustment is an additional advantage of this design.
The present invention includes a method for using the Jig 10 to assemble the Precision-Modular system. The method includes the following steps. First, the rails may have elastomer “feet” (see
The first cross-beam 30 is clamped in place by the North struts 301, 302, which use a carriage bolt and nut to fasten to the rails. The North struts clamp and secure the cross beam by engaging into a “track” formed on the front of the cross beam (
The bolt used on both the North struts 301, 302 and the clip 310 is a carriage bolt that engages a track on the rail. A different type of bolt, such as a hex-head bolt, can also be used, with a matching track profile that would allow the bolt to move longitudinally but prevents its rotation. As shown in enlargement A, a rail link may be attached to the end of a rail in order to attach the rail to a rail in a next assembly, to form an array.
As illustrated in
As shown in
Each time a Precision-Modular assembly is completed, it is removed from the Jig 10, which is then used for the next assembly, in succession. As a result, a mounting array of identical assemblies is formed with the exact dimensions necessary for mounting photovoltaic panels, having frames identical to the one used to construct the Jig 10.
As illustrated in
The Stiffener 50 is designed to provide more than a single column width, so it can accommodate a wider range of module sizes without necessarily resulting in a large gap in the case of smaller size photovoltaic modules. The contiguous Stiffeners are interlocked and fastened with two bolt/nut pairs.
The arrays are therefore built by laying out the modular assemblies, interlocked and fastened in both orthogonal directions. This method to replicate Precision-Modular assemblies can be used to build continuous, interlocked and evenly spaced rows creating a two-dimensional array.
Once the array or multiple arrays are assembled, ballast 90 may be placed over the cross beams, as illustrated in
Once the Precision-Modular assemblies are constructed, the system is ready to receive the photovoltaic modules, which are first preassembled with two South Clips 70, 71 as shown in
As shown in
The cover is shown in greater detail in
In a preferred embodiment, the rails sit on TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) feet 141, 142, 143 that offer a soft interface with the roof, protecting it from abrasion, as shown in
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Stiffener 50 has a number of features to facilitate wire routing and retention. This is illustrated in
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rail link 40 has multiple holes 161a-161d for the North Strut bolt which allows the system to be configured with variable row spacing, as shown in
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a modular photovoltaic panel mounting system utilizes an assembly Jig comprising a photovoltaic panel mounting frame, first and second North rail locators attached to a first side of the photovoltaic panel mounting frame, and first and second South rail locators attached to a second side of the photovoltaic panel mounting frame, the second side opposite the first side.
The mounting system further comprises a first rail positioned at the first North rail locator and the first South rail locator, a second rail positioned at the second North rail and the second South rail locator, wherein the second rail is located parallel to the first rail, a first cross beam attached perpendicular to the first and second rails, a second cross beam attached perpendicular to the first and second rails, and parallel to the first cross beam, a first strut clamp attached to the first rail, and a second strut clamp attached to the second rail, wherein the assembly Jig facilitates the location and alignment of the first and second rails, the first and second cross beams, and first and second struts.
A method according to the present invention includes a method of constructing an assembly Jig comprising the steps of placing a mounting frame of a photovoltaic panel to be mounted in a mounting location, attaching first and second North rail locators to mounting holes on a first side of the photovoltaic panel frame, and attaching first and second South rail locators to mounting holes on a second side of the photovoltaic panel frame, the mounting frame, and rail locators comprising an assembly Jig.
The Jig is then used to construct multiple Precision-Modular assemblies, identically configured, the construction steps comprising positioning a first rail in the first North and first South rail locators, positioning a second rail in the second North and second South rail locators, positioning a first cross beam in the first and second North rail locators, perpendicular to the first and second rails, positioning a second cross beam in the first and second North rail locators, the second cross beam parallel to the first cross beam, and perpendicular to the first and second rails, positioning a first North strut on the first rail and engaging the first cross beam, positioning a second North strut on the second rail and engaging the first cross beam, attaching the second cross beam to the first and second rails, attaching the first cross beam and the first North strut to the first rail, and attaching the first cross beam and the second North strut to the second rail.
Once the structure is assembled, the mounting structure is removed from the assembly Jig. This process may be repeated to produce as many Precision-Modular assemblies as required to build a particular array.
As the Precision-Modular assemblies are built, they can be laid out in any two-dimensional array format required, interlocking mechanically in both directions. In the North-South direction a rail link extending from the North end of an assembly engages the South end of a next assembly, inserting into the rail track and registering on the tabs of the rail link. In the East-West direction, a Stiffener of one assembly fastens onto a Stiffener of a next assembly with two bolt-nut pairs. Multiple fastening locations may be available on the Stiffener to accommodate more than one possible spacing between assemblies.
Ballast blocks may be placed on the array, and the blocks are supported between the two cross beams of each assembly.
Finally, the photovoltaic panels are mounted onto the array in two steps. First, the module mounting clips are attached to both holes on a first side of each photovoltaic module. Then the modules are mounted to each Precision-Modular assembly in the array, fastened on the South side via the module mounting clips, and engaging on the North side hooks on a module flange on both North struts. Once all the modules are mounted and fastened, the system is mechanically complete.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just described preferred embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/015,998, filed Jun. 23, 2014, entitled MODULAR ROOF MOUNTING SYSTEM, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62015998 | Jun 2014 | US |