Patent Application
20120325761
The present invention relates to a mounting system for mounting solar panels, as well as to a mounting rail and an anchoring device designed for use in the mounting system of the invention.
The mounting system of the invention and, of course, the associated mounting rail and the anchoring device are particularly suitable for use in mounting solar panels on a rooftop, such as a pitched rooftop, or similar structure, and it will convenient to describe the invention in this exemplary context. It is to be appreciated, however, that the mounting system of the invention is not limited to use on rooftops or sloping surfaces, but may also be employed where the solar panels are to be mounted on any of a variety of supporting frameworks.
As a result of the increasing trend towards adoption of renewable energy sources, the installation of solar panel arrays is gaining in popularity, not only for industrial and institutional applications, but also in the domestic and rural environments. Whether for the industrial, institutional, domestic or rural environment, the solar panels are often mounted on the rooftops of buildings—most typically in the area where the solar energy is required. Roof structures are particularly convenient for this purpose as they present a large surface area directed towards the sun, which is both out of the way and often largely out of view from the normal visual perspective, thereby rendering the installations relatively unobtrusive. Horizontal or flat rooftop surfaces are naturally convenient for workers assembling and installing an array of solar panels as they provide an even and stable working environment. Many roof structures, however, are not horizontal but rather are pitched or angled, and thereby present significant challenges for the workers installing the solar panel array.
When installing solar panel arrays on a rooftop, particularly on a pitched or angled rooftop, it is often desirable and necessary to remove a portion of the original roof cladding, such as tiles or sheet material, in the area of the roof at which the solar panels are to be arranged. This is often necessary to gain access to the structural framework of the roof (i.e. the arrangement of beams and bearing members such as rafters, battens, purlins and/or stringers), upon which the array of solar panels is ultimately to be supported and secured. Removal of the original cladding material in this area also enables the solar panel array to be set into the roof, thereby giving the array a significantly lower profile and making it less conspicuous than if it were simply mounted on top of the original outer roof cladding. When the original roof cladding is replaced with the solar panel array, however, it is naturally critical to ensure that the integrity of the weather-proofing is retained in the rooftop after installation of the array.
The solar panels typically comprise photovoltaic modules and the newer versions being increasingly produced by manufacturers comprise relatively thin, glass-layered modules which dispense with a metal frame around the panel edges. Although they may not offer the maximum possible solar efficiency, the frameless glass-layered photovoltaic panels are nevertheless gaining in popularity because they still provide acceptable performance at a substantially lower cost than modules with the highest possible solar efficiency. The individual frameless, glass-layered photovoltaic solar panels may have various dimensions, but typically exhibit a solar collecting area in the range of about 0.5 m2 to about 4 m2. One particular example of such a panel has dimensions of about 1.3 m×1.1 m and a mass of about 25 kg. Thus, in addition to the fact that the frameless glass panels are difficult to mount reliably without causing damage at the edge regions of the panels, the individual panels can be quite heavy and of an unwieldy size, presenting an area which, during handling, is susceptible to even light gusts of wind, making their handling by a single person installing the array difficult.
It is therefore apparent that the installation of such panels on a pitched or inclined roof surface can present major challenges for an efficient installation procedure. To address many of these issues, the applicant has previously developed an improved system for mounting solar panels described in the co-pending International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2009/002480, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Nevertheless, even in view of the advancements and benefits provided by the system described in the co-pending application referenced above, it remains an object to optimise the solar panel mounting system to provide an easier and more efficient installation procedure that can be performed by a single person, and thereby to minimise the risk to the health and safety of the person performing the installation e.g. on a pitched roof or angled structure, as well as to the health and safety of bystanders in the vicinity. It is also an object to minimise the chance of damage to the solar panels themselves during the installation procedure. Furthermore, it is an object to provide a new and improved solar panel mounting system which enables a solar panel array to be integrated into a roof structure such that it forms part of the building envelope and, in a simple and cost-effective manner, substantially prevents ingress of rain-water into the roof structure after the panels are installed.
According to one aspect, the present invention provides a mounting system for mounting one or more solar panels on a support structure, such as a roof structure, the system comprising: a plurality of elongate mounting members adapted to be arranged and secured spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another, each of the mounting members being adapted to receive and support an edge region of a solar panel such that each solar panel extends between at least two of the mounting members; and a plurality of anchoring devices for securing each of the mounting members to the support structure, with each of the anchoring devices comprising a footing to be rigidly fastened to the support structure and a coupling member for connection with a respective one of the mounting members. According to the invention, a spacing between the coupling member and the footing is selectively variable by a user to adjust and/or set an elevation or height of the respective mounting member relative to the support structure. In this way, when installing a solar panel array on a roof structure, the mounting system is able to be readily adapted by the operator to suit the particular roof structure concerned, including the positions and sizes of the roof beams. This is particularly convenient for adjusting and setting the disposition of the solar panels to overlap at their respective upper and lower edge regions, e.g. on a pitched or inclined roof structure, so that the solar panels can be arranged to function as part of the building envelope and effectively replace the original roof cladding material. In other words, the solar panels themselves can be arranged to guide rain-water and/or snow melt over the roof area without permitting any significant ingress into the roof space.
In a preferred form of the invention, the footing of each anchoring device is designed to provide a stable foundation upon which a frame of the mounting system, i.e. comprising the plurality of mounting members, may stand. In this regard, each footing may comprise a plate member for rigid attachment to the support structure via one or more fasteners (e.g. screw fasteners). Thus, a substantially flat or planar surface of the plate member may be configured to seat stably against a substantially flat surface of the support structure and to be rigidly fastened thereto.
In a particular form of the invention, the coupling member of each anchoring device is connected in spaced relationship to the footing via a spacer member. In such an embodiment, the spacer member and/or the coupling member preferably include(s) means for selectively varying (and desirably setting or fixing) the position of the coupling member on the spacer member. As such, the coupling member may be mounted on the spacer member and selectively movable relative thereto. That is, the position varying means may include means for moving the coupling member on the spacer member. The footing, on the other hand, may be rigidly fixed to the spacer member. Despite the possibility of relative movement, the connection between the coupling member and the spacer member is nevertheless typically stable, secure and robust. By varying the position of the coupling member on the spacer member, the spacing between the coupling member and the footing can thereby be selectively varied and/or set by a user to adjust an elevation of the mounting member relative to the support structure. In this way, the position varying means essentially forms means for adjusting the spacing.
In a preferred form of the invention, the position varying means (i.e. the adjusting means) is configured for varying the spacing continuously between a predetermined maximum and a predetermined minimum, i.e. between two end positions. In this regard, the position varying means (i.e. adjusting means) may incorporate a screw-thread for effecting a gradual continuous displacement along the thread between the end positions. For example, the spacer member may comprise a threaded rod and the coupling member may be in threaded engagement with the spacer rod, such that rotating the threaded rod relative to the coupling member moves the coupling member axially along the rod, either towards or away from the footing, thereby varying or adjusting the distance or spacing between them. It will be appreciated, of course, that the invention is not limited to the use of a screw-thread for the adjusting means. The position varying means (i.e. adjusting means) could also, for example, comprise a slidable mechanism, such as a clamp mechanism, for selectively and releasably clamping and fixing a position of the coupling member along a length of the spacer member. Such a clamp mechanism could be provided in the coupling member, which could be adapted for continuous sliding movement along the spacer member. Alternatively, the position varying means (adjusting means) may comprise a detent mechanism with a series of discrete locking positions for selectively adjusting and setting a desired position of the coupling member on the spacer member, and thus, the spacing between the footing and the coupling member.
In a preferred form of the invention, the coupling member of each anchoring device is configured for selective connection with a respective mounting member along substantially the entire length of the mounting member; for example, via a snap-fit. In this way, the operator has maximum flexibility in selecting the position along the length of the mounting member at which the anchoring device is to be connected. This is quite important when one considers that the relative positions of the beams in a roof structure, over which the mounting members extend and to which they are to be secured, will vary from roof to roof. As it is often necessary to secure each of the elongate mounting members at three or more points along their length, the capability to connect the anchoring device at effectively any desired position along the length of the mounting members is particularly advantageous. Furthermore, having selected a desired position for the anchoring device along the length of the mounting member for a particular roof structure, the operator may then securely connect the anchoring device with the mounting member by a simple snap-fit or “click-in” operation.
In this respect, each of the mounting members desirably comprises a channel that extends longitudinally of the mounting member for receiving and securely engaging with the coupling member. The channel may be provided in a base portion of the mounting member and may open downwardly for receiving the coupling member from an underside of the mounting member. The downwardly open channel extends over substantially the entire length of the mounting member and the coupling member of the anchoring device is configured to engage and securely connect with the channel.
In a preferred form of the invention, the coupling member comprises at least one interconnection element for coupling engagement with at least one complementary interconnection element provided in the downwardly open channel of the mounting member. The at least one interconnection element of the coupling member may, for example, be in the form of a projection. In that case, the at least one complementary interconnection element in the channel may comprise a recess having a counterpart or corresponding geometry. Alternatively, of course, the at least one interconnection element of the coupling member may be in the form of a recess, and the at least one complementary interconnection element in the channel may be a corresponding projection. In a particular embodiment, such a combination of projection and recess may be in the form of complementary tongue and groove elements. These elements may also be provided with angled surfaces and/or with rounded or curved edges to facilitate sliding contact and engagement into a snap-fit interconnection there-between.
In a preferred form of the invention, the downwardly open channel in the base portion of the mounting member may be resiliently flexible or resiliently deformable to facilitate the desired snap-fit connection between the anchoring device and the mounting member. For example, when complementary interconnection elements are provided at opposite side walls of the channel to engage with the interconnection elements provided at opposite sides of the coupling member, the side walls of the channel may incorporate a degree of resilient flexibility or deformability to facilitate, for example, a resilient expansion and return contraction of the walls to effect or assist a “click-in” or snap-fit engagement of the respective elements. Alternatively or in addition, the elements themselves, e.g. the projection(s), may have resilience or spring means for assisting the snap-fit engagement.
After the coupling member of one of the anchoring devices is securely connected with the base of the mounting member, the operator can quickly and simply adjust and set the desired height or elevation of the mounting member at that particular position by varying the spacing between the footing and coupling member of the anchoring device, as described above. In one embodiment to be described in more detail later, this may be done by rotating the footing of the anchoring device relative to the coupling member connected to the mounting member. Once the elevation or height has been appropriately adjusted, the footing may then be rigidly fastened, e.g. with screws, to the roof structure.
According to another aspect, the present invention provides a mounting rail for mounting a solar panel in a solar panel mounting system, the mounting rail having: an upper portion with at least one panel seating area that extends longitudinally of the mounting rail for receiving and fixing an edge region of the solar panel; and a base portion having a longitudinally extending channel which opens downwardly to an underside of the mounting rail. The downwardly open channel is configured to receive a coupling member of an anchoring device for securing the mounting member to a support structure, such as a roof structure. According to the invention, the downwardly open channel includes at least one interconnection element for engagement with the coupling member of the anchoring device via a snap-fit. This snap-fit engagement is preferably releasable.
In a preferred form of the invention, the downwardly open channel in the underside of the mounting rail includes interconnection elements formed in opposite side walls of the channel for engagement with complementary interconnection elements on opposite sides of the coupling member. As already noted above, the interconnection elements may be in the form of projections and/or recesses (e.g. tongue and groove elements) having counterpart or corresponding geometries. Furthermore, the side walls of the channel may have a degree of resilient flexibility or deformability to facilitate a “click-in” or snap-fit engagement of the respective elements. Thus, the interconnection elements in the downwardly open channel may be configured for resiliently flexible or resiliently biased engagement with the coupling member of the anchoring device.
In a preferred form of the invention, the base portion of the mounting rail is elongate and desirably of uniform cross-section with a continuous central longitudinal axis. Similarly, the upper portion of the mounting rail is desirably elongate and of uniform cross-section with a continuous central longitudinal axis. The upper portion and the base portion of the mounting rail are typically rigidly connected with one another to provide an integral mounting rail construction. The upper portion and base portion may or may not be unitarily formed. Preferably, the base portion is longitudinally offset from and/or extends longitudinally beyond the upper portion of the mounting rail. In this way, the base portion of one mounting rail is configured to overlap with the base portion of a longitudinally adjacent or adjoining mounting rail in the solar panel mounting system. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the base portion of the mounting rail includes at least one longitudinally extending channel which is upwardly open for capturing and/or directing flow of water ingress under the solar panels. Thus, the at least one upwardly open channel of the base portion may be adapted to overlap in the longitudinal direction with another respective upwardly open channel in the base portion of a longitudinally adjacent or adjoining mounting member. Preferably, the at least one upwardly open channel in the base portion of the mounting rail extends parallel to and laterally spaced from the downwardly open channel, which itself desirably extends centrally of the base portion. The at least one upwardly open channel preferably projects laterally, i.e. in its breadth, to a side of the mounting rail beyond a lateral extent of the panel seating area on the upper portion of the mounting rail.
According to yet another aspect, the present invention provides an anchoring device for securing a mounting rail of a solar panel mounting system to a support structure, the anchoring device comprising: a footing configured to be rigidly fastened to the support structure, and a coupling member for connection with the mounting rail. The anchoring device includes means for selectively varying a distance or spacing of the coupling member from the footing to adjust and/or set an elevation of the mounting member relative to the support structure.
In a preferred form of the anchoring device, the coupling member is connected to the footing via a spacer member, and the anchoring device includes means for selectively varying the position of the coupling member on the spacer member to adjust and/or set the elevation of the mounting member. As already discussed above, the spacer member and/or the coupling member may include the position varying means.
In yet another, alternative aspect, the present invention provides a mounting system for mounting one or more solar panels, comprising: a plurality of elongate mounting members adapted to be arranged and secured in longitudinal alignment with one another for supporting one or more solar panels thereon; and a plurality of anchoring devices for securing the mounting members to a support structure, such as a roof structure. Each of the mounting members comprises: an upper portion for receiving and supporting an edge region of a solar panel, and a base portion configured for connection with one or more of the anchoring devices along substantially an entire length of the mounting member. According to this aspect, the base portion of the mounting member is longitudinally offset from and/or extends longitudinally beyond the upper portion, such that the base portion of one mounting member is configured to overlap with the base portion of a longitudinally adjacent or adjoining mounting member. The plurality of elongate mounting members are typically also adapted to be arranged and secured substantially parallel to and laterally spaced from one another, such that the elongate mounting members form a mounting frame for supporting an array of the solar panels thereon, with each solar panel extending between at least two laterally spaced mounting members.
As noted above, in a preferred form of the invention the base portion includes at least one longitudinally extending channel which is upwardly open for capturing and/or directing water ingress under the solar panels. This at least one upwardly open channel of the base portion is desirably configured to overlap in the longitudinal direction with a respective upwardly open channel in the base portion of a longitudinally adjacent or adjoining mounting member. A panel seating area for receiving and fixing the edge region of a solar panel extends longitudinally on the upper portion of the mounting member, and the at least one upwardly open channel may project laterally, i.e. in its breadth, to a side of the mounting member beyond a lateral extent of the panel seating area.
In a preferred form of the invention, the base portion of each mounting member includes a longitudinally extending channel which opens downwardly for receiving a coupling member of one of the anchoring devices on an underside of the mounting member. Preferably, the at least one upwardly open channel in the base portion extends parallel to and laterally spaced from the downwardly open channel. In a particular embodiment, the base portion of each mounting member includes two parallel upwardly open channels arranged to extend parallel to and laterally spaced to either side of the downwardly open channel located centrally of the base portion. Each upwardly open channel preferably projects laterally, i.e. in its breadth, to a side of the mounting rail beyond a lateral extent of the panel seating area on the upper portion of the mounting member.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a retaining element for preventing the solar panel from sliding in a longitudinal or axial direction relative to an elongate mounting member of a mounting system for mounting solar panels on an inclined structure, such as a pitched roof. The retaining element comprises: a body portion configured to be securely fastened at an axial end of a first elongate mounting member, the body portion presenting a stop surface for engagement with a peripheral edge of a solar panel mounted on the first mounting member. The body portion includes positioning means configured to elevate the end region of the first mounting member relative to an end region of a second mounting member arranged adjacent or adjoining and in longitudinal alignment with the first mounting member.
In a preferred form of the invention, the positioning means include one or more protrusion configured to seat upon, to overlap with, and/or to be received within the longitudinally adjacent or adjoining second mounting member. The body portion is preferably configured to engage a facing end surface of the first mounting member and may, for this purpose, comprise a facing plate member. The one or more protrusion of the positioning means may be provided on or project from the facing plate member.
The invention therefore also provides a mounting system for mounting one or more solar panels, comprising: a plurality of elongate mounting members adapted to be arranged and secured in longitudinal alignment with one another for supporting one or more solar panels thereon, wherein each mounting member comprises a retaining element according to the invention as described above for preventing the solar panel from sliding in a longitudinal or axial direction relative to the mounting member.
It should be noted that the terms “upper”, “lower”, “above”, “below”, “topside”, “underside”, “lateral”, “laterally” and other similar terms used herein in respect of various parts of the mounting system of the invention are intended to be given their ordinary meaning in view of the normal or in-use orientation of the mounting system described herein. It will be appreciated, however, that other interpretations of these terms may be appropriate depending on the particular orientation of the system and/or its respective parts at the time.
The above and further features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters identify like features, and in which:
With reference to
The mounting frame 10 of the mounting system 100 shown in
The rooftop R shown in
With the mounting system 100 in
With reference to
It will be noted that, although the mounting rail 20 is an integral component, the upper portion 21 and the base portion 22 of each mounting rail 20 may be formed as separate components and later rigidly combined (e.g. by welding or by riveting). In this respect, the drawing
The details of the configuration of the upper portion 21 of the mounting rail 20 will be described later in connection with the attachment of the solar panels S. The base portion 22 of the mounting rail 20, however, includes a longitudinally extending, central channel 23 which opens downwardly to substantially flat surfaces 24 at an underside of the rail, with those surfaces 24 extending to laterally opposite sides of the central channel 23. As can be seen in
Returning to the manner in which the anchoring devices 30 are employed to secure the mounting rails 20 to the roof structure, further reference is made to
With reference to
As is also apparent from
As is apparent from
In each case, the overlap of the mounting rails 20 in the mounting system 100 of the invention is designed to ensure the integrity and continuity of rainwater run-off and drainage so that the solar panel array may effectively function as part of the building envelope. In this way, both the solar panels S themselves and the upwardly open channels 28 provide unimpeded run-off or drainage of rainwater, snow-melt and/or condensate from the rooftop R, while also substantially inhibiting unwanted ingress of water into the roof cavity or roof structure. As such, a solar panel array based on the mounting system 100 of the invention can effectively form a weather-resistant part of the building envelope without separately or additionally covering and sealing the rooftop area covered by the solar panels with a weather-proof layer.
In view of the fact that the anchoring device 30 is to be secured to the cross-beams or battens B2, the positions of which will differ in each roof structure, and in view of the fact that the length of the mounting rails 20 is predefined in this embodiment by the length of the solar panels S, the anchoring device 30 of the invention solves two significant problems. On the one hand, the anchoring device 30 is able to secure the mounting rail 20 to the beam B at any desired point (and preferably at least three) along the length of the mounting rail 20—i.e. selected in dependence upon locations of the beams B. On the other hand, the anchoring device 30 is able to compensate for any height or elevation discrepancies between the beams B of the roof structure and also set elevation differences along the length of each mounting rail 20 for the longitudinally overlapping arrangement of the mounting rails. As can be particularly clearly seen in
With reference again to
Extending longitudinally of the mounting rail 20 and arranged centrally of the upper portion 21 of the mounting rail section is a central channel 18 which opens to the upper side of the mounting rail 20 between a pair of adjacent and parallel extending bearing surfaces 17. The purpose and operation of these bearing surfaces 17 will be explained in further later. The central upper channel 18 has a pair of substantially parallel walls 16, the inner surfaces of which have a surface profile, e.g. serrations, which combine or cooperate to form a partial screw thread for interaction with a complementary threaded fastener. Thus, the two panel seating areas 19 formed at the upper side of the mounting rail 20 extend parallel to the first channel 18 on laterally opposite sides of the mounting rail 20.
Each of the panel seating areas 19 has inner and outer flange elements 15, the upper surfaces of which are arranged in essentially the same plane and are adapted to receive and support the edge region E of the solar panel S. A longitudinally extending gap between each of the inner and outer flange elements 15 opens into a lateral upper channel 14 extending along the length of the mounting rail 20 in each of the panel seating areas 19. As can be seen with attention to the detail of
With reference now to
Referring to
As will be understood from International Patent Application PCT/EP2009/002480, the fastener (not shown) to be received in the aperture 44 may be a threaded bolt, an external thread of which has a profile complementary to the surfaces of the walls 16 defining the partial screw thread within the central first upper channel 18. Thus, the bolt fastener cooperates with the central upper channel 18 of the mounting rail 20 for securely fastening the retaining element 40 to the mounting rail 20. In addition, the fastening means via bolt and aperture 44, together with the plate-like member 42 function as locating means for locating or positioning the retaining element 40 in a desired predetermined orientation at the facing end region of the mounting rail 20. In particular, when fastened to the mounting rail 20, the stop or limit member 45 of the retaining element 40 extends across a width of the mounting rail 20 such that each abutment or stop surface 46 is located across each of the respective panel seating areas 19 to engage with the lower peripheral edge P in the edge region E of each solar panel S received in those seating areas 19.
With further reference to drawing
By rigidly securing a retaining element 40 at an end of each of the mounting rails 20 to define a stop or limit for the edge regions E of the solar panels S to be received and fixed in the panel seating areas 19, placement and assembly of each of the solar panels S within the mounting system 100 of the present invention is substantially simplified compared with prior art arrangements. In particular, the areas 19 for locating the panels on each of the mounting rails 20 are clearly recognizable for a person placing the solar panels S in position on the mounting rails 20 for subsequent attachment. The retaining element 40 also prevents the associated solar panel from inadvertently slipping out of position or sliding off the mounting rail 20 before the solar panel S is rigidly fixed to the mounting rail 20. Furthermore, each retaining element 40 is configured to provide a preset or predetermined axial or longitudinal positioning of the aligned mounting rails 20 with respect to one another. That is, the positioning means 47, 48 facilitate both longitudinal alignment of the mounting rails, as well as their differential elevation or axial offset from one another. In this way, the solar panels S are mounted on the rails 20 with a slight overlap (i.e. in the range of about 10 mm to 20 mm) along their upper and lower edge regions, providing the staggered or shingled arrangement shown in
As a result, a single operator is able to assemble the mounting frame 10 with the desired level of overlap between the longitudinally adjacent mounting rails 20 more easily. Furthermore, the operator can place the solar panels S in mounting positions clearly delimited by the retaining elements 40, sound in the knowledge that the solar panels S will not inadvertently slip out of position or off the mounting rails 20, despite the angular inclination of the pitched roof. The rigidly attached retaining elements 40 hold the individual panels in the desired position leaving the operator free to place another panel and/or to complete the fixture of the solar panels S already placed in their mounting positions. In addition, the retaining elements 40 cooperate with the mounting rails 20 to provide a predetermined degree of edge overlap between each of the rows of solar panels S in the solar panel array assembly.
With reference now to
As a result, lateral or side surfaces 54 of the body portion 51 of each spacer element 50 serve to define a limit or boundary of the panel seating areas 19 at the laterally opposite sides of the mounting rail 20. Furthermore, the body portion 51 of the spacer element 50 physically separates the two panel seating areas 19 on opposite sides of the mounting rail 20 from one another. The consequence and benefit of this arrangement is apparent from drawing
As noted above, the mounting rails 20 are arranged in the mounting frame 10 both longitudinally aligned, and also laterally spaced apart and substantially parallel with one another. The laterally spaced mounting rails are centred at distances just slightly larger than the width of the solar panels S, such that the solar panels S mounted thereon extend between two of the mounting rails 20. The distance between centres of two parallel spaced mounting rails 20 will typically exceed the width of the solar panels S by an amount approximately corresponding to the width of the spacer elements 50—i.e. typically in the range of about 20 mm to about 50 mm.
With reference to
With reference to
Each of the clamping rails 60, 60′ incorporates stop means, provided here in the form of rib- or fin-like projections 66, for stopping or limiting the clamping force applied to the edge regions E of the solar panels S. With reference to
Similarly, each of the spacer elements 50 also includes stop means for stopping or limiting the clamping force applied to the solar panels. These stop means may also be in the form of one or more projections, in this case a pair of upstanding ridge-like projections 57, which are adapted to engage an underside 67 of the clamping rail. Accordingly, after the bolts 61 have been turned and tightened a predetermined amount, the projections 66 on the underside of the clamping rail 60 engage the upper surface 56 of the spacer element 50 and the projections 57 at the upper side of the spacer element 50 engage the underside 67 of the clamping rail 60. As each of the spacer elements 50 is relatively rigid (i.e. substantially less compressible than the rubber seating elements 13), the body portions 51 of the spacer elements seated on the bearing surfaces 17 of the mounting rail 20 limit the clamping force applied to the edge regions E of the solar panels.
As is described in PCT/EP2009/002480, the spacer elements 50 are provided spaced apart along the longitudinal length of the mounting rail 20. The fastening bolts 61 do not directly engage with the spacer elements 50, but rather simply extend through the elongated aperture or slot 55 located centrally in each of the spacer elements 50. The elongated form of each aperture 55 simplifies the registration between the spacer elements 50 and the three bolt holes 62 formed in each of the clamping rails 60, 60′. In this regard, it will be noted that the spacer elements 50 are typically positioned on the mounting rails 20 by hand by the person assembling the mounting system 100. Thus, after the mounting frame 10 is assembled on the supporting structure (i.e. in this case, the pitched roof), the spacer elements 50 are placed on the mounting rails 20 by inserting the tongue-like projections 52 into the first channel 18 at the upper side of the mounting rail. The individual spacer elements 50 are placed to approximately correspond to the positions of the bolt holes 62 formed in each of the clamping rails 60, 60′ to be fastened later. The elongate nature of the aperture 55 therefore provides a certain amount of flexibility in the positioning of the spacer elements 50 and a precise alignment or registration with the fastening holes 62 in the clamping rails 60, 60′ is not required. The spacer elements 50 are ultimately held fixed in their positions through the clamping effect described above. In addition, a degree of interference between outer surfaces of the tongue-like projections 52 and the profiled surface of the walls 24 inside the first channel 18 may be useful to hold (e.g. lightly hold) the spacer elements 50 at the positions where they are placed by the worker to avoid inadvertent and unwanted movement (e.g. sliding movement) of the spacer elements 50 out of their positions along the mounting rails 20 before the clamping members 60, 60′ are applied.
Drawing
By providing the spacer element 50′ with this holder means 58, the flashing sheet F can be securely and accurately positioned with respect to the solar panel array without additional adaptation of the basic sheet material F being necessary. Further, the jaws defining the slot 59, which may have a depth in the range of 2 cm to 8 cm, preferably only grip the edge of the flashing sheet F relatively lightly such that a sideways or lateral movement or displacement of the sheet is possible, thereby also facilitating optimal position adjustment.
After the mounting frame 10 is securely and rigidly assembled and established on the pitched roof, the worker can commence placing the solar panels S in their respective positions. In this regard, the retaining elements 40, which may have been rigidly pre-assembled with the mounting rails 20, not only clearly indicate the position of the lower peripheral edge P of the respective solar panels S, they also prevent any undesired movement of the panels before the panels are clamped in position. Similarly, the spacer elements 50 located along the lengths of the mounting rails 20 clearly delimit the panel seating area 19 on each of the mounting rails and protect the susceptible edge regions E of the glass sheets from damage. After the solar panels have been placed in their mounting positions, the clamping rails 60, 60′ are then applied to securely fix the edge regions E of the solar panels to the mounting rails 20, as described above.
It will be appreciated that the above description of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings has been made by way of example only. Accordingly, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, modifications and/or additions may be made to the parts particularly described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2009/008593 | 12/2/2009 | WO | 00 | 9/11/2012 |
