Clip-on mounting rails, mounting brackets, and methods of mounting solar modules
US10917039B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 2020 |
| Grant date | Feb 9, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A snap-on mounting bracket assembly suitable for connecting a mounting rail to a torque tube is provided. The mounting bracket assembly includes an upper clamp piece and a lower clamp piece. The upper clamp piece has a first member defining a tube insertion aperture and an open bottom space and includes an upper partial fastener. The lower clamp piece has a second member with a lower partial fastener configured to mate with the upper partial fastener such that the lower clamp piece is attachable to the upper clamp piece. In exemplary embodiments, the lower clamp piece further comprises two opposing support members configured to attach to the mounting rail. Solar tracker assemblies incorporating snap-on open mounting brackets are provided. Methods of mounting framed or unframed solar modules are also described. A mounting rail is attached to an upper clamp piece of a mounting assembly. Then the upper clamp piece is snapped onto a torque tube. A lower clamp piece of the mounting assembly is then attached to the upper clamp piece by mating a lower partial fastener of the lower clamp piece with an upper partial fastener of the upper clamp piece. When the upper and lower clamp pieces ar…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.