Roof integrated photovoltaic system with improved serviceability
US11012024B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 2019 |
| Grant date | May 18, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A roof integrated photovoltaic mounting system includes a plurality of aluminum rails mountable in horizontal spaced relationship on a roof for receiving courses of photovoltaic panels or photovoltaic tiles. The PV panels or tiles have an extruded attachment feature along their forward edge portions that defines a downwardly projecting forwardly facing hook. Panels or tiles are installed by placing each panel or tile on a pair of rails and sliding the panel or tile down until its forward facing hook engages beneath a rear facing tongue on a rail below. A PV panel or tile in a next lower course is installed by slipping its rear edge beneath the forward edge of a panel or tile in a next higher course. The panel is then hinged down about its rear edge until its forward edge portion engages a support rail below. The panel is then slid down until the hook of its attachment fixture engages beneath the tongue of the downslope rail. When the entire array is installed in this manner, the forward edges of the panels are held down by the hook and tongue engagements and the rear edges are held down by being underneath the forward edges of panels in a next higher course. The procedure is revers…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.