Patent · US Active

Solar panel rack

US8936164B2 · kind B2 · utility

15Cited by
323References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 6, 2012
Grant dateJan 20, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 9, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/50
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A solar panel rack may comprise a vertical support, a transverse support, brackets attaching hollow beams to the transverse support, and brackets configured to attach solar panels or solar panel assemblies to the hollow beams. Internal splices may couple collinearly arranged hollow beams in the solar panel rack. Some or all of these components may be formed from folded sheet metal blanks comprising bend lines predefined by bend-inducing features formed in the blanks. Preformed slots, holes, or other openings in the sheet metal blanks may predefine the relative positions of various components in the solar panel rack and predefine the positions of solar panels or solar panel assemblies to be supported by the solar panel rack. Individual components of the solar panel rack may be useful in other structures and applications apart from solar panel racks.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.