Patent · US Active

Connecting components for photovoltaic arrays

US9166524B2 · kind B2 · utility

64Cited by
5References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 5, 2015
Grant dateOct 20, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 22, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49826
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention includes an apparatus for mounting a photovoltaic (PV) module on a structure where the apparatus includes a base portion, a stud portion, and a coupling portion. The coupling portion includes a male portion that acts as a spring under load and a clip portion that penetrates the PV module frame to create a grounding bond. The apparatus includes a lower jaw, shaped to pry open a groove, and a key portion that can compress to allow for tolerances. The invention further includes a clip with one or more tabs and one or more teeth. The invention further includes a replacement roof tile which includes a support structure with a horizontal flange, a vertical component, a horizontal component, a flashing with an upper surface and a lower surface, and a tile-shaped metal surface having a curvilinear shape that reflects the shapes of adjacent tiles.

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