Vehicles and methods for magnetically managing legs of rail-based photovoltaic modules during installation
US9453660B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 2014 |
| Grant date | Sep 27, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An exemplary method for installing at an installation site a photovoltaic module including a panel and support legs includes disposing the photovoltaic module over a support surface such that the support legs are in a stowed position; lifting the photovoltaic module from a support surface while engaging a magnetic field with the support legs so as to maintain the support legs in the stowed position; disengaging the magnetic field from the support legs of the lifted photovoltaic module so as to release the support legs from the stowed position to an installation position in which the support legs are rotated downwards relative to the stowed position; and lowering the photovoltaic module to the installation site with the support legs in the installation position so as to install the photovoltaic module at the installation site, the support legs supporting the panel at the installation site.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.