CN211063549U - Mounting assembly for mounting photovoltaic modules to a surface - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to a mounting assembly for installing photovoltaic module to surface. The utility model discloses a mounting assembly is the mounting assembly that is used for using together with one or more photovoltaic module. The mounting assembly features a reinforcement channel configured to nest around a base of a first hat channel, wherein the first hat channel is configured to nest around a base of a second hat channel configured to nest around a load distribution channel, the mounting base, the reinforcement channel, the first hat channel, the second hat channel, and the load distribution channel configured to be removable relative to the fastener along a fastener axis, and wherein the fastener is received through an aperture located within the mounting base, the reinforcement channel, the first hat channel, the second hat channel, and the load distribution channel.

Description

Mounting assembly for mounting photovoltaic modules to a surface

Technical Field

The utility model relates to an installation component. For example, the present invention relates to a mounting assembly for mounting a photovoltaic module. The mounting assembly may be used to mount one or more structures.

Background

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of simplified concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A common type of mounting assembly that is currently in widespread use includes a rotating or stationary member extending along the length of the structure, such as a tube or torque tube, and smaller members (e.g., rails or purlins) that are mounted perpendicular to the rotating member. These smaller components are typically mounted using U-bolts and 2 nuts. The photovoltaic module frame is mounted to the smaller member using 4 bolts and 4 nuts of each photovoltaic module. Such mounting assemblies are considered suitable for many uses, but they are not fast to install, are expensive, are cumbersome to assemble, and often require additional operations to properly and safely mount the photovoltaic modules.

US 2016/0190976 a1 provides a mounting bracket assembly wherein the mounting bracket comprises first and second attachable bracket parts, a first fastener, a second fastener and a third fastener. Each attachable leg piece has a top member and a bottom member connected at an angle to the top member. The first clamp is attached to the top member of the first attachable bracket piece by a first fastener. The second clamp is attached to the top member of the second attachable bracket piece by a second fastener. A third fastener secures the bottom member of the first attachable bracket piece to the bottom member of the second attachable bracket piece. The mounting bracket defines a beam insertion aperture between the top member and the bottom member. The mounting bracket assembly may include a first integral grounding arrangement positioned adjacent to the top member of the first attachable bracket part or the top member of the second attachable bracket part. The first integral grounding arrangement is configured to electrically couple the frame of the power generation device to the mounting bracket assembly. The mounting bracket assembly may also include a second integral grounding arrangement configured to electrically couple the torque tube to the mounting bracket assembly.

US 2017/0359017 Al provides a snap-in mounting bracket assembly adapted to connect a mounting rail to a torque tube. The mounting bracket assembly includes an upper clamp and a lower clamp. The upper clamp has a first member defining a tube insertion aperture and an open bottom space, and includes an upper partial fastener. The lower clamp has a second member with a lower portion fastener configured to mate with the upper portion fastener such that the lower clamp can be attached to the upper clamp. In an example embodiment, the lower clamp further comprises two opposing support members configured to be attached to the mounting rail. A sun tracker assembly is provided that includes a snap-in open mounting bracket. Methods of installing a framed or frameless solar module are also disclosed. The mounting rail is attached to the upper clamp of the mounting assembly. The upper clamp is then clamped to the torque tube. The lower clamp of the mounting assembly is then attached to the upper clamp by mating the lower portion fastener of the lower clamp with the upper portion fastener of the upper clamp. When the upper and lower clamps are attached, the open bottom space is closed and the mounting rail is fixed to the torque tube.

Existing mounting assemblies have certain drawbacks in their efficacy, particularly during rapid photovoltaic module installation projects. Although different problems relate to different types of mounting assemblies, they are generally too cumbersome and expensive to install.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved mounting assembly, and in particular a mounting clip that is quick, simple and inexpensive to install.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of simplified concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. The purpose of the present disclosure is not to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The utility model discloses a mounting assembly is the mounting assembly that is used for using together with one or more photovoltaic module. The mounting assembly includes a mounting base configured to be coupled to the surface. The mounting assembly features a reinforcement channel configured to nest around a base of a first hat channel, wherein the first hat channel is configured to nest around a base of a second hat channel configured to nest around a load distribution channel, wherein the mounting base, the reinforcement channel, the first hat channel, the second hat channel, and the load distribution channel are configured to be removable relative to the fastener along a fastener axis, and wherein the fastener is received through an aperture located within the mounting base, the reinforcement channel, the first hat channel, the second hat channel, and the load distribution channel.

In an alternative embodiment, the edge of the second hat channel of the mounting assembly has one or more notches.

In an alternative embodiment, the mounting assembly features a first hat channel configured to nest around a base of a second hat channel, the first and second hat channels configured to be removable relative to the fastener along a fastener axis, and wherein the fastener is received through holes in the first and second hat channels.

Drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a pre-assembly of a mounting fixture;

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded isometric view of the top of the mounting fixture;

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded isometric view of a mounting fixture;

FIG. 4 is a schematic isometric view of a mounting fixture;

FIG. 5 is a schematic isometric view of a mounting fixture with a backer plate insert;

FIG. 6 is a schematic isometric view of a plurality of mounting clips attached to a surface;

FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of the mounting fixture;

fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a mounting fixture.

Detailed Description

The mounting fixture as subject of the invention can be used for mounting objects.

According to the utility model discloses, a sectional fixture for using in photovoltaic module installation is provided.

The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. The relative sizes, orientations, etc. of the components, assemblies, etc. may be different from those illustrated, but do not fall outside the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Referring to fig. 1, an exemplary mounting assembly 100 may be used to mount one or more photovoltaic modules 102 to a surface 104. In one example, the surface 104 may include a gauntlet tube, torque tube, or other rotating or stationary member. The mounting assembly 100 may support one or more photovoltaic modules 102, such as two photovoltaic modules 102. In one example, the mounting assembly 100 can support horizontal surfaces 107 of two photovoltaic modules 102, 108. Although the illustrated example illustrates a total of two photovoltaic modules (e.g., 102, 108), any number of photovoltaic modules is contemplated. In one example, the mounting assembly 100 may support the photovoltaic modules 102, 108 a distance away from the surface 104 such that the assembly and/or structure may be positioned between the surface 104 and the photovoltaic modules 102, 108.

Referring to fig. 2, fig. 2 is an exploded view of an example of a mounting assembly 100. The mounting assembly 100 may include a mounting base 210. In one example, the mounting base 210 may be a purlin-shaped channel. The mounting base 210 is configured to be coupled to the surface 104, it being understood that the mounting base 210 may be attached to the surface 104 and/or detached from the surface 104. The mounting base 210 may be attached to the surface in any manner, such as with one or more first attachment structures 212 (e.g., nuts, washers, etc.). In such an example, the first attachment structure 212 may be attached to a fastener 214 (e.g., a bolt, U-bolt, etc.), the fastener 214 extending through one or more holes 216 in the mounting base 210, the fastener 214 extending onto the side surfaces 220, 222 and at least partially below the bottom surface 232 to provide a means for attaching the first attachment structure 212. The first attachment structure 212 may be selectively loosened and/or removed so that the mounting base 210 may be removed from the surface 104. The mounting base 210 is configured to support a fastener 214 extending along a fastener axis 218. In one example, the fastener axis 218 may be substantially parallel to the plane in which the side surfaces 220, 222 lie. The fastener axis 218 may likewise be substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the mounting base 210 lies. In one example, the first attachment structure 212 may be supported by the mounting base 210 such that the first attachment structure 212 is substantially prevented from moving along the fastener axis 218. However, the first attachment structure 212 may move relative to the mounting base 210 in a direction that is substantially in the same plane as the fastener axis 218. For example, the head of the first attachment structure 212 may be positioned within a channel defined within the mounting base 210, wherein the first attachment structure 212 is substantially secured within the channel.

In certain embodiments, the fastener may be any hardware device that mechanically connects or attaches two or more of the mounting base members together.

Reference is again made to fig. 2. The mounting assembly 100 includes a mounting base 210, the mounting base 210 configured to be removable relative to the fastener 214 along a fastener axis 218 when the fastener 214 is received through a mounting base aperture 216. Thus, the first distance 224 between the bottom 232 of the surface and the mounting base 210 is adjustable.

Refer to fig. 3. The mounting assembly 100 includes a reinforcement channel 326, the reinforcement channel 326 configured to nest around a base 328 of the first hat channel. The first hat channel 330 is configured to nest around the base 332 of the second hat channel. The second hat channel 334 is configured to nest around the load distribution channel 336. The mounting assembly 100 includes a mounting base 210, a reinforcement channel 326, a first hat channel 330, a second hat channel 334, and a load distribution channel 336, each configured to be removable relative to the fastener 214 along a fastener axis 218, wherein the fastener 214 is received through apertures in the mounting base 210, the reinforcement channel 326, the first hat channel 330, the second hat channel 334, and the load distribution channel 336. Although the illustrated example illustrates a total of one U-bolt fastener (e.g., 214), any form and number of fasteners are contemplated.

Refer to fig. 3 and 4. When assembling 440 of fig. 4, the mounting assembly 100 of fig. 3 may be defined as a mounting clip.

Refer to fig. 5. The reinforcement channel 326 is configured to be coupled to the top surface 548, it being understood that the reinforcement channel 326 may be attached to the top surface 548 or detached from the top surface 548. The reinforcement channel 326 may be attached to the top surface 548 in any manner, such as with fasteners 214, the fasteners 214 extending through holes in the reinforcement channel 326, with the fasteners 214 extending onto the side surfaces 220, 222 and at least partially below the bottom surface 232 to extend through holes in the mounting base 210 to provide a means for attaching the first attachment structure. The first attachment structure may be selectively loosened and/or removed such that the mounting base 210 may be removed from the bottom surface 232 and the reinforcement channel 326 may be removed from the top surface 548. The mounting base 210 and the reinforcement channel 326 are configured to support the fastener 214 extending along the fastener axis 218. In one example, the fastener axis 218 may be substantially parallel to the plane in which the side surfaces 220, 222 lie.

Reference is again made to fig. 5. The mounting assembly 100 includes a second hat channel 334, the second hat channel 334 being configured to move relative to the first hat channel 330. In this way, the second distance 538 between the top edge 550 and the bottom edge 542 of the mounting assembly 100 is adjustable. In this example, the photovoltaic module 102 can be mounted between the bottom edge 542 of the mounting assembly 100 and the top edge 550 of the mounting clip. Because the second distance 538 is adjustable, the mounting assembly 100 can accommodate different sizes of photovoltaic modules 102.

Reference is again made to fig. 5. The mounting assembly 100 includes a second cap channel 334, the second cap channel 334 being disposed at a second distance 538 between a top edge 550 and a bottom edge 542 of the mounting assembly 100. In this way, photovoltaic modules can be received on each side of the mounting assembly 100. In this example, one side of the mounting assembly 100 receives the photovoltaic module 102 and the other side of the mounting assembly 100 receives a support plate 536 (e.g., an end clip insert). The support plate 536 is interposed between the top edge 550 and the bottom edge 542 of the mounting assembly 100 on opposite sides of the mounting assembly 100. As such, the support plate 536 provides a path for a load when the mounting assembly 100 is positioned at the end of the surface 104 (e.g., a bank of tubes).

Refer to fig. 6. One or more mounting assemblies 100 may be attached to the surface 104. In this way, the third distance 644 between the mounting assemblies 100 is adjustable, and the mounting assemblies 100 can accommodate different sizes of photovoltaic modules and different numbers of photovoltaic modules depending on the length of the surface 104.

Refer to fig. 7. The second hat channel 334 is configured with four notches 746, two positioned on each edge, the four notches 746 being located in positions to penetrate the anodized coating (anodization coating) on the photovoltaic module. In this manner, the second hat channel 334 may be electronically bonded to the photovoltaic module, providing a means for electrically grounding the photovoltaic module support structure.

Refer to fig. 8. The mounting assembly 100 includes a reinforcement channel 326, the reinforcement channel 326 configured to nest around a base 328 of the first hat channel. The first hat channel 330 is configured to nest around the base 332 of the second hat channel. The second hat channel 334 is configured to nest around the load distribution channel 336. The rim 550 on each side of the second hat channel is configured with one or more notches 746.

In some embodiments, the rim of the second hat channel may be notched-free, with one or more notches located anywhere along the rim. Preferably, the edge of the second hat channel is provided with two notches positioned between the two holes.

In some embodiments, the mounting assembly includes a variable length or height reinforcement channel configured to nest around a base of the variable length or height first hat channel. The first hat channel is configured to nest around the base of a second hat channel that may vary in length or height. The second hat channel is configured to nest around a load distribution channel that may vary in length or height.

In some embodiments, the mounting assembly includes a first hat channel. The first hat channel is configured to nest around a base of the second hat channel. The first hat channel may be attached to and/or detached from the top surface (which may be, for example, the top surface of the gauntlet) in any manner, such as with fasteners extending through holes in the first and second hat channels, wherein the fasteners extend onto a side surface (which may be, for example, the side surface of the gauntlet) and at least partially under a bottom surface (which may be, for example, the bottom surface of the gauntlet) to extend through holes in the mounting base to provide a means for attaching the first attachment structure. The first attachment structure may be selectively loosened and/or removed such that the mounting base may be removed from the bottom surface and the reinforcement channel may be removed from the top surface.

Optionally, the mounting assembly may comprise the following components: a mounting base, a reinforcement channel, a first hat channel, a second hat channel, and a load distribution channel nested and/or connected in any order. For example, the first hat channel may be interchangeable with the second hat channel.

Alternatively, the mounting assembly may comprise a single component extending perpendicularly from the surface and having two or more edges extending substantially horizontally relative to the surface.

Alternatively, the mounting assembly may comprise a solid structure having at least one edge in place of the second cap structure.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing at least one claim.

Various operations of embodiments are provided herein. The order in which some or all of the operations are described should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. Alternatively, these sequences should be understood to have the advantages of the present description. Further, it should be understood that not all operations in each embodiment provided herein are necessarily present. It will also be understood that not all operations are necessary in some implementations.

Many modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter. Unless otherwise stated, "first," "second," and the like are not intended to imply temporal, spatial, sequential, and the like. Rather, these terms are merely used as identifier names or the like for features, elements, items, and the like. For example, the first and second positions correspond to position a and position B or two different or two identical positions or one and the same position.

Moreover, the use of "exemplary" herein is meant to serve as an example, instance, illustration, etc., and is not necessarily advantageous. As used in this specification, "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". In addition, the use of "a" and "an" in this specification should be understood to mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. Further, at least one of A and B, etc. represents A or B or both A and B. Furthermore, to the extent that "includes," has, "or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to" comprising.

Further, although the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art based upon a reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. The present disclosure includes all such modifications and alterations, and is limited only by the scope of the appended claims. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (e.g., elements, resources, etc.), the terms used to describe the components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure. In addition, while a particular feature of the disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one or a few embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other embodiments as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

Claims (4)

1. A mounting assembly for mounting a photovoltaic module to a surface, the mounting assembly comprising a mounting base configured to be coupled to the surface, wherein the mounting assembly further comprises:

a reinforcement channel configured to nest around a base of a first hat channel, wherein the first hat channel is configured to nest around a base of a second hat channel configured to nest around a load distribution channel, wherein the mounting base, the reinforcement channel, the first hat channel, the second hat channel, and the load distribution channel are configured to be removable relative to a fastener along a fastener axis; and is

Receiving the fasteners through holes in the mounting base, the reinforcement channel, the first hat channel, the second hat channel, and the load distribution channel.

2. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein an edge of the second hat channel has one or more notches.

3. A mounting assembly for mounting a photovoltaic module to a surface, the mounting assembly comprising a mounting base configured to be coupled to the surface, wherein the mounting assembly further comprises:

a first hat channel configured to nest around a base of a second hat channel configured to nest around a load distribution channel, wherein the mounting base, the first hat channel, the second hat channel, and the load distribution channel are configured to be removable relative to a fastener along a fastener axis; and is

Receiving the fasteners through holes in the mounting base, the first hat channel, the second hat channel, and the load distribution channel.

4. The mounting assembly of claim 3 wherein an edge of the second hat channel has one or more notches.

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