FR2949493A1 - Solar sensor i.e. photovoltaic solar sensor, fixing system for roofing of building, has clamps respectively comprising stops to maintain sensors, and coupled to rails so as to maintain gap between successive sensors along direction of slope - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has rails (20) resting against a sloping supporting surface and extending along a direction of a slope (delta). The rails define a supporting surface for supporting solar sensors (51). Inverse U-shaped clamps (30) have maintaining stops for maintaining the sensors along an axis parallel to the supporting surface and perpendicular to the direction of the slope, respectively. The clamps are coupled to the rails so as to maintain a gap between the successive sensors along the direction of the slope.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The field of the invention is that of solar collectors, in particular solar photovoltaic collectors.

More specifically, the invention relates to the design and production of solar collector fixing elements on different inclined support surfaces such as the roof of a building. 2. Prior Art For several years there has been a growing interest in renewable energies. In this context, solar collectors are increasingly used to produce heat (solar thermal collectors) or electricity (photovoltaic solar collectors) from sunlight. Solar collectors are mostly attached to roofs or roofs of buildings by means of a fastening system. FIG. 1 illustrates the joining of solar collectors 10 to the roof 11 of a building by means of a fastening system according to the prior art. Such a fastening system comprises rails 12 comprising a core 13 and a bearing surface 14 for sensors 10 on either side of the core 13. Beams 15, for example made of steel, aluminum or wood are secured to cover 11. These beams 15 constitute a jibe on which are secured the rails 12 parallel to the direction of the slope of the cover. A stop before 16 is secured to the lower end of the rails 12, that is to say at the end facing down the slope of the cover 11.

The mounting of the solar panels 10 on the cover 11 is obtained in the following manner. The panels 10 are deposited on the bearing surfaces 14 between two rails 12, and stacked against each other in a contiguous manner, the first solar panel 10 of each column of sensors bearing against the abutment before 16. Hoods ( not shown) are then reported on each of the rails 12 so as to grip the solar panels 10.

This technique has the advantage of ensuring a simple and effective connection of solar panels on the roof of a building. It nevertheless has some disadvantages. 3. Disadvantages of the Prior Art According to this technique, the sensors are stacked against each other. The mounting of the sensors on a slope of a roof of a building must therefore be started by the installation of sensors located at the bottom of the slope. It is therefore impossible to install the sensors in any order. This can complicate the task of operators working on the installation of sensors. It may indeed be preferred to initiate the placement of the sensors by the center or one side of the cover. In addition, the disassembly of a sensor requires to dismantle beforehand all the sensors located above him. This tends to complicate sensor maintenance interventions (maintenance, repair, replacement).

Moreover, in the case of the installation of solar collectors on the roof of a building, the efficiency of the solar collectors is improved by the ventilation of the underside of the collectors, that is to say by the circulation of air against the face of the sensor facing the cover. However, the technique according to the prior art does not ensure good ventilation.

The presence of impurities on the sun-facing surface of the sensors also tends to limit their performance. The junction zone of the sensors generates local impurity retention by uncontrolled evacuation of rainwater. The mounting of the solar collectors according to the prior art therefore favors the fouling of the sensors which hampers their proper operation. The implementation of the technique according to the prior art then requires regular cleaning of the sensors which tends to increase maintenance costs. 4. OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is notably to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide, in at least one embodiment, a technique for fixing solar collectors on a sloping support surface which is simple to implement and which leads to facilitating the maintenance of sensors.

In particular, the invention has the objective of providing, in at least one embodiment, such a technique that each of the sensors can be installed and disassembled independently of the others. Another object of the invention is to implement, in at least one embodiment, such a technique which leads to improve the efficiency of the solar collectors. In particular, an object of the invention is to provide, in at least one embodiment, such a technique that improves the ventilation of the sensors. The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, such a technique which limits the fouling of the sensors. 5. Objective of the invention These objectives, as well as others which will appear later, are achieved according to the invention by means of a system for fixing solar collectors on a sloping support surface, said system comprising: at least one pair of rails for resting against said support surface and extending in the slope direction, said rails defining at least one bearing surface for said sensors; a series of parts presenting at least a first stop for holding said sensors along an axis parallel to said bearing surface and perpendicular to said slope direction; said parts being intended to be coupled to said rails so as to maintain a spacing between two successive sensors along said slope direction. Thus, the invention is based on a completely original approach which consists, in a system for fixing solar collectors on a sloping surface in which the sensors rest on support surfaces defined by rails, to implement holding stops of the sensors along an axis parallel to the bearing surface and perpendicular to the direction of the slope, these stops being intended to be coupled to the rails so as to maintain a spacing between two successive sensors in the direction of the slope.

Thus, according to the invention, the sensors are not stacked against each other. On the contrary, each of the sensors bears against abutments integral with the rails so that a space is maintained between two successive sensors. The sensors are then independent of each other. The technique according to the invention thus makes it possible to mount the sensors in any order. It is therefore possible to initiate the assembly of the sensors from the bottom, the top or the middle of the support surface. It is also possible to disassemble each of the sensors without having to disassemble the sensors above. The technique according to the invention thus leads to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the sensors.

For the purposes of the invention, the support surface may for example be the roof of a building. In this case the rails are preferably secured to a jibe reported on the cover. According to another embodiment, the building cover can be constituted by the solar collectors and their fixing system. In this case, the support surface may be constituted by a jibe secured to the building structure. In other variants, the support surface may be of another type. The space between the sensors allows, when reported on a cover, to promote the ventilation of the underside of the sensors. It also promotes the flow of water between the sensors and thus prevent the accumulation of waste on their surface. The technique according to the invention therefore leads to improving the efficiency of the sensors. According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, said rails comprise a core, each of said parts constituting a jumper element intended to cooperate with one of said cores.

The placing of the parts comprising the stops is thus easily obtained by overlapping the web of a rail. According to a preferred feature of the invention, said jumper elements comprise at least one lateral wing from which said first stop protrudes, said wing having an end intended to be housed at least partly inside said rails. This implementation ensures a good implementation of a jumper in a rail. Advantageously, said soul of each of said rails is traversed by lights provided at regular intervals, said jumper element comprising protrusions adapted to cooperate with said lights. The jumpers can thus be easily secured to the rails by being separated from each other by a distance chosen so that the interval between two consecutive first stops corresponds to the length of a solar collector. The assembly of the sensors is thus facilitated.

Advantageously, said first stops are traversed by evacuation holes along an axis perpendicular to said slope direction (A). The use of such vent holes makes it possible both to promote the flow of rainwater and to limit the fouling of the sensors. In other words, the technique according to the invention facilitates maintenance. sensors and improves their performance. A fastening system according to the invention preferably comprises means for fixing said sensors to said rails, said fixing means comprising at least one pair of cover elements intended to be attached to said rails, said hoods having at least one zone of support for said sensors. The sensors can thus be clamped between the rails and the covers to ensure effective attachment to the support surface. According to a preferred feature, said parts comprise at least a second stop for holding said sensors along an axis parallel to said bearing surface and parallel to said longitudinal axis (A).

In this case, said second stops are constituted by the end of said wings. The sensors are thus effectively maintained in a direction orthogonal to the slope of the support surface.

According to one aspect of the invention, said rails advantageously comprise at least one groove whose edges define said bearing surfaces, and said covers preferably comprise at least one groove whose edges define said bearing zones. In this case, said grooves advantageously house a seal.

This ensures a good seal between the sensors, the rails and the covers. In addition, this implementation makes it possible to protect the surfaces of the sensors vis-à-vis rails and covers. Advantageously, said cores have an upper portion adapted to receive fastening screws of said covers.

The covers can thus be easily and effectively secured to the rails by means of preferably self-drilling screws screwed into the core of the rails. Preferably, said first stops are traversed by fixing screw passage holes capable of cooperating with said grooves of said rails.

The parts comprising the stops can thus be easily secured to the rails by means of screws, preferably self-drilling, screwed into the grooves. A fixing system according to the invention preferably comprises at least one draining seal, said draining seal extending between two consecutive sensors in the extension of said first holding stop.

In the case where the rails, hoods and solar collectors constitute the roof of a building, this implementation makes it possible to encourage the evacuation of the streaming water on the sensors to the bottom of the slope. Any infiltrations between the sensors run off inside the draining joint and are evacuated in the rails. Moreover, the seal absorbs the deformations of junctions between sensors which tends to limit the clogging of the sensors.

In the case where the solar collectors are reported on the roof of a building, the space between sensors in extension of the first retaining stops allows the evacuation of rainwater on the cover. The impurities are thus evacuated quickly. It also improves the ventilation of solar collectors. 6. List of Figures Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, given as a simple illustrative and nonlimiting example, and the accompanying drawings, among others. which: - Figure 1 illustrates a system for fixing solar collectors according to the prior art; FIG. 2 illustrates a rail of a fastening system according to the invention; Figures 3a and 3b illustrate a jumper of a fastening system according to the invention; - Figures 4a and 4b illustrate hoods of a fastening system according to the invention; FIG. 5 illustrates the mounting of solar collectors by means of a fastening system according to the invention; - Figure 6 illustrates the establishment of a jumper on a rail; Figure 7 illustrates a sectional view of two sensors mounted on a rail according to the invention; FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of solar collectors installed by means of a system according to the invention; - Figure 9 is a sectional view along the axis A-A of Figure 8; FIG. 10 illustrates the ventilation phenomenon of the sensors secured by means of a fastening system according to the invention. 7. Description of an embodiment of the invention 7.1. Recall of the principle of the invention The general principle of the invention consists, in a system for fixing solar collectors on a sloping surface in which the sensors rest on bearing surfaces defined by rails, to implement holding stops of the sensors along an axis parallel to the bearing surface and perpendicular to the direction of the slope, these stops being intended to be coupled to the rails so as to maintain a spacing between two successive sensors in the direction of the slope. The sensors secured by means of the technique according to the invention are not stacked against each other. On the contrary, each of the sensors bears against abutments integral with the rails so that a space is maintained between two successive sensors. The sensors are then independent of each other. The technique according to the invention thus makes it possible to mount the sensors in any order. It is thus possible to initiate the mounting of the sensors by the bottom, the top or the middle of the support surface. It is also possible to disassemble each of the sensors without having to disassemble the sensors above. The technique according to the invention thus leads to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the sensors. 7.2. EXAMPLE OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION A system for attaching sensors to a sloping support surface according to the invention comprises: rails; a series of pieces forming jumpers comprising stops; - hoods. 7.2.1. Rail In relation to FIG. 2, an embodiment of rails according to the invention is presented. Such a rail 20 comprises a lower portion 21 substantially U-shaped. The lower portion 21 has a flat portion 210 intended to rest on a sloping support surface, in this case the slope of the building cover or the jibe of the building depending on whether the sensors and the fixing system constitute the waterproof cover of the building or that they are reported on the roof of the building. The rails 20 are placed so that the rail 20 extends in the direction of the slope of the slope. In variants, the support surface may be of another type. Each branch of the U-shaped lower portion 21 ends with a groove 211 open upward. The edges of the grooves 211 define bearing surfaces 215 for solar collectors. The rail 20 comprises a central core 212. The upper part of the core 212 has a thicker section and a groove 213. This part is thus shaped to accommodate a fixing screw, as will be described in more detail below. The core 212 is traversed through by lights 214, which in this embodiment have an oblong shape. These lights 214 are formed along the rail 20 at regular intervals. The distance between two consecutive lights 214 corresponds approximately to the length of a solar collector as will be explained in more detail later. In this embodiment, the rail 20 is constituted by an extruded aluminum profile. 7.2.2. Jumper In relation with FIG. 3a, an embodiment of a jumper according to the invention is presented. Such a rider 30 has essentially the shape of an inverted U. Each of the branches of this U constitutes a lateral wing 31.

Each lateral flange 31 comprises a lower end 311. Such a rider 30 is intended to be mounted on a rail 20 in such a way that it co-operates with its core 212 and that the lower ends 311 of the lateral flanges 31 are housed in the housing. inside the lower part 21 of the rail 20. A first stop 32 for holding the sensors protrudes from each of the lower ends 311 of the lateral wings 31 towards the outside of the U formed by the rider 30. The first stops 32 s' extend, when the rider 30 is attached to a rail 20, along an axis parallel to the bearing surfaces 215 of the rails 20 and perpendicular to the direction of the slope (A) of the cover 52.

The first stops 32 comprise two opposite faces 321 so that they constitute double stops. The first stops 32 are traversed by fixing screw passage holes 322 adapted to cooperate with the grooves 211 of the rails 20. The first stops 32 are traversed by discharge holes 323 along an axis perpendicular to the direction of the slope. cover. The rider 30 comprises protrusions 33 which extend from the lower ends 311 of the lateral wings 31 towards the inside of the rider 30. These protrusions 33 are able to cooperate with the lights 214 formed through the rails 20.

The lower ends 311 of the lateral wings 31 of the rider 30 define, on either side of each first stop 32, second stops 34 for holding the sensors along an axis parallel to the bearing surfaces 215 and parallel to the direction of the slope. Each piece constituted by a jumper 30 is made of plastic. FIG. 3b illustrates another embodiment in which the thickness of the first stops 32 is greater so that the system according to the invention allows the fixing of thicker solar collectors. 7.2.3. Hood In connection with FIG. 4a, an embodiment of a hood according to the invention is presented. Such a hood 40 has essentially an inverted U-shape intended to overlap a jumper 30 cooperating with a rail 20. Each end 41 of the branches of the U defined by the hood 40 terminates in a groove 42 whose edges constitute zones of 421 support for sensors. Figure 4b illustrates another embodiment in which the hood is substantially flat. Such a cover is intended to be implemented to ensure the attachment of thicker solar collectors.

In this embodiment, the cover 40 is constituted by an extruded aluminum profile. 7.2.4. Installation It is presented, in connection with Figures 5 to 7 and 10, the installation of a row of three solar collectors by means of a fastening system according to the invention on the cover of a building. In this embodiment, the fastening system comprises: - two rails 20; a series of four pieces consisting of four riders 30; two covers 40.

Metal beams 55 forming a jibe are initially secured to the cover 52, perpendicular to the direction of the slope (A). A pair of rails 20 is then attached to the jibe of the cover 52. The flat portion 210 of the rails 20 is pressed against the jibeing to which the rails 20 are secured by means of screws 91 in such a way that they extend according to the direction of the slope (A). After the rails 20 are secured to the cover, jumpers 30 are attached to the rails 20. Each jumper 30 overlaps a rail 20 so that: it cooperates with the core 212 of the rail 20; the lower ends 311 of the lateral wings 31 are housed inside the lower part 21 of the rail 20; the protrusions 33 cooperate with the lights 214 formed through the rail 20; - The holes 322 for fixing screw passage cooperate with the grooves 211 of the rail 20.

At the end of this installation phase, the jumpers are spaced from each other, on the same rail 20, a distance such that the space D between two first stops 32 corresponds to the length L of a sensor solar. The rails 20 are spaced from each other by a distance such that the space d between two second stops 34 corresponds to the width 1 of a solar collector. Seals 60 are housed inside the grooves 211 of the rails 20. Each jumper 30 is then secured to the rail 20 with which it cooperates by means of self-drilling screws 61 screwed into the grooves 211 and passing through 322. The solar collectors 51 can then be reported independently of each other between the two rails 20. The sensors 51 are applied, at each of their angles, against a first 32 and a second 34 retaining stops.

As soon as a solar sensor 51 is put in place between two rails 20, it is held in position, according to the direction of the slope (at) by the stops 32, even if no other sensor 51 is set up below from him. After the set of sensors 51 is put in place, a cover 40 is attached to each of the rails 20. Seals 43 are previously housed inside the grooves 421. The covers 40 are secured to the rails 20 to by means of self-drilling fixing screws 71 which passes through the upper part of the covers 40 and the groove 213 before coming to be housed in the upper part of the core 212. The solar collectors 51 are thus clamped between the rails 20 and the covers 40 .

A space 56 is left between two consecutive sensors 51 in the extension of each second retaining stop 32. These spaces allow the water flowing on each sensor to flow directly on the cover and not on the sensor located below. They also promote the ventilation of the sensors.

In another embodiment, more than one row of solar collectors may be secured by means of a fastening system according to the invention. In this case, more than two rails will be implemented. With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, an embodiment is presented in which the solar collectors are installed by means of a fastening system according to the invention on the jibe of a building so as to form the cover waterproof. In this case, the rails 20 are directly secured to the jibe 81 of the building. Draining joints 80 are housed in the space 55 between two consecutive sensors 51 left in the extension of each second holding abutment 32. The draining joints allow the water flowing on the sensors to trickle down to the bottom of the slope constituted by the sensors and their fastening system. They also allow water seeping between two consecutive sensors to flow into the rails and run down to the bottom of the slope, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. 7.3. Advantages An attachment system according to the invention makes it possible to mount and dismount, independently of one another, solar collectors. The implementation of such a system therefore leads to facilitate the installation and maintenance of solar collectors. A fastening system according to the invention also facilitates the evacuation of the water flowing on the solar collectors: when the sensors are placed on the roof of a building, the space between sensors in the extension of the first stops allows the evacuation of rainwater on the cover. - When the rails, covers and sensors constitute the tight cover of a building, the implementation of draining joints between two consecutive sensors allows the water to be discharged to the bottom of the slope. Any infiltrations between the sensors are recovered by the draining joints, pass through the evacuation holes of the riders and are evacuated in the rails. On the other hand, the seal absorbs the deformations of junctions between sensors. This implementation avoids the accumulation of waste on the surface of the sensors. The cleaning frequency of the sensors is thus reduced. The technique according to the invention thus contributes to improving the efficiency of the sensors while limiting the need for a maintenance campaign. In the case where the sensors are mounted on a cover, the space between sensors in the extension of the first stops also allows air to circulate under the sensors as shown in Figure 10. The ventilation of the sub sensor face is thus improved. The technique according to the invention therefore makes it possible to contribute to improving the efficiency of the solar collectors, including when the collectors are stacked over a large length on a slightly inclined cover.

Claims (14)

REVENDICATIONS1. A solar collector fixing system (51) on a sloping support surface (52), said system comprising: at least one pair of rails (20) for resting against said support surface (52) and extending on the slope direction (A), said rails (20) defining at least one bearing surface (215) for said sensors (51); a series of parts (30) having at least a first holding abutment (32) of said sensors (51) along an axis parallel to said bearing surface (215) and perpendicular to said slope direction (A); said parts (30) being intended to be coupled to said rails (20) so as to maintain a spacing between two successive sensors (51) along said slope direction (A). 2. Fastening system according to claim 1, characterized in that said rails (20) comprise a core (212), each of said parts constituting a jumper member (30) for cooperating with one of said webs (212). 3. Fastening system according to claim 2, characterized in that said jumper elements (30) comprise at least one lateral flange (31) from which said first abutment (32) projects, said flange (31) having one end ( 311) for housing at least partially within said rails (20). 4. Fastening system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said web (212) of each of said rails (20) is traversed by slots (214) provided at regular intervals, and in that said element forming a jumper ( 30) comprises protrusions (33) adapted to cooperate with said lights (214). 5. Fastening system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said first stops (32) are traversed by discharge holes (323) along an axis perpendicular to said direction of slope (A). 6. Fastening system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises means for fixing said sensors (51) to said rails (20), said fixing means comprising at least one pair of elements forming cover (40) intended to be attached to said rails (20), said covers (40) having at least one support zone (421) for said sensors (51). 7. Fastening system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said parts (30) comprise at least one second stop (34) for holding said sensors (51) along an axis parallel to said surface of support (215) and parallel to the slope direction (A). 8. Fixing system according to claim 7, characterized in that said second stops (34) are constituted by the end of said wings (31). 9. Fastening system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said rails (20) comprise at least one groove (211) whose edges define said bearing surfaces (215). 10. Fastening system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said covers (40) comprise at least one groove (42) whose edges define said bearing areas (421). 11. Fastening system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said grooves house a seal (43, 60). 12. Fastening system according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that said webs (212) have an upper portion adapted to receive fastening screws (71) of said covers (40). 13. Fastening system according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that said first stops (32) are traversed by holes (322) for fixing screw passage (61) adapted to cooperate with said grooves ( 211) of said rails (20). 14. Fastening system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises at least one draining joint (80), said draining joint (80) extending between two consecutive sensors (51) in the extending said first holding stop (32).