FR2970016A1 - Device for ventilating space defined under photovoltaic panels in inclined roof of e.g. private building, has upper portion connected to front portion via articulated connections that allow angular clearance between front and upper portions - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a front portion (40) placed between a front/bottom edge of an upper portion and a rear/top edge of each of photovoltaic panels (P). The front portion defines ventilation openings (46) for connecting a space defined under the panel with atmosphere. The upper portion is connected to the front portion via female and male articulated connections e.g. groove (33) and rib (47) that allow an angular clearance between the front and upper portions about an axis parallel to a crest of an inclined roof and/or the top edge of the panel before fixing the panel.

Description

Aeration device, in particular for the arrangement of photovoltaic panels on a roof

The present invention relates to the field of photovoltaic panels and more specifically, the integration of such panels to roofs having a certain slope, buildings for private, collective, industrial or other. These panels are generally fixed on a supporting structure, via profiled rails. Such a fixing device is described, for example, in the patent application FR 09 01964, filed on 23.04.2009.

It is known, moreover, that the heating of the photovoltaic panels affects the yield, which leads to provide ventilation or ventilation of the space defined under these panels. This ventilation is carried out, according to a prior art, by arranging along the upper edge of the panels located highest in the roof, a device that will be designated by the term "door" and which includes an inclined portion arranged between the elements of upper cover and the upper edge of the photovoltaic panels, this inclined portion ensuring the flow of rainwater from the upper cover elements in the direction of the panels. This inclined portion has a slope less than that of the roof, and the flap is completed by a portion substantially perpendicular to the general plane of the roof, arranged between the lower edge of the inclined portion and the upper edge of the panels, this second part being pierced holes or constituted by a grid and having the function of communicating with the outside volume defined under the panels. The device is completed by two lateral cheeks of triangular general shape. Existing devices to fulfill this function of aeration or ventilation and rainwater runoff are of relatively rudimentary construction and must be made to correspond, in each case, to the slope of the roof, which leads to multiply the number of different parts to manufacture and store. In addition, they do not give any guarantees as to their impermeability and therefore as to the tightness of this part of the roof.

The object of this invention is to propose a device which makes it possible to remedy these disadvantages and which, more precisely, can be used with roofs whose slope may vary in a relatively large range, while being easy to mount. and having an excellent seal against rainwater. To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for ventilating or ventilating the space delimited under panels, in particular photovoltaic panels, integrated into a pitched roof, this aeration device comprising an inclined top ensuring the runoff of water from the top of the roof to the or each panel, and a front portion disposed substantially between the front or bottom edge of said upper portion and the bitter or upper edge of the or each panel, this front portion delimiting ventilation openings which place in communication with the atmosphere the space defined under each panel, characterized in that the upper part of the device is connected to the front part by an articulated connection allowing, before fixing, an angular deflection around an axis substantially parallel to the ridge of the roof and / or the upper edge of the or each panel.

According to other features: the front part of the ventilation device comprises a first element fixed on the adjacent panel or on a support structure of this panel, this first element delimiting said ventilation openings, and the upper part of the device. comprises at least a first element fixed to its front part on a second element articulated on the first around said axis; the articulated connection comprises a male part and a female part of complementary shapes, the female part delimiting an opening which allows an angular displacement between the two upper and front parts. the female part of the articulation is a groove delimited on the lower front face of the second element and having a slot in its lower part, and the male part is formed by a bead delimited at the upper end of the first element and of which the thickness is greater than the width of said slot. the first element comprises on its front face a wing adapted to cooperate with the adjacent panel and / or with a fastening flange of this panel. the first element comprises on its rear face a wing delimiting a groove adapted to receive a grid and / or to collect rain water and / or to receive splice plates between adjacent elements. - The second element comprises along its edge before an inclined flange, directed downwards, forming drip. the second element has along its front edge an upwardly directed flange serving as a stop for the tile elements. - The fixing means of the tile elements on the second element, are located in front of the articulated connection between the first and second elements. in the zone of the lateral cheeks the panels are fixed on the structure by means of support rails and abrading rails, the support rails delimiting notches to receive the lateral cheeks whose front edge abuts against the bottom of these notches. - The support rail comprises a central portion, extended on both sides by two wings, the central portion defining, on either side of a continuous wall, a first and a second cage, respectively lower and upper, said notch being formed in said continuous wall, at the right and outside of a wall defining the upper cage. the abrading rail comprises a core with at each end a hook-shaped raised edge, a T-shaped central portion whose branches also have a hook shape, and at least one rib disposed between a raised edge and the central part. - The support rail is fixed outside the ventilation device by cooperation of shapes with the abrade rail and inside the aeration device by screws or other fasteners, a wedge being interposed between the corresponding wing of the support rail and the structure. - Each lateral cheek defines along its upper edge a housing adapted to receive the inverted V-shaped end of a ridge tile element. said housing has a G-shaped section. The invention also relates to an arrangement of panels, in particular photovoltaic panels, integrated into a sloped roof, characterized in that it comprises at least one aeration device such as as defined above and in the following description. The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, given solely by way of example and in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic overview of a set of photovoltaic panels, integrated into a roof and associated with an aeration device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 3; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an element entering the structure of the upper portion of this aeration device. FIG. 1 shows part of a roof T comprising a framework, not shown, on which cover elements C, such as tiles, slates or the like, are arranged. This framework is completed and adapted to be able to support a set of photovoltaic panels P, the support structure of this set of panels not being more visible on this general view.

The panels P are fixed to the supporting structure by means of support rails constituted by metal profiles 10, the shape of which will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, and by separate or sloping flanges disposed at edges of the panels.

These panels may, depending on the case, be arranged in landscape or portrait, that is to say with their largest dimension oriented either parallel to the ridge line of the roof, or perpendicular to the same ridge line. In this same FIG. 1, an aerating device A according to the invention will be seen externally and schematically, which will be described in more detail with reference to the following figures. This device comprises an upper portion 30 formed preferably aluminum profiles or light alloy, whose inclination is lower than that of the roof, to provide between the front edge of these profiles and the upper edge of the photovoltaic panels a certain interval which is occupied by the front portion 40 of the device disposed substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the roof and in which are formed, in one form or another, the ventilation openings placing in communication with the atmosphere the space defined under the signs. This aeration device, for what is visible in Figure 1, is completed by two lateral cheeks, only one of which is visible in the drawing, and by a flashing which seals between the adjacent cover elements and the profiles. 30.

The device according to the invention will now be described in more detail with reference mainly to FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIG. 2, a structural element providing support for the photovoltaic panels is designated by the reference S. On this support is fixed a so-called profiled profile or abrade rail 50 which, in the example shown, has a symmetrical cross-section in cross section, comprising a core 51 with at each end a raised edge 52, preferably in the form of a hook, a central portion 53 made of T-shape, each horizontal branch 54 of the T ending in a flange 55 directed towards the core of the profile, and two ribs 56, 57 disposed respectively between a raised edge 52 and said central portion 53.

Screws 58 or other fasteners of this abrading rail on the structure are arranged in the region of this profile located between the outer end flange 52 and the rib 56. The photovoltaic panels are carried by the support rails 10 which are essentially as described in the French patent application FR 09 01964. Such a rail has a central portion 11 extended on either side by two wings 12,13. The central portion comprises on either side of a continuous wall 14 on the one hand, at its lower part, therefore located below this continuous wall 14, a first cage 15 which according to a preferred embodiment is double and delimits two housings 15a, 15b for fastening and locking means (not shown), as described in the aforementioned patent application.

Above the continuous wall 14, the support rail delimits an upper cage 16 intended to receive inserts (not shown) which cooperate with the flanges 20 to block the photovoltaic panels, again as described in the aforementioned patent application. . The outer flange 12 of the support rail ends with a flange 12a which is adapted to engage under the flange 55 of the central portion of the abrade rail 50, while the inner flange 13 of the support rail is used to complete the fixing on the support structure S, for example by means of screws 17. In order to make up the thickness of the web of the abrading rail, there is provided a shim 18, for example in the form of a fork, arranged between the support rail and the carrier structure. Also visible in this Figure 2 an element constituting the front portion 40 of the aeration device, some of the elements which constitute its upper part 30, and a side cheek 60. The latter has a generally triangular shape and consists of a profile of generally planar shape, having at its upper part a generally G-shaped section formed of two wings 61 and 62 extending perpendicular to the general plane of the cheek, each of these two wings ending in a rim 63,64 inclined substantially at 60 °, so as to define a housing 65 in which can engage the V-shaped end of a profile made of aluminum sheet which constitutes an element of the upper part of the aeration device. In the areas adjacent to the right and left cheeks of the device, the support rail 10 has a notch 19 formed in the wall 14, at the foot of the wall which delimits the upper cage 16, to allow the passage of the cheek 60 whose edge lower abuts on the core 51 of the abrading rail, being held laterally by the rib 57 of the rail. The notch 19 formed in the support rail 30 extends downwardly slightly beyond the location of the upper edge of the photovoltaic panel P (FIG. 3) and the bottom of this notch serves as a stop for the front edge of the 60. FIG. 3 shows more precisely the shape and arrangement of the front and upper parts of the ventilation device. The front part 40 comprises a first element or profile 41 comprising a substantially flat core 42, whose the lower part is used to secure it, for example by means of screws 43, either on the frame of the adjacent photovoltaic panel, or in another embodiment on the support rail or on the support structure of the panels. On either side of this core are two wings 44 and 45. The first wing 44, extending on the front face, has an L-shaped section and ends with a downwardly directed rim 44a which is intended for come substantially in contact with a fastening flange of the panel. The other wing 45, directed rearwardly, defines a T-shaped groove 45a which may, if necessary, receive a grid and collect water that would have penetrated inside the device. In addition, this same groove having a T-shape is adapted to receive junction splices, not shown, providing continuity between adjacent elements. Openings 46 are formed in the upper part of the element 41, these openings being able to be of relatively large dimensions, if a grid is provided, or to be constituted by slats of louvers, as represented in the drawing. At its upper part, the section 41 ends with a bead 47 of cylindrical shape, adapted to cooperate with a groove 33 of complementary shape provided on the lower face of a second profile 31 which is part of the upper part of the device. The opening 33a of the groove is sufficiently wide to allow an angular deflection of the order of 30 ° between the two sections 31 and 41, while ensuring the retention of the bead 47.

The upper section 31 comprises a flat-shaped core 32 delimiting on its underside the said groove 33 and having along its front edge, on the one hand, an oblique wing 34 extending downwards and forming a drip and on the other hand, an upwardly directed flange 35 serving as an abutment for sheet-like sheet metal members 36, 37 which complete the upper part of the aeration device.

In its rear part, the profile 31 comprises at least one downwardly directed flange which can ensure the positioning and maintenance of a possible grid. The aluminum sheet sections 36, 37 which complete the upper part of the device comprise side plates 36, which cooperate with the right and left cheeks and which have the shape shown in FIG. 2. They comprise two trapezoidal shaped waves. , the edge of the wave which cooperates with the cheek ending with a rim 36a V-shaped open downwards, to be received in the housing 65 delimited at the upper part of the cheek 60. Of course, the edge of the section 36 and the housing 65 could be made differently while fulfilling the same function. The current elements 37 of this upper part are shown in section in FIG. 4. Again, these are aluminum sections with or without trapezoidal corrugations, for example four as shown in FIG. 4.

Screws 38 or other fastening elements of these various plates 36, 37 on the section 31 are of course arranged at the level of the waves of the waves having their concavities directed upwards and in front of the articulation zone 33, 47 between the two sections 31 and 41.

The slope of the sheets 36,37 is greater than or equal to 5 degrees. The mode of use of this device is as follows: the carrying structure of the set of photovoltaic panels being in place, this structure being able to be of any known shape, it is first fixed on this structure, in the usual way, the profiles the load-bearing rails intended to receive the different panels. As regards the zone in which the aeration or ventilation device is to be implanted, the first abrading profile 50 and the carrier rail 10 having the notches 19 intended to receive the front edge of the flanges are fixed on the supporting structure. Lateral 60. Then, we put in place the photovoltaic panels, the latter being fixed essentially as described in the patent application already mentioned. The first lateral cheek 60 which has been cut beforehand is put into place, taking into account in particular the slope of the roof, the dimensions of this cheek having to correspond to the desired slope for the aluminum tiles which constitute the upper part of the device. 'aeration. The sections 41 in which the ventilation apertures are defined and which constitute the front part of the device are then laid and fastened. The elements or upper profiles 31 serving as support for the aluminum tiles 36, 37 and also serving as drips are then introduced by slidably introducing them. After that, we put in place the second side cheek of the device. The following operations consist in completing the upper part of the device by first inserting one of the two edge tiles 36 in a first lateral cheek, then putting in place the modular tiles 37 and finally inserting the second edge tile into the other lateral cheek. These various edge and modular tiles are fixed as shown in the drawings, for example by the screws 38, this fixing being made in the region of the profile 31 which is outside the device, that is to say beyond beyond the articulation 33,47 between this profile and the profile 41.

Thanks to the articulated connection which is provided between these two sections, the frontal section delimiting the ventilation openings and the upper profile serving as a support for the aluminum sheet tiles, which allows a clearance of the order of 30 °, the device can be adapted to roofs whose inclination can vary between 15 and 450 approximately. Apart from this important advantage of being able to be adapted to different roof slopes by essentially using the same profiles, the device according to the invention offers other advantages. In particular, a particularly effective sealing will be noted. Indeed, in the region of the support rail 10, the fastening members 17 of this support rail on the structure are arranged inside the ventilation device, since on the outside, the rail is held by a cooperation of between the raised edge 12a and the flange 55. The fastening means of the aberrant rail on the structure, external to the aeration device, are arranged in the strip of this rail between the rib 56 and the flange 52 and therefore in an area covered by cover elements not shown in the drawing. In addition, the fastening means 38 of the aluminum sheet tiles 36, 37 on the profile 31. are also arranged outside the ventilation device and in a risk-free zone. It will be added that the infiltrations that may occur at the notches 19 formed in the upper part of the support rail 10, are recovered in a groove of the abrade rail, between its central portion 53 and the rib 57, which has no perforation and that the possible water inlets that may occur in the event of a falling wind, are recovered in the groove or groove 45 of the profile 41. In the upper part of the aeration device, the watertightness is ensured by the flashing S or a raised or unreported aluminum sheet that rises beneath the upper roofing elements and overlies the aluminum sheet tiles for a certain distance 36,37.

Claims (16)

CLAIMS1- Aeration device or ventilation of the space defined under panels, including photovoltaic panels, integrated into a pitched roof, this aeration device comprising an inclined upper part ensuring the water runoff from the part upper roof to the or each panel, a front portion disposed substantially between the front or bottom edge of said upper portion and the rear or upper edge of the or each panel, said front portion defining vent openings that port with the atmosphere the space defined under each panel, and lateral cheeks, characterized in that the upper part (30) of the device is connected to the front part (40) by an articulated connection allowing, before fixing, an angular deflection around an axis substantially parallel to the ridge of the roof and / or the upper edge of the or each panel. 2- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the front portion (40) of the aeration device comprises a first element (41) fixed on the adjacent panel or on a support structure of said panel, this first element defining said ventilation openings (46), and the upper part (30) of the device comprises at least one tile profile (36,37) fixed at its front part to a second element (31) articulated on the first around said axis. 3- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the articulated connection comprises a male part (47) and a female part (33) of complementary shapes, the female part delimiting an opening (33a) which allows a movement angular between the two upper and frontal parts. 4- Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the female part of the articulated connection is a groove (33) defined on the lower front face of the second element (31) and having a slot (33a) in its lower part, and the male part is formed by a bead (47) delimited at the upper end of the first element (41) and whose thickness is greater than the width of said slot. 5. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the first element (41) comprises on its front face a wing (44) adapted to cooperate with the adjacent panel and / or a fastening flange of this sign. 6- Device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the first element (41) comprises on its rear face a flange (45) defining a groove (45a) adapted to receive a grid and / or collect rainwater and / or receive splice joints between adjacent elements. 7- Device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the second element (31) comprises along its front edge a downward inclined rim (34), forming drip. 8- Device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the second element (31) comprises along its front edge a flange (35) directed upwards serving as a stop for the elements (36,37 ) forming tiles. 9- Device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the fastening means (38) of the elements (36,37) forming tiles on the second element (31), are located in front of the articulated connection between the first and second elements. 10- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the area of the lateral cheeks (60) the panels (P) are fixed to the structure by means of support rails (10) and rails of abementement (50), the support rails delimiting notches (19) for receiving the side cheeks whose front edge abuts against the bottom of these notches. 11- Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the support rail (10) comprises a central portion (11), extended on either side by two wings (12,13), the central portion defining, on the one hand, and other of a continuous wall (14), first and second cages, respectively lower (15) and upper (16), said notch (19) being formed in said continuous wall (14), to the right and to the outside a wall delimiting the upper cage (15). 12- Device according to any one of claims 10 and 11, characterized in that the abrade rail (50) comprises a core (51) with at each end a raised edge (52) in the form of a hook, a central portion (53) T-shaped whose branches (54) also have a hook shape, and at least one rib (56,57) disposed between a raised edge and the central portion. 13- Device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the support rail (10) is attached to the outside of the aeration device by cooperation of shapes with the abrade rail (50) and the inside of the ventilation device by screws (17) or other fasteners, a shim (18) being interposed between the corresponding wing (13) and the structure (S). 14- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each side cheek (60) defines along its upper edge a housing (65) adapted to receive the end (36a) V-shaped inverted an element (36) forming a roof tile. 15- Device according to claim 14, characterized in that said housing (65) has a G-shaped section. 16- Arrangement of panels, including photovoltaic panels, integrated into a sloping roof, characterized in that it comprises at least one ventilation device 5 as defined in any one of the preceding claims. 10