US4966631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Support for photovoltaic arrays
Assignee: BP SOLAR Inc
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Filing: 1989-03-13
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Granted: 1990-10-30
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Expires: 2009-03-13
Abstract
Abstract A supported photovoltaic array and method in which support elements are in rows spaced from one another and are bi-directionally spanned by members which mount photovoltaic modules that are separated from one another and are secured to the spanning members by cushioned load-spreading attachments positioned in the spaces between adjacent modules.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald W. Matlin
- 👤 Richard K. Lenskold
- 👤 Anand Rangarajan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:33
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02S; H02S20/00; H02S20/10; F; F24; F24S; F24S25/00; F24S25/10; F24S25/12; F24S25/60; F24S25/63; F24S25/634; H02S20/20; H02S40/00; H02S40/30; H02S40/36; F24S20/00; F24S2020/10; F24S2020/16; F24S2025/01; F24S2025/017; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/47; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A supported photovoltaic array comprising a first row of support elements set in the earth; a second row, spaced from said first row, of support elements set in the earth; a plurality of first members, each spanning a plurality of said support elements; a plurality of second members spanning said first members; and a set of photovoltaic modules mounted on each pair of said second members, with each module separated from an adjacent module, with each adjacent pair of modules being secured to an underlying second member by at least one cushioned, load-spreading attachment positioned in the spaces between adjacent pairs of modules.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A supported photovoltaic array comprising a first row of support elements set in the earth; a second row, spaced from said first row, of support elements set in the earth; a plurality of first members, each spanning a plurality of said support elements; a plurality of second members spanning said first members; and a set of photovoltaic modules mounted on each pair of said second members, with each module separated from an adjacent module, with each adjacent pair of modules being secured to an underlying second member by at least one cushioned, load-spreading attachment positioned in the spaces between adjacent pairs of modules.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each load-spreading attachment is a rivet with an enlarged head having an area which is at least three times the cross-sectional area of the rivet stem.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the ratio of head area to cross sectional area is about 25:1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the support elements of said first and second rows are wooden piles and said modules have glass substrates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said first members span support elements in rows or in columns and said modules are retained by clips.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said first members are open-web joists and said clips are polycarbonate plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 6 wherein each joist is formed by an upper flange, a lower flange and a lattice structure in between.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each second member is a rail formed from sheet metal with at least two bends.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the modules are connected to form panels and the panels are included in sections and are electrically connected to a main bus by insulation piercing connectors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the bent portions of each rail contact respectively the first members and photovoltaic modules and each insulating-piercing connection includes saw-tooth members that are drawable towards one another with conductors there between.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each attachment is accompanied by a load spreading washer positioned below the surfaces of adjacent modules.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 11 wherein a load cushioning material which spans adjoining modules is interposed between each attachment and its underlying second member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the load cushioning material is a polycarbonate.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
121 words
The method of providing a support system for a photovoltaic array, which comprises the steps of (1) setting a first row of support elements in the earth with each element extending vertically upward; (2) setting a second row of support elements in the earth displaced from said first row; (3) providing a plurality of reinforcement members and connecting the upper ends of adjoining support elements by a reinforcement member; (4) spanning the reinforcement members by a plurality of support members; (5) mounting a plurality of spaced apart photovoltaic modules separated from one another on said photovoltaic support members; and (6) attaching said separated photovoltaic modules to said support members by load-spreading fasteners positioned in the spaces between adjacent pairs of modules.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
121 words
The method of providing a support system for a photovoltaic array, which comprises the steps of (1) setting a first row of support elements in the earth with each element extending vertically upward; (2) setting a second row of support elements in the earth displaced from said first row; (3) providing a plurality of reinforcement members and connecting the upper ends of adjoining support elements by a reinforcement member; (4) spanning the reinforcement members by a plurality of support members; (5) mounting a plurality of spaced apart photovoltaic modules separated from one another on said photovoltaic support members; and (6) attaching said separated photovoltaic modules to said support members by load-spreading fasteners positioned in the spaces between adjacent pairs of modules.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said load-spreading fasteners are cushioned by spanning adjoining modules.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said load-spreading fasteners are cushioned by placing a material between each fastener and the surfaces of adjoining photovoltaic modules.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said support elements are driven into the earth.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said support elements are set in augered holes and tamped.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said reinforcement members connect support elements in either a row or a column and mount separated modules.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
77 words
The method of generating electricity which comprises the steps of: (a) providing support elements for a photovoltaic array; (b) mounting said photovoltaic array on said support elements; (c) fastening individual modules of said array to the support members by cushioned load spreading fasteners positioned in the spaces between adjacent pairs of modules; and (d) interconnecting the, separated modules of said array to produce electricity in response to illumination of the modules of said array by solar energy.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
77 words
The method of generating electricity which comprises the steps of: (a) providing support elements for a photovoltaic array; (b) mounting said photovoltaic array on said support elements; (c) fastening individual modules of said array to the support members by cushioned load spreading fasteners positioned in the spaces between adjacent pairs of modules; and (d) interconnecting the, separated modules of said array to produce electricity in response to illumination of the modules of said array by solar energy.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS61287277A
Cited
JPS62208676A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-10-29 | 1994-04-30 | 1994-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-29 | 1998-04-30 | 1998-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-29 | 2002-04-30 | 2002-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |