Abstract:
A photovoltaic (PV) mounting system having a base portion that is substantially planar and having a first roof-facing side and an opposite module-facing side. The base portion has a lip that circumscribes the perimeter of the base portion and curves inward on the module-facing side. A clamp having a spring base is partially installed in the base portion and has a pair of clamping flanges extending upwardly from the base portion. A support beam comprising a pair of ledges adapted to mate with the clamping flanges of the clamp and a bottom portion that is supported by the spring base. A PV module coupling device is mechanically coupled to the support beam and configured for coupling to the frames of at least two photovoltaic modules.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to co-assigned and co-invented U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. P133-1NUS), entitled “Clamp and Bowel Mounting System for Photovoltaic Modules, filed on Jul. 15, 2015, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are many systems available for mounting photovoltaic (PV) modules to building structures, such as a roof. These systems serve as a rigid interconnection element between a roof and a PV module to hold the modules in place and resist the forces of gravity and wind. 
         [0003]    Traditionally, mounting systems consisted of rows of rail structures attached to the roof in columns or rows. Module clamps were used to attach the PV modules to these rail structures. Although effective, these traditional systems required complex and time-consuming installations and utilized relatively large amount of materials. Eventually, pioneers in the solar industry, such as Jack West of San Rafael-based Zep Solar, realized that module frames themselves are sufficiently rigid to function as the rails of a PV mounting system. By utilizing the inherent rigidity of modules frames as part of the PV mounting system, system part counts and costs of PV mounting systems were significantly reduced while installation time and overall aesthetics were improved. This realization caused the majority of the residential solar industry to move away from rail-based solutions. However, in order to continue the momentum of solar against other fossil fuel-based energy sources, it is imperative that both hard and soft PV costs continue to be reduced. 
         [0004]    Most rail-free or so-called direct mount systems, rely on pillar-like PV module supports which connect to each module frame at various points around the array—typically at least four points on each module. These module supports are in turn attached to the roof, either into a roof rafter or directly to the roof deck, via a flashing. The flashing is just a flat sheet of aluminum with a preformed feature designed to mate with the module support and typically including at least one lag-bolt through-hole for securing both the flashing and the module support to the roof 
         [0005]    Although effective at reducing water leaks and covering missed drill holes, flashings can increase the time of installation because when they are used, the installer must complete all site preparation first before placing any of the PV modules, installing a flashing at each intended roof penetration. This bottleneck prevents an installer from installing the array row-by-row or panel-by-panel and, as a result, may slow-down the rate at which PV can be installed, may require larger installation crews, or both. Also, because each flashing gets tucked underneath the next up-roof course of shingles, it is often necessary to remove existing roofing nails to accommodate the flashings. Each time an existing roofing nail is removed, a new potential leak point is created. Finally, each flashing adds a material cost to each solar installation that becomes significant when multiplied against every roof penetration of every installed array. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there is a need for a rail-free PV mounting system that enjoys the benefits of existing rail-free solutions, while reducing costs, and increasing installation times relative to such systems. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Many embodiments of the invention are related to a photovoltaic (PV) mounting system having a base portion that can be substantially planar and have a first roof-facing side and an opposite array-facing side. The base portion can include a lip that circumscribes the perimeter of the base portion and curves inward on the array facing side. A clamp having a spring base can be partially installed in the base portion and a pair of clamping flanges can extend upwardly from the base portion. A support beam having a pair of ledges can be adapted to mate with the clamping flanges of the clamp and a bottom portion that is supported by the spring base. A PV module coupling device can be mechanically coupled to the mounting member and configured for coupling to the frames of at least two photovoltaic modules. 
         [0008]    In many embodiments, the base portion can be a circular puck having a through-hole for mounting the base portion to a structure by a lag-bolt or other mechanical fastener. 
         [0009]    In many embodiments, the spring base of the clamp can be arched upwardly from the base portion. 
         [0010]    In many embodiments, the spring base can be configured to flatten when the support beam is mated with the clamping flanges. 
         [0011]    In many embodiments, the spring base can apply a spring force against the support beam and clamping flanges. 
         [0012]    In many embodiments, the clamping flanges can form a boxed structure extending upwardly from the base portion. 
         [0013]    In many embodiments, the clamping flanges can include teeth configured for gripping the support beam. 
         [0014]    In many embodiments, the photovoltaic module coupling device can include clamping style connector. 
         [0015]    In many embodiments, the photovoltaic module coupling device can include rockit connector. 
         [0016]    Many embodiments of the invention are related to a photovoltaic (PV) mounting system having a base portion. The system can include a clamp having a spring base and a pair of clamping flanges extending upwardly from the spring base. A support beam configured as a mount for a PV module coupling device can also be provided. The support beam can be configured to forcibly fit between the clamping flanges of the clamp and resiliently deform the spring base to lock it into the base portion. 
         [0017]    In many embodiments, the base portion can be a circular puck adapted to mount to a structure via a lag bolt or other mechanical fastener. 
         [0018]    In many embodiments, the base portion can include a lip that the spring base forcibly locks within. 
         [0019]    In many embodiments, the clamp can comprise a spring base and a pair of clamping flanges. 
         [0020]    In many embodiments, the pair of clamping flanges can form a boxed structure for holding the support beam. 
         [0021]    In many embodiments, the pair of clamping flanges can be a pair of ledges configured to maintain the support beam in position to resiliently deform the spring base. 
         [0022]    In many embodiments, the pair of clamping flanges can have teeth for engaging the support beam. 
         [0023]    In many embodiments, the support beam can be an elongated boxed beam. 
         [0024]    Many embodiments of the invention are related to a photovoltaic (PV) mounting system having a base portion. A clamp having a lower-most base formed as a spring can be in contact with the base portion. The system can include a support beam configured as a mount for a PV module coupling device. The support beam can be further configured to be held within the clamp and lock the clamp base to the base portion without the use of bolts or other mechanical fasteners. 
         [0025]    In many embodiments, the clamp can include flanges that extend upwardly from the clamp base. 
         [0026]    In many embodiments, the lower most base can be an arch. 
         [0027]    In many embodiments, the arch can be flattened by the support beam when the lower most base is locked to the base portion. 
         [0028]    In many embodiments, the clamp can include retaining portions for maintaining resilient compression of the arch. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show perspective views of an exemplary PV mounting system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 1C  shows a perspective view of an aspect of the system of  FIG. 1A , according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 1D  shows an exploded view of an aspect of the system of  FIG. 1A , according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0032]      FIGS. 2A-2C  show operational views of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  shows the system of  FIG. 1A  in use, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of another exemplary PV mounting system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    Embodiments of the invention are generally directed towards a system for mounting a PV module to a support structure such as a roof surface. The system can include a base portion and a clamp assembly for supporting a PV module. The clamp assembly may include a spring clamp that when resiliently actuated with the base portion assembly, provides a boltless system for rigidly fixing the clamp assembly to the base portion in a sufficient manner to support the weight of one or more PV modules. Advantageously, such a system requires little to no tools for installation, and hence installation time is greatly reduced over prior systems that require additional tools and bolting. The following description details some examples of such a system. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show perspective views of an exemplary system  100  for mounting a PV module to a structure, such as a roof. System  100  includes base portion  102 , which here is formed as a puck having lip  104  that can curve inwardly. Base portion  102  has a lower roof-facing surface that is configured to directly or indirectly mount to a structure, and can include one or more passages for mounting base portion  102  via a lag bolt or other mechanical fastener.  FIG. 1D , discussed in greater detail below, depicts an example of how base portion  102  can be aligned and mounted to a support structure. It should be appreciated that base portion  102  is not limited to the puck-like design illustrated in the figures. For example, inner lip  104  may be integrated into a flashing or specialized shingle to provide the functionality of the base portion  102  in a different form. 
         [0037]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 1A-C , clamp  106  extends upwardly from a PV module-facing side of base portion  102 . In various embodiments, clamp  106  is a one-piece structure that may include first clamp portion  108  connected to second clamp portion  110  by spring base  112 , which as shown at  FIG. 1A  forms a boxed structure that holds an elongated support beam  114 . It should be appreciated, however, that in certain embodiments, spring base  112  might include a hinge or seam joining two pieces together to form clamp  106 . Such a configuration may make it easier to install clamp  106  into base portion  102  while still providing the flexible functionality of a one-piece clamp. Clamp  106  may be formed of a roll formed steel or other semi-compressible, rust resistant material. 
         [0038]    In the illustrated embodiment, elongated support beam  114  is configured as a rectangular tube having ledges  116  that fit under complimentary portions of clamp  106 . Elongated support beam  114  in turn supports PV module coupling device  118  that is configured to couple together the frames of at least two photovoltaic modules. Elongated support beam  114  may also rest on lip  104  of base portion  102 , as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 1A and 2C . 
         [0039]    As shown at  FIG. 1C , each clamp portion also includes cut-outs at the corners that form corner portions  120  adapted to forcibly wedge within lip  104  of base portion  102 . Retaining portions  122  of the clamp are configured to engage and bite into the ledges  116  of the elongated support beam. The retaining portions  122  of the clamp can include a textured edge, such as the teeth shown to help prevent lateral displacement of elongated support beam  114 . As shown, the spring base  112  can be configured as an upward facing arch, which is resilient to downward deformation enacted by the elongated support beam  114 , and includes a central passage to clear the head of a lag bolt or other fastener. 
         [0040]    The PV module coupling device  114  shown in  FIGS. 1A-B  is a “rock-it” style connector manufactured by SolarCity Corp., which is arranged to connect to a groove formed in the frames of two adjacent PV modules. Such a coupling device is described and illustrated, for example, in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/615,320, Publication No. 2015/0155823-A1, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. However, the system  100  is not limited to use of such a coupling device. A multitude of different styles of coupling devices are compatible with the system, such as, for example, coupling device  130  illustrated at  FIG. 4 , which depicts a clamping-style coupling device  130  with an upper and lower clamp arranged to clamp the top and bottom portions of a PV module. Such a clamping-style typically includes a top-facing bolt, screw or other fastener that enables an installer to compress the frame of a photovoltaic module between two clamping portions after placement. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 1D , this figure illustrates a method for installing base portion  102  to a roof deck or roof surface using a mechanical fastener or lag bolt such as lag bolt  103 . Lag bolt  103  may be installed through an opening formed in base portion  102  so as to penetrate the roof surface at a point over a roof rafter. This may be accomplished by drilling a pilot hole at the desired point in the roof over the roof rafter prior to lagging in lag bolt  103  through base  102 . It should be appreciated that although there is only a single lag bolt hole in illustrated base portion  102 , in various embodiments, it may be desirable to have two or more through-holes to permit more than one fastening point to the roof surface. Moreover, base portion  102  is not limited to the puck-like design illustrated in the figures. For example, inner lip  104  may be integrated into a flashing or specialized shingle to provide the functionality of base portion  102  in a different form. In some embodiments, base portion  102  may be installed first by itself and clamp  106  inserted into base portion  102  after base portion  102  has been lagged to the roof or other support surface. In other embodiments, clamp  106  and base portion  102  will come as a pre-assembled module. In such embodiments, opening  113  in the bottom of spring base  112  will provide access for drilling a pilot hole and any tools necessary to torque down the lag bolt. Because corner portions  120  and lip  104  keep clamp  106  attached to base portion  102 , it is not necessary for the lag bolt to contact spring base  112 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 2A through 2C  illustrate a tool-free and boltless operation for installing system  100  is shown at  FIGS. 2A through 2C , after base portion  102  is pre-installed to a structure, such as a roof. At  FIG. 2A , clamp  106  is arranged within base portion  102 , and before placement of the elongated support beam  114 . At  FIG. 2B , elongated support beam  114  is then brought down between first clamp portion  108  and second clamp portion  110 , and placed in a desired location with respect to placement of PV module coupling device  114 . As indicated by the arrows, beveled lower surfaces of elongated support beam  114  act to apply an initial spreading force against first clamp portion  108  and second clamp portion  110 . 
         [0043]    At  FIG. 2C , elongated support beam  114  is shown fully bared down into clamp  106 , which in turn forms a boxed structure about elongated support beam  114 . In some embodiments, this may be done after coupling device  118  has been attached to at least one PV module. In other embodiments, elongated support beam  114  may be installed The bottom of elongated support beam  114  resiliently deforms spring base  112 , which causes corner portions  120  of clamp to wedge forcibly into lip  104  of base portion  102 . In this position spring base  112  places a continuous force against the bottom of elongated support beam  114 , and would eject elongated support beam  114  if not for retaining portions  122  of the clamp holding ledges  116  of elongated support beam  114 . Support beam  114  may also rest on lip  104  after spring base  112  has been deformed to provide additional support. If placement of system  100  is incorrect, or if one of the PV modules being supported by coupling device  118  needs to be removed for any reason, an installer only needs to spread apart clamp  106  such that the ledges clear the retaining portions to release and raise elongated support beam  114 , reposition elongated support beam  114  as desired, and then reapply the elongated support beam to clamp  106 . Accordingly, system  100  provides a substantially tool-free and boltless method of installing and adjusting a PV module support device. 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  shows a plurality of systems  100  mounted to a roof and supporting a plurality of PV modules. While system  100  is shown mounted to a sloped roof, system  100  can be used on a variety of alternative structures. Also, although in  FIG. 3 , three mounting systems  100  are shown supporting one side of a PV module, in some applications fewer or more mounting systems may be on each side of a PV module. Also, although the PV module illustrated in  FIG. 3  is a grooved-frame module supported by a rock-it coupling device, in other embodiments, the PV module could have a standard non-grooved frame and the coupling device could be a clamping-style coupling device as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0045]    Other variations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0046]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0047]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.