Patent Publication Number: US-2021180832-A1

Title: Modified clamp

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/948,132, entitled MODIFIED CLAMP, which was filed on Dec. 13, 2019, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/022,681, entitled MODIFIED CLAMP AND SLOTS, which was filed on May 11, 2020, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Most photovoltaic (“PV”) modules are quite heavy because they use glass to encase the PV cells. A solar mounting system, therefore, must be able to withstand the weight of an array of one or more PV modules and the forces of nature that may act upon it. In addition to supporting heavy solar arrays and the associated natural forces, solar tracking equipment must also be able to move the solar array so it tracks the sun. This can require motors with significant horsepower. Therefore, mounting and tracking systems for PV modules typically are relatively large, complex assemblies comprising large, heavy components. 
     These components can add significant cost to a solar power system for at least two reasons. First, the components themselves are expensive to manufacture, ship, and install. Second, installation and operation can be expensive because they require time and skilled operators to conduct quality control measures in the field. Therefore, there is a need for PV mounting system components that minimize the overall use of material to be lighter weight and reduce costs. In addition, there is a need for PV mounting system components that can reduce the time necessary for installation and for quality control during construction in the field. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for PV mounting system components that efficiently use structural material only where it is needed. There is also a need for a PV mounting system with components that provide easier and quicker installation and quality control capability. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure alleviate to a great extent the disadvantages of known mounting systems and solar trackers and associated components by providing a mounting bracket assembly comprising a flexible body having material in the form of the stresses on the system and a configuration that facilitates secure connection between a PV module and a rounded or other hollow shaped torsion beam with a single bolt. 
     Example embodiments of a mounting bracket assembly may comprise a flexible body including at least one top member and a flexible angled bottom member connected to the top member. The flexible body may define a beam insertion aperture between the top member and the bottom member. At least one clamp may be attached to the top member. The mounting bracket assembly may further comprise a threaded rod or cap screw and a clamping nut securing the threaded rod to the top member. 
     In one or more example embodiments, a threaded rod may run through the at least one top member and the at least one clamp and may secure the clamp to the top member. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one clamp may include one or more specific features to facilitate locking and aligning the PV module when the PV module is attached to the mounting bracket and torsion beam. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The appended drawings contain figures of preferred embodiments to further illustrate and clarify the above and other aspects, advantages and features of the present invention. It will be appreciated that these drawings depict only preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit its scope. Additionally, it will be appreciated that while the drawings may illustrate preferred sizes, scales, relationships and configurations of the invention, the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. Example embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an example embodiment of a mounting system and mounting bracket assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of an example embodiment of a mounting system and mounting bracket assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a detail perspective view of an example embodiment of a mounting system and mounting bracket assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a mounting bracket assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4B  is a front view of the mounting bracket assembly of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4C  is a front cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket assembly of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a mounting bracket assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5B  is front view of the mounting bracket assembly of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5C  is a front cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket assembly of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view an example embodiment of a mounting bracket body in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective view an example embodiment of a mounting bracket body in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view an example embodiment of a mounting bracket body in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7B  is a perspective view an example embodiment of a mounting bracket body in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a detail perspective view of an example embodiment of a mounting bracket assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of an example embodiment of a mounting bracket assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 10A-10B  illustrate another example embodiment of a mounting bracket assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 11A-11B  illustrate a close-up view of operation of an example mounting bracket assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 12A-12B  illustrate a cut-away view of operation of an example mounting bracket assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 13A-13D  illustrate isometric views of an example clamp in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 14A-14F  illustrate various profiles of example embodiments of a clamp in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an example view of a mounting bracket body in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 16  is an isometric view of another example embodiment of a clamp in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 17A-17B  illustrate another example embodiment of a mounting system and a mounting bracket assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 18A-18B  are close-up perspective views of the mounting system and mounting bracket assembly of  FIGS. 17A-17B ; 
         FIG. 19A  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a mounting system and a mounting bracket assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 19B  is a side view of the example embodiment of  FIG. 19A ; 
         FIGS. 20A  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a mounting system and a mounting bracket assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 20B  is a side view of the example embodiment of  FIG. 20A ; 
         FIG. 21  is an example profile of an example clamp that may interface with a frame with multiple openings; 
         FIGS. 22A and 22B  are side views of an example embodiment of a mounting system and mounting bracket assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 23A and 23B  illustrate example embodiments of PV modules and frames in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 24A and 24B  illustrate example embodiments of holes in a frame of a PV module in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 25A and 25B  illustrate another example embodiment of a mounting system and a mounting bracket assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 26A and 26B  illustrate various embodiments of a clamp in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In general, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to mounting bracket assemblies, mounting assembly components, systems and associated methods. Example embodiments make efficient use of structural material by using a flexible structural piece to secure an electricity generating device. An electricity generating device may include any kind of device that directly or indirectly converts solar radiation to electricity or collects, reflects, or concentrates solar radiation, including photovoltaic cells or modules, solar thermal devices, solar energy collectors, or components thereof. Disclosed assemblies and methods may provide easier quality control capabilities. More particularly, rotating a single clamping nut may secure an electricity generating device such as a photovoltaic (“PV”) module to a rounded torsion beam. Additionally, by providing an interacting clamping feature that interfaces with the frame of a PV module, the alignment, security, and orientation of such PV modules may be enhanced, and the installation thereof expedited. These and additional advantages are explained in more detail below. 
     Additionally, to assist in the description of the mounting bracket, words such as top, bottom, front, rear, right and left are used to describe the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated, however, that the mounting bracket can be disposed and/or located in a variety of desired positions, including various angles, sideways and even upside down. 
     To provide context for the present disclosure, example embodiments of a mounting bracket assembly will be described. Disclosed mounting bracket assemblies and methods can be used in a number of different contexts. One such application is in a solar mounting and/or tracking system. An example mounting bracket assembly may be used to mount a mounting rack to a torsion beam. The torsion beam may be any shape, including but not limited to, round, square, hexagonal, octagonal, or any hybrid shape such as rounded with flats on one or more sides. One of the advantages of the disclosed embodiments may be the ability of the mounting bracket to securely connect to a round or rounded tube using a single bolt. 
     An example mounting bracket assembly may include a body or structural piece that may be made in whole or in part of a flexible or semi-flexible material. The flexible body may include at least one top member and an angled bottom member may be connected to the top member at opposite ends thereof. The top member and/or bottom member may be made of a flexible or semi-flexible material. The angled bottom member may be fixedly attached to the top member or the body may be a unitary structure made by machining, extrusion, casting, molding, of cast aluminum, extruded aluminum, injection molded plastic, or may be made of steel, fiberglass, composite, or any other strong flexible or semi-flexible material. A network of strengthening members may be provided between the top member and the angled bottom member. 
     The body may include a ring and the ring may at least partially define a beam insertion aperture between the top member and the bottom member. The beam insertion aperture may be of any size or shape depending on the size and shape of the torsion beam being inserted therethrough, including but not limited to, round, square, hexagonal, octagonal, or any hybrid shape such as rounded with flats on one or more sides. The mounting bracket assembly may be advantageously designed so it has structural material only where necessary and is in the shape and form of the stresses on the assembly. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are explained with reference to the accompanying figures. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2-5C , example embodiments of a mounting bracket assembly  105  will be described. Disclosed mounting bracket assemblies and methods can be used in a number of different contexts. One such application is in a solar mounting and/or tracking system.  FIG. 1  shows an example solar mounting system  100  including at least one support column  20 , a torsion beam  30  connected to the support column  20  by a bearing  60 , a mounting rack (not shown) attached to the torsion beam  30 , and at least one photovoltaic (PV) module  50  mounted via the mounting system  100 . An example mounting bracket assembly  105  may be used to mount the PV modules  50  to the torsion beam  30 . The torsion beam  30  may be any shape, including but not limited to, round, square, hexagonal, octagonal, or any hybrid shape such as rounded with flats on one or more sides. One of the advantages of the disclosed embodiments is the ability of the mounting bracket to securely connect to a round or rounded tube using a single bolt, the threaded rod discussed herein. As discussed in more detail herein, the mounting bracket assembly  105  defines a beam insertion aperture  170  such that the torsion beam  30  may be disposed therein and run through the aperture  170 . 
     An example mounting bracket assembly  105  may include a body  140  or structural piece that may be made in whole or in part of a flexible or semi-flexible material. The flexible body  140  includes at least one top member  120  and an angled bottom member  130  connected to the top member  120  at opposite ends  125   a,    125   b  thereof. The top member  120  and/or the bottom member  130  may be made of a flexible or semi-flexible material. The angled bottom member  130  may be fixedly attached to the top member  120  or the body  140  may be a unitary structure made by machining, extrusion, casting, molding, of cast aluminum, extruded aluminum, injection molded plastic, or may be made of steel, fiberglass, composite, or any other strong flexible or semi-flexible material. The angle of the bottom member  130  may vary as seen in the embodiments of  FIGS. 4A-4C and 5A-5C . A network of strengthening members  190  may be provided between the top member  120  and the angled bottom member  130 . 
     The body  140  includes a ring  180  that defines a beam insertion aperture  170  between the top member  120  and the bottom member  130 . The beam insertion aperture may be of any size or shape depending on the size and shape of the torsion beam  30  being inserted therethrough, including but not limited to, round, square, hexagonal, octagonal, or any hybrid shape such as rounded with flats on one or more sides. The size of the ring  180  and the beam insertion aperture  170  may vary depending on the application, as seen in the embodiments of  FIGS. 4A-4C and 5A-5C . The mounting bracket assembly  105  is advantageously designed so it has structural material only where necessary and is in the shape and form of the stresses on the assembly. 
     In example embodiments, the body  140  of the mounting bracket assembly  105  may include a two-piece construction.  FIGS. 6A-B  and  7 A-B illustrate embodiments in which body  140  comprises two attachable body pieces  140   a  and  140   b.  This advantageously facilitates attachment of the mounting bracket assembly  105  to the torsion beam  30 . The body pieces  140   a,    140   b  may be joined by a slidable locking mechanism  181  comprising a mating flange  182  and groove  183 , as seen in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , a hinged connection  184  including a hinge pin  185  may be provided. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , at least one clamp  110  is attached to an end  125   a,    125   b  of the top member  120  and in example embodiments, a first clamp  110   a  is attached a first end  125   a  of the top member  120  and a second clamp  110   b  is attached to the second end  125   b  of the top member  120 . An example clamp  110  has an arm  150  and a flange  160 . As discussed in detail herein, the arm  150  and flange  160  of the clamps  110  serve to attach to the top or side of a frame  200  of a PV module  50  to hold the PV module in place. Clamps  110  may also be compression style securing the PV module  50  by compression or using hooks to attach to the sides of the PV module  50 . The mounting bracket assembly  105  and clamps  110  may vary in length for different module designs and load requirements. Clamps  110  may also define an additional hole for driving a screw or other fastener through the clamp and a cutout in the frame  200  to further secure the PV module  50 . 
       FIGS. 10A-12B  illustrate various embodiments of another example clamp  310 .  FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate a side view of a mounting bracket assembly  105  utilizing the clamps  310   a,    310   b  at either end of the mounting bracket assembly  300 .  FIG. 10A  illustrates a loose configuration and  FIG. 10B  illustrates the clamps  310   a,    310   b  tightened to a frame  200 .  FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate a close-up isometric view of the clamp  310 .  FIG. 11A  illustrates a loose configuration and  FIG. 11B  illustrates the clamps  310   a,    310   b  tightened to the frame  200 .  FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate a cut-away view of the clamp  310 .  FIG. 12A  illustrates a loose configuration and  FIG. 12B  illustrates the clamp  310  tightened to the frame  200 .  FIGS. 10A-12B  are numbered with same numbers for similar or comparable components to those illustrated and described with reference to  FIGS. 1-9 . For example,  FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate a torsion beam  30 , a mounting bracket assembly  300 , a body  140 , top members  120   a/   120   b,  bottom member  130 , strengthening members  190 , a ring  180 , etc. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the clamp  310  may include sloping surfaces  312  that interface with sloping surfaces  320  of the top members  120 . For example, the sloping surface  312   a  of the clamp  310   a  may be shaped to have a similar incline to that of the sloping surface  320   a.  Through the use of the sloping surfaces  312  and  320 , the clamps  310  may be drawn in a direction that follows the sloping surfaces  312  and  320 . By doing so, the clamp  310  relative to the top member  120  is moved downwards and inwards (e.g., towards the torsion beam  30  in a direction with both a vertical and horizontal component). This can be observed in a comparison of  FIG. 10A  relative to  FIG. 10B . 
     In particular, as a single bolt  230  of the mounting bracket assembly  105  is tightened, the head  234  and nut  232  are moved closer to each other along the length of the single bolt  230 . As the head  234  moves closer to the nut  232 , the head  234  forces the clamp  310   a  to progress along the sloping surface  320   a  because of the interface between the sloping surface  312   a  and the sloping surface  320   a.  Similarly, as the nut  232  moves closer to the head  234 , the nut  232  forces the clamp  310   b  to progress along the sloping surface  320   b  because of the interface between the sloping surface  312   b  and the sloping surface  320   b.  As the single bolt  230  is tightened, the clamps  310   a  and  310   b  are drawn towards the torsion beam  30  in both vertical and horizontal components. Based on the vertical component (e.g., the direction perpendicular to the single bolt  230 ), the clamps  310  are drawn downwards to pinch the frame  200  between the clamps  310  and the top member  120 . Doing so mounts the PV modules attached to the frame  200  securely to the torsion beam  30  and the mounting bracket assembly  105  such that the PV modules may be oriented, moved, or otherwise adjusted using the torsion beam  30 . 
     In some embodiments, the clamp  310  may include a stop or other feature at an end of the sloping surface  312  to limit how far the clamp  310  may be drawn towards the torsion beam  30 . Additionally or alternatively, the clamp  310  may include a flat or a substantially flat profile at the end of the sloping surface as shown in  FIGS. 13C and 13D . 
     In some embodiments, tightening the single bolt  230  additionally causes the mounting bracket assembly  105  to be tightened, locked, or otherwise coupled to the torsion beam  30 . For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , as the single bolt  230  is tightened, the ring  180  is tightened as the top members  120   a  and  120   b  are forced towards each other. Because of the shape of the mounting bracket assembly  105 , the mounting bracket assembly  105  is able to flex, bend, or fold to more tightly wrap around the torsion beam  30 . Such flexion may be based on deformation of a solid piece of material (such as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-5  and  FIGS. 8-9 ) or a flanged/hinged embodiment (such as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-7B ). In some embodiments, both the tightening of the ring  180  around the torsion beam  30  and the pinching of the frame  200  between the clamps  310  and the top members  120  may occur simultaneously upon the tightening of the single bolt  230 . For example, the forces at the sloping surfaces  312  and  320  may cause a given clamp  310  to move downwards while also drawing the top members  120  closer together. In some embodiments, the tightening of the clamp  310  to the frame  200  and the tightening of the ring  180  around the torsion beam  30  may occur in phases. For example, the single bolt  230  may be tightened, drawing the clamps  310  down to pinch the frame  200  between the clamp  310  and the top members  120  until the top member  120  reaches the stop or limiter of the clamp  310 . After the stop or limiter is reached, the top members  120  may be forced closer together laterally along the single bolt  230  as the single bolt  230  is further tightened to tighten the ring  180 . In some embodiments, the clamp  310  may or may not include the stop or limiter and have a flat or a substantially flat profile. In embodiments without the stop or limiter, movement of the clamp  310  along the sloping surfaces  312  may be stopped by a flange and/or a tab of the clamp  310  interfacing with an edge of the opening  202  (such as openings  202   a  and  202   b ). Additionally or alternatively, movement of the clamp  310  along the sloping surfaces  312  may be stopped by the bolt  230  interfacing with an interior surface of the head  234 . 
     The frame  200  may include one or more openings  202  within which the clamps  310  may operate to pinch the frame  200  between the clamp  310  and the top member  120 . For example, the clamp  310   a  may protrude through the opening  202   a,  and when the single bolt  230  is tightened, the clamp  310   a  may be forced against a bottom edge of the opening  202   a.  The openings  202  may be of a length and width sized to accommodate both the horizontal and vertical components of the movement of the clamp  310  relative to the top member  120 . For example, the opening  202  may be sized such that the clamp  310  may be placed within the opening  202  and the single bolt  230  tightened to draw the clamp  310  against the bottom edge of the opening  202  without running into a side edge of the opening  202 . 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate a loose configuration of the clamp  310 , and the clamp  310  tightened to the frame  200 , respectively. As illustrated in  FIG. 11A , the clamp  310  may include an arm  350  extending away from the top member and towards a flange  360 . The flange  360  may be comprised of two ears  362  (such as the ears  362   a  and  362   b ) projecting outwards from a top of the arm  350 . The ears  362  may include tabs  364  extending downwards from the ears  362 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , when installing the clamp  310 , the flange  360  may be inserted in the opening  202  by positioning the top member  120  proximate the frame  200  and moving the ear  362   b  into the opening  202 . The ear  362   b  may be tapered along a top edge sloping from the top of the arm  350  downward towards the end of the ear  362   b.  The ear  362   b  may also be sloped from the end of the ear  362   b  back towards the tab  364   b.  In this manner, the ear  362   b  may have a pointed shape to facilitate inserting the ear  362   b  into the opening  202 . Additionally or alternatively, the ear  362   b  may have a rounded shape and/or the flange  360  may have a curved profile. 
     Similar to the manner described with reference to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , as the single bolt  230  is tightened with the ear  362   b  disposed within the opening  202 , the clamp  310  is drawn downwards against the bottom surface of the opening  202 , pinching the frame  200  between the ear  362   b  and the top member  120 . 
     In some embodiments, each of the ears  362   a  and  362   b  may interact with two separate frames  200 . For example, adjacent and parallel PV modules  50  and/or their associated frames  200  may interact with the two ears  362   a  and  362   b  of the flange  360 . 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate a cut-away view of a loose configuration of the clamp  310 , and the clamp  310  tightened to the frame  200 , respectively. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , as the clamp  310  is tightened down to pinch the frame  200  between the flange  360  and the top member  120 , the tabs  364  may align the frame  200  to the clamp  310 , and by extension the torsion beam  30 . For example, the tab  364   a  may force the bottom surface of the opening  202  to be oriented perpendicular to the direction the ear  362   a  projects away from the arm  350 . In this manner, by orienting the torsion beam  30  in a North/South direction, the PV modules  50  may be aligned along an East/West direction because the tabs  364  prevent lateral movement or rotation of the frame  200  where the frame  200  interfaces with the clamp  310 . 
     In some embodiments, the arm  350  may also facilitate the alignment of the frame  200  relative to the clamp  310 . For example, the frame  200  may include a base  204 . The clamp  310  may be shaped such that the distance between an inside edge of the tab  364   a  and a wide portion of the arm  350  may correspond to a width of the opening  202  and a portion of the base  204  extending beyond the width of the opening  202 . In these and other embodiments, the cooperative interference of the tab  364   a  with the bottom surface of the opening  202  and the base  204  with the wide portion of the arm  350  may work in combination to align the frame  200  relative to the clamp  310 . While a certain width of the arm  350  is shown, any width is contemplated that may correspond to the frame  200  and/or an associated base  204  thereof. For example, a narrower base  204  may correspond to a wider arm  350 , and vice versa. As another example, both the base  204  and the arm  350  may have flat or substantially flat profiles such that the arm  350  has a constant or a substantially constant width along the length of the arm  350 . 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  illustrate isometric views of the clamp  310  from different directions.  FIGS. 13C and 13D  illustrate isometric views of another example clamp  311  from different directions. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , in some embodiments, one face may be flat while the other may be sloped, with a protrusion that acts as a stop or limiter on the amount of travel between the sloping surfaces of the clamp  310  and the top member  120 . 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 13C and 13D , in some embodiments, both faces may be flat. Additionally or alternatively, one face may be flat while the other may be sloped, or all of the faces may be flat without any of the faces being sloped. Additionally or alternatively, the top of the flange may be curved. 
       FIGS. 14A-14F  illustrate various embodiments of profiles of the flange  360  of the clamp  310 . For example, the tabs  364  may be larger or smaller than those illustrated in  FIGS. 11A-12B , have a different shape, etc. For example, the profile of the flange  360  of the clamp  310  may be flat, substantially flat, sloped with straight edges, sloped with a curved edge, etc. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 14A , in some embodiments, the top surface of the flange  360  may be flat (or may be stepped, tapered, or curved). The tabs  364  may be smaller but still sloped towards the end of the ears  362 . As illustrated in  FIG. 14B , the tabs  364  may be smaller and may include right-angled edges rather than sloped edges. As illustrated in  FIG. 14C , the tabs  364  may be larger with similar slope leading towards the end of the ears  362  as leading back towards the arm  350 . As illustrated in  FIG. 14D , the tabs  364  may be rounded. As illustrated in  FIG. 14E , the top surface may be curved rather than flat or sloped edges. As illustrated in  FIG. 14F , the flange may be lower towards the base of the arm. 
     As illustrated by the variety in  FIGS. 14A-14F , the present disclosure contemplates any combination or variation in the tab and/or flange shapes. In these and other embodiments, the shape and/or size may be selected to facilitate consistent orientation of the frame relative to the mounting bracket assembly  300 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates an example of a mounting bracket body. For example, the mounting bracket body may be similar or comparable to the body  140  of  FIGS. 10A-14B . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates another example embodiment of a clamp  410 , in accordance with the present disclosure. The clamp  410  may operate in a similar or comparable manner to the clamp  310  of  FIGS. 10A-14F . As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , any component, feature, or methodology may be used to tighten the clamp  410  down to pinch a bottom surface of an opening  202  and is not limited to using the sloping surfaces illustrated and discussed herein. For example, a mounting beam  420  may be bolted or otherwise fixedly coupled to a torsion beam (not shown). The mounting beam  420  may have the clamp  410  attached thereto via an attachment that permits the clamp  410  to be raised or lowered relative to the mounting beam  420  (e.g., by a threaded connection, bolts, etc. that are able to tighten the clamp  410  against the mounting beam  420 ). 
     In operation, with the clamp  410  coupled to the mounting beam  420  but not tightened thereto, an ear  462  of a flange  460  of the clamp  410  may be inserted through the opening  202 . The clamp  410  may then be tightened against the mounting beam  420 . For example, nuts, wing nuts, screws, etc. may be tightened to draw the clamp  410  closer to the mounting beam  420 . As the clamp  410  is tightened to the mounting beam  420 , the ear  462  may engage with a bottom surface of the opening  202  to fixedly couple the frame  200  in position relative to the mounting beam  420 . 
     In some embodiments, a tab  464  of the ear  462  may align the frame  200  relative to the clamp  410 , the mounting beam  420 , and torsion beam  30 . For example, the ear  462  may engage with a bottom surface of the opening  202  and the tab  464  may force the clamp  410  and the opening  202  to be oriented in a desired manner as described herein. By doing so, the frame  200  may be pinched between the clamp  410  and the mounting beam  420  with the tab  464  overhanging the opening  202 , such that the frame  200  and any associated PV modules  50  may be fixedly coupled to the torsion beam  30  via the clamp  410  and the mounting beam  420 . In this manner, by orienting the torsion beam  30  in a North/South direction, the PV modules associated with the frame  200  may be aligned along an East/West direction because the tab  464  prevents a North/South movement or rotation of the frame  200  where the opening  202  of the frame  200  interfaces with the ear  462  of the clamp  410 . Additionally or alternatively, the interface between the ear  462  of the clamp  410  and the opening  202  of the frame  200  may align the PV modules in the East/West direction. By aligning the PV modules in the East/West direction, proper solar tracking by the PV modules may be obtained. 
     In some embodiments, the clamp  410  may be inserted into the opening  202  prior to being coupled to the mounting beam  420 . 
     The clamp  410  may include any profile with ears  462  and/or tabs  464 , such as the profiles illustrated in  FIGS. 14A-14F  and/or variations thereof. 
     Modified Clamp and Frame Openings 
       FIG. 17A  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a mounting system  500  and mounting bracket assembly  505  in accordance with the present disclosure.  FIG. 17B  illustrates the same perspective view of the mounting system  500  and the mounting bracket assembly  505  in which a clamp  510  is tightened to the frame  200 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 17A and 17B , clamps such as the clamp  510  may be positioned at either end of the mounting bracket assembly  505 . The clamp  510  may include an arm  550  extending away from the mounting bracket assembly  505  and ending in a flange  560 . The flange  560  may include ears  562  extending away from the arm  550 . The mounting bracket assembly  505  and the clamp  510  may operate to clamp against a PV module  50  and its associated frame  200 . 
     In some embodiments, the clamp  510  may include a sloping surface that may interface with a sloping surface of the top member. Through the use of the sloping surfaces, the clamp  510  may be drawn in a direction that follows the sloping surfaces. By doing so, the clamp  510  may be moved relative to the top member downwards and inwards (e.g., towards the frame  200  in a direction with both a vertical and horizontal component). In some embodiments, a bolt  230  may pass through the mounting bracket assembly  505  and the clamp  510 . The tightening of the bolt  230  may cause the clamp to move relative to the mounting bracket assembly  505  due to the sloping surface. 
     In these and other embodiments, the frame  200  may include an opening or slot such as the opening  202 . As the bolt  230  is tightened, the clamp  510  may be shaped and positioned such that the ear  562  may align with and go into the opening  202 . By engaging with the opening  202  and clamping the frame  200  between the clamp  510  and a top surface of the mounting bracket assembly  505 , the frame  200  may be locked into place relative to the mounting bracket assembly  505  and the clamp  510 . Additionally, by using multiple clamps and multiple openings, the frame  200  may be aligned in a straightforward, repeatable, and cost-effective manner. 
     In some embodiments, such as illustrated in  FIGS. 17A and 17B , the frame  200  may include an opening along a bottom surface of the frame  200 , such as illustrated as the opening  202 . Additionally or alternatively, the frame  200  may include a protrusion extending outward from a top surface of the frame  200 . For example, the frame  200  may include a profile similar or comparable to an I-beam, and the opening may be positioned along a top arm of the I-beam shape (such as the opening  202 ) or the opening may be positioned along the bottom arm of the I-beam shape (such as the opening  202 ). 
     Depending on the location of the opening  202  and/or the desired location for clamping the frame  200  via the mounting system  500 , the length of the arm  550  may be different. For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 17A and 17B , the arm  550  may be long enough that the ear  562  may align with the opening  202  on the top surface of the frame  200 . 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the mounting bracket assembly  505  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the designations of different elements in the manner described is meant to help explain concepts described herein and is not limiting. Further, the mounting bracket assembly  505  may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within other systems or contexts than those described. 
       FIG. 18A  is a close-up side view of the system  500  and mounting bracket assembly  505  in accordance with the present disclosure.  FIG. 18B  is a close-up perspective view of the system  500  and mounting bracket assembly  505  in which the clamp  510  is tightened to the frame  200  in accordance with the present disclosure. The mounting system  500  includes a clamp  510  that may be similar or comparable to the clamp  110  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . For example, the clamp  510  may include the arm  550 , the flange  560 , and the ear  562 . Additionally, the mounting system  500  may include the frame  200  as described in relation to the frame  200  of  FIGS. 17A and 17B . 
     The arm  550  of the clamp  510  may be shorter than the arm  550  illustrated in  FIGS. 17A and 17B  because the frame  200  includes an opening  202  along the bottom surface of the frame  200  rather than the top surface of the frame  200  of  FIGS. 17A and 17B . Using the shorter arm  550 , the ear  562  may be positioned to interface with the opening  202 . In some embodiments, by providing a shorter arm  550 , the clamp  510  may use less material and that material may be under less mechanical stress as compared to the arm  550  of  FIGS. 17A and 17B . 
     In these and other embodiments, the clamp  510  of  FIGS. 18A and 18B  may operate in a similar manner to the clamp  510  of  FIGS. 17A and 17B . The sloping surface of the clamp  510  may interface with a sloping surface of the mounting bracket assembly  505  such that as the single bolt  230  is tightened, the clamp  510  may be moved downward relative to the mounting bracket assembly  505 , effectively clamping the frame  200  between the ear  562  and the top surface of the mounting bracket assembly  505 . 
     In some embodiments, a profile of the flange  560  of the clamp  510  may be selected to be operable with multiple potential locations of openings. For example, the same profile of flange  560  may be operable for the opening  202  along the bottom surface of the frame  200  (as illustrated in  FIGS. 17A-18B ), along the top surface of a frame, or even along a vertical portion of the frame  200  extending between the bottom surface and the top surface of the frame  200 . For each of the locations, the same profile of the flange  560  may be shaped to interface directly with the openings, regardless of their locations. Furthermore, the profile of the flange  560  may include tabs that may lock the frame relative to the clamp such that the tabs prevent the frame from moving in a lateral direction when the clamp has been tightened, regardless of the location of the opening. 
       FIG. 19A  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a mounting system  600  in accordance with the present disclosure.  FIG. 19B  is a side view of the example embodiment of  FIG. 19A . The mounting system  600  includes clamps  610   a,    610   b  that may be similar or comparable to the clamp  110  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . For example, the clamp  610   a  may include an arm  650   a,  a flange  660   a,  an ear  662   a,  and a tab  664   a,  and the clamp  610   b  may include an arm  650   b,  a flange  660   b,  an ear  662   b,  and a tab  664   b.  Additionally, the mounting system  600  may include the frame  200  as described in relation to the frame  200  of  FIGS. 17A and 17B . 
     The frame  200  may include one or more openings along a bottom part of the frame  200 . The ears  662   a,    662   b  and the tabs  664   a,    664   b  associated with each clamp  610   a,    610   b  may be positioned to interface with openings along the frame  200  to provide alignment and/or locking of the PV module. In these and other embodiments, the clamps  610   a,    610   b  of  FIGS. 19A and 19B  may operate in a similar manner to the clamp  510  of  FIGS. 17A and 17B . The sloping surface of the clamps  610   a,    610   b  may interface with a sloping surface of the mounting bracket assembly  605  such that as the single bolt  230  is tightened, the clamp  510  may be moved downward relative to the mounting bracket assembly  605 , effectively clamping the frame  200  between the ears  662   a,    662   b,  the tabs  664   a,    664   b,  and the top surface of the mounting bracket assembly  605 . 
       FIG. 20A  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a mounting system and a mounting bracket assembly in accordance with the present disclosure.  FIG. 20B  is a side view of the example embodiment of  FIG. 20A . The arms  650   c,    650   d  of  FIGS. 20A and 20B  may be longer than the arms  650   a,    650   b  of  FIGS. 19A and 19B  such that the ears  662   a,    662   b  and the tabs  664   a,    664   b  associated with each clamp  610   c,    610   d  may be positioned to interface with openings positioned along a top part of the frame  200  to provide alignment and/or locking of the module. In some embodiments, the mounting system  600  illustrated in  FIGS. 20A and 20B  may operate in a similar manner to the mounting system  600  illustrated in  FIGS. 19A and 19B . 
       FIG. 21  illustrates a profile of an example clamp  710  that may interface with a frame such as the frame  200  of  FIGS. 19A, 19B, 20A , and/or  20 B. For example, the clamp  710  may include a first flange  760   a  at the end of the arm  750  with ears  762   a  and  762   b.  The clamp  710  may additionally include a second flange  760   b  partway along the arm  750  with ears  762   c  and  762   d.  The ear  762   b  of the first flange  760   a  may interface with a first opening on a top part of the frame  200  and the ear  762   c  of the second flange  160   b  may interface with a second opening on a bottom part of the frame  200 . 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the clamp  710  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the designations of different elements in the manner described is meant to help explain concepts described herein and is not limiting. Further, the clamp  710  may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within other systems or contexts than those described. 
       FIGS. 22A and 22B  are side views of example embodiments of mounting systems  800   a,    800   b  and mounting bracket assemblies  805   a,    805   b  in accordance with the present disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 22A , the mounting bracket assembly  805   a  may include a first clamp  810   a  positioned at a first end of the mounting bracket assembly  805   a  and a second clamp  810   b  that is the same as or similar to the first clamp  810   a  positioned at a second, opposite end of the mounting bracket assembly  805   a.  As illustrated in  FIG. 22B , the mounting system  800   b  may include clamps  815  that include protruding arms  820  for additional structural support and/or a structural bar  825  positioned above the frame  200  and between the openings  202 . 
     The bracket mounting assembly  805   a  may include a bracket base surface  830  positioned underneath and oriented in a plane parallel to the frame  200 . The first clamp  810   a  may include a first flange  860   a  at an end of the clamp  810   a.  The first flange  860   a  may include a first flange base surface  840   a  positioned underneath the frame  200  and projecting in a first direction parallel to the frame  200  and away from the second clamp  810   b.  A first ear  862   a  may extend away from the first flange base surface  840   a  in a second direction such that the first ear  862   a  may interface with the first opening  202  of the frame  200 . For example, a given first ear may extend vertically from a given first flange base surface and at an acute angle relative to a given first clamp from which the given first ear is attached such that the given first ear may interface with an opening of a frame positioned above the given first ear. For example, the first ear  862   a  may form a 90° angle, an 85° angle, an 80° angle, a 75° angle, a 70° angle, a 60° angle, etc. with the first flange base surface  840   a.  In some embodiments, the first ear  862   a  may form an obtuse angle with the first flange base surface  840   a,  such as a 100° angle, a 110° angle, a 120° angle, etc. The first ear  862   a  may include a first locking surface  864   a  that may move in an inward and downward direction toward the bracket base surface  830  and interface with an edge of the first opening  202  as a single bolt  230  is tightened. 
     The second clamp  810   b  may include a second flange  860   b  at an end of the second clamp  810   b.  The second flange  860   b  may include a second flange base surface  840   b  positioned underneath the frame  200  and projecting in a third direction parallel to the frame  200  and away from the first clamp  810   a.  In these and other embodiments, the third direction may be opposite to the first direction in which the first flange base surface  840   a  projects. A second ear  862   b  may extend away from the second flange base surface  840   b  in a fourth direction such that the second ear  862   b  may interface with the second opening of the frame  200 . For example, a given second ear may extend vertically from a given second flange base surface and at an acute angle relative to a given second clamp from which the given second ear is attached such that the given second ear may interface with an opening of a frame positioned above the given second ear. For example, the second ear  862   b  may form a 90° angle, an 85° angle, an 80° angle, a 75° angle, a 70° angle, a 60° angle, etc. with the second flange base surface  840   b.  In some embodiments, the second ear  862   b  may form an obtuse angle with the second flange base surface  840   b,  such as a 100° angle, a 110° angle, a 120° angle, etc. In some embodiments, the angles formed by the first ear  862   a  and the second ear  862   b  may be mirrors of each other, such as both forming an 80° angles with their respective first and second flange base surfaces  840   a/   840   b.    
     The second ear  862   b  may include a second locking surface  864   b  that may move in an inward and downward direction toward the bracket base surface  830  and interface with an edge of the second opening as the single bolt  230  is tightened. Thus, simultaneous movement of the first locking surface  864   a  of the first ear  862   a  and the second locking surface  864   b  of the second ear  862   b  toward the bracket base surface  830  may lock and/or secure positioning, alignment, and/or orientation of the frame  200  relative to the mounting bracket assembly  805   a.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 22B , one or more structural supports may be included when locking the clamp  815  to the frame  200 . For example, the clamp  815  may include a protruding arm  820  that may provide additional rigidity and structural support to the clamp  815  as the clamp  815  is tightened against the frame  200 . The protruding arm  820  may be positioned at least partially in the same plane as a flange base surface  840  of the clamp  815  and may project in an at least partially horizontal direction relative to the plane of the flange base surface  840 . As another example, a structural bar  825  or other structural supporting member may be provided between the locking surfaces of clamps  815  at either end of the mounting bracket assembly to provide the frame  200  with additional structural support as the clamps  815  are tightened against the frame  200 . 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the mounting systems  800   a,    800   b  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the designations of different elements in the manner described is meant to help explain concepts described herein and is not limiting. Further, the mounting systems  800   a,    800   b  may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within other systems or contexts than those described. 
       FIGS. 23A and 23B  illustrate example embodiments of PV modules  50   a,    50   b  in accordance with the present disclosure. The PV modules  50   a,    50   b  may include corresponding frames  200   a,    200   b  that may include one or more openings  202 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 23A , the frame  200   a  may include overall rectangular dimensions of approximately 1 meter by 2 meters, although any size of frame is contemplated in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, the PV modules may include a size of 1×1 m, 1×1.5 m, 1×1.75 m, 1.5×1.5 m, 2×2 m, etc. The openings  202  of the frame  200   a  may be a generally rounded rectangular shape, with dimensions of approximately ten mm by seven mm, although any size of opening is contemplated by the present disclosure. For example, the openings may be 3×8 mm, 5×10 mm, 5×15 mm, 7×15 mm, 10×20 mm, etc. In some embodiments, the openings may be spaced apart from each other along one edge of the frame  200   a.  By having two openings  202  in line with each other, the clamps at either end of a bracket mounting assembly may facilitate alignment of the frame  200   a  based on the openings in the frame being in alignment. In some embodiments the two openings  202  may be spaced linearly from each other a set distance, such as 250 mm, 300 mm, 350 mm, 400 mm, 425 mm, 450 mm, etc. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 23A , in some embodiments more than two openings  202  may be found along one edge of the frame  200   a,  such as the three openings  202   a,    202   b,  and  202   c.  In these and other embodiments, the use of three or more openings  202   a - c  may accommodate different sizes of mounting bracket assemblies with different spacing between their associated clamps. For example, the openings  202   a  and  202   b  may be used for a smaller bracket mounting assembly and the openings  202   a  and  202   c  may be used for larger bracket mounting assemblies. 
       FIG. 23B  illustrates the frame  200   b.  As illustrated in  FIG. 22B , the frame  200   b  may include four openings, the openings  202   g - j.  By having two openings  202  on each side of the frame  200   b,  the PV module  50   b  may be aligned and locked into place with adjacent PV modules with openings  202  at the same locations. 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the frames  200   a,    200   b  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the designations of different elements in the manner described is meant to help explain concepts described herein and is not limiting. Further, the frames  200   a,    200   b  may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within other systems or contexts than those described. 
       FIGS. 24A and 24B  illustrate example embodiments of openings  202  in a frame of a PV module in accordance with the present disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 24A , the opening  202   a  may be squared-off. As illustrated in  FIG. 24B , the opening  202   b  may include rounded edges or corners. By including rounded edges or corners, the stress of the locking of the clamp against the frame may be spread over a larger surface area. By including squared-off edges, a more precise fit may be obtained. While two examples are given, any shape or style of opening is contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the openings  202  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the designations of different elements in the manner described is meant to help explain concepts described herein and is not limiting. Further, the openings  202  may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within other systems or contexts than those described. 
       FIGS. 25A and 25B  illustrate another example embodiment of mounting systems  900   a,    900   b  and a mounting bracket assembly  905  in accordance with the present disclosure. The mounting system  900   a  may include a PV module  50  with a corresponding frame  200 . The frame  200  may include an aspect  920  of the frame  200  extending away from the mounting bracket assembly and underneath the PV module  50 . The mounting bracket assembly  905  may be similar or comparable to the mounting bracket assembly  505  of  FIGS. 17A and 17B . For example, a bolt  930  may be tightened to cause the mounting bracket assembly  905  to tighten around a torque tube. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 25A and 25B , an arm  950  and corresponding clamp  910  may be shaped and positioned to interface with the aspect  920  of the frame  200 . The arm  950  may include a sloping surface and the clamp  910  may include a corresponding sloping surface such that as a bolt  935  extending through the clamp  910  and the arm  950  is tightened, the clamp  910  moves downwards and inwards relative to the arm  950  in a similar manner to the clamp  510  and the mounting bracket assembly  505  of  FIGS. 17A and 17B . As the clamp  910  moves downwards and inwards towards the mounting bracket assembly  905 , the clamp  910  may overlap with the aspect  920  of the frame  200 . When the bolt  935  is sufficiently tightened, the clamp  910  may move downward and inward far enough to physically interface with the aspect  920 . In some embodiments, the aspect  920  may include an opening with which the clamp  910  may interface, such as by a tab or other feature being disposed within the opening. As illustrated in  FIG. 25A , the clamp  910  is up and away from the aspect  920  such that the PV module  50  with the associated frame  200  may be positioned into place relative to the clamp  910  and the mounting bracket assembly  905 . As illustrated in  FIG. 25B , after tightening the bolt  935 , the clamp  910  may move downward and inward to interface with the aspect  920 , locking the frame  200  against the mounting bracket assembly  905 . 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the system  900  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the aspect  920  of the frame  200  may include an opening in the frame, a bottom portion of the frame, a lip of the frame, a top surface of the frame, a bottom surface of the frame, etc. For example, the designations of different elements in the manner described is meant to help explain concepts described herein and is not limiting. Further, the system  900  may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within other systems or contexts than those described. 
       FIGS. 26A and 26B  illustrate various embodiments of the clamp  910 , in accordance with the present disclosure. For example the clamps  910   a  and/or  910   b  may include the arm  950  and an ear  962  with a tab  964  or other feature for interfacing with a lower portion of a frame, such as the aspect  920  of the frame  200  of  FIGS. 25A and 25B . Additionally, the clamps  910   a  and/or  910   b  may include a sloping surface to facilitate the movement of the clamp downward and inward to lock a frame of a PV module to a mounting bracket assembly. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 26A , the clamp  910   a  may include the tab  964   a  that may interface with an opening of a frame. For example, the lower portion of the frame extending away from the mounting bracket assembly and underneath the PV module may include an opening within which the tab  964   a  may interface to lock the frame of the PV module against the mounting bracket assembly. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 26B , the clamp  910   b  may include teeth  964   b  for interfacing with the lower portion of a frame, even without an opening. In some embodiments, the clamp  910   b  may include any other feature for interfacing with the lower portion of the frame to reduce movement of the frame relative to the clamp  910 . For example, the clamp  910   b  may include ridges, a rough textured region, an adhesive, a patterned region, etc. By reducing movement of the frame relative to the clamp  910   b,  the PV modules may be kept in alignment with any tracking that may be occurring to keep the PV module aligned with the sun. In some embodiments, the teeth  964   b  may provide a friction interface with the lower portion of the frame. 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the clamps  910   a  and/or  910   b  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the designations of different elements in the manner described is meant to help explain concepts described herein and is not limiting. Further, the clamps  910   a  and/or  910   b  may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within other systems or contexts than those described. 
     The mounting bracket and/or mounting bracket assembly mounting bracket assembly may include one or more parts and/or components, such as the top member, clamp, arm, flange, ear, bolt, etc., and one or more surfaces, such as a first sloping surface and/or a second sloping surface. One or more of the sloping surfaces may be sized and configured to engage or contact. In addition, one or more of the sloping surfaces may by complimentary or corresponding, and the sloping surfaces may facilitate movement such as by sliding. The brackets, assemblies, parts, and components disclosed herein may be used in connection with a variety of structures and devices, such as those shown in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017/0359017; 2018/0254740; and 2018/0348331; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,459,249; 9,281,778; 9,581,678; 9,631,840; 10,042,030; and 10,069,455; each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     The subject technology of the present disclosure is illustrated, for example, according to various aspects described below. Various examples of aspects of the subject technology are described as numbered examples (1, 2, 3, etc.) for convenience. These are provided as examples and do not limit the subject technology. It is noted that any of the dependent examples or portions thereof may be combined in any combination, and placed into an independent example, e.g., Examples 1, 2, and 3. The other examples can be presented in a similar manner. The following is a non-limiting summary of some examples presented herein. 
     Example 1 includes a mounting system that may include a frame associated with a power generating device, where the frame may include an opening on the frame. The mounting system may also include a bracket mounting assembly. The bracket mounting assembly may include a top member including a first surface and a clamp. The clamp may include a second surface corresponding to the first surface. The clamp may also include an arm projecting in a direction away from the top member. The clamp may additionally include a flange at least proximate a top of the arm. The flange may include an ear at the top of the arm. The flange may also include a tab on a bottom side of the ear projecting back towards the top member, where the tab may be positioned to interface with the opening on the frame. The mounting system may additionally include a bolt passing through the top member such that as the bolt is tightened, the clamp may move relative to the frame causing the ear to interface with the opening of the frame. 
     Example 2 includes a mounting system that may include a frame associated with a power generating device, where the frame may include a first opening and a second opening on the frame. The mounting system may also include a bracket mounting assembly. The bracket mounting assembly may also include a bracket base surface positioned underneath and projecting in a direction parallel to the frame. The bracket mounting assembly may also include a first clamp positioned at a first end of the bracket mounting assembly. The bracket mounting assembly may also include a second clamp positioned at a second end of the bracket mounting assembly. The first clamp may include a first flange positioned at a first end of the clamp and may be positioned to project through the first opening of the frame. The first flange may include a first flange base surface positioned underneath and projecting parallel to the frame away from the bracket base surface in a first direction away from a second clamp. The first flange may also include a first ear extending away from the first flange base surface in the first direction and extending in a second direction away from the bracket base surface. The first flange may also include a first locking surface to interface with the first opening of the frame. The second clamp may also include a second flange positioned at a second end of the clamp and positioned to project through the second opening of the frame. The second flange may include a second flange base surface positioned underneath and projecting parallel to the frame in a third direction opposite the first direction. The second flange may also include a second ear extending away from the second flange base surface in the third direction and extending in a fourth direction away from the bracket base surface. The second flange may also include a second locking surface to interface with the second opening of the frame. The bracket mounting assembly may additionally include a single bolt passing through the bracket mounting assembly. As the single bolt is tightened, the first clamp and the second clamp may move towards each other, and one or more edges of the first opening may interface with the first locking surface. The mounting system may additionally include one or more edges of the second opening that interface with the second locking surface. 
     Example 3 includes a power-generating system that may include a plurality of photovoltaic modules. The power-generating system may also include a mounting system connecting each photovoltaic module of the plurality of photovoltaic modules. The mounting system may include one or more frame, where each frame may be associated with one or more photovoltaic modules of the plurality of photovoltaic modules and each frame may include an opening on the frame. The mounting system may also include a bracket mounting assembly associated with each frame. The bracket mounting assembly may include a top member including a first surface and a clamp. The clamp may include a second surface corresponding to the first surface. The clamp may also include an arm projecting in a direction away from the top member. The clamp may also include a flange at least proximate a top of the arm. The flange may include an ear at the top of the arm. The flange may also include a tab on a bottom side of the ear projecting back towards the top member, where the tab may be positioned to interface with the opening on the frame. The bracket mounting assembly may additionally include a bolt passing through the top member such that as the bolt is tightened, the clamp may move relative to the frame causing the ear to interface with the opening of the frame. The bracket mounting assembly may also include an angled bottom member connected to the top member at opposite ends of the top member. The bracket mounting assembly may also include a ring that defines a beam insertion aperture between the top member and the angled bottom member. The mounting system additionally may include a torsion beam inserted through the angled bottom member, where tightening the bolt may move the clamp relative to the frame causing the ear to interface with the opening of the frame in a direction towards the torsion beam. The power-generating system may additionally include a motor configured to supply motion to the torsion beams. 
     Example 4 includes a mounting system that may include a frame associated with a power generating device. The mounting system may also include a bracket mounting assembly. The bracket mounting assembly may include a top member including a first surface and a clamp. The clamp may include a second surface corresponding to the first surface. The clamp may also include an arm projecting in a direction away from the top member. The clamp may also include includes a flange at least proximate a top of the arm. The flange may include an ear at the top of the arm. The flange may also include a tab on a bottom side of the ear projecting back towards the top member, where the tab may be positioned to interface with an aspect of the frame. The mounting system may additionally include a bolt passing through the top member such that as the bolt is tightened, the clamp may move relative to the frame, thereby causing the ear to interface with the aspect of the frame. The aspect of the frame may include an opening in the frame, a bottom portion of the frame, a lip of the frame, a top surface of the frame, and/or a bottom surface of the frame. 
     In some examples, the flange at least proximate the top of the arm may further comprise a second ear at the top of the arm, wherein the second ear projects outward from the top of the arm in a direction opposite and parallel to the ear, the second ear comprising a second tab on a bottom side of the second ear projecting back towards the top member. 
     In some examples, the mounting system may further comprise a second frame associated with a second power generating device. In such examples, the second frame may include an opening of the second frame. the second frame is positioned adjacent to the first frame and is oriented in a same direction as the first frame. In such examples, the second ear and the second tab may be positioned to interface with the opening of the second frame. 
     In some examples, the ear and the tab may project through the opening on the frame such that tightening the single bolt causes the ear and the tab to interface with an edge of the opening. 
     In some examples, the bolt may include a single bolt passing through both the top member and the clamp such that as the single bolt is tightened, the clamp may move relative to the top member along an interface between the first sloping surface and the second sloping surface. 
     In some examples, the ear may have a profile that slopes away from the top of the arm. In such examples, the profile of the ear may be an arced profile. 
     In some examples, the bracket mounting assembly may include an angled bottom member connected to the top member at opposite ends of the top member. In such examples, one or more strengthening members may be connected between the top member and the angled bottom member. In such examples, at least one of the top member, the angled bottom member, or the one or more strengthening members may be made of a flexible or semi-flexible material. In such examples, the flexible or semi-flexible material may include one or more materials selected from the group consisting of cast aluminum, extruded aluminum, injection molded plastic, steel, and fiberglass. 
     In some examples, the bracket mounting assembly may include an angled bottom member connected to the top member at opposite ends of the top member. In such examples, a ring may define a beam insertion aperture between the top member and the angled bottom member. In such examples, a torsion beam may be inserted through the angled bottom member, wherein tightening the single bolt moves the clamp relative to the top member along an interface between the first surface and the second surface towards the torsion beam. In such examples, a profile of the torsion beam may be selected from the group consisting of round, square, hexagonal, octagonal, and rounded with flat edges on one or more sides. In such examples, the ring that defines the beam insertion aperture may correspond with the profile of the torsion beam. 
     In some examples, the mounting system may include the frame including a second opening on the frame. In such examples, the flange may further comprise a lower ear positioned along the arm projecting in a direction away from the top member and between a top surface of the top member and the flange, wherein the lower ear comprises a lower tab on a bottom side of the lower ear projecting back towards the top member, the lower tab positioned to interface with a second opening on the frame. 
     In some examples, the first clamp may further comprise a first protruding arm positioned in the same plane as the first flange base surface and projecting in the first direction. In such examples, the second ear may further comprise a second protruding arm positioned in the same plane as the second flange base surface and projecting in the third direction. 
     In some examples, the mounting system may include a structural bar positioned above the frame and between the first locking surface and the second locking surface. 
     In some examples, the second direction and the fourth direction may be a same direction. 
     In some examples, the second direction and the fourth direction may be different directions. 
     In some examples, the ear and the tab may project through the opening on the frame such that tightening the single bolt causes the ear and the tab to interface with an edge of the opening. 
     In some examples, the tab may include ridges, a rough textured region, an adhesive, or a patterned region. 
     The various features illustrated in the drawings may be, but are not necessarily, drawn to scale. The illustrations presented in the present disclosure are not meant to be actual views of any particular apparatus (e.g., device, system, etc.) or method, but are merely idealized representations that are employed to describe various embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some of the drawings may be simplified for clarity. Thus, the drawings may not depict all of the components of a given apparatus (e.g., device) or all operations of a particular method. 
     Terms used in the present disclosure and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes, but is not limited to,” among others). 
     Additionally, if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. 
     In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” or “one or more of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended to include A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc. 
     Further, any disjunctive word or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” should be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” 
     However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. 
     Additionally, the use of the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are not necessarily used herein to connote a specific order or number of elements. Generally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are used to distinguish between different elements as generic identifiers. Absence a showing that the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., connote a specific order, these terms should not be understood to connote a specific order. Furthermore, absence a showing that the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., connote a specific number of elements, these terms should not be understood to connote a specific number of elements. For example, a first widget may be described as having a first side and a second widget may be described as having a second side. The use of the term “second side” with respect to the second widget may be to distinguish such side of the second widget from the “first side” of the first widget and not to connote that the second widget has two sides. 
     All examples and conditional language recited in the present disclosure are intended for pedagogical objects to aid the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.