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CA3130941A1 - Mounting system for roof mounted solar panels - Google Patents

Mounting system for roof mounted solar panels

Info

Publication number
CA3130941A1
CA3130941A1 CA3130941A CA3130941A CA3130941A1 CA 3130941 A1 CA3130941 A1 CA 3130941A1 CA 3130941 A CA3130941 A CA 3130941A CA 3130941 A CA3130941 A CA 3130941A CA 3130941 A1 CA3130941 A1 CA 3130941A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
roof
framing
frame
members
solar panel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
CA3130941A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Paolo Petrachi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA3130941A priority Critical patent/CA3130941A1/en
Publication of CA3130941A1 publication Critical patent/CA3130941A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24SSOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/30Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules using elongate rigid mounting elements extending substantially along the supporting surface, e.g. for covering buildings with solar heat collectors
    • F24S25/33Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules using elongate rigid mounting elements extending substantially along the supporting surface, e.g. for covering buildings with solar heat collectors forming substantially planar assemblies, e.g. of coplanar or stacked profiles
    • F24S25/37Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules using elongate rigid mounting elements extending substantially along the supporting surface, e.g. for covering buildings with solar heat collectors forming substantially planar assemblies, e.g. of coplanar or stacked profiles forming coplanar grids comprising longitudinal and transversal profiles
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24SSOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S20/00Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
    • F24S20/60Solar heat collectors integrated in fixed constructions, e.g. in buildings
    • F24S20/69Solar heat collectors integrated in fixed constructions, e.g. in buildings in the form of shingles or tiles
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24SSOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/60Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules
    • F24S2025/6003Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules by clamping
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24SSOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/60Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/63Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules for fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements
    • F24S25/634Clamps; Clips
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02SGENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
    • H02S20/00Supporting structures for PV modules
    • H02S20/20Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object
    • H02S20/22Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings
    • H02S20/23Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings specially adapted for roof structures
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02BCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/10Photovoltaic [PV]
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02BCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/20Solar thermal
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/50Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Roof Covering Using Slabs Or Stiff Sheets (AREA)

Abstract

A method and apparatus for efficiently securing flexible solar panels on a roof surface that does not require penetration of the roof membrane. The apparatus is composed of extruded aluminum bars with two grooves. The apparatus has a low profile relative to the surface of the roof. The aluminum bars' streamlined design allows free drainage between and over the aluminum structure, as well as an aerodynamic profile to counteract air flow resistance in a high wind environment.

Description

USPTO utility application number- 16/838,142 Inventor- Petrachi Paolo Pietro MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR ROOF MOUNTED SOLAR PANELS
Cross Reference to Related Applications This application claims priority to provisional application Serial Number 62/829,117 and International Application Number PCT/US19/28048 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to roof mounted solar panels. More specifically, it relates to a method and apparatus for mounting solar panels on pitched roofs with shingles.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
There is a need for a sloped roof solar panel mounting system that attaches to rafters or roof supporting members, avoids using rails or struts, and is universal.
Solar panels must be secured to the roof and underlying structure to disperse wind and snow loads into the building structure. Although some mounting systems avoid using rails attach to the roof decking, they do not attach to the roof rafters because the spacing of rafters is different than the length of typical solar panel modules.
Page 1 of 9 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-15 USPTO utility application number- 16/838,142 Inventor- Petrachi Paolo Pietro Rails and struts are commonly used to mount solar panels. Rails and struts are long extrusions or roll-formed strips that must be cut to length, use excess material, are costly to manufacture, and are high in shipping cost. Therefore, a mounting system avoiding the use of rails or struts is desired.
There is a need for a solar panel mounting system to be adjustable for mounting to any solar panel module on the market, giving installers the flexibility to choose the solar panel module of their choice, rather than be required to buy a module with a custom profile rail, or the like, to accommodate the mounting system.
The solar panels are typically assembled on the ground, and then mounted directly on a roof of a building, or installed on a dedicated ground or pole mounted frame. In order to minimize the amount of time that workers spend on the roof, it is desirable to have a solar panel mounting system which is easily adaptable to various configurations of solar modules. It is also desirable to have a solar panel mounting system which can secure solar panel modules to the roof without penetrating the roof membrane.
A method and apparatus for efficiently securing flexible solar panels on a roof surface that does not require penetration of the roof membrane is provided. The apparatus is composed of extruded aluminum bars with two grooves. The apparatus has a low profile overall height relative to the surface of the roof The aluminum bars' streamlined design allows free drainage between and over the aluminum structure, as well as an aerodynamic profile to counteract air flow resistance in a high wind environment.
Page 2 of 9 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-15 USPTO utility application number- 16/838,142 Inventor- Petrachi Paolo Pietro SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a major object of the invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for mounting solar panels.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for mounting solar panels which can be installed without rails or struts.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for mounting solar panels which does not penetrate the roofing membrane.
Page 3 of 9 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-15 USPTO utility application number- 16/838,142 Inventor- Petrachi Paolo Pietro BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 depicts a typical solar panel in situ on a roof.
FIG. 2 illustrates a solar panel being installed using the apparatus of the invention.
FIG. 3 depicts the apparatus of the invention prior to installation of the solar panel.
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a side sectional view detailing an edge region of the solar panel inserted into a bottom framing member of the apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a detail of the shingles' end flap.
FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of a side framing member of the apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the top framing member of the apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a connecting element of the apparatus.
FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a detail of the 3D printed apparatus FIG. 11 depicts a 3D printed side sectional of the apparatus FIG. 12 illustrates a semi-flexible solar panel been installed using a 3D
printed apparatus of the invention.
FIG. 14 depicts a typical solar panel in situs on a roof and installed on a 3D
printed prototype of the apparatus.
Page 4 of 9 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-15 USPTO utility application number- 16/838,142 Inventor- Petrachi Paolo Pietro DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to Fig. 1, the apparatus, generally indicated by the numeral 10, is shown positioned on a roof 4. The apparatus 10 is essentially a bracket or frame for securing one or more solar panels to a roof 4. A key aspect of the invention is that the apparatus 10 can be mounted without penetrating the roof membrane, which greatly reduces the probability of leaks. The elimination of nails, screws, or other penetrating fasteners reduces the amount of effort required by workers thereby enhancing worker safety. The apparatus 10 includes five framing members which are configured for anchoring to a sloped roof as well as containing solar panels of a known or standard size and thickness. The apparatus 10 is specifically designed for use with flexible solar panels 40 having a thickness of about 2 - 3 mm but the system may be adapted for use with thicker or thinner panels by simply adjusting the relative dimensions of the apparatus 10 as would be apparent to one of skill in the art.
The 3-Tab and architectural asphalt shingles are the most popular roof covering system in the U.S. residential construction market due to their relatively low installation cost and range of aesthetic options. A shingle system consists of overlapping strips of asphalt impregnated organic or glass fiber mats that function as a water shedding skin for structural roof decking. Asphalt shingles manufactured after the 1950s usually have an adhesive asphalt-based sealant strip embedded on the top or lower surface of the shingle that adheres when the roof temperature exceeds the sealants softening point.
The present invention is directed to an apparatus 10 designed for use with 3-Tab and architectural asphalt shingles (and takes advantage of the sealing strip as explained below), but can be Page 5 of 9 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-15 USPTO utility application number: 16/838,142 Inventor: Petrachi Paolo Pietro readily modified for use with most shingle systems as would be apparent to one of skill in the art.
Referring now to Figs. 2 -9, the apparatus 10 is composed of four or more (depending upon configuration as explained below) framing members, which are extruded aluminum bars.
Of course any material sufficiently hard and durable may be used to form framing members as would be apparent to one of skill in the art. It should be noted that framing members come in 4 different variations corresponding to the orientation of the particular framing member on the roof 4. Accordingly, there are bottom 13, left 25, right 26, and top 22 framing members. As can be seen in Fig. 5, a cross section of framing member 13 is shown. The base 33 of the member 13 flashes to the roof 4 and is pushed upward by the user so the end flap 7 of the upper shingle 44 is secured inside the lower groove 15 by pushing the stainless steel clip 5 downward and on the upper side of the end flap 7. The top groove 14 functions as a sliding guide for the edge of the solar panel 40, and as an anchor for the semi flexible solar panel 40 as shown in Fig. 2. The bottom groove's 15 purpose is anchoring the apparatus 10 to the roof 4 by sliding the shingles' 44 end flap 7 upward and into the bottom groove 15, locking with the stainless steel clip 5 the top anchoring tooth 6 and the bottom anchoring teeth 8.
The intermediate framing member 21 has the same anchoring function as the bottom framing member 13, and can vary in number, based on the dimensions and numbers of the flexible solar panels 40 deployed.
Page 6 of 9 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-15 USPTO utility application number- 16/838,142 Inventor- Petrachi Paolo Pietro The left sidebar 25, and the right sidebar 26 are connected to the bottom bar 13 and the top bar 22 by a mitered corner connector 27 inserted in the groove 9 and tightened by the set screw 28. The end corners of all framing members, including bottom 13, side left 25, side right 26 and top member 22 have a cut 29 at a 450 angle, all 4 corners of the apparatus 10 are connected by mitered corner connectors 27. Fig. 4 shows a side sectional view of the apparatus 10 attached as per the method of the invention.
The role of the clip bending point 3 is to keep the area of the end flap 7 of the shingle from the downward edge of the sealing strip 17, the sealing strip 17 being already present in all 3 tab asphalt shingle systems (see especially Fig. 6) to the upward edge 18 of the groove 15 pressed down to the sealant strip below 2. Thus, the clip 3 applies sealing pressure to seal the end flap 7 to roof surface via the sealing strip 17 that is positioned on the roof.
In use, once side 25, 26, and bottom 13 framing members are positioned and secured on the roof 4, a solar panel 40 may be slid into position using side members 25, 26 as a guide. When fully inserted, the top member 22 may be positioned.
Page 7 of 9 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-15

Claims

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims:
Claim 3 A frame securing a solar panel to a sloped roof comprising:
A bottom framing member, said bottom framing member including an upper groove configured to receive a bottom edge of said solar panel, and a lower groove;
A top framing member, said top framing member including an upper groove configured to receive a top edge of said solar panel;
A pair of side frame members each extending from said bottom frame to the top frame member;
A plurality of intermediate framing members spaced apart from one another, said intermediate framing members extending from one of the side frame members to the other of the side frame members, each intermediate frame including a lower groove;
Wherein the lower groove of the bottom framing member and each intemiediate framing member are configured to receive an end flap of an asphalt shingle of a different course.
Claim 4 The frame of claim 3, wherein each lower groove comprising anchoring teeth configured to lock said end flap of the respective asphalt shingle.
Claim 6 The frame of claim 3, wherein said intemiediate framing members are configured to anchor said side framing members to said sloped roof.
CA3130941A 2021-09-15 2021-09-15 Mounting system for roof mounted solar panels Pending CA3130941A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA3130941A CA3130941A1 (en) 2021-09-15 2021-09-15 Mounting system for roof mounted solar panels

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA3130941A CA3130941A1 (en) 2021-09-15 2021-09-15 Mounting system for roof mounted solar panels

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA3130941A1 true CA3130941A1 (en) 2023-03-15

Family

ID=85556880

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA3130941A Pending CA3130941A1 (en) 2021-09-15 2021-09-15 Mounting system for roof mounted solar panels

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA3130941A1 (en)

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