Abstract: Mounting systems for mounting solar panels to a surface are disclosed and can include panel clamp assemblies and rail clamp assemblies. Panel clamp assemblies can comprise a panel clamp having a base and arms extending from edges of the base, the base having an aperture, a rail clamp having a central portion with an aperture and two flexible tabs extending from the central portion on opposing sides of the aperture and a fastener threaded through the apertures such that that flexible tabs contact a head of the fastener and the arms extend in an opposite direction from the flexible tabs. Rail clamp assemblies can comprise a base member having a bottom and two side walls, the bottom having at least one aperture and each side wall having an elongated aperture, two clamping members and a fastener, wherein the side walls of the base member are positioned such that the opening is of sufficient size to receive the rail.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 30, 2010
Date of Patent:
April 9, 2013
Assignee:
Applied Energy Technologies
Inventors:
John Henry Harberts, Aaron Faust, John Edward Klinkman, Ronald Paul Katt, David Wayne Raffler
Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of modular racking systems for solar panels and in particular, modular solar panel racks, racking systems, arrays of racks, kits and methods of use. One embodiment of a modular solar panel rack comprises a plurality of discrete ballast holders and a plurality of panel support members each having two upright portions, a transverse portion contiguously connected between the two upright portions, the connection such that the transverse portion is non-perpendicular to the two upright portions, and a retainer attached to the transverse portion and configured to retain a solar panel. Each of the plurality of ballast holders is connected to no more than four panel support members, each ballast holder perpendicularly connected to one of the upright portions.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 26, 2009
Date of Patent:
October 2, 2012
Assignee:
Applied Energy Technologies
Inventors:
John Henry Harberts, John Edward Klinkman
Abstract: Mounting systems for mounting solar panels to a surface are disclosed and can include panel clamp assemblies and rail clamp assemblies. Panel clamp assemblies can comprise a panel clamp having a base and arms extending from edges of the base, the base having an aperture, a rail clamp having a central portion with an aperture and two flexible tabs extending from the central portion on opposing sides of the aperture and a fastener threaded through the apertures such that that flexible tabs contact a head of the fastener and the arms extend in an opposite direction from the flexible tabs. Rail clamp assemblies can comprise a base member having a bottom and two side walls, the bottom having at least one aperture and each side wall having an elongated aperture, two clamping members and a fastener, wherein the side walls of the base member are positioned such that the opening is of sufficient size to receive the rail.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 30, 2010
Publication date:
November 4, 2010
Applicant:
APPLIED ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
Inventors:
Aaron Faust, John Henry Harberts, John Edward Klinkman, Ronald Paul Katt, David Wayne Raffler