Abstract: The invention relates to a photovoltaic unit (1A, 1B) including a supporting plate and a photovoltaic component (4A, 4B) that is arranged on the supporting plate and comprises an input connection element (6A, 6B) and an output connection element (8A, 8B). The unit further includes at least one first auxiliary circuit (14A, 14B), which is arranged on the supporting plate and can conduct electric current, and a first and a second connection terminal board (10A, 12A, 10B, 12B).

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting device (3) for at least one module (400) for recovering power from solar radiation that includes a first (54) and second (56) groove arranged in a stationary manner opposite one another. Each groove (54, 56) is capable of receiving a module edge (402A, 402B) while an opposite module edge (402B, 402A) is received in the other groove. In the configuration for maximum sinking of an edge (402A, 402B) of the module (400) into a groove (54, 56) from among the two grooves, the opposite module edge (402B, 402A) is capable of being extracted from the other edge, and the device contains a means (9) for maintaining the module in a position wherein the two opposite module edges (402A, 402 B) are received in the first (54) and second (56) groove, respectively. The grooves (54, 56) are formed in a section (5) making it possible to completely hold up each module (400).

Abstract: The invention concerns a metal plate (1) comprising a peripheral edge (4), and opposite first (2) and second (3) surfaces. At least one sheaf (5) of several assembled rectilinear mutually parallel grooves (6, 7, 8) obtained by pressing, linking together two portions of said peripheral edge (4) and delimited each by a wall with globally dihedral shape is provided in said first surface (2) of the metal plate (1). Said metal plate is designed to be folded along the sheaf (5) of grooves.

Abstract: A method of forming a tubular workpiece which consists in pre-bending a metal plate along at least two longitudinal lines of bend (12–13) then in bending the plate along at least one of the lines of bend (12–13) using a bending member (103–104) that exerts an external clamping force (F7, F8) along a part (23, 24) of the plate towards the at least one of the lines of bend (12, 13). Thereby preventing any sliding of part (23, 24) of the plate along the bending member (103–104) as the bending member bends the part. The bending member is articulated about a virtual geometrical axis (a, c) located inside a tubular section of the workpiece.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method which consists in pre-bending a metal plate along at least two longitudinal edges (12-13) then in bending said plate along at least one edge (12-13) using a bending member (103-104) by exerting, during the bending process (F1, F3), a clamping force (F7, F8) of part (23, 24) of the plate relative to the bending member (103, 104). Said clamping force (F7, F8) can be globally oriented towards the edge (12, 13). The installation comprises at least a member for bending (103-104) the metal plate along a longitudinal edge (12-13) of a tubular section of the frame. The bending member (103-104) is equipped with means (103f-104f) for exerting on a part (23, 24) of the plate a clamping force (F7, F8) countering the sliding of part (23, 24) of the plate along the bending member (103, 104). The bending member is articulated about a virtual geometrical axis (a, c) located inside the corresponding tubular section of the component to be produced.

Abstract: A device that includes a frame equipped with guiding means, blank holder modules to be moved along the guiding means, means for blocking independently each blank holder module in a specific position, a magazine of end modules located near each end of the guiding means and gripping and handling means for grasping an end module to fix the end module to a blank holder module and vice-versa.